Chapter 100 – Breaking Free from the Cage
Minato truly lived up to his reputation as the future Fourth Hokage.
Even at this age, he already possessed a Hokage's way of thinking.
What he wanted wasn't a direct confrontation—but a legitimate excuse for the Hokage to take action.
With that justification in hand, and with the influence of Jiraiya and Tsunade backing it, this matter could be resolved cleanly.
Fortunately, Taichi hadn't been idle during this time.
He reached into his ninja pouch and pulled out a stack of yellowed account ledgers. The edges of the paper were curled from constant handling. Taking a steady breath, he carefully laid them out across the tea table.
"These are the orphanage's income and expenditure records from the past five years," Taichi said. His fingers traced line after line before stopping firmly at one point. "I've already looked into Konoha's official financial allocations to the orphanage."
"According to the village budget, the orphanage should receive ten million ryō per year."
He flipped through the ledgers, pointing out the entries. "But in reality—"
"—the actual income never reached that amount," he continued. "And worse, it's been decreasing every year."
He opened the most recent ledger and tapped a specific line.
"Look here. This year's allocation was only five million ryō."
Minato leaned forward, carefully comparing the recorded figures with the attached receipts, examining every discrepancy.
Then his pupils suddenly contracted.
"This seal from the Hokage's Office…" Minato said gravely, pointing at a document. "It's forged."
He indicated a barely noticeable burr along the edge of the stamp.
"It's a very good imitation, but if you're familiar with the real seal, you can still tell the difference."
Following Minato's guidance, the others compared it with genuine documents—and sure enough, the inconsistencies became obvious.
"This is outright fabrication!" Kushina exclaimed, disbelief written all over her face. "How could they dare to do this?"
"There's more," Jiraiya added, frowning. "Many of these expenses don't belong to the orphanage at all, yet they're all listed under its name."
"Exactly," Taichi said firmly. "None of this would stand up to scrutiny. In the past, no one bothered to investigate—that's all."
He looked around the room.
"With this, the Hokage should have enough reason to make a decision… right?"
Jiraiya and Minato exchanged a glance. Minato answered calmly.
"This is more than embezzlement. It involves usurping Hokage authority—and in more serious terms, planting operatives under the Hokage's nose."
Taichi turned toward Jiraiya, eyes filled with hope.
"In that case…?"
"Let's go," Jiraiya said decisively.
Once he chose to act, he never hesitated.
"Taichi, bring everything with you. We're going to the Hokage's Office—now."
He stood up, the usual lecherous aura gone. In its place was a bold, commanding presence.
"And Tsunade's letter for the old man—you've got it, right?"
"Yes," Taichi replied, barely able to contain his excitement.
"Good. Then we go together," Kushina said eagerly. "More people means more strength!"
This time, Jiraiya rejected her outright.
"No. You and Minato stay here."
"What?!" Kushina immediately bristled. "I have influence too! And I was the one who pushed this forward in the first place—now you're cutting me out?"
"Too many people will make the old man feel pressured," Jiraiya said seriously.
"That could backfire."
He paused, then sighed softly.
"And besides…"
His earlier heroic momentum faded slightly.
"Let's leave him some dignity."
Minato reached out and gently pulled back the eager Kushina, giving her a small shake of his head.
"Alright… alright," Kushina sighed, deflating a little. "We'll do it your way."
With Kushina pacified, Jiraiya led Taichi out of Minato's home, their footsteps quick as they headed straight for the Hokage Tower.
---
On the Streets of Konoha
Under the morning light, Taichi followed closely behind Jiraiya. Fine beads of sweat seeped into his palms from sheer tension. The excitement from earlier had already faded, replaced by a pounding heartbeat echoing in his chest.
After turning the final corner, the Hokage Building came into view.
Almost unconsciously, Taichi reached for the ledgers inside his ninja pouch.
This is the key, he reminded himself.
His heightened emotions stirred the chakra within him, causing faint leaks of pressure that made passing shinobi glance back repeatedly.
"Taichi."
Jiraiya suddenly stopped. A broad hand came down firmly on Taichi's shoulder. The warmth of that palm miraculously calmed the turbulence inside his chest.
"When major matters arise, you must still your heart," Jiraiya said solemnly.
"No matter the situation, a shinobi must remain calm."
Taichi steadied his breathing, lowered his head, and bowed deeply.
"Thank you for the guidance, Sensei."
It was a sincere expression of gratitude.
"But still," Jiraiya suddenly broke into a grin, his serious demeanor collapsing instantly, "getting to make that old snake Danzō suffer a bit really is something to celebrate! Hahaha!"
A bead of cold sweat slid down Taichi's forehead.
Still… the interruption worked. His nerves finally settled.
---
Hokage Office
Bang! Bang!
Before anyone inside could respond, the doors were pushed open.
Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned, looking toward the entrance. Who dared enter without permission? Even the advisors waited for approval.
Danzō?
The thought crossed his mind.
But when he saw the spiky white hair standing proudly in the doorway, a smile slowly crept onto his face.
"Jiraiya?" Hiruzen chuckled. "What's this—no window hopping today? Walking through the front door? Did the sun rise in the west?"
"Hey, hey," Jiraiya deflated instantly, scratching his head. "What are you saying, old man? I always use the front door."
He then reached back and dragged Taichi forward.
"I'm here because of this kid."
Seeing Taichi clearly startled Hiruzen. Ever since the last mission, he carried a trace of guilt toward the boy. After all, this was Tsunade's only disciple—his own grand-disciple, in a sense.
"Oh? Little Taichi," Hiruzen said kindly. "What brings you here? If there's anything I can help with, I'll do my best."
A Hokage's words—carefully chosen.
If I can help, being the key phrase.
"Grandpa," Taichi said without hesitation, "do you know Yakushi Nonō?"
"Nonō?" Hiruzen answered instantly. "Of course. The orphanage director. You grew up there, didn't you?"
He smiled gently. Personnel records across Konoha were etched into his memory—something he took pride in.
"Then… grandpa," Taichi lowered his voice cautiously, "did you know that Sister Nonō is also a member of Root?"
The smile froze on Hiruzen's face.
Root…?
An orphanage director—Root?
Root operated in espionage, assassination, surveillance, false-flag operations—the darkest corner of Konoha. Calling it "the village's shadow" was no exaggeration.
An orphanage director, meanwhile, should be a symbol of kindness and stability.
The two identities were completely incompatible.
Hiruzen felt a chill run through him.
Danzō's reach… is this extensive now?
It seemed merely requiring Root to report operations to ANBU was no longer enough. Perhaps he needed the full personnel registry.
His expression hardened.
"Taichi. Root identities are classified. How did you learn this?"
"I inferred it from small details," Taichi replied carefully.
He explained step by step—making sure Hiruzen wouldn't think he had pried into classified intelligence, nor suspect Nonō of leaking information.
"Root once tried to recruit me. After that, I paid attention…"
He laid out his deductions calmly and logically.
Hiruzen nodded along, not yet grasping the full severity.
Sharp observation… careful reasoning… strength beyond his peers.
Konoha truly has successors.
"That's the situation, grandpa," Taichi concluded.
"Could you allow Sister Nonō to leave Root?"
"She's an orphanage director, yet she's constantly sent on espionage missions. If outsiders found out, they'd think Konoha lacks manpower."
"And she's an outstanding medical ninja—praised personally by Tsunade-sensei. Even if she's to contribute more to the village, she could work at Konoha Hospital."
A subtle reframing—but an effective one.
Hiruzen hesitated.
Interfering with Root meant clashing with Danzō—and political balance. Doing so for one individual seemed… excessive.
"Ah, and this," Taichi added, producing a letter, "is from Tsunade-sensei to you."
Hiruzen stared at the envelope suspiciously.
He hadn't spoken to Tsunade in years—yet this boy had managed to contact her?
The envelope read: "To Teacher"
It was Tsunade's handwriting.
At first, the letter was cordial—warm even—and Hiruzen relaxed.
Then…
His brow twitched.
Retire already?
Get your eyesight checked?
Why is an orphanage director doing espionage?
By the end, Hiruzen nearly choked on his pipe.
Watching his reaction, Jiraiya stepped in smoothly.
"Sensei," Jiraiya said, "Danzō really went too far this time."
"The orphanage is one of Konoha's public faces—home to the children of fallen heroes."
"They deserve peace. Stability. A good childhood."
"Pulling such a capable director into Root missions—what a waste."
"And if the village finds out the orphanage is run by Root?" Jiraiya emphasized.
"That'll cause an uproar."
"Besides," he added casually, "Root isn't exactly short on manpower… right?"
Hiruzen wavered—but Danzō's shadow loomed large.
"Taichi," he finally said, smiling gently, "I'll consider this. I'll speak to Danzō."
But that was precisely what Taichi could not allow.
"grandpa," he said quietly, placing the ledgers on the desk, "please look at these."
The moment Hiruzen saw them, he knew.
This was no longer about personnel.
As Taichi guided him through the discrepancies, Hiruzen's expression darkened with each page.
Forged seals.
Missing funds.
His seal.
Crack.
The armrest of Hiruzen's chair shattered under his grip.
This wasn't corruption.
This was usurpation of Hokage authority.
And only one man could have done it.
Danzō… how far have you gone?