The daimyo had made his decision — Danzo intended to engage him directly.
Koharu and Homura were left speechless as they retired for the night.
They knew Hiruzen Sarutobi far too well. If he had spoken such words, it meant he was ready to compromise.
And just as they understood the Third Hokage, Danzo knew him even better.
That was why Danzo couldn't remain calm any longer.
"So, are you planning to sacrifice me and temporarily disband Root?" Danzo asked, his voice cold.
"The dissolution is only temporary," Hiruzen replied.
Though angry and cursing in his heart, the Third Hokage gradually calmed himself. He furrowed his brows and spoke solemnly:
"The most urgent priority is to stabilize the daimyo. I've already agreed with him and arranged for a member of the Uchiha clan to protect him. The Uchiha selected Shisui, and I approved."
Chapter 33: The Wheel Turns — Today, It's Danzo's Turn
As for who initially made the proposal, there was no point in arguing about it now.
What mattered most was ensuring the daimyo's stability.
"So... even the Uchiha are aware of this?" Koharu picked up the key point sharply.
Hiruzen exhaled deeply, a troubled look crossing his face.
"I wanted to test Uchiha Hiko. I brought him to the daimyo's palace. So... he knows everything now."
Koharu was stunned.
Homura pounded his chest in frustration.
"You fool, Hiruzen! How could you take him there?"
"What are we waiting for?! Seal off the Uchiha compound immediately! No one should be allowed to leave without permission. If word spreads, what will become of Konoha's reputation?"
"The old man has already alerted Anbu," Hiruzen said wearily.
"I've given the order — block any related news immediately. I will also inform Shisui to deal with the Root issue first."
"Root won't be disbanded. I won't allow it," Danzo growled, his face darkening.
Root had taken decades to develop. Dissolving it now would destroy everything.
Without Root, he would be powerless. He might as well go home and become an idle old man.
Such an outcome was unacceptable.
"Danzo," Hiruzen said firmly. "I am the Hokage. I have the authority to disband any department within Konoha — including Root."
The powers I gave you, I can revoke. You cannot stop that.
Discussing this with you was me giving you face — a chance to retreat gracefully.
But if you won't cooperate, then you will lose everything.
Danzo fell into a heavy silence, his face shadowed.
Koharu and Homura also said nothing more.
They realized the Third Hokage had already made up his mind.
At least until the daimyo's fears were eased, Root could not continue to operate.
As for Danzo… not only would he lose Root, but he might also lose his position as Hokage's advisor.
Danzo was in serious danger.
Hiruzen's face was gloomy, and he puffed on his pipe in silence.
Whenever they saw this scene, Koharu and Homura knew what it meant — Hiruzen was weighing a final decision.
Soon, the internal debate would end.
"Danzo," Hiruzen said quietly, "everything I do is for the village. Root must be disbanded."
The moment he put down his pipe, his verdict was cast.
The Third Hokage had chosen to abandon Danzo — and Root.
He had chosen the daimyo's trust, for the sake of Konoha's stability and the Fire Country's peace.
He could not afford indecision.
Danzo was still important to him. If not, the old war hawk would've been executed long ago for the many unspeakable deeds he had done.
But with the Third Hokage's protection, Danzo had survived and even thrived.
Still, when compared to the entire village and the Fire Country, Danzo's worth diminished.
For Konoha's future, the Third Hokage had made his choice.
He chose the village over a partner.
"Everything I do is for the village."
Danzo never imagined the phrase he'd so often used to justify his ruthless actions would one day be used by Hiruzen against him.
And it cut deep — like thorns piercing into his heart.
Koharu and Homura remained silent.
They knew there was nothing they could say to change Hiruzen's mind.
"Root will be disbanded. I'll allow you to retain a small group of personal subordinates.
Also, take a leave of absence. I'll retain your title as Assistant Hokage... for now."
Not only was Root being dissolved, but Hiruzen was essentially sending Danzo into early retirement.
It was a complete removal — Hiruzen had arranged everything.
While the Hokage's office buzzed with tension, Hiko arrived at Shisui's home.
"Caw! Caw!!"
As he approached, the sharp cries of crows echoed in the dark night, jarring and unpleasant.
Seeing the flock of black crows, Hiko muttered in irritation:
"Ugh. Just my luck. Why the hell would anyone raise black crows?"
Shisui, having been roused from his sleep, dressed quickly and leapt to the window.
Seeing Hiko chasing crows in the yard, the corners of his mouth twitched.
"Keep it up and I'll roast every last one of you," he muttered.
Crows were once seen as omens of luck, but that perception had long changed.
Now, their appearance was associated with death and misfortune. Their sharp cries made them even more disliked.
Of course, Hiko didn't actually intend to roast them — it was just an empty threat to spook them.
In the ninja world, death was common. Eating birds like crows, who might've just feasted on a corpse, was revolting.
Shisui opened the window.
"Did you come all the way here just to insult my crows?"
"You should raise fewer crows!" Hiko replied, leaping onto the windowsill and sitting casually.
"I have something important to discuss — about Konoha and the Uchiha. It's serious."
"Go ahead," Shisui said, expression tightening.
With a wave of his hand, he signaled the crows to disperse. Obedient and intelligent, the birds flew into the night.
Inside, Hiko sat on the sofa as Shisui poured water.
But the cup shattered in Shisui's hand the moment he heard the words:
"I accompanied Hokage-sama to the daimyo's mansion. The daimyo received intel that our Hokage assistant — Danzo — was plotting to assassinate him and replace him with a puppet."
"Bang!"
Shisui's hand trembled violently. The cup shattered and glass shards fell to the floor.
"Impossible!!"
His eyes were wide in shock. He turned to Hiko, disbelieving.
He thought Hiko was joking — or slandering Danzo.
Exactly the response I expected, Hiko thought.
Among Konoha's upper echelon, the person Shisui trusted the most — apart from the Third Hokage — was Danzo.
Hiko smirked and leaned back.
"I'm not joking. It's true. The daimyo was furious. He cut Konoha's development funds on the spot.
That's why the Hokage went to meet him. The daimyo no longer trusts Konoha's leadership."
"The daimyo is even considering seeking protection from Iwagakure and Kumogakure, afraid Danzo will assassinate him."
"To ease the situation, I recommended you. You'll be assigned to protect the daimyo directly."
"We must ensure his safety. If anything happens, Danzo — and Konoha — will become the laughingstock of the entire shinobi world."
With Hiko's grave warning, the severity of the situation rose drastically.
From now on, Shisui could only trust Hiko.
No matter how highly he thought of Danzo, he had to believe the reality in front of him — that Danzo was no longer trustworthy.
"Is it all really true?" Shisui muttered, rubbing his face.
He couldn't believe it. But he knew Hiko wasn't the type to lie — especially about something like this.
And Hiko had gone to the daimyo's mansion just the day before.
The facts were verifiable.
The daimyo needed protection. Danzo had betrayed Konoha.
The only ones left who still had a shred of trust were the Uchiha — sworn enemies of Danzo.
That was why the daimyo accepted the Uchiha's help.
Too tired to respond further, Hiko continued…