What kind of mess is this?!
The Third Hokage jumped up, thoroughly taken aback. "Wait—Root's supply requests are almost as high as ANBU's?"
Tsunade threw him a cold smile. "You tell me. You approved and stamped every one of them, so I had no choice but to comply."
Standard requests, standard approvals—no matter how much Tsunade wanted to stop the flow, she was obligated to let those through. But Danzo's persistence and greed seemed limitless, as if the entire logistics division existed just to serve him.
Root truly needed all these resources? Or was something else going on? The Third Hokage glanced nervously at Tsunade, who was already visibly angry.
Looking utterly exasperated, he grimaced. "I'll investigate this. Going forward, all of Root's supply requests are to be denied."
Danzo, this is too much!
The Third Hokage had allowed Danzo to rebuild Root, given him supplies, money, and personnel. But, apparently, that wasn't enough; Danzo had continued to push his advantage relentlessly. If Tsunade hadn't rejected several of Danzo's applications, forcing him to complain, Hiruzen would have had no idea about the scale of Danzo's actions.
Although he tolerated Root, Hiruzen aimed to keep it balanced—not too weak to be irrelevant but not strong enough to become dangerous.
"And it's not just Root—ANBU has been filing supply requests one after another. What are you even doing, old man?" Tsunade's words startled the Third Hokage further.
"ANBU's requests… were submitted several times?" He looked at her, stunned.
"You didn't know?"
Now, it was Tsunade's turn to be confused. "I thought the requests came directly from ANBU, citing a need for 'reorganization and additional resources.'"
The Third Hokage's face fell. "I… didn't approve…"
He cut himself off, realizing the problem. Tsunade's cold gaze hinted that she, too, understood: Danzo had been working behind the scenes. Using ANBU's name, he had been channeling resources. Whether those resources went into stockpiling weapons or even the black market, who knew? Most of ANBU's assets, such as weapons and medical kits, could be sold for hefty profits.
If he hadn't approved these requests, then who had?
Danzo, of course.
Hiruzen felt a chill down his spine. Danzo knew he rarely reviewed such matters directly, and he likely counted on Tsunade's hands being full to slip these requests through. Perhaps others were in on it, too.
"Handle it as you see fit, old man," Tsunade said, shaking her head. "Within three days, I want all of it returned."
This time, she wasn't going to negotiate with Hiruzen or waste her time with Danzo. As head of logistics, she was well within her right to demand accountability.
"If there's no resolution, we'll see about it," she continued, her tone icy. "From now on, all supply requests for Root and ANBU this year are denied!"
With a sharp slam, Tsunade left the office. On her way out, she shouted at the Third Hokage's assistant, who nodded fearfully.
Hiruzen let out a sigh, his patience waning as he muttered, "Send Danzo to see me. And call in the council as well."
His voice shook slightly, but not from cold—it was from anger. Danzo, this is wartime, and you're digging a hole for the village.
Hiruzen was working tirelessly to scrape together every available fund to buy more supplies, to support the war efforts. Yet, Danzo was covertly draining resources from the village. This was unacceptable.
"Lord Danzo, the Hokage has requested your presence in his office."
Danzo, thinking his supply requests had been approved, didn't hurry. Leaning on his cane, he made his way to the Hokage's office at a leisurely pace. Koharu and Homura, the other elders, were already there.
As soon as she entered, Koharu started complaining. "Hiruzen, you called us again? Can't you handle things without us?"
Homura quickly noticed Hiruzen's dark expression and tugged on Koharu's sleeve. Realizing her timing was off, Koharu hastily added, "I mean, I've just been so swamped with Medical Corps work."
"I understand," the Third Hokage replied through gritted teeth. "And if I could help it, I wouldn't bother you at all. Please, take a seat and wait for Danzo."
Koharu's eyes narrowed. Tsunade wasn't summoned this time, which was unusual. What matter could be serious enough to call us, yet not require Tsunade?
She didn't voice her questions, choosing instead to settle into a chair, exchanging a glance with Homura, who shrugged. Neither knew what was coming, though they had a feeling it involved Danzo, as Hiruzen's expression darkened further.
Soon, the familiar sound of a cane tapping reached their ears. Danzo entered, each step slow and deliberate, accompanied by his cane, as if to emphasize his deliberate pace.
As he approached, the Third Hokage's expression continued to sour, his anger building with each tap of Danzo's cane.