Konoha's Tatsuya

Without Shinno "slowing them down," the 31st Squad's journey back was much faster.

Carefully avoiding the route the Root ninjas had taken, the four members of the 31st Squad returned to Konohagakure in less than five days.

"You all go home and rest. I will immediately report the mission details to the Hokage," Ichikawa Shin instructed Tatsuya, Sakawa and Yuuhi Teru as they entered the village gates, a collective sigh of relief escaping them.

Ichikawa Shin hadn't revealed the truth about the Root ninjas to his students. With their current strength and status, it was better for them not to know these things yet.

"Yes, sir."

The three, looking somewhat weary, exchanged glances, acknowledged the order, and then headed home to rest.

Although Tatsuya and his teammates hadn't experienced any high-intensity battles on this mission, constantly being on high alert while escorting someone else was mentally draining.

"Body analysis complete. A natural, unknown seal formula has been detected in the host's body. Information is being recorded."

As Tatsuya turned to leave, the pleasant notification sound rang in his mind.

After watching the three of them depart, Ichikawa Shin headed directly towards the Hokage Building.

Half an hour later, in the Hokage's office, the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, Konoha Elders Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane, Danzo Shimura, Shikaku Nara, and other high-ranking Konoha officials were all gathered.

"Lord Hokage, this is what happened."

Ichikawa Shin stood respectfully in front of Minato's desk, calmly recounting their encounter with the Root ninjas.

"Elder Danzo, do you have any explanation for this?"

After listening to Ichikawa Shin's report, Minato nodded, then turned to Danzo and questioned him.

Minato was, of course, aware of Root, a force that operated almost independently of the village's administrative structure.

However, he had only recently assumed the position of Hokage, and the Third hadn't yet fully transferred all the Hokage's authority to him. Considering Danzo's relationship with the Third, Elder Homura Mitokado, and Koharu Utatane, Minato hadn't initially planned to make a move against Root.

He hadn't expected Root ninjas to be so reckless, daring to directly attack fellow village ninjas without his, the Hokage's, orders.

This was absolutely unacceptable to Minato.

"Fourth, Shinno is a skilled doctor, extremely important to the village in Tsunade's absence. I sent people to escort Shinno solely out of consideration for the village's interests. Their actions were all carried out under orders. Are you gathering us all here for such a trivial matter?"

Hearing Minato's inquiry, Danzo's expression remained unchanged, and he retorted in a low voice.

"Under orders? Whose orders? Elder Danzo, I don't recall ever giving Root such an order. Root ninjas dared to interfere with the mission of other village ninjas without authorization from the Hokage's office and even ruthlessly attacked fellow village ninjas. Is this a trivial matter in your eyes?"

Minato glanced at Danzo, his tone rising slightly.

"Fourth, they were naturally acting on my orders. I received information that Cloud's assassination squad was operating within the Land of Fire. Concerned for Shinno's safety, I dispatched a team to protect him. Attacking Ichikawa Shin and his team was just a small measure taken in a critical situation to force them to retreat quickly; it's nothing!" Danzo said calmly.

"It wasn't as simple as forcing a retreat. If my student, Tatsuya, hadn't acted promptly, I might have been seriously injured," Ichikawa Shin couldn't help but interject, indignant that Danzo had so casually dismissed the incident.

"Ichikawa Shin, this is a meeting of the village's high-ranking officials. You don't have the liberty to interrupt! As for what you just said, it's simply absurd! If my men had truly intended harm, how could your student, a mere genin, have broken their ninjutsu?" Danzo's cold gaze fixed on Ichikawa Shin, and he rebuked him coldly.

"Tatsuya is no ordinary genin; he's a member of the Akimichi clan. The Akimichi clan's Expansion Jutsu is inherently powerful, so it's not surprising that he could break that jutsu," Ichikawa Shin's face flushed slightly, intimidated by Danzo's presence, but he still defended himself.

"A slacker who just graduated from the Ninja Academy, a genius? Fourth Hokage, it's clear that Ichikawa Shin was negligent and lacked vigilance, being restrained by a jutsu that even a genin could break. If I hadn't acted decisively and ordered them, if they had continued to escort Shinno and actually encountered Cloud's assassination squad, Shinno would surely have been in danger!" Danzo slammed his cane on the ground, speaking sternly.

"Elder Danzo, the village has already signed a peace treaty with the Hidden Cloud Village. Why would their assassination squad be operating in the Land of Fire? Even if there were signs of a Cloud assassination squad, Root, upon receiving the information, should have immediately notified the Hokage's office instead of taking action outside the village on their own. Who gave you that authority?"

Ichikawa Shin's face was flushed red, and he was about to speak again, but Minato raised his hand to stop him. He looked directly at Danzo with a piercing gaze.

"Minato, Root's purpose is to secretly protect the village's safety. In emergencies, they have the authority to directly handle certain matters. This was something that the village's high-ranking officials agreed upon when Hiruzen was in office," Danzo turned to Hiruzen Sarutobi, Homura Mitokado, and Koharu Utatane.

"That's correct! As the darkness of Konoha, some of Root's activities are not suitable for public discussion. Their authority was indeed granted with our consent," Koharu Utatane took up the conversation, meeting Danzo's gaze.

Hiruzen Sarutobi and Homura Mitokado remained silent, acknowledging Koharu's statement.

"Third Hokage, if that's the case, then Root's power is excessive, completely outside the village's control. I propose that we must restrict Root. Moreover, they dared to attack fellow village ninjas so brazenly; they must be severely punished," Minato's expression darkened slightly, and he turned to Hiruzen Sarutobi with his proposal.

At his words, Danzo's gaze towards Minato turned even colder.

For a moment, everyone's eyes in the room were focused on the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.

The Third Hokage removed the pipe from his mouth and said calmly, "Minato is right; Root's power needs to be restricted! Danzo, from now on, without the Hokage's orders, Root ninjas are not allowed to leave the village to carry out missions."

"Hiruzen!"

At his words, Danzo's voice, filled with anger, immediately rang out.

Hiruzen Sarutobi remained unmoved, his expression still calm.

The two stared at each other for a moment, then Danzo let out a heavy, angry snort and turned to leave.

Seeing that the matter was settled, Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane also quickly departed.

"All right, you can go too. I will give the 31st Squad an explanation regarding this matter," Minato said to Ichikawa Shin, dismissing him as well. The room was left with only him and the Third Hokage.