Chapter Thirty: The Role of the Roots

In the early hours before dawn, the village of Konoha lay shrouded in darkness. The sun was still a while away from rising, but suddenly, the Hokage building was ablaze with light. The cause was a letter hastily dispatched from the front lines, its contents urgent enough to overturn the night’s peace.

Saru Hiruzen, seated in the Hokage’s chair, looked grave as he handed the letter to the recently arrived Mitomon Yan and Koharu Homura, allowing them to read it for themselves. As the two finished reading, any lingering drowsiness vanished, and the office was plunged into a brief but heavy silence.

“So, after Uchiha Rii returned in triumph, members of the Root were caught red-handed stealing corpses from the Uchiha clan?” Koharu Homura, after a deep breath, fixed her gaze on Saru Hiruzen and asked in a tone of utmost seriousness. She was quick to assert it was Root, not the Anbu, for she knew Danzo too well.

Saru Hiruzen sighed and nodded lightly. “Yes, according to Shikaku’s report, that is indeed the case. And I suspect the confrontation was far worse than described in the letter.”

“Why did this happen at precisely this moment, and why were they caught so blatantly?” Mitomon Yan shook his head repeatedly, his expression troubled.

“The real issue is the immense impact of Anbu stealing corpses. Even though Shikaku pushed the blame onto alleged traitors, I doubt many will believe it, especially among the bloodline clans…” Saru Hiruzen finished and pulled out his old pipe, taking a puff in an attempt to steady himself.

Mitomon Yan’s eyes narrowed as he responded, “Calming the village is one thing, but what about the situation on the battlefield?”

From the letter, he was already aware of Uchiha Rii’s final words. Even if the village offers no explanation, the Uchiha will continue fighting for their comrades? That was no mere literal statement—if the village truly failed to provide an explanation, the consequences would be dire. Should that happen, the village would lose all moral authority, and unity would fracture irreparably.

“I’ve already sent reinforcements to the front lines, but that doesn’t address the root of the problem,” Saru Hiruzen replied, his gaze drifting toward the office window.

Mitomon Yan and Koharu Homura understood precisely why Saru Hiruzen was looking in that direction. He was most likely gazing toward the new Uchiha district, watching Uchiha Fugaku and the Mangekyo in his possession.

After a moment’s thought, Koharu Homura spoke, “This matter cannot be delayed. Hiruzen, what do you intend to do?”

Saru Hiruzen tapped the desk, and after a pause, revealed his plan. “I intend to offer a sum of condolence money as an apology, to give the Uchiha some form of explanation.”

“If money alone could solve this, it wouldn’t be a problem,” Mitomon Yan said, his brow furrowed in uncertainty. “But if that’s all, the Uchiha likely won’t accept it.”

Koharu Homura continued, “Exactly, especially that brat Uchiha Rii—he’s not easily dealt with. With a single statement, he’s put the entire village in a precarious position.”

Saru Hiruzen’s expression darkened as he voiced his true intentions. “That’s why I also plan to disband the Root in the name of integrating the Anbu. I believe this gesture will be clear enough for the Uchiha and the other clans.”

He paused briefly before adding, “Moreover, as the person chiefly responsible, Danzo will personally go to the front lines and apologize to the Uchiha and everyone else.”

“That’s actually a good solution, but Danzo won’t agree to it…” Mitomon Yan and Koharu Homura exchanged glances, both swallowing nervously.

Root had originally been established to handle matters the Anbu couldn’t, but over time, it became excessively independent, dominated by Danzo’s will alone. Root operated with reckless disregard, forcibly absorbing members from minor clans, which had long bred resentment. If Root were dissolved, it would certainly appease the other clans. In that case, even if the Uchiha protested further, they would stand alone.

Both advisors understood that Saru Hiruzen had likely intended Root to serve as a scapegoat from the very beginning. When the time came, Root would bear the blame.

But they hadn’t expected Saru Hiruzen would insist Danzo apologize to the Uchiha himself…

“Impossible. I won’t agree to this—I will never apologize to the Uchiha!” A cold voice rang out from beyond the Hokage’s office. Danzo strode in, barely using his cane, his anger palpable.

Seeing Danzo’s furious demeanor, Saru Hiruzen narrowed his eyes and responded calmly, “If not for your subordinates’ recklessness, we wouldn’t be in this predicament.”

“What do you mean, my men? It was clearly a traitor in the Anbu!” Danzo retorted, utterly unashamed, refusing to admit fault. To him, everything he did was for Konoha.

Saru Hiruzen shook his head, speaking in a flat tone. “You know perfectly well who was responsible. This isn’t about what I want; the Uchiha demand an explanation, and so does the village.”

He glanced at Mitomon Yan and Koharu Homura, signaling them to speak.

Mitomon Yan sighed, understanding why Saru Hiruzen had summoned him, and addressed Danzo, “Danzo, you’re clearly in the wrong here. Disband Root and apologize—this costs you nothing.”

Koharu Homura echoed the sentiment, “Exactly. Given the current situation, apologizing is the best way to show your stance. Hiruzen is only thinking of your interests.”

Faced with the Hokage and both advisors’ firm stance, Danzo’s expression grew darker still. He knew he had no other choice, or Saru Hiruzen wouldn’t have called the two advisors to help ‘persuade’ him.

Gripping his cane tightly, Danzo spat coldly, “Hiruzen, you’ll regret this!”

Under tremendous pressure, his cane snapped. Danzo turned and left the office, his figure tinged with dejection.

From the very beginning, he had known Root would one day become the scapegoat. Even if it survived this crisis, it might be forced to disband over some future incident. He had long prepared for this; dissolution would only be in name, with Root continuing its operations underground.

But he hadn’t expected Saru Hiruzen would insist he apologize to the Uchiha, and with such resolve. The thought fueled an uncontrollable rage and murderous intent within him.

Watching Danzo’s defeated departure, Saru Hiruzen instinctively wanted to say something, but in the end, refrained. If he didn’t take these measures, not even he could protect Danzo this time.

Stealing corpses from fellow villagers, seizing bloodline powers—such matters could not be swept under the rug. In truth, he was acting for Danzo’s own good…

“With this, the matter is mostly settled. But what about the battlefield? Leaving Uchiha Rii there is still unstable,” Koharu Homura and Mitomon Yan almost simultaneously voiced their concern.

Saru Hiruzen stood, speaking softly, “I have just the right candidate in mind. Sending him should be the perfect solution.”

Seeing Saru Hiruzen’s confidence, the two nodded and asked no further questions.

As the lights in the Hokage’s office faded, a shadowy struggle came to a temporary conclusion.