Chapter .20 New Era

"Hiruzen, take control of 'Root' and question all the members. Place Danzo under arrest and uncover every detail about his associations. I have removed the 'mind seal' and 'tongue eradication seal' from every member of Root, including Danzo, so you can have their minds read. Save as many as you can, the more the better. We are short of manpower for the time being." Uzume spoke to Hiruzen to wrap things up at the meetings.

Hiruzen nodded solemnly, understanding the gravity of the situation. First, he would need to gather a team of skilled interrogators to question the members of Root. Then, they would need to secure the necessary resources to support any potential defectors. It was a daunting task, but Hiruzen was resolved to see it through.

As he laid out his plans, Hiruzen couldn't help but feel the weight of the responsibility that had been placed on his shoulders. But he knew that this was a crucial moment for the future of the village, and he was ready to do whatever it took to ensure its safety. With determination in his heart, Hiruzen set out to do what needed to be done.

"Thank you all for your hard work! Before I leave, I want to give these 'sealing tags' to you. If you catch a Root ANBU, use these tags to track them if they try to escape." Uzume placed about a thousand sealing tags in Hiruzen's hand. As she stood up, Lee reached out and grabbed her finger, like a child would. Each clan member bowed to show their respect and appreciation for her guidance. With Lee by her side, Uzume took two steps and then both of them disappeared. There was a moment of silence as everyone processed their sudden disappearance. Hiruzen then cleared his throat and brought everyone's attention back to the next issue - how to handle Root ANBU.

As the discussion continued, Hiruzen couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude towards Uzume and her mysterious abilities. He knew that having her on their side would be invaluable in dealing with the challenges that lay ahead. With the sealing tags in hand, he felt more confident in their ability to contain and control the rogue ANBU agents.

After the meeting, Hiruzen gathered a group of trusted shinobi to discuss a plan of action. They would need to be strategic and cautious in their approach to capturing the Root ANBU. With Uzume's gift, they now had a powerful tool at their disposal, but they also knew that the enemy would not go down without a fight.

As they strategized late into the night, Hiruzen couldn't shake the feeling that Uzume and Lee would play a pivotal role in the upcoming conflict. Their sudden disappearance only added to the air of mystery that surrounded them, but Hiruzen had a feeling that their guidance would be crucial in the days to come. With a plan in place and Uzume's sealing tags in hand, they were ready to face whatever challenges awaited them.

With their determination and the support of the village behind them, Hiruzen and his team set out to implement their plan. They would need to move quickly to capture the rogue ANBU and uncover the truth about Danzo and his associates. The fate of the village hung in the balance, and they knew that failure was not an option.

Hiruzen skillfully assumed the appearance of Danzo, accompanied by two of his ANBU as Danzo's guards from their meeting. In this guise, he directed the Root ANBU to work in cooperation with them, taking advantage of the strict obedience that characterized the members of Root. This tactic significantly eased Hiruzen's task, as the command structure in Root allowed for no questioning of orders.

As they ventured into the shadows to confront the threat within, Hiruzen couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. The situation was more dire than anyone had realized, and the true extent of Root's influence was still shrouded in mystery. But with Uzume's assistance and the resolve of his team, Hiruzen was determined to bring an end to the 'darkness' that had plagued the village for far too long.

As the days turned into weeks, Hiruzen's hard work began to pay off. The support of the clans began to trickle in, and it wasn't long before the plan for a unified police force and strengthened hospital staff became a reality. The village was abuzz with the news of this groundbreaking initiative, and the sense of unity and cooperation that had been lacking for so long began to take root once again.

Together with Hiruzen, everyone cooperated to quarantine all the forces of Root, which were being closely monitored and observed for the time being. Hiruzen couldn't help but feel a sense of pride and satisfaction as he witnessed the positive impact of his efforts. He knew that there was still much work to be done, but he was confident that with the support of the clans and the unwavering dedication of his team, Konoha would continue to flourish and thrive.

Uzume has expanded the Hokage Tower by adding two additional floors. One is dedicated to managing all the paperwork that previously cluttered the Hokage's desk, while the other is designated for managing B, A, and S rank missions. Trusted clan elders have been brought in and given the authority to approve whatever they believe is best for the village. Currently, they are under the watchful eye of Hiruzen's clone, who is guiding them. Each elder has been assigned a personal assistant to help with organizing the paperwork.

As for the rest of the village, the changes have been met with mixed reactions. Some see it as a necessary adjustment to keep up with the increasing demands on the Hokage's office, while others view it as a potential dilution of power. Regardless, Uzume remains determined to modernize and improve the infrastructure of the village.

With the new changes in place, the village is experiencing a more streamlined and efficient system for managing both administrative tasks and missions. Uzume's vision for the future of the village is taking shape, and it seems that she is not done yet. There are whispers of further expansions and reforms, signaling that the village is on the brink of a new era under Uzume's leadership. Only time will tell how these changes will shape the future of the village.