Danzo Shimura looked at Minato Namikaze and said in a heavy voice:
"Minato Namikaze, is this your subordinate? If he doesn't understand etiquette and hierarchy, I don't mind teaching him a lesson on your behalf!"
You really think you're a big deal!
Hearing Danzo Shimura's arrogant words, everyone present subconsciously felt a sense of disgust.
This old geezer really thinks too much of himself, completely disregarding the Hokage.
Calling the Fourth Hokage directly by his name, he showed no respect at all.
Minato Namikaze didn't respond, but Utatane Koharu stood up to dissuade him:
"Danzo! Show some respect; you are not allowed to be disrespectful to Hokage-sama!"
Homura Mitokado also stood up to mediate:
"Indeed, find a place to sit first; the meeting has only just begun."
After all, these two were old comrades who had grown up alongside Danzo Shimura.
Furthermore, Nara Shikaku's earlier questioning had actually made them feel quite uncomfortable, because they were just like Danzo Shimura.
Ever since the Third Hokage stepped down, they had also automatically lost their power as Hokage Advisors.
Being able to participate in confidential discussions was purely out of respect for Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Seeing Danzo Shimura in trouble now, they couldn't bear it.
Nara Shikaku, however, did not want to let Danzo Shimura off so easily.
Good grief, you want to teach me a lesson every time you open your mouth? What kind of clown are you?
Do you think this is still the era of the Third's reign?
Eat shit!
He sneered:
"Danzo Shimura, I am the Hokage's Chief Strategist, while you are just an ordinary Jonin."
"You want to teach me a lesson every time you speak? Who gave you that authority?"
"Disrespecting the Hokage and calling him by name, who gave you the nerve?"
"Etiquette and hierarchy? I think you're the one who doesn't understand them."
As soon as these words were spoken, Danzo Shimura's expression soured even further.
His whole body was tense, overflowing with killing intent, as if he would draw his blade and strike down Nara Shikaku at any moment.
And Homura Mitokado and Utatane Koharu hadn't expected things to escalate to this point.
This was equivalent to a complete falling out.
Utatane Koharu couldn't help but turn to look at Hiruzen Sarutobi, hoping her old classmate would say something.
After all, among their group of the Second Hokage Senju Tobirama's disciples, only Hiruzen Sarutobi could step forward at a critical moment.
Everyone in the room turned their gaze toward Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Danzo Shimura's long-standing arrogance had always been backed by Hiruzen Sarutobi.
This was an open secret.
No one sitting in this meeting room was unaware of it.
If it weren't for Hiruzen Sarutobi's tacit approval, would Danzo Shimura have dared to go to the various Ninja Clans to snatch people?
Would he have dared to place Cursed Seals on those he took, brainwashing them to be used as tools?
Don't take the Ninja Clans too lightly.
Without Hiruzen Sarutobi supporting him as the Hokage, someone like Danzo Shimura would have been killed long ago.
Puffing on his pipe, Hiruzen Sarutobi was also under great pressure.
Earlier in the Hokage Office, Minato Namikaze had mentioned to him that during the 'Nine-Tails Attack'...
Danzo Shimura had actually stayed his hand, watching the Nine-Tails ravage Konoha and causing heavy casualties.
This was also something he could not tolerate.
Entrusting a portion of the Anbu to Danzo Shimura was, on one hand, a matter of trusting an old classmate and partner.
On the other hand, it was for checks and balances—a matter of political maneuvering.
But regardless, one shouldn't raise an ungrateful wolf, right?
Wasn't Danzo Shimura's behavior exactly that of an ungrateful wolf?
"Danzo! You should go back."
As he said this, Hiruzen Sarutobi's shoulders suddenly slumped, and his expression became more haggard.
It was as if he had aged several years in an instant.
"Monkey! You!"
Danzo Shimura was furious!
When Nara Shikaku was making things difficult for him, Danzo Shimura was angry but still confident.
He didn't think for a moment that he would be stumped by a junior.
But what he didn't expect was that Hiruzen Sarutobi would actually tell him to leave?!
What was going on? Why had the tide suddenly turned?
The atmosphere in the meeting room suddenly became strange; those who had been watching the drama looked at each other, all wearing expressions of surprise.
The tyrannical Danzo Shimura had been abandoned by his benefactor!
This information was instantly picked up by everyone present.
Over there, Minato Namikaze smiled slightly upon seeing Hiruzen Sarutobi's stance.
This was the result he wanted; not inviting Danzo Shimura to the meeting in the first place was a signal.
The signal was that Danzo Shimura was no longer on the list of high-level officials!
When Danzo Shimura burst into the meeting room alone, Minato Namikaze didn't speak either, instead letting Nara Shikaku talk to him.
It was also to show that Danzo Shimura was not on the same level as him.
Finally, Hiruzen Sarutobi's abandonment brought an end to this farce.
"Alright, Elder Danzo, please leave; we still have a meeting to conduct."
Minato Namikaze's voice was gentle, and he even called Danzo Shimura 'Elder', being very polite.
But Danzo Shimura was not appreciative; he glared fiercely at Minato Namikaze and said gloomily:
"I don't deserve the title of 'Elder'."
"You'll regret this, Monkey!"
Danzo Shimura left behind a parting threat and turned to leave.
And the moment he left, a figure disappeared from the shadows behind Minato Namikaze.
——————
Outside the Konoha barrier, in a certain underground fortification.
With a somber face, Danzo Shimura returned to the Root base without saying a word.
All the way back, he was pondering why such a thing had happened today.
The attitudes of Minato Namikaze and Nara Shikaku were not surprising; he had long known they disliked him.
Coincidentally, he disliked them as well.
What was strange was Hiruzen Sarutobi's attitude—a sudden 180-degree turn!
What had happened in between was certainly worth pondering!
"What was written in those documents? Have you found out?"
After a long while, Danzo Shimura asked.
In the shadows beside him, a Ninja wearing a mask and Anbu attire appeared, kneeling as he replied:
"Reporting, my Lord. Those documents stated that 'a member of the Uchiha Clan left outside planned to attack Konoha on the day the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki gives birth, to release the Nine-Tails'."
A member of the Uchiha Clan?
Attacking the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki?
Releasing the Nine-Tails to attack Konoha?
What did this have to do with him, Danzo Shimura?
Upon hearing this news, Danzo Shimura was actually somewhat panicked.
He hypocritically worried about Konoha's safety for a second, then turned back and felt it had nothing to do with him.
Why would this news affect Hiruzen Sarutobi's attitude?
Or was there some even more secretive news that hadn't been released?
"Investigate further. If you can't find anything from Minato Namikaze and Nara Shikaku, then investigate Kakashi Hatake."
"Where is he now?"
The Anbu replied:
"In Konoha Hospital. His right arm was injured—it was completely severed."
An enemy within the barrier? Injured Kakashi Hatake?
Danzo Shimura's expression shifted uncertainly, and finally, he gritted his teeth:
"Bring him back to me!"
"Yes!"
The Ninja in Anbu attire took the order and left.
"You forced my hand! Minato Namikaze!"
In the shadows, Danzo Shimura's expression was terrifyingly somber.