Feeling the gazes from all around, Shinji remained unfazed. His strength gave him the confidence to face the current situation with composure.
At this moment, Shinji had only two choices.
Either continue fighting or stop.
If he pressed on, it would be tantamount to openly defecting from the village, leading to a chaotic, earth-shattering battle. The outcome would either be him and his squad being killed or Hidden Leaf Village being razed to the ground.
This was clearly not the result he wanted!
At this critical juncture, he didn't want to overly weaken the Akatsuki organization and disrupt their progress in reviving the Ten-Tails. Nor did he want to excessively weaken the five great shinobi villages, lest it make it too easy for Akatsuki to revive the Ten-Tails, increasing the difficulty of him seizing it from their hands.
As a 'Lampbearer,' on the eve of the Hegemon's arrival, he shouldn't expend all his energy fighting shinobi world factions.
That would be highly irrational!
The ideal state was still to remain in the shadows, letting the current situation unfold. After Akatsuki and the five great shinobi villages settled their conflict, he could seize the Ten-Tails at the smallest cost!
Otherwise, stepping into the spotlight too early might simultaneously alert both Akatsuki and the five great shinobi villages, causing the otherwise clear situation to veer in unpredictable directions.
Glancing at Danzo, Shinji withdrew his gaze.
Aside from the Mangekyo Sharingan in Danzo's right eye socket containing 'Kotoamatsukami,' Danzo posed no further threat to him.
If he wanted to kill Danzo, there would be plenty of opportunities!
There was no need to completely fall out with Hidden Leaf over a single Danzo.
After all, among his subordinates, people like Yakumo and Neji were native Hidden Leaf shinobi with deep attachments to the village.
If he broke with Hidden Leaf, it would cause a severe rift within his own ranks.
Weighing the pros and cons took only a moment.
For a mere Danzo, it wasn't worth it! Shinji wasn't a true Uchiha; under the threat of the Hegemon, he wouldn't act recklessly out of anger!
Thus, Shinji said, "Oh, so it was a misunderstanding!"
Koharu Utatane quietly breathed a sigh of relief.
If Shinji had insisted on fighting, she would've been in the most awkward position. Regardless of who won, she would bear significant blame.
Tsunade said, "Danzo, Shinji, follow me back to the Hokage Building. I need a reasonable explanation from both of you!"
Danzo, his face ashen, nodded.
The situation was against him, and though it was utterly humiliating, even he, a seasoned advisor elder, had no choice but to bow to Tsunade.
Shinji, on the other hand, didn't care.
As an Anbu, reporting to the Hokage was routine.
Soon, the surrounding onlookers were dispersed by the Anbu, and medical shinobi entered to collect the dead and treat the wounded.
Shinji and Danzo followed Tsunade and the group of advisor elders back to the Hokage Building.
As for Shinji's squad, they also returned to the Hokage Building, standing guard at the entrance to the Hokage's office, subtly facing off with the Hokage's direct Anbu squad, staring each other down.
Inside the Hokage's office.
Tsunade rubbed her temples, "Tell me, what exactly happened?"
Danzo immediately spoke, "I went to the hospital to relay an order for Uchiha Sasuke to assist in an investigation. Not only did he refuse to comply, but he also brazenly attacked me. As an advisor elder of the village, shouldn't I have taken him down?"
Tsunade frowned.
She was most annoyed by Danzo's tactics, but she couldn't openly criticize him, as procedurally, Danzo was in the right.
Danzo then turned to Shinji, "Yet Uchiha Shinji, without discerning right from wrong, committed insubordination and openly attacked me. It's simply outrageous!"
All eyes in the room turned to Shinji.
Unfazed, Shinji casually said, "Shimura Danzo, as an advisor elder of the village, knowingly broke the law, colluding with Orochimaru to plot a rebellion. As an Anbu, I was merely enforcing justice!"
Tsunade's expression hardened, "Do you have evidence?"
Shinji continued to bluff, "Of course I do. The evidence of Danzo's collusion with Orochimaru was provided by a rogue shinobi named Yakushi Kabuto. He also revealed that Orochimaru and Danzo conducted various human experiments together, including the transplantation of the Sharingan on Danzo's right arm, the First Hokage's cells, and the development of various forbidden techniques, all with Orochimaru's covert involvement!"
"What!?"
Including Tsunade, everyone in the office was stunned.
They had assumed Shinji's attack on Danzo was purely retaliation for Danzo targeting Sasuke. They hadn't expected Shinji to actually have evidence of Danzo's collusion with Orochimaru.
Danzo's own expression shifted.
Kabuto was the liaison between him and Orochimaru, a highly confidential detail even his guards didn't know. So, hearing Shinji speak so confidently, he immediately began to suspect whether Kabuto had truly betrayed him.
Heh.
Taking in everyone's expressions, Shinji chuckled inwardly.
From their reactions, it was clear the village's leadership was unaware of Danzo's dealings with Orochimaru. And from the fleeting shock and anger in Danzo's eyes, Shinji knew his guess was likely close to the mark—Danzo and Orochimaru were still maintaining some level of cooperation.
With confidence in his assessment, Shinji continued, "I have reason to suspect that during the last shinobi academy exam in the Land of Hot Water, Orochimaru's precise attack on Sasuke, as well as his successful infiltration of the Chunin Exam venue this time, were facilitated and sheltered by Danzo. Even Orochimaru's attempt to assassinate the Third this time was likely instigated by Danzo. That's why I led my squad to demand Danzo cooperate with the investigation!"
Everyone present was shrewd. After a brief moment of shock, their faces quickly returned to calm.
Tsunade softened her tone, "Shinji, even if you have evidence, summoning an advisor elder-level figure requires the approval of the Hokage's office!"
Hearing Tsunade's tone, Shinji knew he was in the clear and said, "My apologies, I was negligent!"
Before Tsunade could say more, Koharu Utatane interjected, "Don't let it happen again. You can leave now!"
Shinji smiled and turned to leave.
Outside the Hokage's office, Shinji saw his squad facing off with the Hokage's direct Anbu squad at the entrance.
Casting a cold glance at the Hokage's Anbu, Shinji waved to his team, "Let's go!"
Inside the Hokage's office.
After Shinji had left, the Third spoke to Danzo, "Danzo, I need your explanation! Did you know about Orochimaru's attack on the village this time?"
Danzo's expression flickered uncertainly.
Unsure of how much evidence Shinji had, he couldn't easily admit or deny anything, so he remained silent.
Seeing Danzo's silence, Tsunade knew enough, "Danzo, given your suspected collusion with Orochimaru and conspiracy to subvert the village, as Hokage, I hereby strip you of your position as advisor elder!"
Danzo's eyes narrowed, his anger barely contained.
Meeting Danzo's menacing gaze without a hint of fear, Tsunade ordered, "Guards, take him to the prison to await trial!"