"Mr. Yoichi, it's thanks to your help that Kakashi returned this time; without your care, Kakashi might have..."
Upon entering the Security Team building, Hatake Sakumo spoke to Uchiha Yoichi.
As a father, learning that his son almost died due to leaked information from within the village, even Hatake Sakumo, known for his mild temperament, couldn't help but feel anger.
Sakumo also knew about Kakashi and Uchiha Yoichi teaming up, and he trusted Kakashi's judgment, so he didn't interfere much. Moreover, the village's high-level leaders were certainly aware of this matter.
But despite this, Kakashi and Uchiha Yoichi's squad were still schemed against by the village's top leaders, and their mission was leaked to the Hidden Cloud Village.
This was something that Hatake Sakumo absolutely could not tolerate. The Konoha Ninja Village established by the predecessors was meant to protect future generations, not to persecute them for personal gain.
"Senior Hatake, you know the situation, so I won't hide it; I'm a hundred percent sure this was Danzo's doing. Therefore, arresting the Shimura Race is my retaliation. I can't swallow this betrayal from within the village without retaliating!"
After Uchiha Yoichi finished speaking, he took out the sentry map drawn by the Hidden Rock Ninja and continued, "This is the evidence against the Shimura Family... The source isn't very important, but it shows that the Hidden Rock Ninja are already eager to expand their interests in the Land of Grass."
"It seems the Ninja World is once again unsettled..."
Hatake Sakumo glanced at the map and annotations drawn by the Hidden Rock Ninja. As long as Uchiha Yoichi insisted it was found in the Shimura Family, then it would nail them down.
Even explanations would be useless. Could they search Uchiha Yoichi's mind for answers?
"I understand now, let's end this here, Mr. Yoichi. I'm aware of Danzo's decisiveness; even these people might not implicate him..."
Hatake Sakumo cautioned. During the Second Ninja World War, he was under Danzo's command and witnessed his ruthlessness firsthand.
For the sake of a great victory, Danzo decisively sacrificed a dozen of his own men. At that time, Hatake Sakumo disagreed with Danzo's methods, and they even had a conflict.
However, Danzo was the battlefield commander then, and even though Hatake Sakumo despised it, there was nothing he could do. Their quarrel ended with him being transferred away.
This time, although this group from the Shimura Family might be taken down, it might not necessarily implicate Danzo.
"I know, Senior Hatake, after all, the Third Generation wouldn't just watch his old teammate get into trouble!"
Uchiha Yoichi sneered, thinking about how forgiving Sarutobi Hiruzen had been towards even assassination attempts. He couldn't fathom how low Hiruzen's tolerance for Danzo could go.
Even though this matter couldn't bring down Danzo completely, Uchiha Yoichi held grudges and would never forget Danzo's 'care' for him.
"Let's go, Mr. Yoichi, I need to report to Lord Hokage."
Hatake Sakumo said, taking the evidence against the Shimura Clan and some other 'proof' as he headed out of the Security Team.
Once outside, everyone's eyes were simultaneously on Hatake Sakumo and Uchiha Yoichi.
With the evidence in hand, Hatake Sakumo approached the Third Generation Hokage and spoke softly, "Lord Hokage, these were gathered from the Shimura Clan. Inside is the Hidden Rock Village's expansion plan in the Land of Grass and the remnants of a trade contract with merchants from the Land of Earth..."
All of this was obtained by Uchiha Yoichi during two previous missions, and was now being used against the Shimura people.
Sarutobi Hiruzen's face turned grim after reviewing the evidence presented by Hatake Sakumo, and he turned around, saying in a low voice, "Danzo, you are now relieved of your position as Hokage Assistant and will be investigated by the Anbu."
"Hiruzen, you..."
"Until the Anbu investigation yields results, Root will be taken over by the Anbu!"
"No, I...."
"Enough, Danzo, I am the Hokage!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen raised his voice slightly, silencing Danzo on the spot, though Danzo's clenched, bulging veins conveyed his anger.
After finishing the disposition against Danzo, Sarutobi Hiruzen turned to Uchiha Fugaku and said, "Clan Leader Fugaku, since the evidence against those people is irrefutable, let the Security Team handle it according to Konoha's rules, as they should be!"
With that said, Sarutobi Hiruzen adjusted his Hokage Kasa and left.
Even though Sarutobi Hiruzen believed Danzo was unlikely to do anything that would harm Konoha, and that these pieces of evidence might have been intelligence gathered by Uchiha Yoichi during missions...
Yet, Uchiha Yoichi holding back until now to present them, was clearly aimed at nailing down the Shimura Family.
After Sarutobi Hiruzen left, Danzo, with a face ashen, also departed. Once the two groups were gone, nearly only the Security Team remained on-site.
Uchiha Yoichi spoke, "Senior Masato, Senior Yokokawa, lock those people directly in prison. For now, there shouldn't be any more issues; it's troublesome for you."
Uchiha Masato nodded, "No problem, there's not much else to do afterwards."
Meanwhile, Uchiha Yokokawa patted Uchiha Yoichi on the shoulder, saying, "Mr. Yoichi, if you can defeat me, I'll admire you..."
"I'll try my best, Senior Yokokawa."
With that, Uchiha Yoichi took his leave, having barely spoken to Uchiha Fugaku throughout.
Uchiha Yoichi's actions just now indicated that there was no room for reconciliation between him and Uchiha Fugaku.
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"Mr. Yoichi, although the outcome this time is good, you were too impulsive."
Uchiha Kenji placed his teacup down and said gently. He had quietly gone near the Security Team, witnessing almost the entire development of the events.
He was very pleased with Uchiha Yoichi's decisiveness and courage, but found him too bold. That recent act was shocking and terrifying, as if he were striking not at Uchiha Fugaku but at himself, Uchiha Kenji.
"You can strike at Danzo, considering the suspicion of colluding with the Hidden Rock Ninja on him, but you mustn't strike the clan leader, no matter how much you dislike him, Uchiha Fugaku is still the clan leader of the Uchiha Race."
"Today, although you embarrassed Fugaku, when the news spreads, your reputation will surely be mixed."
"You will need to find ways to make amends in the future. Otherwise, between you and Fugaku, most will probably choose Fugaku..."
Uchiha Kenji continued speaking endlessly, though his chatter revealed that he was coming from Uchiha Yoichi's perspective, almost openly stating that he was grooming him as a clan leader.
"Understood, Elder Kenji, I will be more cautious in the future."
Uchiha Yoichi said gratefully. It was thanks to Uchiha Kenji backing him today that he managed to benefit from Danzo without resorting to mutual destruction.
"As for the Shimura Clan, there will be plenty of opportunities in the future. They still have businesses outside the village. I'll handle this; if there's a chance to confront the Shimura ninja, Mr. Yoichi, it will be yours..."
Uchiha Kenji nodded, "Focusing on reputation and uniting clan members will mitigate most of today's impacts; after all, the clan members present today all hope for the Uchiha Race to break away from endless concessions."
"But you need to lay low for a while now, avoiding missions for the time being."
"Also, come with me to see the Great Elder, and when you're there, just don't say anything.....Oh, and bring some of the lamb delivered yesterday."