Hiruzen Sarutobi's ruthless decision sent a shockwave through everyone present.
Although Shimura Danzō's actions were truly insane, no one had expected the Hokage to cut him off so decisively.
Of course, everyone also understood—
If he hadn't done so, Danzō's sins would have splashed onto the entire Konoha leadership, impossible to wash away no matter how hard they tried.
Akimichi Sidō and the others fell silent for a moment before finally speaking.
"…Very well. Since the Hokage has taken this stance, the Akimichi clan will spare no effort in hunting down that bastard Danzō and avenging Elder Torifu!"
Hiruzen nodded.
"Good."
"I will also notify the entire shinobi world. Including the other Four Great Villages, all forces will participate in the manhunt for Shimura Danzō."
With things taken this far, no one could continue directing their anger at Hiruzen.
However—
Hatake Kakashi suddenly spoke.
"In that case, I will also lead my ANBU squad to hunt down Shimura Danzō."
"Hokage-sama... you won't stop me, will you?"
Hiruzen clenched his fist, yet his expression remained calm.
"Of course not."
"This is precisely ANBU's duty."
"Kakashi, I'll leave this matter to you."
Kakashi neither acknowledged nor thanked him.
Hiruzen burned with fury inside—but could do nothing.
At this moment, his greatest hope was simple:
That Shimura Danzō and Uchiha Qianyu would clash as soon as possible—
And perish together.
The Fall of Shimura Danzō
The announcement of Danzō's defection—his classification as an S-rank rogue ninja —shook not only Konoha, but the entire shinobi world.
To legitimize the "manhunt," Hiruzen released classified intelligence known only to the Hokage, including Root's secret bases.
But when Kakashi and the others arrived—
They were already abandoned.
With no choice, Kakashi regrouped with Qianyu and reported what he knew.
By now, Hatake Kakashi had become one of Qianyu's most loyal supporters.
"Danzō is gone. He's likely already left the village."
"Finding him won't be easy."
Qianyu shook his head.
No.
"He'll come to me himself."
Kakashi's eyes lit up instantly.
"You mean…"
"He'll deliberately expose himself—to lure you into a decisive battle?"
"That does sound like him…"
Aomori and Yamafū sneered.
"The captain destroyed his reputation completely and turned him into a hunted dog."
"Danzō hates him to the bone. There's no way he'll let this go."
"He won't wait to be hunted—he'll bait the captain into a fight."
Kakashi fell silent for a moment, then spoke gravely.
"Qianyu-sama... if that's the case, you must prepare for the worst."
"Danzō never leaves the shadows unless he's absolutely confident."
"If he appears, it means traps, schemes, and ambushes are already in place."
And…
"We don't know how many powerful shinobi he's resurrected with Edo Tensei."
"No matter how strong you are, one man can't fight an army."
"So please—allow me to go with you."
Qianyu understood.
More than concern, Kakashi wanted revenge.
Hatake Sakumo—Konoha's White Fang—had been turned into one of Danzō's puppets.
Such humiliation and hatred were unbearable.
Aomori and Yamafū exchanged looks.
They understood everything too well.
The White Fang's name had once shaken the entire shinobi world.
And that was precisely why Danzō had targeted him.
Aomori added worriedly,
"Kakashi's right, captain. Danzō has countless forbidden techniques, plus Edo Tensei users and surviving Root operatives."
"Even you can't face all of that alone."
Yamafū nodded fiercely.
"Yeah! Take us with you, captain!"
Qianyu shook his head firmly.
No.
"Why, Captain?!"
Qianyu replied calmly.
"The clan head is fighting on the Cloud battlefield. The Police Force must protect the Uchiha."
"Leaving now would be foolish."
Aomori and Yamafū fell silent.
They knew he was right.
With Fugaku gone, abandoning the village would leave the Uchiha exposed.
"As for you, Kakashi..."
"Do you really think Hiruzen will let you hunt Danzō freely?"
Kakashi smiled faintly.
"I'll go in my personal capacity."
"As for ANBU—I know who they truly answer to."
"But I still have subordinates who trust me."
And most importantly…
He looked at Qianyu.
"I'm not your subordinate."
"You can't order me not to go."
Qianyu did not respond.
Kakashi continued,
Then it's settled.
"I'll settle this debt with Danzō myself."
Elsewhere — A Cornered Madman
Deep within the Land of Fire, inside a hidden underground base—
Shimura Danzō's face was darker than it had ever been.
The oppressive atmosphere felt like hell itself.
The dozen Root operatives still at his side barely dared to breathe.
Cold sweat dripped to the floor.
When Qianyu destroyed the three Root bases, Danzō had been elsewhere—training and researching forbidden techniques obtained from Orochimaru.
Before he could react—
He had fallen from a power broker of Konoha…
To a hunted exile overnight.
The contrast drove him nearly insane.
"Uchiha Qianyu... I swear I'll kill you!"
"And Sarutobi Hiruzen!"
"For decades I did his dirty work in the shadows—"
"And now he throws me away like a dog to protect his image?!"
"You both…"
"Deserve to die!"
His aide, Teraï, spoke cautiously.
"Danzō-sama… they do deserve death, but our current strength—"
"Root has suffered heavy losses. Many were killed by Qianyu, others captured or seized by the Hokage…"
"And Aburame Ryūma was taken alive…"
"Captain 'Kō' has also been killed…"
Danzō sneered.
What is there to fear?
"Do not forget—"
"I am no longer who I once was."
In the dim light, he raised his right arm .
The limb looked pale and unnatural—yet it pulsed with terrifying vitality.
Embedded within it—
One Sharingan after another slowly rotated, gazing into the darkness.
Teraï felt sick—but dared not show it.
"That arm... the one Orochimaru gave you..."
Danzō snorted.
"Correct."
"The cells of the First Hokage."
"The power of Wood Release."
And—
" Five Sharingan. "
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