The investigation into the activities of Shimura Danzo and the organization under his leadership had finally concluded and a meeting of the Konoha General Council had been scheduled to decide the fate of the perpetrator. As was customary, a couple hours before, the current councilors were present in the Hokage's office to discuss a joint line of action, even if the topic of conversation was unpleasant and difficult for all three of them.
- Hiruzen, do you realize what you'll have to do at this meeting and won't try to vindicate him? - Homura spoke up, breaking the oppressive silence in the village leader's office. - The commission has uncovered so much evidence of crimes against the people of Konoha and our allies, not to mention the unauthorized missions of the Hokage, that Shimura will not be saved by a miracle.
- Don't worry, Homura, I know what my duty requires of me," Sarutobi said slowly and gravely, smoking heavily with a pipe containing a selection of soothing herbs. He kept his face impenetrable for a few moments, but then he turned from a formidable leader to a tired old man carrying a huge weight on his shoulders. - Who knew that Danzo-kun had gone so far in his ambition?
- It's a good thing that Orochimaru is still a candidate for your position, and that he's somehow not tainted by his deeds and buried all the work we've done," Koharu snorted, glancing meaningfully at her colleague, "though we know that's not true.
- I don't rule out the possibility that the apprentice had time to clean the Root's archives of compromising documents, including the secret base, as soon as the meeting was over," Hiruzen sighed, knowing the nature of the shinobi better than anyone, "or that an old associate took care of it when it became clear that Orochimaru-kun would be competing for the title of Fourth.
- That paranoid guy? More likely, Danzo-kun could have just stashed them in a more secure place so he could have leverage over the new Hokage," Mitokado shook his head, taking off his glasses and wiping the glasses with a handkerchief.
The elders had been waiting until the last moment for more details of the unfolding scandal and the arrest of the serpent sannin following the many other influential people of Konoha who had been involved in the affairs of a disgraced associate, except that Orochimaru had somehow managed to slip out as well as his appeals and remained with an untarnished reputation as a sometimes tough but charming shinobi. And that made things somewhat... difficult, given the earlier arrangements between them.
- It would be quite in his spirit," Sarutobi nodded in agreement.
There was a brief pause, during which the three seniors were each absorbed in their own thoughts.
- What about the Root operatives? Have they all been apprehended and interrogated? - Elder Utatane suddenly perked up.
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