I am the new Hokage of Konoha.

Even if everyone can guess the outcome, as long as there is no conclusive evidence, his life will not be in danger as an elder of the Konoha Advisory Council.

As long as you don't die, anything is still possible.

Seeing this, Yun Ting naturally understood Danzo's thoughts.

He sneered, "A person who claims to be contributing to Konoha while lurking in the shadows, I never thought he would also become a coward for his own selfish desires. Danzo, you have greatly disappointed me!"

If Danzo were to shout "For Konoha!" and tear off his clothes to use the Reverse Four Symbols Seal to perish together with him, then Danzo might be viewed with more respect.

However, judging from the current situation, this old guy already has the attitude of sitting idly by and watching his allies stand firm when Payne attacks in the future!

Danzo wanted to retort, but Yun Ting was too lazy to waste any more words. He simply announced, "The Reverse Four Symbols Sealing Technique, as a high-level sealing technique of Konoha, has been used by an enemy against the Hokage. This is a matter of great importance! Only a few high-ranking members of Konoha are qualified to master it, and those with the ability to train assassins and a powerful intelligence network to assassinate the Hokage are currently only the Anbu and Root. The Anbu are all my people; they couldn't possibly have assassins among them. Therefore, the biggest suspect is Root!"

"Although there is no direct evidence, strong suspicion is strong suspicion. Until sufficient evidence is found to close this case, Root will suspend operations, and its personnel will be temporarily transferred to the Dark Side. As for Elder Danzo, who is also a strong suspect, your confinement will be extended indefinitely until you prove your innocence, and no one is allowed to visit you!"

After saying that, Yun Ting flicked his sleeves, showing no interest in listening to Danzo's sophistry, and turned to leave.

However, just as he was about to leave the house, he suddenly remembered something, turned back, and looked at Danzo with murderous intent in his eyes, saying:

"Danzo, I would be very happy to see the famous dark ninja's claws broken, forever imprisoned in this small house, spending the rest of his life as a clawless tiger to be admired by the outside world."

"I think this would be a good form of punishment for you. Of course, you can also ignore my orders and go out on your own. In that case, I'd be happy to kill you myself! Then no one else will have anything to say!"

The person had already left after speaking, leaving only a cold and desolate room.

The victor is king, the loser is villain.

As a loser, Danzo had already accepted the loss of everything and was ready to drift along, waiting for the future, the moment he saw Yunting appear.

He had experienced this before in his previous encounters with Hiruzen.

However, when Yun Ting's last words, especially the phrase "a clawless tiger being observed," echoed in his ears, no matter how much he tried to comfort himself, his heart was still filled with an indescribable, overwhelming feeling.

Regret?

Danzo sat there motionless for a long time.

......

As Yun Ting walked out of Danzo's house, he beckoned to him.

Instantly, an ANBU ninja appeared before him, respectfully saying, "Lord Hokage!"

"Double the number of people monitoring Danzo. Also, add the Byakugan ninja to the team; I need to know what Danzo does every day," Yun Ting ordered.

Previously, Danzo was only confined for a year as a minor punishment. However, his status as an elder was still there, so when Yun Ting sent people to monitor him, he could not treat him like a criminal. Therefore, the punishment was lighter, which gave Danzo's subordinates an opportunity to take advantage of the situation.

Now he won't indulge like that anymore.

Not only will he strictly monitor Danzo's every move from now on, but he also has other plans for his Root subordinates.

Even if the seal of the Root organization, which is loyal to Danzo, is removed, the members will continue to secretly serve him due to years of brainwashing.

Therefore, suspending the root system and incorporating these into the dark side is only a temporary measure.

Yunting will make further arrangements.

......

Three days have passed since Yun Ting returned to Konoha.

During this time, news of his assassination attempt naturally spread throughout Konoha.

The only thing the ordinary villagers knew was that he displayed great power and killed more than thirty ninjas, since the twenty or thirty corpses he brought back could not be faked.

As for the more dangerous assassination attempt using the Reverse Four Symbols Seal, it was only spread among the upper echelons of Konoha, the ninja clans, and some Jonin.

Ultimately, this is an internal power struggle within Konoha, and it wouldn't be good if it got out.

Everyone, including Yun Ting, tacitly agreed to keep the matter a secret from a small group of people and conceal it from the general public.

Of course, concealing the matter doesn't mean Yun Ting won't retaliate.

The news of the merciless punishment of Danzo and the Root organization had already spread throughout the ninja community.

Therefore, Konoha's two advisors, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu, who rarely visited before, could no longer sit still and came together today.

"Fourth Hokage, isn't it a bit improper to punish Elder Danzo without any evidence of the assassination?"

Inside the Hokage's office, Mitokado Homura questioned Yun Ting.

As a member of the Konoha Advisory Council, Danzo held the most power among all the elders.

However, now that the latter has lost everything and is even under house arrest, this has made matters worse for the Konoha advisory group, whose voice was gradually diminishing under the increasing influence of Yun Ting.

Therefore, whether for public or private reasons, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu must make an effort to see if they can bring Danzo up.

They even specifically called Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was retired and at home, before they came, but unfortunately the latter did not agree.

At this moment, facing Mitokado Homura's questioning, Yun Ting, who was processing documents, merely glanced up and said indifferently:

"Only the Konoha high command is qualified to view the Reverse Four Symbols Sealing Technique. If it's not Danzo, then is it Elder En, or are you?"

Mitokado Homura was startled and quickly waved his hand in denial, saying, "How could it be me? As an advisor to Konoha, I would never do something like assassinating the Hokage!"

“Yes, Elder Yan and Elder Xiaochun, you wouldn’t have such a motive. But what about Danzo?” Yun Ting’s lips curled into a cold smile. “As old comrades-in-arms who have been together for decades, you must know Danzo’s character very well.”

Mitokado Yan and Utatane Koharu remained silent.

It was precisely because they knew this that they didn't complain much about Yun Ting's unconventional and procedural punishment. Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't even bother to show his face.

All they want to do now is get their old friend out of the water.

As for the roots, they had already abandoned them.

Aside from matters of power, Danzo ultimately fought alongside them for Konoha for decades and made significant contributions.

As elderly people, they did not want to see the other person's remaining life end as a sinner.

Chapter Sixty-Six: Severing the Claws and Fangs

Inside the Hokage's office.

Mitokado Homura was about to say something more when Yun Ting impatiently interrupted him:

"Let's not talk about evidence anymore. Ninjas naturally have the ability to judge things. Some things are obvious to anyone with a brain, but they keep them to themselves for the sake of Konoha. That's fine, but the punishment they deserve must be given! If such a serious crime as assassinating the Hokage is handled so lightly, how will others view the Hokage in the future? What will become of the Hokage's prestige? What will become of Konoha's prestige?"

The harsh words came out of Yun Ting's mouth without any politeness, showing his determination to show no mercy.

Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu both sighed deeply, feeling utterly helpless.

The only one to blame is Danzo, who was indeed too ruthless in this matter.

Yun Ting did not linger on this matter any longer and quickly saw the guests off, saying, "If the two elders have nothing else to discuss, then please excuse me for only seeing you here. I have many things to deal with right now. In particular, there are many matters that have been agreed upon with the Land of Fire that need to be resolved. Time is of the essence, and I cannot delay any longer."

What else could Mitokado Homura say? Seeing Yun Ting's resolute attitude, and knowing that his trip would come to nothing, he could only get up and say goodbye, "Then Fourth Hokage, go about your business. But lastly, I would like to remind Fourth Hokage that although the young people of Konoha have grown up, we must not forget the great contributions our predecessors made to the village. Danzo... ultimately, his merits far outweigh his demerits for Konoha."

After saying that, he turned and left with Koharu Utatane, who hadn't uttered a word the entire time but had only kept a cold face.

Only after the two left did Yun Ting raise his head again, look at the closed door, and smile disdainfully.

Even if the merits outweigh the demerits, can that offset the crime of treason by assassinating the Hokage?

These old guys have been arrogant for too long, treating Konoha as just their own little village.

As for others, they are not considered equals to themselves at all.

Even though he was the Hokage, in their eyes he was just a junior.

Juniors should respect and follow their seniors.

Because the latter was Konoha's greatest contributor.

Therefore, the senior killing the junior was merely a result of the senior's momentary selfishness.

Admit your mistake, apologize, promise not to repeat it, and then make some compensation.

There's no need to delve too deeply into it.

After all, he was a great hero who shed blood and tears for Konoha!

Mitomon En's words conveyed this meaning between the lines.

Even their joint plea was based on this idea, and they didn't think there was anything wrong with it.

No wonder Akimichi Torifu, a fellow disciple, rarely heard of contacting these two, and no wonder the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, now rarely gets involved with them.

The latter is ultimately more reasonable and discerning.

These two individuals were able to serve as members of the Konoha Advisory Council only because they were disciples of the Second Hokage, fellow students of Hiruzen Sarutobi, and had lived for so many years.

In terms of pure ability, Hiruzen Sarutobi and even Danzo are far superior to them.

Fortunately, the former has wisely let go of everything and is enjoying his retirement, while the latter is imprisoned by Yun Ting.

The two remaining individuals were outnumbered and outmatched, and were not taken seriously by Yun Ting, who now held great power.

He was naturally able to refute without holding back.

If he weren't worried about things getting too out of hand, he would have killed Danzo outright.

However, killing an advisor elder of a ninja village without sufficient evidence would be something that has never happened in the entire history of the five great ninja villages.

Yun Ting, being caught in the political game, couldn't be said to recklessly lead the way in overturning the table.

After all, he's not someone who's barefoot and unafraid of those wearing shoes anymore.

As the Hokage, one cannot always act according to one's whims.

Even with great power, one should not recklessly overturn everything.

Just like a country, you are a high-ranking monarch with great power, but if you treat your ministers like dirt and cause them to resign one after another, what good is your great power? Your decrees probably won't even leave your palace.

Maintaining systems and rules between people is very important.

Even someone as powerful as Hashirama Senju needed a large number of talented people to keep Konoha running.

The same is true for Yunting.

Therefore, even though it is clear to everyone that the person with the ability, means, and intention to assassinate the Hokage is most likely Danzo, he still cannot be killed without solid evidence.

Danzo, in particular, served as an advisor and elder of Konoha and even as the Hokage's assistant for a long time. His true influence extended far beyond the Root organization.

The ninja clan, functional departments, the vast number of ninjas, and especially the martial arts faction, all lean towards his existence.

Yun Ting was able to impose a punishment that was slightly beyond the rules, such as imprisoning him and temporarily releasing the Root. Externally, this was because of Yun Ting's great prestige as a Senju with Wood Release, and because they understood his anger at Yun Ting's escape from the Reverse Four Symbols Sealing Killing Formation. Therefore, going a little overboard was not a big deal.