Chapter 165: The Dissolution of Root and Danzō's Fall
"All this enthusiasm isn't really necessary," Tsunade sighed as they reached the entrance of the Hokage Tower.
"It just proves that Sensei is the one everyone wants," Hoshikawa had been observing the whole time.
He noticed that besides ordinary villagers, ninjas from the Uchiha, Hyūga, and Ino-Shika-Chō clans were all participating.
If the Daimyō of the Land of Fire were added, this could instantly turn into a Hokage succession ceremony.
"Don't talk nonsense." Tsunade raised her hand and flicked him on the forehead.
What 'one everyone wants?' It makes it sound like I'm about to become Hokage right now.
She walked into the Hokage Tower.
"Lady Tsunade!"
The passing ninjas were just as excited to see her as the villagers had been.
When they reached the Hokage Office, Tsunade unceremoniously slammed the door open.
She was taking out a bit of personal irritation this time.
After all, without this whole spectacle organized by Hiruzen Sarutobi, she wouldn't have been delayed for the past ten-plus minutes.
"You've worked hard. You did very well this time," Hiruzen Sarutobi was already used to her behavior and said with a smile. "Especially since you took down Hanzō, eliminating a major threat to the Leaf."
"Since you already know, there's no need for me to write a mission report." Tsunade casually tossed a scroll onto the desk. "Hanzō's corpse."
"Haru."
Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't reach for it, letting it land on the desk. "Take this to the Interrogation Department."
"Yes."
The ANBU ninja by the door entered and picked up the scroll.
"This is the reward for this mission," Sarutobi produced a bankbook. "Of course, this amount of money isn't enough. Feel free to state any other requests you have."
"I don't need anything," Tsunade took the bankbook and said casually.
"I figured you'd say that," Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled. "I added an extra ten million Ryo to the account as your reward."
"That works." Tsunade's brow lifted, and she readily accepted.
The reward for an S-Rank mission was typically one million Ryo. Ten million Ryo was equivalent to ten S-Rank mission rewards.
And since it was money she got for free, she wouldn't refuse it.
"And you four?" Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Hoshikawa and Might Duy. "You can choose ninja tools, ninjutsu, or money."
"I don't need anything!" Might Duy said with excitement.
His life's greatest wish was to realize his youth.
The grand welcoming ceremony just now had already fulfilled his wish.
"From today onward, you are a Special Jōnin." Hiruzen Sarutobi said with genuine satisfaction.
He greatly appreciated the purity of a ninja like Might Duy.
The Will of Fire burned brightly within him.
It was just... his personality was a little hard to bear.
Yūhi Kurenai fell into contemplation.
As a Chūnin, the most valuable reward she could ask for was ninjutsu.
But through Tsunade, she had already acquired the Water Release Ninjutsu of the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju.
As for Genjutsu, her father, Shinku Yūhi, already knew plenty.
"Kurenai." Hoshikawa, seeing her hesitation, leaned over and whispered something in her ear.
"I want the Bringer-of-Darkness Technique." Kurenai's eyes lit up, choosing to trust Hoshikawa.
"Very well." Hiruzen Sarutobi was momentarily stunned but did not refuse.
Kurenai had already learned so much Water Release from the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju; adding the Bringer-of-Darkness Technique wouldn't make much difference.
He just found the situation a bit odd.
It seemed Kurenai was truly becoming the Second Hokage's student across the generations.
Hoshikawa's suggestion of the Bringer-of-Darkness Technique was made after careful consideration.
While the Leaf Village had many Forbidden Jutsu, they were difficult to learn and had severe side effects, making them unsuitable for Kurenai.
The Bringer-of-Darkness Technique was different: an A-Rank Genjutsu and a bane to the Sharingan.
In the future, she might actually be able to restore the glory of ordinary Genjutsu users.
"I—" Nohara Rin subconsciously looked at Hoshikawa.
She had been standing close enough to overhear his whispered advice to Kurenai.
As a Medical Ninja with Tsunade as her teacher, she also had no idea what to choose.
Hoshikawa met her gaze and blinked.
This one is a real challenge.
Given Rin's talent, merely focusing on Medical Ninjutsu was probably enough.
Choosing another Ninjutsu was truly difficult.
And even if she learned one, how much could it boost her power? Asking her to fight in close combat would likely just get her killed.
Hoshikawa suddenly let out a faint "Ah," realizing a long-range, yet safe, Ninjutsu.
He leaned down and whispered a few words into Rin's ear.
"Lord Hokage, I would like the Spirit Transformation Technique."
Rin didn't know what the Spirit Transformation Technique was, but she trusted that Hoshikawa wouldn't mislead her.
"Spirit Transformation Technique?" Hiruzen Sarutobi asked, surprised. "Hoshikawa, how do you know about that Jutsu?"
"Shizune told me about it," Hoshikawa said without changing his expression.
"That explains it."
Sarutobi looked at Nohara Rin, hesitating. "That is an S-Rank Ninjutsu. Technically, your contribution isn't high enough."
Tsunade and Might Duy killed Hanzō, and Hoshikawa and Gamabunta killed the Salamander.
Relatively speaking, Kurenai and Rin hadn't done much.
The Bringer-of-Darkness Technique was an A-Rank Ninjutsu. While valuable, it was within the acceptable range.
The Spirit Transformation Technique was different. It was an S-Rank Ninjutsu and a powerful Forbidden Jutsu.
"Ah?" Rin was bewildered.
She hadn't expected Hoshikawa to choose an S-Rank Ninjutsu for her.
Can I really learn that?
"Old man," Tsunade interjected at the right time. "Charge it to me."
"Fine." Hiruzen Sarutobi hesitated for a few seconds but ultimately agreed.
The main reason was his suspicion that if he refused, Tsunade would cause a scene in the Hokage Office.
Hoshikawa's eyebrow lifted.
That works?
If that was the case, he didn't need to worry about what Ninjutsu to choose for himself.
With Tsunade around, he could learn whatever he wanted.
"Lord Hokage."
Thinking this, Hoshikawa spoke up. "I come from the orphanage, so I don't need any Ninjutsu. I only wish to help the Matron and the orphanage."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression immediately turned to one of surprise.
Tsunade also looked at Hoshikawa with unexpected curiosity.
"Is that not allowed?" Hoshikawa scratched his head and asked.
"Of course, it's allowed."
A smile broke out on Sarutobi's face. He praised him. "You are a good boy, remembering your roots."
He was becoming increasingly fond of Hoshikawa.
Strength and talent were important, but character and personality were a person's foundation.
"How do you wish to help them?" Sarutobi continued to ask.
"I hope the Matron and the orphanage will no longer be subject to control," Hoshikawa said with a pointed meaning.
He knew Sarutobi would understand.
As Hokage, it was impossible for him not to know that Yakushi Nonō and the orphanage were operating under the orders of Shimura Danzō.
"I understand." Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded slightly. "I will speak with Nonō about this."
As for Shimura Danzō, he already had a plan for how to deal with him and was just waiting for Tsunade to speak up.
"Thank you, Lord Hokage." Hoshikawa let out a sigh of relief.
In the original story, Yakushi Nonō and Kabuto Yakushi were sent by Shimura Danzō to act as spies after the Third Great Ninja War.
Ultimately, because they had outlived their usefulness and knew too many secrets, they were manipulated into killing each other.
With Sarutobi's intervention now, Shimura Danzō could no longer threaten Nonō, and her death could be averted.
"One more thing."
Mentioning Yakushi Nonō reminded Tsunade of Shimura Danzō. She said directly, "I discovered Root ninjas in the Land of Rain."
"Here are the bodies of the Root ninjas." Hoshikawa immediately produced a scroll.
"Danzō has already informed me of this matter," Hiruzen Sarutobi said, taking the scroll.
"Oh?" Tsunade scoffed. "Did he admit to colluding with Hanzō?"
"He said Hanzō misled the Root members, causing them to defect," Sarutobi said slowly.
"Nonsense!"
Tsunade was instantly furious upon hearing this and slammed her palm down on the Hokage's desk.
"Wait!" Sarutobi's face changed, but it was too late.
He quickly grabbed the files on the desk, trying to salvage them.
Crack!
The Hokage's desk split in half down the middle.
Yūhi Kurenai and Nohara Rin exchanged looks, both slack-jawed.
As expected of Lady Tsunade. She actually dares to hit the Hokage's desk.
Hoshikawa's expression suddenly grew strange.
As the Hokage's desk split, many files and books tumbled out.
He spotted two familiar books: the novel and manga of the Iron Witch by Raikō Blade.
You old lecher!
But thinking about it, it wasn't surprising.
Jiraiya completely learned his habits from Hiruzen Sarutobi, especially the Telescope Technique.
One could catch a glimpse of this just by looking at Asuma Sarutobi.
Asuma was born when Hiruzen Sarutobi was over forty years old.
Truly vigorous in old age!
"I never said I believed his words," Sarutobi said, clutching the files with a pained expression.
"Why didn't you say so sooner?" Tsunade coughed lightly, withdrawing her fist. "How do you plan to deal with him?"
"Haru."
Sarutobi didn't answer directly, calling out toward the door instead.
"Lord Hokage." Haru walked in.
"Clean this up, then inform Danzō to come over," Sarutobi handed her the files in his arms.
"Yes."
Haru waved her hand, and four ANBU ninjas immediately appeared.
They quickly moved the broken Hokage desk and the files, leaving behind an empty Hokage Office.
"Hoshikawa, you all go down first," Sarutobi reconsidered.
Shimura Danzō was a Leaf Village elder; he had to be given some face.
"Hoshikawa stays." Tsunade spoke up.
"Alright then." Sarutobi looked at her and agreed.
He could guess Tsunade's intention; it was nothing more than paving the way for Hoshikawa.
But Hoshikawa was indeed qualified, so making an exception for him was no problem.
"I will handle this matter and give you a satisfactory answer," Sarutobi said, concerned that Tsunade might argue with Danzō, making a resolution difficult.
"It better be." Tsunade pouted.
In fact, this disciplinary action was the most Sarutobi could do.
He couldn't realistically kill Shimura Danzō.
Though he wasn't killed, dissolving Root was a decisive, heavy blow.
"I'm leaving." Tsunade waved her hand. "Remember to send the Bringer-of-Darkness and Spirit Transformation Techniques over."
Hoshikawa greeted Sarutobi and followed her out.
Hiruzen Sarutobi sat down on his chair, letting out a long sigh.
If no one had known about this, he might have turned a blind eye.
But it was Tsunade who found out.
If he didn't give her an explanation, she certainly wouldn't be satisfied. If the matter became public, it would be a scandal for him as Hokage.
"This fellow is only getting what he deserves!" Sarutobi snorted.
He made this decision not only because of Tsunade but also because he genuinely disapproved and wanted to teach Danzō a lesson.
"Go fetch Nonō." Sarutobi said after a long silence.
Haru's voice sounded outside the door.
Less than ten minutes later, Yakushi Nonō rushed from the Leaf Hospital to the Hokage Office.
"Root is dissolved. You will now focus entirely on the Leaf Hospital," Sarutobi said directly. "You no longer need to fear Danzō."
"Ah?" Nonō was completely stunned.
"This was Hoshikawa's request," Sarutobi added.
Hoshikawa?
Nonō slowly regained her composure.
She recalled the recent, widespread news of Hanzō's death, coupled with Tsunade and Hoshikawa's arrival in the village today.
What a good child.
A warmth spread through Nonō's heart, and a smile appeared on her face.
.......................
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