Danzo had only lost his subordinates.
The clan heads, however, had lost their own children, relatives, and successors.
When they first saw Danzo enter, panic flashed across their faces—but it quickly faded. They remembered how aggressively he had demanded personnel earlier, and one by one they turned toward the Third Hokage, frowning, silently asking him to stand up for them.
Hiruzen's next words freed them.
"Clan heads, Advisor Danzo and I have matters to discuss. Please leave for now. I will carefully consider everything you've said."
The clan heads departed.
Danzo sat down on the sofa, glancing first at Yellow Dog.
"Regarding Sarutobi Kanosuke—has your Sarutobi clan's internal investigation produced any results yet?"
Fox thought silently, Are they seriously investigating that? I just made that name up on the spot.
They'd have better luck investigating Sarutobi Yako… they might actually uncover something.
Yellow Dog answered immediately.
"Advisor Danzo, I've thoroughly reviewed the Sarutobi clan records. There is no trace of anyone named Sarutobi Kanosuke.
The name may simply be fabricated by the enemy—to create internal division among us."
"Fabricated?" Danzo's voice sharpened. "Can someone casually fabricate a name and then casually use your clan's S-rank forbidden technique, the Five Release Great Barrage?"
He continued pressing.
"There were Sarutobi shinobi who disappeared during wartime. Were they checked?
Sarutobi Kanosuke appears to be between twenty and twenty-five years old. Some Sarutobi of that age group even experienced the First Shinobi War.
Were missing individuals investigated?"
Yellow Dog replied calmly.
"We considered that. There are at least thirty missing Sarutobi from that age group alone. It is impossible to narrow down further."
"Among those thirty, how many had access to the Five Release Great Barrage? Is that number truly so large?
Or are you unwilling to investigate—or perhaps you found something you're afraid to reveal?"
"Enough, Danzo!" Hiruzen interrupted sharply.
"The white spiral-mask wearer cannot possibly be a member of the Sarutobi clan.
If someone within my clan could master the forbidden Five Release Great Barrage, I would cultivate them personally. I would never allow such talent to become a rogue ninja.
The leak of this technique is a breach of secret arts.
I suspect Uchiha Madara obtained my technique and deliberately recreated it."
Danzo scoffed.
"Your brother Sarutobi Hikari, Sarutobi Haru, your nephew Sarutobi Einosuke, and your son Yellow Dog—these are the few who learned the technique. Why not focus your investigation there?"
"That's enough!" Hiruzen frowned deeply.
"The matter of Sarutobi Kanosuke ends here. We will not waste time chasing baseless speculation."
Fox watched silently.
When Shimura Tan and Sarutobi Yuu had died by Fire Release before, the Uchiha clan had been forced to prove their innocence for an entire month.
Now someone claiming to be Sarutobi Kanosuke had appeared—and the issue was dismissed so lightly.
Double standards… as expected.
Hiruzen continued.
"Let us discuss a more important matter.
ANBU reports severe delays in intelligence recently.
Danzo—given Root's current state, can it still maintain operation of the spy network?"
Danzo glanced toward Yellow Dog.
"What are you implying? You want ANBU to take over the intelligence network?"
"To take over part of it," Hiruzen replied. "Transfer the spy systems of two of the Four Great Nations to ANBU.
Leaving intelligence handlers without contact for extended periods is irresponsible to those risking their lives."
"Impossible!" Danzo snapped.
"Give me one more month, and I will restore communication.
In the past half-month, I've already selected twelve civilian shinobi for Root training. If those clan heads just now give me eight more, I can restart a full training cycle.
One month later, Root will regain control of the intelligence network.
Sarutobi Hiruzen, the spy network has functioned successfully under me for over a decade.
Do you think ANBU can simply take over because you say so?
One mistake could expose every embedded spy in a country!"
The spy network was one of Danzo's greatest sources of power.
Removing it meant blinding him.
Hiruzen hesitated.
Fox inwardly sighed.
Hiruzen's too soft… a few words from Danzo and he's already wavering.
Fox exchanged a glance with Yellow Dog.
They nodded almost imperceptibly.
Fox left the Hokage's office.
Both Hiruzen and Danzo watched him go, unsure what order Yellow Dog had just given.
Moments later, Black Ant and three ANBU entered.
Black Ant looked confused—he had no idea why Fox had conveyed orders summoning his subordinates.
The moment Danzo saw their masks, his eyes narrowed.
Yellow Dog spoke.
"Remove your masks. Show your tongues."
Hiruzen paused mid-argument, surprised.
The three ANBU glanced sideways toward Danzo.
The subtle motion did not escape the Hokage's eyes.
"Do as Yellow Dog says."
Reluctantly, they obeyed.
Fox stepped forward, forming seals.
"Five Elements Unsealing."
His sealing technique activated.
Dark markings surfaced upon their tongues—the cursed sigils of the Tongue Eradication Seal.
Hiruzen shot to his feet.
Black Ant gasped.
"You… how…?!"
Yellow Dog spoke firmly.
"Hokage-sama, I have uncovered critical evidence.
Root has branded some recruits sent into ANBU with the Tongue Eradication Seal."
He stopped there.
The facts alone were enough.
Black Ant's mask dripped with sweat.
As captain of the Hokage's direct squad, he had unknowingly led Root agents.
A severe failure.
Silence filled the room.
After a long moment, Hiruzen spoke.
"Danzo… you've gone too far. You will explain yourself."
Danzo answered without hesitation.
"I suspected a traitor within ANBU.
Root has suffered repeated disasters. Aside from Orochimaru, waves of operatives have died.
Those connected to Root—like Aburame Ryoma—either died mysteriously or were assassinated by rogue ninjas.
How many Root souls died because of Sarutobi Kanosuke alone?
Someone clearly understands Root's movements in detail.
Only ANBU could achieve that.
How do you expect me to trust them?"
He turned toward Yellow Dog.
"Sarutobi Shinnosuke… you've grown quickly.
Among the younger generation, your skill at internal power struggles may already be unmatched.
Do you have anything to say?"
Yellow Dog lowered his gaze.
No explanation was needed.
The facts spoke.
Hiruzen's voice hardened.
"Danzo, stop changing the subject.
If Root and ANBU can no longer coexist… which do you think should be abolished?"
Danzo fell silent.
Hiruzen was truly angry.
He often compromised for the village's stability—but that did not mean he had no limits.
Spying on him crossed the line.
"Danzo," he declared, "transfer the spy systems of two major nations to ANBU.
No manipulation. No deception. Those spies risk their lives—you will not betray them.
I will personally review the transfer."
Danzo's eyelids twitched.
He wanted to argue—but swallowed the bitter loss.
Yellow Dog felt a surge of satisfaction.
The spy network and Root were Danzo's foundation. Losing half would cripple him.
Fox thought quietly.
If I can use this chance to move Yakushi Nono… that would be perfect.
Hiruzen continued.
"Yellow Dog, from now on any recruits sent from Root to ANBU must be evaluated—not only for ability, but for the Will of Fire."
Which meant loyalty checks… and detection of cursed seals.
"I understand, Hokage-sama."
Yellow Dog added,
"We can remove the Tongue Eradication Seal. Fox specializes in sealing techniques. He can handle it."
Hiruzen's expression eased slightly.
He turned toward Danzo again, sensing the man already plotting countermeasures.
"Fox, go summon Shikakaku."
Fox bowed and left.
Soon after, Nara Shikakaku entered.
"Explain your findings."
Shikaku spoke calmly.
"Other villages have begun copying Konoha's assassination strategy.
After our first successful eliminations, they created their own assassination lists.
Our shinobi have faced retaliatory attacks across smaller nations.
The current assassination strategy has problems."
Hiruzen nodded grimly.
"Danzo… we cannot allow the spy network to remain idle. Without intelligence, retaliation will escalate."
Under pressure from both Hiruzen and Shikakaku, Danzo finally conceded.
"The spy networks in the Land of Lightning and Land of Wind… I will temporarily transfer to ANBU."
Yellow Dog's heart leapt.
Temporary?
Once he controlled the handlers, they would never return.
Shikakaku added another proposal.
"Blend assassination with bounty hunting.
If enemy jonin die anonymously through underground bounty exchanges, retaliation will not automatically target Konoha."
"Excellent idea," Hiruzen said. "Work together and draft a plan."
Then he delivered the final blow.
"Root reconstruction will be restricted.
For two years, Root may not recruit from shinobi clans."
A rare, decisive order.
Shikakaku blinked in surprise.
All eyes turned toward Danzo—waiting to see if he would object.