Konoha.
Hokage Office.
Sunlight filtered softly through the tall windows, illuminating the quiet office that had witnessed decades of decisions shaping the fate of the Hidden Leaf. The faint scent of tobacco lingered in the air as Hiruzen Sarutobi sat behind his desk, pipe in hand.
Standing before him were three young shinobi—each having just completed their respective assessment missions.
Aomizu.
Yakushi Nono.
Namikaze Minato.
Beside them lay several corpses, sealed within a scroll and now released onto the office floor. The bodies bore the unmistakable uniforms and masks of Root.
Hiruzen exhaled a thin trail of smoke and smiled gently.
"Excellent," he said. "All three of you have passed the assessment. From today onward, you are officially Jonin of Konohagakure."
Minato's bright blue eyes lit up immediately.
Yakushi Nono lowered her head slightly, relief and joy softening her expression.
Becoming a Jonin was no small achievement. It was not merely a promotion in strength—it was entry into the village's governing structure. Jonin possessed voting rights in the selection of the Hokage. They were the backbone of Konoha's military authority.
Aomizu, however, remained calm.
To him, this outcome had been inevitable.
He stepped forward without celebration and calmly unsealed another scroll.
With a soft puff of smoke, a corpse fell onto the polished wooden floor.
"This," Aomizu said evenly, "is a Root operative from Takigakure."
The atmosphere shifted instantly.
"Hokage-sama," he continued, his tone firm but controlled, "while Yakushi Nono was on a mission, she was attacked by Root shinobi. The conflict escalated to the involvement of Takigakure's Seven-Tails Jinchuriki."
Hiruzen's brows tightened.
"In the course of investigation," Aomizu said, "we discovered that Root's true objective was to assassinate me."
Silence filled the room.
The accusation was explosive.
Root attacking fellow Konoha shinobi.
Involving a foreign village's Tailed Beast.
Attempted assassination of a newly promoted Jonin.
None of these were trivial matters.
Hiruzen's grip tightened around his pipe.
Danzo…
Yakushi Nono stepped forward as well.
"If Aomizu had not responded to my distress signal in time, I would not be standing here today. Furthermore, if Takigakure discovers the truth, they will demand accountability."
Minato's expression darkened. Though normally gentle, there was steel beneath his calm demeanor.
"Hokage-sama," Minato said respectfully, "if such actions go unpunished, the hearts of the village will grow cold."
He had heard rumors of Danzo Shimura before—dark methods, ruthless ambition—but this was no longer rumor.
This was treachery within the village.
Hiruzen felt pressure building from all sides.
Danzo had served Konoha for decades. He had taken on tasks too grim, too dishonorable for others. He had been a shadow—necessary, at times.
But he had crossed a line.
Still, old habits and old friendships were difficult to sever.
"Aomizu. Nono. I understand you were wronged," Hiruzen began carefully. "However… Danzo has made considerable contributions to Konoha."
It was not a refusal to punish.
But it was a clear attempt at leniency.
Aomizu's gaze sharpened.
"Targeting me may be a personal matter," he said evenly. "But violating the Will of Fire is not."
The Will of Fire—the ideological foundation of Konoha.
To attack one's own comrades for political ambition was its direct opposite.
"Danzo Shimura must be dealt with strictly," Aomizu concluded.
The air grew heavier.
And then—
"Old man, your protection of Danzo is unbecoming of a Hokage."
The voice was sharp and unmistakable.
Everyone turned.
Tsunade stood in the doorway, arms crossed, golden eyes blazing.
As one of the Legendary Sannin of Konoha, a disciple of Hiruzen, and granddaughter of the First and Second Hokage, her presence alone carried immense weight.
If she chose to compete for the Hokage position, her prestige alone would rally half the village.
"Tsunade," Hiruzen said with restrained frustration, "this matter is not so simple."
She stepped into the room without invitation.
"Everyone here is a Konoha shinobi. What's different? Or are you saying Danzo's life is worth more than theirs?"
The words struck like a hammer.
Hiruzen's expression darkened immediately.
"I never said that."
"Then treat them equally," Tsunade pressed. "For what he's done, execution would not be excessive."
The word hung in the air.
Execution.
Hiruzen's heart trembled slightly.
He could not kill Danzo.
Not after decades.
But house confinement would clearly not satisfy anyone here.
Aomizu spoke again, his voice calm but carrying unmistakable weight.
"Hokage-sama. Danzo has already decided to make me his enemy. If today you protect him…"
He paused slightly.
"…then the next time he moves against me, I cannot guarantee my response will remain within the bounds of village law."
It was not an open threat.
But the meaning was unmistakable.
Aomizu no longer needed Konoha's protection to survive.
He was strong.
Strong enough to leave, if forced.
Strong enough to become a rogue ninja and survive beyond the village walls.
Hiruzen understood.
If he chose Danzo now, he might lose Aomizu—and perhaps more.
He closed his eyes briefly.
When he opened them again, the softness had faded.
"Very well."
His voice carried authority.
"From this day forward, Danzo Shimura is stripped of all official positions."
The room grew still.
"He will be confined to Konoha Prison under strict supervision. No visitors without my permission."
It was decisive.
Public.
Irreversible.
Even Homura Mitokado and Utatane Koharu were not consulted.
This was Hiruzen's judgment alone.
Tsunade nodded once.
"That," she said coolly, "is how a Hokage should act."
Hiruzen shot her a glare, but said nothing further.
Aomizu and Yakushi Nono bowed.
"Thank you, Hokage-sama."
The tension in the room eased slightly.
Hiruzen exhaled.
"The three of you are Jonin now. Do you intend to serve as squad leaders?"
The change of topic was deliberate.
Yakushi Nono spoke first.
"I will leave Root permanently and return to the orphanage as its director."
Two years had passed. The former director was retiring.
Hiruzen nodded in approval.
Then Minato spoke.
"I do not plan to become a squad leader at this time."
He intended to take high-ranking missions instead. His relationship with Yumiko was progressing steadily. He needed savings for marriage and a future family.
Being a squad leader would divide his time.
Hiruzen accepted that as well.
Finally, he looked at Aomizu.
"I will continue serving at Konoha Hospital," Aomizu replied.
Hiruzen was slightly disappointed, but he did not object.
He respected strength—and independence.
After they left, the Hokage remained seated for a long moment.
Then he stood.
Anbu followed silently as he walked toward the Root headquarters.
Inside the underground base, Danzo stood with arms folded.
"Hiruzen. What brings you here?"
His tone carried annoyance.
Hiruzen did not respond with warmth.
"Danzo Shimura. You are stripped of all positions and will be transferred to Konoha Prison immediately."
Danzo froze.
"…What?"
"You heard me."
"You would imprison me?" Danzo's voice rose in disbelief. "I am the leader of Root. I am your adviser!"
"Not anymore."
Anbu stepped forward.
Root operatives appeared instantly, forming a defensive perimeter.
The atmosphere crackled with tension.
Danzo's mind raced.
In the past, no matter his actions, Hiruzen had confined him to house arrest at most.
Why was this different?
"Hiruzen," Danzo hissed, "are you insane?"
Hiruzen's eyes sharpened.
"Stand down. Or are you planning to betray Konoha?"
The air shifted.
The aura of the "Professor" surged forth.
This was not the aging Hokage known for gentleness.
This was Hiruzen Sarutobi at his peak—calm, overwhelming, absolute.
Even Danzo felt a bead of cold sweat form.
He remembered.
He remembered why Hiruzen had always been chosen over him.
"…You will regret this," Danzo said finally.
But he did not resist.
"I am the Hokage," Hiruzen replied quietly.
The Anbu moved.
This time, Root did not intervene.
Danzo allowed himself to be escorted away.
News spread quickly through Konoha.
Danzo Shimura—imprisoned.
Those unaware of his identity were merely curious.
Those who knew?
They applauded quietly.
For years, shadows had lingered in the village.
Now, at least temporarily, one had been dragged into the light.
And for the first time in decades—
Danzo was no longer the one pulling strings from the darkness.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)