This Naruto is a player.

Chapter 117 Danzo's Incident
That afternoon.

Hokage's office.

The smoke swirled and curled like tangled thoughts.

Hiruzen Sarutobi sat alone behind the table, the sparks from his pipe flickering and illuminating his aged face.

As he was about to step down, memories flooded back, carrying with them those heavy past events that almost suffocated him.

Danzo.

The old man's figure lingered in the smoke.

Past events surged through his mind again, each one eroding the last vestige of warmth he held onto for his old "bonds":
That forbidden experiment hidden deep underground, nourished by the blood and flesh of one's own people;
They tacitly approved of, and even indirectly funded, Orochimaru's obsessive "research."

Shisui's Mangekyou Sharingan, capable of turning the tide of battle, disappeared without explanation;
On the night the entire Uchiha clan was wiped out, his lingering shadow seemed to always be present in that indistinct darkness.

And the recent Konoha Crush plan also seems somewhat suspicious.

not only that
In the past, he chose to turn a blind eye, knowing that he needed a root in the shadows, and was mostly tolerant and compromising towards him. He thought that removing him from his post was already a severe punishment, and regarded it as a way to protect and compromise with the friendship of fighting side by side in the past.

However, the reality of the past slapped him hard in the face.

This disbandment of Root is not only to eliminate a hidden danger, but also a reckoning with Hiruzen Sarutobi's policies over the past decades!
That signifies that all the darkness that arose from his "tolerance," the blood debts paid for his "compromise," and all the mysteries left behind due to his failure to fulfill his supervisory duties—all come to an end with this incident!
With this action, he bid farewell to the past—both a break with Danzo and a reckoning with his own past.

From now on, Konoha will no longer need this rotten root.

ended.

Everything about Danzo Shimura, and all the ups and downs, sins and grudges associated with him, has been sealed by this order.

Put down the pipe.

From now on, there's no need to think about it anymore!

"Boom, boom—"

There was a sudden knock on the door.

"Lord Hokage! Doma Taihei, a reporter from the Ninja World Daily, says he has important business to discuss with me."

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked up at the Anbu member who had entered through the door and nodded slightly.

Doma Daihei had some impression of this gaunt, almost emaciated civilian reporter.

The cooperation between Konoha and the Daily Ninja World is generally acceptable. Although there was a controversy over the sensitive reporting of the Konoha Collapse Plan, the other party was indeed quite active in promoting Naruto.

So why did this reporter come here this time?

"Hokage-sama!" Doma Taihei walked in, a formulaic smile on his face.

Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled gently: "Reporter Doma, are you settling in well in Konoha?"

"Everyone in Konoha is so talented, and they all speak so nicely. I love it here!"

"Haha, that's good."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's smile remained unchanged. "Konoha looks forward to more pleasant collaborations with your company in the future."

"Naturally, the president also has the same idea."

Doma Daihei pushed up his non-prescription glasses on the bridge of his nose, his eyes behind the lenses remaining calm and still.

He made no attempt to beat around the bush, looking directly into Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes and getting straight to the point: "Excuse my bluntness, Hokage-sama. We received a set of very important photos, which were sold to us by an insider who wishes to remain anonymous."

He paused for a moment, carefully observing any subtle changes on Hiruzen Sarutobi's face, and deliberately lowered his voice: "Based on preliminary assessments, if its contents are exposed, it could cause a devastating blow to Konoha's reputation."

"This is a matter of great importance, so I am informing you in advance in my private capacity."

"Oh?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly, and the gentle smile on his face faded slightly, leaving only the unfathomable scrutiny befitting a Hokage.

"A major photo? I'd love to hear more details about it that would warrant such careful prior notification from a reporter from the Ninja World Daily."

Doma Daihei, expressionless, deftly took out several photos from his briefcase and respectfully pushed them in front of the Hokage.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's fingertips touched the smooth photograph with a hint of inquiry.

But when his gaze actually fell on that image, that sense of inquiry froze instantly, then turned into an unbelievable shock!
His usually calm and steady demeanor froze for a moment, and his heart was already churning with turbulent waves!
The photo is exceptionally clear, and the focus is on Danzo Shimura.

Photo 1: His entire right arm, now unbandaged, was fully exposed: on his eerie white skin, ten scarlet Sharingan eyes, each with three tomoe, were densely embedded! Like the most malevolent curse beads, they were coldly and silently watching him!
Photo 2: A close-up of the right eye socket! The swirling pattern in that eye is bizarre and complex, definitely not an ordinary three-tomoe star, but a kaleidoscope pattern!
That shape... A chill instantly shot up from the soles of his feet to Hiruzen Sarutobi's spine, straight to the top of his head!
The shape of this kaleidoscope was like a red-hot branding iron, seared into his memory!
Uchiha Shisui!
That talented young man, who should have become a bridge of peace! He should have fallen into the river and disappeared... So he was here all along!
Sure enough, the doubts from that day have finally been revealed today, and the answer is so ugly! Just a few minutes ago, he thought everything had been settled and that he could finally put an end to the matter of Gen!

He's so naive! So ridiculous!

He thought that the rotten root had been eradicated long ago, but little did he know that it had long been buried and rotten, bearing such a deformed, terrifying, and shocking evil result!

His decades of tacit compromises and the so-called "political balance" of turning a blind eye are now like countless needles piercing his old face!
His "control" over the roots is nothing but an illusion! A grand illusion woven by his old friend, which he himself believes to be true!
Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the surging anger and immense sense of political crisis in his chest, his shock replaced by extreme solemnity.

His sharp gaze pierced Doma Daihei: "Reporter Doma, these photos are very 'special'."

Seeing that the Hokage's composure was indeed impressive, Doma Taihei abandoned his spectator's mindset.

He nodded, his voice calm as ever: "Yes, Hokage. Its shock and destructive power on Konoha, especially Konoha that has just experienced the Konoha Crush, are beyond doubt."

He spoke the most hurtful words in the most indifferent tone: "If tomorrow's headline is 'Shadow of Konoha - Shimura Danzo with 11 Sharingan,' the sales of the Ninja World Daily will surely reach a new high."

"These photos must absolutely not be published!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's tone was resolute, carrying the unquestionable authority of the Hokage: "It will cause immeasurable damage to Konoha's reputation and the trust in the ninja world! It may even trigger new turmoil!"

The Ninja World?

As expected of the Hokage, he really knows how to raise a big banner!
Doma Taihei subtly adjusted his glasses, afraid he might burst out laughing. "Hokage-sama, I'm just a reporter running errands. I have no right to interfere with the final decisions of the president and the newspaper's management. They care more about the sensationalism of the news and what interests the readers. Of course."

He then changed the subject, saying, "The business world has its rules. If Konoha is willing to buy this scandal on behalf of the 'informed party' and make it confidential internal information, this news will not appear. This deal is purely a business transaction."

Instantly, Hiruzen Sarutobi's heart sank to the bottom.

A buyout scandal? They're blatantly blackmailing a Hokage like this?!

However, he knew the other party was telling the truth; business has its own rules.

“Price,” he uttered, his voice hoarse.

"A preliminary assessment will be made of its exclusivity and the 'opportunity cost' it poses to the newspaper's reputation."

A glint of light flashed in Doma Taihei's eyes as he clearly stated a number: "Around fifty million taels."

Fifty million taels?!
Hiruzen Sarutobi unconsciously tightened his grip on his pipe.

It's simply impossible to take out such a large sum of cash without causing huge controversy!

Doma Taihei observed the Hokage's reaction, taking in the momentary solemnity, the slight whitening of his knuckles, and the fleeting anxiety deep in his eyes.

He understood that this amount of money was beyond the Hokage's immediate ability to mobilize.

Just what Lao Da wanted was for Shimura Danzo to be utterly disgraced and infamous!
He resumed his official demeanor: "My duty is merely to convey information. The final decision on how to proceed rests with the Hokage."

If there is nothing else, please allow me to take my leave; the organization awaits a reply.

He bowed slightly, his movements swift and decisive, as if he had just dropped not a bombshell, but a routine meeting notice.

Watching Doma Taihei's gaunt figure disappear outside the door, Sarutobi Hiruzen leaned back in his chair as if all his strength had been drained.

The office was deathly silent, with only the smoke swirling silently, enveloping his heavy, leaden emotions.

Danzo's actions were even more insane than Danzo had imagined!
It can be confirmed that the root has completely escaped control!
As for the Sharingan, Hiruzen Sarutobi found himself surprisingly not angry at this moment, as if he had foreseen it when he learned that the Uchiha clan had been wiped out.

It's a pity the water stopped flowing!
And this 50 million taels of silver was blackmailed by a newspaper using a scandal, and as the Hokage, he was unable to immediately plug this loophole!
I thought of many things, but I couldn't come up with anything that could counter the Ninja World Daily.

There is no retreat!

The exposure of the photos is almost a foregone conclusion. Konoha's reputation will suffer an unprecedented blow during his term.

This stain must be washed away!

Money? That won't work.

Trying to cover it up? That will only make things worse!

Sacrifice?
Suddenly, a sharp glint flashed in Hiruzen Sarutobi's cloudy eyes! His weariness and frustration were instantly replaced by an unprecedented sharpness.

Danzo's actions were far beyond those of an ordinary Konoha ninja.

Catch!

Arrest them immediately!

(End of this chapter)