As Hiruzen reflected on the recent mission and its troubling implications, the door opened, and Inoichi entered the room with a quiet but resolute expression. Hiruzen's gaze shifted to him, and he spoke with a hint of reassurance, "Inoichi, I understand that what happened with Inoiki during the mission is difficult to accept. But don't worry—I've called for Danzo. He will be here shortly, and I'm certain he'll have an explanation for this."
Inoichi's face remained calm, though a subtle tension underlined his words. "Hokage-sama, I know exactly what happened, and to be honest, I don't even care anymore. This isn't the first time something has happened in Konoha. Ever since the day my son was targeted by Danzo, I understood what it would mean. I knew he would inevitably face an assassination attempt from ROOT. I've had time to come to terms with it, to prepare myself for the possibility."
Hiruzen let out a slow, weary sigh, feeling the weight of Inoichi's disappointment pressing down on him. He knew that Inoichi had every reason to be dissatisfied, especially after the unprovoked attack by ROOT's ninjas on his son, Inoiki.
Inoichi continued, his tone now carrying a hint of defiance. "It may sound strange to you, Hokage-sama, but I actually feel relieved in a way, now that this attack has happened. Finally, I have a clear sense of my son's true capabilities. A heavy stone that's been weighing on my heart has lifted. Now, I can say with confidence that as long as Danzo himself doesn't personally intervene, ROOT will never succeed in taking him down. If my son can eliminate a team of ninjas—seven Genin, two Chunin, and a Jonin—without a single ounce of assistance, then his strength already ranks among the elite ninjas of any village."
Hiruzen listened in silence, absorbing the depth of Inoichi's conviction and pride. The room grew quiet, filled with the unspoken acknowledgment of the strength Inoiki had demonstrated.
Hiruzen stood with his brow furrowed, lost in thought. Only a select few ninjas—Kakashi, Guy, and his son, Asuma—possessed the strength to accomplish what Inoiki had just achieved. The faint sound of footsteps behind him caught his attention, but he didn't turn. He already knew who it was.
Danzo entered, his expression as rigid as stone. The air between them was thick with unspoken tension. Hiruzen fixed him with a hard stare and, in a voice edged with barely restrained fury, demanded, "Danzo, I want an explanation. I ordered your ROOT organization disbanded. So why is one of your operatives active and targeting our own people? Why are your ROOT ninjas still moving in the shadows?"
Danzo's face didn't even change a bit, an unspoken defiance lingering in his gaze. "Hiruzen," he said, his tone cutting, "you're quick to blame me, but your own incompetence is what's truly at fault here. I gave you a full list of ROOT agents who hadn't returned from their missions—four years ago, if you recall. And yet, not a single one has been apprehended by your Anbu. If these ROOT Ninjas, after completing their four-year mission, have not returned, it is clear that they have betrayed the village and are now considered Missing-Nin."
With a dismissive huff, Danzo gestured toward the lifeless body sprawled on the stretcher, the unmistakable mark of the 'Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal' visible on the corpse's tongue. "This one," he said coldly, "no longer belongs to ROOT. Whatever actions he took, they have nothing to do with me."
With that, Danzo turned on his heel and strode out of the room, leaving Hiruzen staring after him, frustration simmering in his eyes.
Inoichi, who had been observing the exchange, gave a respectful bow. "Hokage-sama," he said softly, "I will take my leave. Within a few days, I'll deliver a full report on the identities and information surrounding the ten dead ninjas."
Hiruzen nodded, the weight of the village's hidden conflicts pressing on him as he watched Inoichi leave the room.
Hiruzen left the room, feeling the weight of his years more heavily than ever. Each step out of the Intelligence Department seemed to drain him further, as if the burden of leadership had doubled with the recent revelations. Outside, under the waning afternoon light, his thoughts turned grim.
Danzo is slipping further from my control, he reflected. Even with ROOT disbanded, the cursed tongue seal keeps those operatives tethered to him alone. And if I press Danzo any harder, he might retaliate in ways that could destabilize the entire village. Right now, Konoha needs unity, not more division. Hiruzen sighed, a quiet resignation in his expression. Perhaps I really am getting too old for this.
After a long pause, he turned and walked toward his Hokage office, the shadows of the past trailing him.
Meanwhile, Inoichi, having completed his tasks at the Intelligence Department, made his way home. Upon entering, he looked around for his son, Inoiki, and soon found his wife in the main room. "Where's Inoiki?" he asked.
"In the courtyard," she replied, her voice warm.
Inoichi stepped out into the courtyard, where he saw Inoiki seated beneath a large tree, eyes closed, lost in quiet contemplation. Sensing his father's approach, Inoiki opened his eyes and met Inoichi's gaze with a steady calm.
Inoichi walked over, lowering himself beside his son under the tree's sprawling branches. "You didn't get hurt, did you?" he asked, his voice gentle but laced with concern.
Inoiki smiled faintly. "No, Father. I'm perfectly fine. They weren't nearly skilled enough to harm me."
Inoichi nodded, a hint of pride in his eyes, but his expression quickly grew thoughtful. Both men sat in silence, the unspoken tension of the village's troubles hanging in the air around them, while the leaves above rustled softly in the breeze.
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