Chapter 112: Chapter 112
As Danzo rushed forward, hand poised to grab Nawaki's shoulder. A sudden flash of light flashed through the air, forcefully knocking his outstretched hand back. This simple yet decisive action instantly outlined the difference between Danzo, a seasoned yet old kage-level Shinobi, and the newcomer, Minato Namikaze, a young kage-level Shinobi.
"Please refrain from such actions, former Minister of Intelligence, Danzo-sama," Minato interjected, positioning himself between Nawaki and Danzo. "This matter no longer falls within your jurisdiction."
Joining Minato were Hiruzen, Koharu, and Homura who had arrived on the scene.
"Minato... Hiruzen went to great lengths to give you the Flying Thunder God jutsu, a legacy of Tobirama-sensei. Is this how you repay his investment?" Danzo's voice bristled with resentment as he addressed Minato.
Danzo gritted his teeth and demanded, "After Tsunade took power, you couldn't wait to become her pawn?!"
Minato's expression darkened as he glanced at Hiruzen, who approached with his usual calm demeanor. "I am deeply grateful for the opportunity of the Third Hokage-sama. However, Danzo-sama, your accusation that I am Tsunade-sama's pawn is unfounded."
With a resolute gesture, Minato emphasized his loyalty to Konoha and obedience to the current Hokage. "As a Shinobi of Konoha, I am duty-bound to follow the orders of the current Hokage. What is the issue here?"
Danzo, despite his considerable political skill, found himself momentarily at a loss for words in the face of Minato's unwavering conviction. Meanwhile, Nawaki pushed open the door to the intelligence department and strode inside.
"No!" Danzo's voice thundered, hand poised to unleash ninjutsu.
Sensing the tension, other Konoha clans Shinobi in the vicinity reacted swiftly, either brandishing their weapons or assuming defensive stances.
"Hold your hand, Danzo!" Hiruzen's authoritative voice cut through the tension, freezing Danzo in place. "Do you understand what you are currently doing? Calm down!"
With those words, the course of events hung in the balance. Tsunade and Tatsuya could potentially charge Danzo with the grave offense of "assassinating a fellow Konoha Shinobi," leading to irrevocable consequences.
They will surely throw him in jail. However, he was sure that the news of the "Shameful suicide of Shimura Danzo" from the prison would come out soon.
After being reprimanded by Hiruzen, Danzo suddenly realized the severity of the situation and narrowly avoided a misstep. But then he noticed Nawaki leading batches of Konoha Shinobi into the intelligence building.
His expression soured further, large drops of sweat trickling down his furrowed face.
"What are you afraid of, Danzo? Although the Intelligence Division was once the site of the First Hokage's cell experiments, it has been inactive for some time now. There's no incriminating evidence left."
When others weren't paying attention, Hiruzen approached Danzo and whispered.
Hiruzen knew exactly what was going on. The underground facility where the First Hokage's cells were experimented with was located beneath the Intelligence Building.
However, due to a series of failures and the accidental death of Uchiha Shisui a few years ago. Hiruzen had to suspend the project and blame Orochimaru for the mishap, which eventually led to Orochimaru's defection.
But Hiruzen believed he had handled it well thereafter.
He ensured all experimental materials and remnants were thoroughly disposed of after announcing the project's suspension. Even if Nawaki conducted an investigation, he wouldn't find anything incriminating. So why was Danzo so anxious?
'It is pointless!' Danzo internally shouted.
Hiruzen had ordered the experiments to cease. But Danzo secretly called back the former researchers after Hiruzen had cleaned up the scene. They resumed the secret experiments with Hashirama's cells. Plus Uchiha Shisui was not dead at all!
Danzo had deceived Hiruzen. Those involved were now locked in the basement of the intelligence building! If Hiruzen and Nawaki were to discover this...
Danzo couldn't even fathom his future.
"Even the previous Hokage came uninvited. What a surprise," Nawaki remarked, his voice carrying a hint of disdain.
At that moment, a cacophony of voices emanated from inside. Hiruzen frowned, taking a moment to ponder before striding forward, Koharu and Homura following closely behind. It was too late for Danzo to intervene.
"On the scroll provided by my Aniki, the mechanism should be here," Nawaki announced as he led the group into the intelligence minister's office.
With a bunch of ninjas in tow, Nawaki fumbled around the room. Finally, he approached a large vase next to the desk, grasping it with both hands and rotating it clockwise and counterclockwise twice.
With a rumble, the wall at the back of the office split open from the center, revealing a wide secret passage.
At that moment, Danzo, positioned at the rear, felt a surge of fear. He knew the secret of opening the hidden room. But how? Who leaked it?
Danzo quickly sifted through the people who were aware of the passage. Everyone who knew had been implanted with Root Tongue Seal, making it impossible for them to divulge the secret.
The only person who hadn't been implanted and knew the secret flashed into Danzo's mind—a man with a smile reminiscent of a sinister crescent moon. The thought incensed Danzo, causing him to clench his fists in anger.
"Danzo, what is this?" Even Hiruzen and the other former senior consultants appeared baffled.
'When was this room constructed? Why were they unaware of it until now?'
"Let's proceed, everyone; please follow the elders," Nawaki said with a smile, leading the way.
Soon, they entered a scene that would forever be seared into their memories.
The vast room, replete with medical instruments, emanated the pungent odor of formalin. Within the medical chamber, submerged in liquid, lay a chilling array of human organs, sending shivers down their spines.
"More than half of them have changed," Danzo observed grimly. It was impossible to discern the nature of the loaded object. The room was filled with experimenters wearing white coats, their shock palpable at the unexpected influx of Konoha Shinobi.
"Seize them all," Nawaki commanded in a chilling tone.
The ninjas of Ino-Shika-Chō and other families exchanged glances before swiftly moving to apprehend the experimenters.
Hiruzen and the elder duo exchanged incredulous looks, their disbelief mounting. Danzo had been concealing their activities and continued to experiment with First Hokage cells?!
"Uh ah ah!!!" Suddenly, a heart-wrenching cry echoed from the depths of the laboratory. Judging from the sound, it seemed to be the voice of a child no older than ten.
In the next instant, countless massive wooden vines, resembling wild pythons, began to lash out at them. Wood Style?!
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