"Danzo!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen's face immediately fell, looking at the devastated Uchiha Clan Land, he sternly rebuked, "It's because I was too indulgent with you that it led to today's outcome. From today onward, I am revoking your authority as Hokage Assistant and disbanding your Root..."
"Lord Hokage!"
Akihara Kagura stopped Sarutobi Hiruzen, speaking softly, "Lord Danzo, after all, acted for Konoha's sake. Moreover, today Lord Danzo's strategy indeed made the Uchiha end up in civil strife and destruction, solving the problem of the Uchiha Clan and preventing greater losses to the village..."
"..."
Shimura Danzo felt a slight fondness for Akihara Kagura in his heart.
Although this kid deceived me, he still counts as having been taught by me, and his acknowledgment of my style of conduct...
However...
When Akihara Kagura got to this point, he changed his tone and said, "Although Lord Danzo did make mistakes, the Root has contributed a lot to Konoha, so there's no need to disband it, right? I've always wanted to become the leader of the Root, to use my own power to guard Konoha in the shadows..."
"You little brat!"
Anger flashed in Shimura Danzo's eyes!
This brat really covets my Root. I won't give it to you, you can't just take it! But does this brat really think becoming the leader of the Root means he can control it?
Shimura Danzo suddenly realized he could let Akihara Kagura become the Root Leader, thus continuing to control the Root secretly, and even influence Akihara Kagura through the Root...
After all...
Shimura Danzo had witnessed Akihara Kagura's power firsthand, reigniting the thought of wanting to utilize Akihara Kagura, a power capable of easily destroying a nation!
"The Root can't be disbanded!"
Shimura Danzo glanced at Sarutobi Hiruzen and argued reasonably, "I can step back to an advisory position and let Akihara Kagura take over as the Root Leader... After all, my age is already advanced, and the village has solved the Uchiha problem..."
"I'd like to try it."
Akihara Kagura looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen, volunteering, "Third Hokage, this has always been my dream, to guard Konoha in the darkness..."
"Is it necessary?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen was not very supportive, glanced at the unconscious Fourth Mizukage Karatachi Yagura, and said softly, "Today you solved the trouble caused by the Three-tails, you are a hero in the village..."
"But..."
"There's still a necessity for the Root to exist."
Akihara Kagura, looking at Sarutobi Hiruzen, formally requested, "I just want... to correct the mistakes left by Lord Danzo, to prevent incidents like with Kabuto and Dean Nonou from happening again in the future."
"..."
Shimura Danzo was so furious his fingers trembled slightly.
This brat wants to take over the Root to prevent another Kabuto and Dean Nonou situation? Can the ninjas of the Root still be tools if they develop emotions?
"..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen, however, gave a rare appreciative look at Akihara Kagura, thinking that Akihara Kagura had proposed a non-extreme, even excellent idea: "If that's the case, then while Danzo is dismissed, the Root will be handed to you for now."
Bonds.
Are the eternal theme of the Ninja World.
Akihara Kagura brought up the matter of Kabuto and Dean Nonou, obviously aiming to eradicate the chronic issues in the Root, allowing its members to also have bonds.
Having this thought indicated he already had a bit of a Hokage's mindset.
Sarutobi Hiruzen greatly admired Akihara Kagura's attitude towards bonds and proactively said, "Kagura, don't let me down in the future, but in the meantime, stay by my side, continue serving as my assistant, and discuss village affairs together instead of Danzo..."
"..."
Shimura Danzo suddenly tightened his grip on his cane.
This brat...
Replaced me?
This brat whom I brought into Konoha...
Just replaced my position in Konoha like this?