Chapter 42. Suppressing Danzo

Hokage Building.

"It was Danzo who did it!"

The Third Hokage was a little surprised, although he had tolerated Danzo's ongoing research.

But he genuinely did not know about the abduction of 60 babies in Konoha.

This revelation stirred up a commotion in Konoha. It could be considered the most significant evidence of Orochimaru's betrayal in the end!

At that time, Orochimaru's defection was equivalent to directly taking responsibility for the crime.

Unexpectedly, Natsuki claimed that Danzo kidnapped the babies, prompting thoughts on Danzo's recent actions.

It seemed very reasonable. After the experiment's failure, Danzo declared it as such.

This declaration exposed that someone had survived that experiment. Danzo had also hidden A; his actions deserved punishment!

"A, do you know how to do it?"

A nodded, forming seals with his hands, transforming his arms into wooden sticks.

The Third Hokage nodded with satisfaction:

"Although your origin involves a conspiracy, cultivating Wood Release ninjas has long been a cherished wish of the Hokage. Since you possess the Wood Release, you should not conceal it within the roots."

"The Jinchūriki's child is already 5 years old. The Wood Release sealing technique is becoming increasingly crucial for the village. We in Konoha Village need you. A, are you willing to join Konoha ANBU?"

A looked at Kakashi, and Kakashi gave him an encouraging look: "I am in the ANBU now, making contributions to Konoha Village."

A nodded: "Sandaime-sama, I am willing to join ANBU. A will be my code name in ANBU. You can call me..."

Kakashi interjected: "Tenzo?"

A was stunned for a moment, then smiled and said: "Yes, my name is Tenzo."

"Very good, then you will be an official member of the Anbu from now on. Now let Kakashi take you for a while and work hard to practice the Wood Release technique," Sandaime ordered.

"Yes!" Tianzang's dead fish eyes seemed to have light.

"I will deal with Danzo. You can go down first." Sandai waved at Kakashi and Tenzo to go down.

"Yes!"

After the two left.

Sandaime picked up his pipe and took a puff of cigarette: "Deputy Clan Natsuki should come up through the main entrance in the future. Misunderstandings can easily occur."

Natsuki leaned out of the window: "Does the Third Hokage still like this gift?"

The Third Hokage was silent for a moment but asked Natsuki another question:

"Did Danzo really kidnap 60 babies?"

He smiled and nodded: "Is this important?" The Third Hokage nodded.

What I was thinking in my heart was that Orochimaru, who had a bottom line, was still easier to control than Danzo, who had no bottom line.

He spread his hands and said, "It will be replaced if it's fake."

Sandaime asked: "What do you want?"

Natsuki stopped smiling: "Sandaime-sama, you know that our Uchiha clan does not have much conflict with Konoha, but it is helpless that Danzo always has our ideas."

The Third Hokage said: "Danzo's positions have all been dismissed. He is now just a figurehead."

He shook his head: "As long as his roots are not disbanded, his ambition will continue to grow."

The Third Hokage was silent for a moment: "Even if I explicitly order the disbandment of the roots, it won't have much effect."

Natsuki knew that this wasn't just an excuse from the Third Generation. The members of the roots were complex and numerous.

Moreover, they had all been brainwashed by Danzo. Even if the Third Hokage orders the removal of the roots, they would secretly regroup.

"It's a bit of a loss, after all, he thinks about us Uchiha every day," Natsuki said nonchalantly.

The Third Hokage considered it, realizing that Danzo's hidden ambitions were much greater than what he revealed, and it was time to address them.

Although the Uchiha had deceived Konoha, the village hadn't suffered any actual losses. On the contrary, it had gained many advantages in the Kumogakure peace talks.

Now, they had sent the Wooden Ninja that Konoha urgently needed. Honestly, the Third Hokage now had mixed feelings towards Uchiha Natsuki.

Moreover, Natsuki's strength was too formidable, so the Third Hokage could only tread carefully for now.

"No problem, I will issue a notice to the whole village in the name of Hokage and disband Danzo's Roots!"

Natsuki stood up and bowed respectfully: "The third generation is wise, and we Uchiha will always support you. There are many matters in the clan, so I will take my leave."

"Hmph!" Although he didn't recognize this gesture, Sandaime could guess that it was probably a form of courtesy.

This guy is truly not straightforward.

He snorted as he watched Natsuki's departing figure.

...

The Land of Water, the Hidden Mist Village.

Ao, who had failed in his mission, led Zabuza and a group of elites back to the village.

"Zabuza, if you hadn't shown off, we could have sneaked into Konoha!" Ao was a little angry at Zabuza for his ostentation.

"Hmph, I am responsible for everything I do. If the Great Elder blamed us, I will bear the responsibility!"

Zabuza looked irritated, dismissing Ao's notion that they could have infiltrated the Konoha Village if he hadn't been defeated.

"You!" Ao was also very frustrated with this setback, but Zabuza was undeniably talented, already close to reaching Jonin's strength at a young age.

Besides, now that the mission had failed, he had no other choice but to see what the Great Elder had to say.

Aoya no longer lost his temper with Zabuza and quickly led the others to the Great Elder's place to plead guilty.

In recent years, the fourth Mizukage, Yagura Karatachi, had found the three tails and implanted them into his body, becoming a jinchuriki.

Over the past two years, he had gradually gained perfect control over the tailed beasts and initiated drastic reforms.

The power of the Great Elder also gradually decreased, and the village was clearly divided into two factions.

One was the Mizukage faction, led by the fourth Mizukage Yagura, and the other faction was the Elder faction, led by the Great Elder.

The Great Elder was proficient in intelligence and had brought countless opportunities to Kirigakure, but he was wary of the Kekkei Genkai families and advocated weakening them in the Land of Water.

The Mizukage was personally powerful but conservative, advocating peaceful dealings with various Kekkei Genkai families in the Land of Water.

After Ao reported the entire story of this operation, he knelt on the ground and waited for the Great Elder's verdict.

The Great Elder looked cold as if he had anticipated his failure.

"In that case, throw Zabuza into the assassination team to train him."

"If you don't, I'll punish you with one year of confinement."

"Thank you, Elder!" This punishment was already very lenient; even placing Zabuza on the assassination team was considered a reward.

Compared to Kirigakure's other criminal laws, one year of confinement was negligible.

Ao and Zabuza were quickly escorted away.

The space behind the Great Elder twisted, and Obito wearing a mask appeared.

The Great Elder bowed behind him and said, "Madara-sama, Ao has been brought under control."

Obito nodded and said in a synthesized voice: "The threat that Yagura poses to us is growing larger."

"What's your plan, sir?"

"My people are arriving soon. We will lure Yagura out in seven days."

"Yours will be done, Madara-sama."

Kirigakure had too many elites now, and dealing with the Kekkei Genkai Families was proving challenging.

They cannot be controlled! They must all be eliminated!

...

Seven days later,

Obito, accompanied by Pain and Konan, arrived at the entrance of Kirigakure Village.

Upon seeing the three of them, Yagura immediately drew his weapon: "Who are you!?"

The Kamui Eyes in Obito's sockets spun rapidly, and a tremendous force of air instantly pinned Yagura in place.

For a moment, Yagura lost consciousness.