Yellow Dog had spent two weeks accumulating scrolls, using cold evidence to prove that Root's intelligence network was failing.
The missions of several squads tasked with clearing targets from the assassination manual had ground to a halt. He led Fox into the Hokage's office.
"Lord Third," Yellow Dog began, "since the collapse of Root's combat force, the intelligence system has become dysfunctional. Progress on the assassination manual has stalled; our squads have gone out on missions only to find the targets long gone.
The spy system is controlled by Root, and the heads of the intelligence networks in the major villages only recognize Consultant Danzo's authority."
He paused, glancing at the silent Hiruzen. "But Lord Danzo cannot personally maintain contact with every spy leader. Managing these assets requires discretion, and sometimes verifying their loyalty demands a face-to-face confirmation. An idle spy network isn't just a hurdle for the ANBU's objectives—it's a waste of the spies themselves. Those risking their lives in other villages are seeing their intelligence go unused. It's an insult to their sacrifice."
"Meanwhile," Yellow Dog continued, "assassination attempts against Leaf ninjas by other villages are increasing. We are suffering heavy losses. It will take at least three to six months for Root to train nine capable new members. Lord Hokage, I request that the ANBU take over the spy system to get it running again."
Hiruzen Sarutobi feigned interest as he took the scrolls from Yellow Dog, scanning the records of failed missions. If intel was even a day late, the target finished their business and vanished. However, Hiruzen couldn't quite bring himself to further strip Danzo of his power. Danzo and Root were already in a pathetic state.
"Yellow Dog, I will consider it," Hiruzen said noncommittally.
Yellow Dog opened his mouth to press further, but a knock at the door interrupted him. An assistant hurried in, looking strained.
"Lord Hokage, the heads of the Hyuga, Yamanaka, Aburame, Akimichi, and Inuzuka clans are downstairs. They are demanding to see you. Their expressions... do not look good."
"Let them up," the Third said.
Yellow Dog made a move to leave, but the Third motioned for him to stay. Yagami stayed as well, relishing the front-row seat to the coming drama.
The five clan heads marched in, their faces clouded with indignation. Inuzuka Ryo was the first to speak.
"Lord Third, you know our strength lies largely with our ninja dogs. Last time, to cooperate with Lord Danzo, my clan sent two Special Jonin to Root. But executing assassinations with ninja dogs is a death sentence for their cover. Those two had to abandon their companions and fight with only taijutsu and their sense of smell. That was the maximum support we could offer.
When they died in Root's service, we didn't complain. But last night, Consultant Danzo came to our compound demanding three more Special Jonin. Lord Hokage, the Inuzuka are not suited for deep-cover assassination. We rely on our dogs. Please understand our difficulty."
Even Hiruzen showed a rare flash of apology. Forcing the Inuzuka into the shadows of Root was indeed a bit much. Most ANBU relied on generic taijutsu and explosive tags to hide their identity, but an Inuzuka with a ninja dog might as well write their clan name on their mask. Danzo's desperation was showing; with his trainees dead, he was trying to fill the gaps by cannibalizing the clans.
"Chief Ryo, I understand," Hiruzen said. "I will inform Consultant Danzo to stop drafting Inuzuka ninjas into Root."
Yamanaka Inoichi's predecessor, Inoen Yamanaka, spoke next:
"Lord Hokage, the casualty rate in Root is simply too high. Over the past few years, every Yamanaka ninja sent there has lasted less than six months. We support the Leaf absolutely, but can our clansmen be sent directly to the ANBU instead? We are willing to die for the village, but we want our sacrifices to be meaningful. Please consider moving our recruitment to the ANBU."
The Ino-Shika-Cho trio was Hiruzen's political foundation. Seeing Inoen and Akimichi Yamashiro here together meant the clans were at a breaking point. They weren't refusing to serve; they were refusing to throw lives away under Danzo's command.
Akimichi Yamashiro, who was missing an arm, gestured wildly with his remaining limb. "Lord Third, I believe Consultant Danzo's leadership is the problem. We accept the risks of the ANBU, but Root is a slaughterhouse. Even during the darkest days of the Second Great Ninja War, when we fought the Stone, Sand, and Mist simultaneously, the death rates weren't this staggering!"
Bluntness could be a shield. If anyone else criticized Danzo like this, it would be seen as a power play, but Yamashiro played the role of the honest, simple-minded powerhouse. By framing it as a critique of Danzo's tactical competence, he made it hard to argue against.
Inoen quickly played the "firefighter" role. "Yamashiro! How can you question Lord Danzo? Watch your tongue!" He made a show of pulling his friend back, but the message was clear: they all agreed. Danzo's forceful, arrogant visits to their compounds the previous night had been the final straw.
Aburame Ichuma added, "Lord Hokage, the Aburame population is small. We've sent ten people to the ANBU or Root in two years. Seven are dead. We need to recover. After a war, shouldn't we be allowed to rebuild? It is difficult for us to produce heirs; outsiders do not exactly line up to marry into our clan."
Hiruzen sighed. "The Aburame's contribution is clear to all. I will tell Danzo to skip the Aburame for this draft."
Finally, the Hyuga Patriarch spoke: "Lord Hokage, in times of peace, the Hyuga are the most overworked. We guard the village, the Daimyo, and the border forts. I truly have no Special Jonin left to give to Root. Anyone with that level of skill is already stationed at the border or protecting high-profile targets. Please, have mercy."
Hiruzen exhaled a thick cloud of smoke. He couldn't blame them. The clans had given enough.
Yagami watched silently, noting that after his persistent strikes, Danzo's political credit was finally bankrupt.
"I will instruct Danzo to focus on training civilian ninjas," Hiruzen said. "He will avoid drafting from the noble clans for a few years. Does that sound fair?"
The clan heads voiced their agreement. But as they were finishing their grievances, the office door was shoved open without a word. Only a few people had the status to enter without being announced.
Seeing it was Danzo, the clan heads instinctively stood from the sofa. Danzo swept his gaze over them, and not one of them met his eyes. They all knew he had been dealt a massive blow; a cornered Danzo was prone to vicious retaliation.