Minato Namikaze nodded understandingly and asked Hiruzen Sarutobi:
"Lord Third, do you have any opinions?"
Minato Namikaze did not lack political sensitivity; what he lacked was merely experience.
In this situation, only Minato Namikaze and Hiruzen Sarutobi could make decisions; others could only echo them.
"I am old, Minato."
Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't even lift his head, his entire face blurred in the smoke of his pipe, only his weathered voice drifting out:
"Now you are the Hokage. Matters in Konoha are decided by your word alone. Whatever you say goes."
"I am just a retired Old Man."
Hearing this, Nara Shikaku's expression darkened slightly. He keenly sensed that Hiruzen Sarutobi's words were insincere.
Sure enough, Hiruzen Sarutobi paused and then continued:
"Danzo has made many mistakes. I have seen them all over the years and have wanted to punish him many times."
"But in the end, I could never harden my heart."
Listening to Hiruzen Sarutobi's words, a sneer appeared on Danzo Shimura's stiff face.
"Because, after all, Danzo did it all for the good of Konoha, keeping Konoha's interests in mind."
"This time, the evidence of Danzo's mistake is conclusive, leaving him no room for excuses."
"But in view of his past achievements, I hope he will be treated with leniency. Give him a chance."
Nara Shikaku thought to himself, 'As expected.'
He knew Hiruzen Sarutobi wouldn't possibly deal with Danzo Shimura.
The situation tilted instantly after Hiruzen Sarutobi finished speaking and showed his stance to protect Danzo Shimura.
Homura Mitokado and Utatane Koharu also spoke up in agreement, making Minato Namikaze and Nara Shikaku the minority in an instant.
Minato Namikaze remained silent, as if still pondering how to speak.
On the other side, Danzo Shimura retorted with a dissatisfied expression:
"Monkey! What nonsense are you talking about?"
"I've already said, this matter has nothing to do with me. It was that fellow Aburame Ryoma acting on his own."
"I am not guilty, so how can I confess? I have done nothing wrong, so why the leniency?"
"You!"
Nara Shikaku slammed the table in anger; he hadn't expected Danzo Shimura to be so shameless.
"Nara Shikaku! Watch your status. What kind of behavior is shouting in the Hokage Office?"
Danzo Shimura kept a straight face and actually began to lecture Nara Shikaku:
"I am very angry that you framed this Old Man this time!"
"This Old Man, who has fought for Konoha for decades, is not someone you can frame!"
"I will take those six people, including Aburame Ryoma, back to Root for interrogation!"
"Lest you fabricate more lies to frame me again!"
Danzo Shimura's shameless speech left Nara Shikaku fuming.
This guy, not satisfied with being protected by Hiruzen Sarutobi, instead made false counter-accusations and wanted to take back his six captured subordinates.
Unbelievable!
If they were taken back to his Root, wouldn't he be able to do whatever he wanted?
He could casually report them dead from torture and then have these six people change their identities to work again.
Anyway, the Ninjas of his Root all wore masks.
Not to mention he might fabricate testimony to attack them in return.
"Danzo! Restrain yourself!"
Seeing the constant bickering between Nara Shikaku and Danzo Shimura, to be honest, Hiruzen Sarutobi was somewhat happy in his heart.
This was also the situation he wanted to see.
The Hokage faction and Root checking and balancing each other, achieving a delicate equilibrium.
Wouldn't that further highlight the importance of Hiruzen Sarutobi?
Friction on both sides, with him mediating in the middle, was also a manifestation of power.
Of course, on the surface, Hiruzen Sarutobi still scolded Danzo Shimura. The current situation was them using a strategic retreat to protect Danzo Shimura.
Treating this matter as if it never happened.
But Danzo Shimura wanting to push his luck was not something Hiruzen Sarutobi could accept; he needed a warning.
"What kind of sophistry are you using? Isn't Aburame Ryoma your subordinate?"
"Aren't those five Root Ninjas under your command?"
"Lax management leading to your subordinates causing a disaster—do you, Danzo Shimura, have no responsibility at all?"
"Shut up already!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi's roar made him seem righteously indignant and awe-inspiring.
"Danzo, Hiruzen is right. You indeed did wrong this time. Admit your mistake."
Homura Mitokado spoke up to persuade him.
"Exactly. Since those six Root Ninjas have already developed divided loyalties, there's no point in taking them back. Leave them to the Interrogation Department for questioning."
Utatane Koharu smoothed things over.
With a series of maneuvers, these three old-timers directly pinned Danzo Shimura's crime on lax management.
Nara Shikaku felt dizzy hearing this, and he looked at Minato Namikaze with some concern.
Minato Namikaze's expression was calm, as if he weren't angry at all.
Unexpectedly, Minato Namikaze nodded slightly and spoke flatly:
"The Previous Hokage is right. We cannot mistreat those who have rendered meritorious service."
He looked directly into Danzo Shimura's eyes, ignoring the sneer and disdain on the latter's face, smiled, and continued:
"Then, regarding the matter of Danzo Shimura's lax management leading to his subordinates' rebellion and the kidnapping of the shadow guard captain at Konoha Hospital..."
"Danzo Shimura is sentenced to six months of confinement for self-reflection and a one-year salary fine."
"The six Root Ninjas who committed the crime will be executed after interrogation!"
"What do you think, Previous Hokage?"
Minato Namikaze's words were extremely flat, as if he really viewed this matter as a triviality.
Hiruzen Sarutobi subconsciously glanced at Minato Namikaze; the other's gaze was calm, like a still well.
But he keenly sensed the endless rage hidden beneath that calm.
"This is going to be a bit troublesome."
Hiruzen Sarutobi felt some regret. Although he had helped lighten Danzo Shimura's guilt just now, he had also been prepared to cut some of Danzo's power.
But he hadn't expected Minato Namikaze to actually raise it high and let it down gently.
This was clearly not the result Minato Namikaze wanted, yet he made a compromise.
What will happen next? I hope there won't be any problems.
Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed softly in his heart and turned to leave the Hokage Building.
The four old-timers were gone, leaving only Minato Namikaze and Nara Shikaku in the office.
"Minato, you actually accepted it just like that?"
Nara Shikaku looked at Minato Namikaze in disbelief.
Based on his understanding of Minato Namikaze, this guy appeared harmless and sunny on the surface.
In reality, his character was resolute, and he wouldn't easily compromise on things he had decided.
"The situation just now didn't allow for going any further."
Minato Namikaze shook his head gently, a complex expression appearing on his face:
"Even if I wanted to take down Danzo Shimura now, the Previous Hokage wouldn't agree."
Taking a deep breath, Minato Namikaze turned toward the window, looking at the scenery of Konoha outside, and smiled:
"I'm gradually coming to understand that things are never accomplished in one go."
"Let's wait patiently for an opportunity; we will catch him."
"Once we catch him, I want him dead!"