Disclaimer: Naruto and all of its character belong to Masashi Kishimoto. I own nothing but the original characters I make.
Chapter 125: Danzo Punishment
Danzō had spent several days under house arrest after he returned from war, because he knows what he did was wrong, he had quietly preparing himself for what would come next.
He had feelings when he was leaving Hiruzen alone in the jungle, he would eventually return safely because Hiruzen is damn skilled and when that happened, questions would be asked to him 'why he left the hokage'.
What worried Danzo are not about his safety but his family, he had already been punished and his crime are not too severe because when he left Hiruzen alone, he had not even tried to stop him, not because he agreed to leave him alone but because he simply couldn't. Danzō had moved faster, seizing the moment without looking back. At the time, it had been a calculated decision and now it was a crime
Danzō sat alone, his expression calm indifferent with Shinobi guard who had just informed him to meet with new Hokage.
He had already seen how much Konoha had changed in just a short period of time after Sakumo take the place to become new Hokage. It all thanks to one person, Uzumaki Raiken had single handedly influenced Sakumo to do a several new law in this village.
As an ex of the root leader, it was easy for Danzo to suspect anyone and even pinpointed the root cause. For example Raiken had begun restructuring the village power system, tightening control and eliminating the shadows where people like Danzō once thrived.
Although the Root was already gone before and had been absorbed into ANBU. His network, his influence, everything he had built over the years had been dismantled by Hiruzen but don't look down on Danzo, just a few clue can make him guess correctly.
In this condition where no one can easily oppose new leader, it makes Raiken easily influence the law and everything inside Konoha and strangely Danzi no longer felt the same obsession like before.
There was no burning desire to reclaim power and he didn't schemes like used to do before, forming his faction and opposed those in power.
This version of Danzō was different. Perhaps it was because he had been stripped of everything or perhaps, without the constant pressure of power and ambition, he had finally begun to see clearly.
What mattered to him now was simple, his wife and his child
For the first time in years, those things felt more important than Konoha itself.
Still, reality remained unchanged. No matter what he felt now, his actions could not be erased.
Abandoning the Hokage on the battlefield was not something the village could ignore.
So when the summons arrived, Danzō did not resist. He stood up calmly and he was ready to face judgment.
...
HOKAGE OFFICE
Hiruzen had finished recounting his experience in the jungle, all his grievance in the jungle were released at this time.
Of course, he left out many details especially those who show him like a weak person.
He spoke of his injuries when Danzo left of him, then the days he escaped safely from enemy and how he survived on limited supplies while waiting for rescue. But there was one thing he did not hide.
Danzō had abandoned him alone in that place, everyone in the room fell into silence after he finished his story.
Many of those present exchanged glances, their expressions filled with disbelief. From their memories, Hiruzen and Danzō had always been close comrades who had fought side by side since their youth. Even after becoming Hokage, Hiruzen had shown Danzō a great deal of leniency, tolerating actions that others would have been punished for.
So how could such a bond end in betrayal?
The tension in the room grew heavier as the door opened.
Danzō entered not even looking guilty.
The moment Hiruzen saw him, his eyes sharpened, filled with anger that he could no longer suppress.
"It looks like your 'sacrifice' managed to save more people," Danzō said casually, his tone calm and almost indifferent.
The words struck the room like a stone thrown into still water.
No one spoke but Hiruzen anger flared instantly.
"Danzō!" he snapped, pointing directly at him. "You left me there alone!"
"Wrong," Danzō replied without hesitation. "I honored your words."
His tone carried a faint trace of mockery.
"You…" Hiruzen voice trembled slightly, both from anger and disbelief. "You clearly left me there to die!"
"No, Hiruzen," Danzō said, shaking his head. "You're mistaken."
He stepped forward slightly, his expression composed and looking very innocence.
"The moment I returned to the village, I reported your last known location. If I truly wanted you dead, I would have said nothing and let you rot in that jungle."
Everyone in the room shifted uneasily.
There was logic in his words but they find it somehow hard to believe it.
Hiruzen clenched his fist, his breathing growing heavier. He wanted to refute it—to deny it—but for a moment, he found no immediate words.
Before the situation could escalate further, Sakumo spoke.
"Danzō," the Fourth Hokage said calmly, his voice cutting through the tension. "Why did you leave the Third Hokage behind?"
All eyes turned toward him at this time th answer that Danzō had prepared come handy.
"Hokage-sama," he said, inclining his head slightly, "when the Second Hokage was still alive, we were taught the meaning of the Will of Fire."
His voice remained calm despite the accusation on his face.
"At that time, we were tested about will of fire and only Hiruzen stepped forward, willing to sacrifice himself so the others could escape."
The room grew quieter because not everyone knows about this juicy gossip or how their third Hokage manage to become the Hokage.
Danzō continued.
"When Hiruzen repeated those same words when I carry him back on Konoha, I couldn't say no and naturally I left him behind, how can I dared to make him feel guilty saying he would stay behind to protect others… I chose to respect that decision."
That wasn't his exact words but many days had passed that Hiruzen forgot what he actually said at that time.
Danzo paused briefly.
"I did not want to stain his sacrifice so I choose to leave him there."
His explanation hung in the air, some looked conflicted after hearing it and other frowned.
While Hiruzen could only stare at Danzō, unable to immediately respond.
Because deep down, there was a part of him that knew.
Those words were not entirely false on the surface, the part where he, Danzo and the others escaped from land of lightning is true and part where he said about other Konoha Shinobi didn't mean he wanted to back and saves them but to show how good his heart really is.
Raiken just smiled while donation keep pouring into his account, many people liked to see Danzo and Hiruzen fought each other.
Finally, because lack of the justification and evidence. They can't really do anything to him but Sakumo and the others thought his home imprisonment should be doubled.
When the verdict come, Danzo shows unhappy expression but deep down he feels really happy, free retirement pension without needing to work and he can spent more time with his child and wife.
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There is 30 advanced chapter on my patreon.
Chapter 151: Hyuga Conflict
Chapter 152: Abuse Of Power
Chapter 153: Save Yourselves
Chapter 154: Prevent Worse
Chapter 155: Asahi Complain
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