Although Mokgetsu saw this as the best outcome, the formal procedure of refusal and acceptance had to be followed for the sake of Shimura Danzo's dignity.
"The Root has not disappeared; it has simply transformed. Danzo's Will of Fire will live on," Sarutobi Hiruzen shook his head as he spoke.
"Both the training team and the Root are striving to protect Konoha."
In the end, under Sarutobi Hiruzen's emotional persuasion and reasoning, Mokgetsu came to understand and resolutely accepted the significant responsibility of protecting Konoha.
"Before Master Danzo passed, he mentioned something strange to me. He told me to be careful of Uchiha Madara," Mokgetsu said with a puzzled look.
"Uchiha Madara? Are you sure you heard correctly?" Sarutobi Hiruzen asked with a serious expression.
For the new generation of ninja, Uchiha Madara is only a legendary powerful ninja, a traitor who was personally eliminated by the First Hokage.
The older generation of ninja like Sarutobi Hiruzen, who were born before Konoha was established, experienced the full power of Uchiha Madara firsthand—a terrifying monster defeated only by the God of Ninjas.
"I definitely didn't mishear. Every word left by Master Danzo is etched clearly in my mind," Mokgetsu said earnestly.
Sarutobi Hiruzen did not question further. Having gone through Senju Tobirama's passing, he could understand Mokgetsu's feelings; even in just recent events, it would be hard to forget, let alone after ten years.
His questioning was merely because the news was too shocking.
"Even if he wasn't killed by the First Hokage, he should be too old to move," Sarutobi Hiruzen pondered.
Uchiha Madara is quite aged; even if he lived peacefully until now, he wouldn't possibly have the capability to threaten Konoha.
Yet Shimura Danzo wouldn't joke with Mokgetsu at the edge of death, so Uchiha Madara's presence and danger are inevitable.
"Could Uchiha Madara be secretly nurturing an inheritor?" Sarutobi Hiruzen considered a possibility—Uchiha Madara's heir acting in his name.
If Uchiha Madara really wasn't killed by Senju Hashirama, then developing an heir over many years wouldn't be surprising.
"Did Danzo mention anything else about Uchiha Madara?" Sarutobi Hiruzen continued to ask.
If Shimura Danzo's death was related to "Uchiha Madara," then the situation might be more complicated than he initially thought, possibly involving a conspiracy against Konoha.
Shimura Danzo's death itself might be a result of conspiracy.
"That's all Master Danzo left," Mokgetsu shook his head in response.
Apart from the matter of the Hashirama Cells, he had basically recounted all of Shimura Danzo's final words.
Regarding Shimura Danzo's body containing Hashirama Cells, Mokgetsu is reluctant to expose this.
Even though Mokgetsu shared Shimura Danzo's last words, Sarutobi Hiruzen promised not to let Orochimaru research it, yet eventually, Orochimaru would get the tissue from Shimura Danzo's corpse.
Orochimaru's status and position in Konoha are too high; he is recognized as one of the legendary Sannin and a candidate for Hokage.
Given Orochimaru's resources and his interest in Hashirama Cells, experiments on Hashirama Cells surely wouldn't escape Orochimaru's knowledge.
As Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen can prevent Orochimaru from openly acquiring Shimura Danzo's body, but Orochimaru is far from an honest person; he could easily handle it covertly.
Developments have reached such a point that it's uncertain who might achieve results first.
The original work's depiction of Orochimaru's research ability left a deep impression on Mokgetsu.
Thus, Mokgetsu decided to handle it like the White Zetsu incident, as he didn't want to face the monsters in the Shippuden during the Third Shinobi World War.
After questioning thoroughly, Sarutobi Hiruzen gained a general understanding of the information Mokgetsu had.
What Mokgetsu knew wasn't much; he was nearly blank on why Shimura Danzo went to the Land of Rain, mainly having Shimura Danzo's last words.
This aligned with Mokgetsu's experience; he wasn't a Root Ninja by nature but helped Shimura Danzo out of courtesy, and Shimura Danzo didn't provide specific intelligence.
"Did you face Sosuke in battle, and how did you find his strength?" Sarutobi Hiruzen suddenly asked.
"I didn't fight head-on. When I saw Master Danzo injured, I quickly approached him and used the Flying Thunder God to leave," Mokgetsu thought for a moment and replied.
"However, I saw his ninjutsu—strong. I am unsure I can defeat him."
Mokgetsu didn't lie; he truly wasn't confident in defeating Sosuke.
"I see." Sarutobi Hiruzen didn't find the statement exaggerated.
Sosuke had the record of defeating Hanzo with Fire Release alone; this battle alone proved Sosuke was no simple ninja.
"Mokgetsu, after working so hard for so long, you must be tired. Go take a rest," Sarutobi Hiruzen said squeezing out a smile to Mokgetsu.
Mokgetsu went to the Land of Rain to help Shimura Danzo, then brought Shimura Danzo's corpse back overnight. Even traveling alone was no easy task.
"Thank you for your trouble tonight."
With a slight bow of apology to Sarutobi Hiruzen, Mokgetsu then bowed to Shimura Danzo on the ice platform before leaving the Root Base with a heavy heart.
"What a good kid," Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed inwardly.
Mokgetsu could have ignored Shimura Danzo, as Shimura Danzo had no authority to command Mokgetsu, yet Mokgetsu still chose to aid him.
If not for Mokgetsu, even Shimura Danzo's body might not have returned to Konoha.
Hence, although Mokgetsu slightly deviated from Konoha's protocol during the process, Sarutobi Hiruzen chose to overlook it.
After all, who could dislike a person with strong loyalty and righteousness, especially with Mokgetsu on his side.
Subsequently, Sarutobi Hiruzen summoned the last Root Ninja present.
There were still too many mysteries; Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn't sleep at ease now.
He had to figure out why Shimura Danzo went to the Land of Rain and how it related to "Uchiha Madara."
Whether avenging Shimura Danzo or protecting Konoha, he had to solve the mysteries as best as he could.
The inquiry results were as Sarutobi Hiruzen expected—the remaining Root member had even fewer pieces of information, only aware that Shimura Danzo went to the Land of Rain and clueless about anything else.
"Has Danzo met anyone odd recently?" Sarutobi Hiruzen finally asked.
The Root Ninja shook his head with a perplexed expression.
Being at the lowest level of the Root, it was impossible for him to know Shimura Danzo's itinerary.
The Root Ninja was extremely baffled; he just guarded the base for a few days and suddenly became the top Root combat expert.
"Bring me the recent confidential documents of the Root for review," Sarutobi Hiruzen commanded upon seeing there was no useful information.
Immediately, Sarutobi Hiruzen also called in the Anbu, ordering them to search the Root Base and try to find clues.
Were it not for Shimura Danzo's mind being too protected, making direct memory review impossible, Sarutobi Hiruzen would have summoned ninja from the Yamanaka Clan to view the memory directly.
Although this seemed slightly disrespectful to Shimura Danzo's corpse, when it pertains to "Uchiha Madara" and the safety of Konoha, personal honor must be set aside.
Sarutobi Hiruzen worked until three in the morning without any progress.
As duties needed attention tomorrow, Sarutobi Hiruzen handed the task over to the Anbu and returned home to rest.
As Hokage, he couldn't lose his rationality due to hate. Many matters still required handling.
"I hope tomorrow brings good news," Sarutobi Hiruzen thought as he lay in bed, closing his eyes.
Tonight was yet another memorable night.
...
Despite the Rain Village and Konoha not publicizing Shimura Danzo's death, and even trying to conceal it on purpose.
But the news of Shimura Danzo's death still spread through the Ninja World at an eerie speed.
Especially the other four Great Ninja Villages, they collected this crucial intelligence immediately.