After the terrifying explosion, a thick cloud of dust and smoke engulfed the Daimyo's carriage. The Anbu members shifted their focus to Namikaze Minato and his team.
The mission was done.
Now, it was time for them to target Namikaze Minato and the others.
The Anbu operatives launched an attack.
"Namikaze Minato, how dare you assault the Daimyo!"
"According to Konoha's laws, you are now considered a rogue ninja!"
"Do not resist—come with us to see Hokage-sama immediately!"
The leader of the Anbu shouted, charging forward.
"Minato, this situation is more serious than we anticipated!"
Aburame Shibi stepped closer to Minato, his expression grave.
"Don't worry, it's manageable."
"They have no evidence. If we subdue them now, we can sort out the rest."
Minato replied, his face steady despite the tension.
"Understood. But Minato, the village may take drastic measures after this..."
Shibi's concern was evident. As the lead figure in this mission, Minato would bear the brunt of any repercussions. While others involved would face consequences, none would be as severe as those awaiting Minato.
"I'm aware."
"But they may have forgotten an important detail."
"In today's Konoha, framing others with such tricks won't work."
Minato said as he released a dozen marked kunai, hurling them around. In a flash, the Flying Thunder God technique activated, allowing him to engage the Anbu swiftly.
"Namikaze Minato is resisting! Capture him at all costs, and eliminate him if necessary!"
Reinforcements of Anbu appeared, shouting directives.
The Konoha guards watching were taken aback. The situation had escalated so quickly, and in the midst of escorting the Daimyo, they hadn't expected such chaos. By the time they realized what was happening, Minato and the Anbu were already locked in combat.
Upon hearing the news, Sarutobi Hiruzen was momentarily stunned.
"Anbu?!"
"Tsunade, Jiraiya, Orochimaru, come with me!"
"Anbu!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen barked an order and disappeared with a contingent of shinobi.
This incident wasn't just about Namikaze Minato—it implicated him directly. Anbu were under the Hokage's command; if this went wrong, it would be catastrophic.
Sarutobi Hiruzen and his team quickly arrived at the village entrance. The sight that met them made his expression darken. Anbu were fighting Minato and his team, and there was no trace of the Daimyo's presence.
"Is the Daimyo... dead?"
That was Hiruzen's immediate, gut-wrenching thought. If true, it meant the perpetrators weren't Minato and his team but rather these impostor Anbu.
"Hokage-sama, we need to apprehend these fake Anbu immediately."
"Reiki can interrogate them to find out the truth!"
"I'm going to check on the Daimyo. If he's alive, I'll save him."
Tsunade declared and darted into the dust cloud.
As Sarutobi Hiruzen weighed whether to support Minato or not, he recalled Reiki's unique capabilities. This could be an opportunity!
"Capture all impostors posing as Anbu."
"Eliminate anyone who resists!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen ordered, and reinforcements swarmed the scene. The impostor Anbu were soon overwhelmed.
*Boom!*
Suddenly, a powerful chakra surged, dispersing the dust cloud.
An orange-red Susanoo emerged, surrounding the carriage. Uchiha Fugaku stood within it, composed and calm.
Yes, the explosion from the detonating tags had been countered by Uchiha Fugaku's Susanoo.
"Konoha's defenses are impressive."
"No matter the attack, the response is swift."
"Sarutobi Hiruzen, you've managed well as Hokage."
Fugaku deactivated his Susanoo, and the Daimyo stepped out of the carriage unscathed, his clothing immaculate.
"Daimyo-sama!"
Everyone present bowed in respect upon seeing the Daimyo unharmed.
"It was quite an impressive drill."
"Konoha's strength has improved."
"This year's funding for the village will be double last year's amount."
"Are you pleased?"
The Daimyo said, half-smiling behind his fan.
"Thank you, Daimyo-sama!"
"Your accommodations and dinner are prepared."
Sarutobi Hiruzen personally led the Daimyo into the village. The Daimyo walked through Konoha with satisfaction, taking in the bustling village life.
"Teacher, it's ready."
Reiki approached Tsunade, holding scrolls containing the soul memories of the impostor Anbu.
"Good."
"If Danzo doesn't take responsibility, we'll present these memories to the Daimyo."
Tsunade said, a sly smile on her face.
This time, Danzo had no escape.
The Anbu cleaned up the battlefield while the rest of the group made their way to the Hokage's office.
At the Hokage Building, Sarutobi Hiruzen summoned a meeting in the conference room. The Daimyo was briefed, and Sarutobi Hiruzen entered with a dark expression, followed closely by a grim-faced Danzo.
"The investigation has identified the impostors as members of the Root Organization."
"Danzo, you'd better explain yourself."
Sarutobi Hiruzen said sharply.
Hiruzen couldn't fathom why Danzo would risk such a move, especially involving the Daimyo. If he wanted to undermine Minato, there were better ways. Now, instead of damaging Minato's reputation, Danzo had only bolstered it.
"It was due to my failure in maintaining discipline that traitors emerged within Root."
"Effective immediately, Root will undergo internal reform and be placed under the oversight of the village. If any further incidents occur, Root will be dissolved."
"As for my punishment, I accept whatever the village decides."
Danzo stated flatly, his expression unreadable.
"You…"
"Teacher!"
Before Tsunade could react, Reiki gently took her hand, signaling her to remain calm.
---
>>>>>
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