Fortunately, Minato didn't forget the main issue and asked, "How is Sai?"
Kushina said seriously, "He was poisoned longer than I was, and Shizune is working hard to save him."
"Speaking of this kind of poisonous insect, I do know someone." Minato had been teammates with Shibi Aburame for a while and knew a lot about the Aburame clan.
"Who?" Kushina asked.
Minato recalled, "Shikuro Aburame has special antibodies in his body, so he can raise nano-level poisonous insects instead of ordinary parasite insects. He used to have a son who later disappeared. It seems he was taken away by Danzo and joined Root."
Knowing this was a pitiful child, Kushina's anger subsided a bit, and she asked, "Then what do we do with him?"
"Help him remove the Curse of the Root: Tongue Severing, and then let Shibi and Shikuro come over to confirm. Of course, it's best if he can provide necessary information."
The errand still fell to Naruto. Now Konoha is short-handed from top to bottom, and everyone is busy. Having Naruto, who is efficient, energetic, and trustworthy, is a resource that shouldn't be wasted.
So Naruto started a new business: Uzumaki Errands, reaching the whole village in a second.
Shibi and Shikuro, after understanding the whole story, brought Shino to pick up the person with Naruto—Shino and Torune are cousins and were good playmates when they were young.
Root members undergo Danzo's "Eliminate Self" training—the so-called "Root" people have no name or emotions. No past, no future. Only missions in their hearts. What supports the Konoha Village tree from behind is the will of us "Root," deeply rooted in the earth.
It sounded similar to Zabuza's philosophy of training Haku, both aiming to train people into emotionless tools. But human emotions and memories are not so easily erased. Zabuza ultimately failed, and Danzo will not succeed either.
Finally, through the efforts of several people, they successfully awakened Torune's long-sealed memories, but it will take some time to fully restore his emotions.
Naruto thought that with this family's lack of presence, it wouldn't be surprising even if Torune couldn't remember them at all.
Shikuro was the most excited. Since his son was taken away by Danzo, he had completely lost contact. He thought Torune had long been sacrificed in a mission.
Shikuro bowed ninety degrees to Minato and Kushina, saying, "Thanks to you two, I can see Torune again. I will definitely educate him well to become an excellent ninja, a Konoha ninja."
Naruto felt a chill listening to this, because he couldn't help but think of what Garp in One Piece often said: "Po ha ha ha ha, don't worry, Sengoku, I will definitely train him to become an excellent Marine!"
Then, Garp's son defected, and two grandsons became great pirates who gave the Navy a headache...
Minato, of course, didn't know this story, and waved his hand, saying, "No need to be so polite. Next, I hope Torune can answer some questions."
Torune stood up very formally and replied, "Yes, Hokage-sama."
"I received information that Danzo killed two comrades today. Who are they?"
"They are Torifu Koharu and Mitokado Homura."
"What?" Everyone present couldn't believe their ears.
Those two were both high-level Konoha officials, and they used to be teammates with Danzo. Could Danzo really do it? Killing comrades is a serious crime. Mizuki, who tried to kill a comrade a few years ago but was coincidentally stopped by the Melon Head Team, is still in prison doing hard labor.
Naruto didn't expect these two to disappear so casually.
Torune didn't understand the shock of the others and continued, "Because they had evidence that Danzo-sama leaked village security information and cooperated with Orochimaru."
Listening to Torune recounting the events in detail, Minato's eyes gradually became sharp, and he said, "Communicating with the enemy, leaking information, killing comrades... How could Danzo do such a thing!"
Kushina clenched her fists: "That old geezer! He really isn't a good thing!"
The others remained silent. This matter was a bit big. Such a big upheaval in Konoha's high-level leadership might cause even greater losses to the village. But if they had to choose a side in the end, Shibi and Shikuro would definitely stand on Minato's side. They could distinguish who was thinking of their comrades and who was sacrificing their comrades in the name of righteousness to fulfill themselves.
"Knock, knock, knock." The sound of knocking on the door broke the silence.
Minato took a deep breath to calm himself and said in a deep voice, "Please come in."
Yamanaka Fu pushed the door open, gave a simple bow, and said, "Fourth Hokage, Danzo-sama requests your presence."
Shikuro took a small step forward, blocking Torune. Yamanaka Fu didn't notice his old teammate was there, or perhaps the four members of the Aburame Clan were just too inconspicuous.
Minato suppressed his anger and asked, "What is it?"
"Mitokado Homura-sama and Torifu Koharu-sama were assassinated while meeting with Danzo-sama. Although Danzo-sama fought valiantly and at great personal risk to kill the assassins, the two advisors unfortunately perished."
What a 'valiant fight at great personal risk', Naruto was stunned. Good heavens, so that's what shamelessness means!
"Lead the way." Minato didn't want to say much to Danzo's subordinates. He only wanted to figure out Danzo's purpose, catch this guy who murdered his comrades and betrayed the village, and then give him the punishment he deserved.
Minato signaled Torune and Shikuro to stay in the office for the time being and walked out with the others.
The group followed Yamanaka Fu to Danzo's courtyard. The most conspicuous thing in the courtyard was the bodies of Torifu Koharu and Mitokado Homura lying in the middle. Danzo stood aside, leaning on a cane, with a sorrowful expression. There were many tears in his clothes, and some bloodstains could still be seen. Several Sand Ninja corpses were lying next to him, the surrounding flower pots were overturned, and there were scratches on the ground and walls, seemingly traces of a battle.
This old fox is quite skilled at faking a battlefield.
Just as the group entered the door, several more people arrived, including Inoichi, Shikaku, and Choza, the heads of these major clans, and even Biwako Sarutobi and Asuma. Only the Uchiha and Hyuga Clans were not invited. Danzo knew in his heart that these two families were almost completely devoted to Minato and could not be turned around to support him.
The first to speak was Biwako. She was from the same era as Mitokado Homura and Torifu Koharu and had some friendship with them: "Danzo, what's going on?"
Danzo looked pained: "As you can see, the three of us rarely had a gathering today, but we were assassinated. Although I fought desperately, I still couldn't save Homura and Koharu."
Biwako didn't know the truth, but she felt something was wrong and asked, "How would the Sand Ninja know you were meeting today, and even come specifically to assassinate you?"
"Maybe they were after me. After all, I offended many people for Konoha when I was young. I dragged them down."
Biwako believed this. Almost everyone present knew that Danzo had done many disgraceful things as the Third Hokage's right-hand man when he was young, and it was possible that he was being retaliated against.
Danzo continued, "I heard that Hiruzen was also assassinated and seriously injured. How is he?"
Biwako said, "Fortunately, his life is not in danger. He will be fine after a period of recuperation."
"That's good. I remember that Hiruzen attended the Chunin Exams today, so the Fourth Hokage should have been there, right? May I ask, Fourth Hokage, why were there so many assassins today?" Danzo looked at Minato, with a hint of unveiling his true intentions.
Everyone present heard something was wrong. Danzo's words seemed to be putting all the responsibility on Minato.
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