The surroundings fell into a dead silence, and the atmosphere instantly dropped to freezing point.

Finally, Hiruzen closed his eyes tremblingly, closed the scroll, and clenched his fists tightly.

"I don't want to ask about the root matter, but Elder Danzo, I think it needs to be restricted."

This means that if Hiruzen is thinking about his old relationship and is unwilling to take action, then he, the Fourth Hokage, will do the work.

At that time, it will not be a simple reprimand, but Danzo will be allowed to spend the rest of his life in prison, depriving him of all political power.

Minato's meaning couldn't be clearer.

Hiruzen took a deep breath and said to Minato: "No need, leave this matter to me and I will give you a satisfactory answer Minato."

He knew that Minato would gradually gather power, but he didn't expect it to be so fast.

And after he had enough evidence, he did not deal with the roots himself, but left it to him, the previous Hokage, to deal with it.

Hiruzen smiled bitterly in his heart.

I underestimated him.

Minato is better than he thought.

It's just that his talents in other areas were overshadowed by his incomparable strength.

◎

Saying goodbye to Minato, Hiruzen directly took all the ANBU he belonged to and flew towards the base of Konoha.

In the lowest space of the root base, researchers wear white medical uniforms and white masks on their faces, and continue to conduct wood escape experiments in the laboratory loaded with research equipment.

The experimental subjects in this laboratory are all outstanding babies and children who have the ability to awaken the wood escape.

Danzo stood in front of a transparent cylinder filled with wood release solution, staring at the long-haired boy inside with feverish eyes.

He looks about eleven or twelve years old.

In the entire Wood Escape experiment, this is the Wood Escape experimenter who is currently closest to being an adult.

Moreover, even Orochimaru did not know the existence of this child, so he deliberately concealed it and kept it to himself.

Orochimaru missed the Fourth Hokage and was no longer worthy of his cultivation. If Orochimaru knew that there was an adult among his experimental subjects, something unpleasant would definitely happen.

After all, at this time, he still needs Orochimaru's brains to cultivate more Wooden Ninjas for him, and he cannot fall out with Orochimaru for the time being.

When you don't need it, just kick it away.

When necessary, the Sannin is just a stepping stone to his promotion to Hokage.

As for this goal, I believe it won't be long before it can be truly achieved.

Hiruzen is already old. Although Namikaze Minato is strong, he is just a puppet who knows nothing and is pushed to the forefront by Hiruzen. As long as Hiruzen stumbles, Konoha will be in his hands.

The Fifth Hokage Shimura Danzo is none other than him.

"Lord Danzo."

A researcher comes over.

"What's wrong?"

"The rest of the experimental subjects are all dead. Do you want to start the next round of experiments?"

"All dead?"

Danzo was not satisfied with the result.

Although an adult made him happy, he would not have too many Wooden Ninjas. It would be better to say that the more the better.

So after hearing the researchers' results, he naturally didn't look good.

After investing so much manpower and material resources, and even risking imprisonment, only one adult was produced...

This made Danzo very dissatisfied.

"Yes. Also, there are not enough experimental subjects."

"A new batch of experimental subjects will be sent over soon, enough for your research. You only need to think about how to cultivate new adults, and you don't have to worry about the rest."

"yes."

The researcher nodded, walked to his work station, and started a new round of experiments.

It's really useless. Danzo secretly commented on these researchers in a few words.

If all these resources were thrown at Orochimaru, there would probably be new results already.

However, Orochimaru cannot be allowed to have too much contact with him. He not only hopes to get Orochimaru's help, but also does not want him to get too many things.

To Danzo, Orochimaru is a far greater threat than the Fourth Hokage Namikaze Minato.

He is proficient in Ninjutsu, Taijutsu and Genjutsu, and can independently create Ninjutsu and secret techniques. He is also a genius in research. Whether he is commanding battles, fighting enemies alone, or having a sense of politics, he is a first-rate ninja.

In addition to having a sinister temperament and easily scaring children to tears, Orochimaru can be said to be an all-around perfect being.

This is exactly where Danzo is afraid of Orochimaru.

Suddenly, there was a noise in the research room and the panicked shouts of a large number of researchers, which woke Danzo out of his thoughts.

When he turned around to look, he only saw a large number of Anbu appearing out of nowhere. There were ninjas wearing Anbu costumes in all directions. In an instant, they controlled the researchers in the laboratory and pushed them to the ground.

"Hir... Hiruzen..."

Danzo saw this scene and finally realized something.

The fact that he was studying Wood Escape behind Hiruzen's back was once again exposed.

But he forced himself to calm down.

It doesn't matter, Hiruzen will miss his old relationship and will only give him a few gentle lessons.

Compared with the success of the wood escape experiment, these painless lessons will not bring any trouble to Danzo.

But once again, Hiruzen's face did not have the hesitation and complicated expression Danzo hoped to see.

As if he was ignoring Danzo, surrounded by ANBU ninjas, he coldly issued an order to Danzo:

"From now on, root ninjas are not allowed to leave Konoha even half a step, otherwise they will be killed without mercy!"

Kill without mercy? Danzo stood there blankly.

What does it mean?

To leave Konoha even half a step and kill his subordinates without mercy?

What to do with the Wood Escape Experiment?

What should we do about Yu Yin's filial piety?

"Hiruzhan..."

"Shut up!"

This was the first time that Danzo felt Hiruzen's anger in a real sense, and his heart trembled with fear for no reason.

"From now on, I will let three classes of Anbu monitor you. Every move you make, including sleeping and eating, must be done under the supervision of the Anbu. Who do you want to meet, what words you say, and what you do?

The ANBU will also record it truthfully and stay with us 24 hours a day."

"..."

"Just keep the basic maintenance funds for the roots. I will leave the affairs of Amegakure to others to manage. Danzo, you should have a good rest."

Hiruzen dropped these words and walked out.

Before leaving, he also issued instructions to the ANBU:

"All experimental subjects here have been recovered."

Danzo pursed his lips twice, but finally said nothing.

All experimental subjects in the laboratory, dead or alive, were recovered one by one by the ANBU.

In the end, three ANBU squads, a total of twelve people, were left to follow Danzo.

"Danzo-sama, I will ask for your guidance from today on. We will be inseparable when you sleep and eat."

"..."

Danzo knew that he was finished.

Looking at the determination Hiruzen showed just now, he would never be able to turn around.

Including Orochimaru.

If there is a problem with him, Orochimaru will also be monitored by Hiruzen's ANBU.

The level of monitoring is lighter than his, because the ANBU manpower under Hiruzen's command cannot be that sufficient, but Orochimaru's actions will also be much restricted.

The roots... exist in name only.

Hiruzen's words determined the life and death of his roots.

Is this the power of Hokage? If I can gain such power, Konoha will definitely become stronger and stronger under my leadership! Danzo lowered his head, his body trembled, and his eyes showed unprecedented desire and ambition.
To be continued...