This level of accusation had no effect on Danzo, whose resilience was as impenetrable as a fortress.
Shimura Danzo's gaze was cold as he spoke with a slight smile:
"Of course, this matter has nothing to do with me.
Although the Root organization was officially disbanded at Sarutobi's request years ago, its members were once under my command. Moreover, as the head of the Shimura clan, I have a duty to investigate if my clan members are involved in such matters.
Perhaps someone is interfering from the shadows, attempting to sow discord between Sarutobi and me?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi placed his pipe between his lips and took a slow, deliberate drag. His expression remained unreadable, his silence unwavering. The confrontation between Tsunade and Danzo had been within his expectations.
After all, the information they had was derived solely from the Intelligence Division's interrogations.
The evidence only pointed to the involvement of the Shimura clan. However, nothing conclusively proved that Danzo was the mastermind orchestrating it all.
From Sarutobi's perspective, Danzo's argument wasn't entirely unreasonable. As a senior member of Konoha's council, Danzo was certainly a target for manipulation. If someone were indeed attempting to frame him and drive a wedge between them…
Finally, Sarutobi spoke.
He narrowed his eyes at Danzo, his tone measured:
"Danzo, since you intend to investigate this matter, do you have any leads?"
At Sarutobi's question, Danzo's expression softened slightly.
As expected—Sarutobi remained indecisive, just as Danzo had known him to be for decades.
A barely perceptible smirk flickered across Danzo's lips before he addressed the room:
"There's no need for an investigation.
Because I already know who the mastermind behind this incident is."
"What???"
The entire room froze in shock.
Inside the Hokage's office, Sarutobi Hiruzen fixed his gaze on Danzo and asked,
"You already know who is behind this? Who is it?"
All eyes in the room turned to Danzo.
With a grave expression, Danzo responded in a deep voice:
"It is the elder of my own clan—Shimura Jogawa."
"What?"
Gasps filled the room.
Sarutobi Hiruzen, Tsunade, and the assembled Anbu shinobi were all taken aback.
The great elder of the Shimura clan was well known. Even those who had never interacted with him had at least heard of his past exploits.
Once a formidable jōnin, Jogawa had been a powerful shinobi in his youth. However, during a mission, he was ambushed and left with near-fatal injuries. Though he survived, the damage was severe—his heart had been nearly cleaved apart.
Even after receiving treatment, he was no longer fit for field missions and was forced to retire from active duty. Turning his attention to commerce, he quickly proved to be an astute businessman.
For years, Jogawa had managed the Shimura clan's financial affairs, ensuring its prosperity. His influence, particularly in matters of funding, was not to be underestimated.
Sarutobi narrowed his eyes. "Danzo, if you say this, then… what evidence do you have?"
"I do have evidence."
Danzo gave a firm nod. His gaze was unreadable, his thoughts obscured.
In truth, he knew that this was not an ideal move. However, in this critical moment, his priority was to deflect suspicion away from himself. Sacrificing a subordinate or scapegoat was a standard political maneuver.
As long as he remained in Konoha's council, he could bide his time.
A battle postponed was never truly lost.
Sarutobi's skepticism remained. "And why do you have such information?"
Danzo's voice was calm yet deliberate.
"I had noticed irregularities in Jogawa's actions for some time, though I never anticipated he would go as far as attempting to steal from the Scroll of Seals. This is the intelligence I gathered regarding his secret efforts to amass personal power. Take a look, Sarutobi."
Shimura Danzō maintained a stern and unwavering expression as he handed over a prepared dossier to Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Hiruzen, his pipe resting between his lips, swiftly scanned the contents of the document. His brows furrowed deeply, and his expression grew colder with each passing second. The information before him was worse than he had imagined—Shimura Jogawa's actions behind the scenes were utterly disgraceful.
Colluding with underground casinos, amassing vast amounts of wealth through illicit means, and secretly using those funds to build his own power base—both within Konoha and even beyond, in the Land of Fire. No matter the village, such behavior was a direct challenge to the authority of the Kage.
This level of betrayal… It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that Jogawa harbored intentions of treason.
Hiruzen set the documents down, his gaze turning sharp as he gave an order to his Anbu with an icy tone:
"Bring Shimura Jogawa here."
A glint of faint yet unmistakable killing intent flickered in Hiruzen's eyes.
Not long after, under the escort of Anbu, Shimura Jogawa—a man a few years older than both Hiruzen and Danzō—was brought into the Hokage's office.
"Lord Hokage, I heard you summoned me?" Jogawa asked cautiously.
The moment he stepped inside and saw the number of people gathered in the Hokage's office so late at night, an ominous premonition rose in his heart. Of course, he had some idea of what tonight's events were about. His own son had participated in a secret mission earlier, determined to frame that troublesome boy, Kazuki.
His eyes darted around the room, noticing the presence of numerous Anbu. But the one person he expected to be captured—Kazuki, codename "Mink"—was nowhere to be seen.
Did the operation succeed?
As he contemplated this, his gaze landed on Danzō, standing nearby. Seeing him there gave Jogawa some reassurance. If the clan head was present, surely everything would be fine… right?
However, just as that thought crossed his mind, Danzō suddenly strode forward.
There was no warning, no sign of what was coming. Jogawa was about to greet him, the word "Patriarch" forming on his lips—
SMACK!
A sharp, resounding slap struck Jogawa's face with force.
"Elder! You have utterly disgraced the Shimura clan!" Danzō's voice was filled with anger, yet his expression betrayed nothing but cold calculation.
"If there weren't undeniable evidence… I never would have believed you capable of such betrayal!"
"Wh-what…? What did I do…?" Jogawa stammered, clutching his stinging cheek, his mind reeling from the unexpected blow.
"You still refuse to admit it? See for yourself!" Danzō narrowed his eyes and tossed the incriminating document at Jogawa.
Jogawa caught it instinctively and quickly skimmed the pages. The more he read, the colder he felt. A bead of sweat slid down his forehead, then another. His hands trembled as the weight of the accusations settled upon him.
Secretly amassing power within the village…
This was an unforgivable crime in Konoha.
By the time he finished reading, his back was drenched in cold sweat.
"H-Hokage-sama, I… this is…" Jogawa stuttered, his face pale as he turned to Sarutobi Hiruzen, grasping for an explanation but unable to find the words.
Hiruzen exhaled slowly, his voice carrying the weight of disappointment.
"Jogawa, we have known each other for many years… If Danzō had not presented me with the truth, I would have never imagined you capable of such betrayal. If your crime was simply using your position for personal gain, I would have at least listened to your defense."
His gaze darkened.
"But to steal from the Scroll of Seals—an act of treason against Konoha itself… Such a crime condemns you to life in prison."
Boom!
Hiruzen's words struck like thunder in Jogawa's ears.
He stood frozen, as if struck by lightning, his eyes widening in disbelief. Slowly, his gaze turned to Danzō.
He never expected it—never in his wildest dreams.
The person who betrayed him… was none other than his own clan head, Shimura Danzō.
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