With the decision on how to deal with Shimura Danzō settled, it was time to get to the main topic of this Jōnin Council meeting.
Uchiha Ren and Minato Namikaze exchanged a glance before sitting up straight.
Seeing this, Hyūga Hiashi also straightened in his seat. What they were about to discuss was closely related to the Hyūga clan as well.
Minato Namikaze cleared his throat and said, "Although we have reached a preliminary decision regarding Shimura Danzō's trial, he has left the village with numerous problems that still require our immediate attention."
"For example, the arrangements for the children rescued from the Root headquarters, the screening of Root personnel left behind, and the handling of Root's intelligence network."
"We already worked out preliminary solutions to these three issues last night, so we can simply proceed according to plan. There is no need to discuss them further."
"Now, let us discuss the other problems left behind by Shimura Danzō's Root!"
As soon as these words were spoken, many people in the meeting room were taken aback. They were somewhat puzzled as to what other problems Root could possibly have that warranted discussion at a Jōnin Council meeting.
Minato did not keep them in suspense and continued, "Everyone may know that Root was an armed force under Shimura Danzō whose functions were similar to those of the ANBU. Its authority was also comparable to that of the ANBU. It could be said that Danzō wielded tremendous power."
"But has anyone ever wondered why the village needed Root when we already had the ANBU?"
At these words, many of those who had never considered the matter before were left puzzled.
Indeed. The village already had the ANBU, so why had Root appeared in the first place?
After all, the ANBU was an armed organization directly subordinate to the Hokage, whereas Root had become an armed organization directly subordinate to Danzō. What was that supposed to mean? Two Hokage?
It was clearly against the rules!
Minato continued, "In the beginning, Root existed as an ANBU training program, with the purpose of providing the ANBU with elite shinobi."
"In other words, Root's original function was simply to train ANBU operatives."
"But as Shimura Danzō's influence grew, and with no one restraining his ambitions, Root gradually developed into another ANBU within the village—an ANBU within the ANBU."
He paused. Seeing the astonished expressions on everyone's faces, Minato continued, "And after Danzō's brainwashing and brutal training, the shinobi of Root came to know only Danzō and not the Hokage! They would obey only Shimura Danzō's orders while ignoring the orders of the Hokage!"
"More seriously, because Root had the function of supplying elite shinobi to the ANBU, Shimura Danzō openly planted a considerable number of his own people within the ANBU!"
The moment Minato said this, another uproar erupted throughout the meeting room.
No one had imagined that Shimura Danzō had been brazen enough to go this far!
Shikaku Nara spoke in a grave tone. "Hokage-sama, we cannot make such an accusation without evidence. Do we have any concrete proof?"
"Of course we do!"
Before Minato could answer, Uchiha Ren took over.
"I imagine most of you haven't seen Sarutobi Shinnosuke, the Director of the ANBU, for quite some time, have you?"
Most of the people in the meeting room were stunned by his words. Only then did they realize that Sarutobi Shinnosuke had indeed been absent for quite some time.
Although ANBU shinobi carried out classified missions, it was perfectly normal for them to disappear for ten days, half a month, or even several months.
But the Director of the ANBU rarely went out to personally carry out such missions. Moreover, the Director of the ANBU was also required to attend Jōnin Council meetings.
Yet Sarutobi Shinnosuke had been absent from the past several meetings.
That was highly unusual.
Only a handful of Konoha's senior officials, including Shikaku Nara and Jiraiya, knew that Sarutobi Shinnosuke was already dead. However, Sarutobi Hiruzen had never explained exactly how he died, and they had not felt it appropriate to press him for an answer. To this day, it remained a mystery.
Uchiha Ren continued, "Everyone should know that Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen went to the daimyō's residence some time ago to report on village affairs and was attacked on his way back."
"Although the incident was publicly attributed to Kumogakure, the truth was far more complicated than that."
"According to an investigation conducted by the Konoha Military Police, Shimura Danzō orchestrated the incident. He colluded with Kumogakure and even hired assassins from the black market to carry out an assassination attempt against Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen."
"Shimura Danzō activated spies he had planted within the ANBU to obtain Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen's itinerary. He then ambushed him along the route."
"During the attack, ANBU Director Sarutobi Shinnosuke and all the ANBU accompanying him were killed. Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen was severely wounded. If the Kumogakure shinobi had not become too greedy and attempted to kill the Root shinobi Danzō had sent as well, forcing those Root shinobi to turn against them, Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen might have died in that attack."
Everyone in the meeting room looked at one another, finding it difficult to believe what they had just heard.
After all, the idea of an elder of one's own village attempting to assassinate its own Kage was truly...
Well, it wasn't entirely unimaginable.
Kumogakure had already set such a precedent.
When Kumogakure and Konoha were negotiating a peace agreement, Kumogakure's militant faction refused to accept it and launched a rebellion. They not only took their own Second Raikage with them, but also dragged Konoha's Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, into the conflict.
Uchiha Ren continued, "The Root shinobi who participated in the assassination of Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen and later came to his senses is someone you have all met—Tenzō."
"However, the village was still in a state of war at the time. Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen feared that revealing such a scandal then would destabilize the village, so he kept the matter secret. He also used this incident to force Shimura Danzō to relinquish control over Tenzō."
"Even Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen never expected Shimura Danzō to be so reckless as to launch another coup before the village had fully stabilized."
"There are witnesses and physical evidence supporting every part of this account, so there is no need to think that I am exaggerating."
Uchiha Ren's certainty finally convinced everyone of the truth.
At the same time, their understanding of Shimura Danzō's recklessness was once again completely overturned.
He had planted spies within the ANBU. He had attempted to assassinate the Hokage.
If he was capable of doing even that, what was there that Shimura Danzō would not dare to do?
Before the gathered shinobi had much time to digest the revelation, Minato spoke again.
"This incident is sufficient to prove that there are serious problems within the ANBU."
"Given the ANBU's unique and vital role, I have decided to conduct a thorough screening of all currently active ANBU personnel."
Everyone in the meeting room could understand Minato's decision.
The ANBU was one of the most important powers directly controlled by the Hokage. It was only natural that Minato would take such a matter seriously.
But Minato's next words caused everyone in the meeting room to widen their eyes in shock.
Minato continued, "I have decided to appoint Elder Uchiha Ren as the Director of the ANBU. In addition, I will transfer a number of elite shinobi from the Konoha Military Police and the Hyūga clan into the ANBU to assist with the screening."
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