Chapter 163
Page 163
Upon hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi's pupils suddenly contracted.
Wait, what's that sound?!
The next second, a figure suddenly appeared beside Shimura Danzo, only a few meters away from him!
Upon seeing the figure clearly, Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly took several steps back, his expression one of shock.
However, he quickly realized what was happening, and a glint of light flashed in his eyes.
He said sternly, "Shiranui Sou, I am answering the villagers' questions. This is not a place for you!"
"Really?"
Shiranui Sho smiled slightly, "Then why is Shimura Danzo also here?"
"If I remember correctly, shouldn't he be being interrogated in Konoha Prison?"
"After so many days of investigation, shouldn't the results be out by now, Hokage-sama?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression changed slightly, but he quickly came up with an explanation and said in a deep voice, "Danzo appeared here precisely to give the villagers an answer!"
"Then, do you dare to announce to the villagers here the reason why Danzo was imprisoned before?"
Shiranui Sou said with a half-smile.
"...That's not the topic for today!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi said in a deep voice, "Don't disrupt the order here. Now is the time for me, as the Hokage, to answer everyone's questions!"
"hehe."
Shiranui Sou's eyes turned slightly cold, and a mocking smile appeared at the corner of her mouth.
It seems that his actions last time gave Hiruzen Sarutobi a false impression.
The reason they believe he will agree to a temporary halt is because he is still willing to follow the rules set by Hiruzen Sarutobi as Hokage.
As long as they follow the rules of the game set by the Konoha leadership, they cannot escape their grasp.
Isn't this exactly what Sakumo Hatake will become in the future?
Faced with the rumors spreading in the village, he, as a qualified and dutiful ninja, blamed himself for all the mistakes and ultimately committed suicide.
But is there really nothing the higher-ups in Konoha can do about those noisy rumors?
A problem that could have been solved with a simple clarification was instead met with the disgraceful act of allowing Sakumo Hatake's reputation to be utterly destroyed.
He wouldn't believe it if it weren't for the instigation of these Konoha high-ranking officials!
Unfortunately, Shiranui Sho doesn't consider herself to be the same kind of person as Hatake Sakumo.
When the Konoha leadership points their swords at him, he should be prepared to pay the price!
"Shimura Danzo!"
Shiranui Sho's gaze fell on Danzo, who remained silent.
He raised his voice unabashedly, making sure everyone below could hear it.
The huge crowd looked at each other in bewilderment when they saw the commotion on the roof of the Hokage Building.
But the natural inclination to enjoy a spectacle makes most people remain quiet and observe how things unfold.
"Shiranui Sho, what exactly do you want to do!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned and scolded.
However, at this moment, Shiranui Sho's attention was no longer on him.
Hiruzen Sarutobi still naively believed that this place was a platform erected for him to give speeches, and that the audience below were there to listen to his words.
But he was wrong.
From the very beginning, he wasn't the main character on this stage!
"Shimura Danzo, I have a question for you."
Shiranui Sho's lips curled into a cold smile, "You colluded with the Third Mizukage, using the Uzumaki clan's sealing techniques to make a deal, and you've been secretly plotting against us."
Upon hearing this, the crowd gathered on the ground floor of the Hokage Building fell silent instantly, all eyes turning to Shimura Danzo.
Toeing is an unforgivable crime punishable by death, no matter which ninja village it is.
Especially since the village's management colluded with the leaders of other ninja villages, it's enough to make all the participants die a dozen times over.
Beside him, Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression changed slightly, but he quickly calmed down and a cold smile appeared on his lips.
Unless Danzo has gone mad, how could he possibly admit to this?
Is Shiranui Sho driven to the brink of desperation and resorting to desperate measures, actually hoping that Danzo will confess his crimes?
However, the next second, under the watchful eyes of Hiruzen Sarutobi and countless Konoha villagers and ninjas...
Standing on the rooftop railing, Shimura Danzo took a deep breath and shouted:
"That's right, these are what I, Danzo Shimura, ate!!"
These words shocked the entire audience!
Chapter 211 Danzo's Self-Destruction, Hiruzen Sarutobi's Despair
"Danzo, what nonsense are you spouting?!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi's pupils suddenly contracted to needle-like size as he stared at Danzo in disbelief.
This isn't an office, it's out in broad daylight!
Even when they themselves are discussing these things in the office, they have to make sure that no one else is shunned and that they keep their voices down.
Now, right here in the Hokage Building, Danzo is openly admitting to all of this?
"Lord Hokage."
Shiranui Sou looked indifferently at Sarutobi Hiruzen, "Since Shimura Danzo is willing to confess his sins, let's not disturb him, shall we?"
The moment the words left his mouth, a chill suddenly ran through Hiruzen Sarutobi's heart.
This is not a discussion, but a notification.
If he were to speak in a way that would interfere with Danzo, Shiranui Sho would indeed kill him!
As the "strongest Hokage," Hiruzen Sarutobi's first reaction was naturally to be unconvinced. However, recalling their battle that day, he became somewhat hesitant to act rashly.
The truth is somewhat cruel... but he is indeed no match for Shiranui Sho!
At the same time, the current situation has left Hiruzen Sarutobi at a loss.
He racked his brains but couldn't figure out why Shimura Danzo would confess to his crimes. Was he under a spell?
Seeing the change in Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression, Shiranui Sho sneered inwardly.
The real show is yet to come!
He looked at "Shimura Danzo" and continued:
"Shimura Danzo, is it true that you have illegally restarted a Wood Release experiment that was sealed away during the Second Hokage's time?"
"That's right, but my research into Wood Release is all for the sake of restoring the glory of the First Hokage's era, for the sake of Konoha!"
As soon as he finished speaking, some people in the crowd below the Hokage Building nodded in agreement.
Wood Release has become a spiritual totem for the older generation of Konoha people, especially for some ninjas who have witnessed Hashirama Senju's strength.
Restoring it would naturally be a great thing for Konoha.
Upon hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression froze, and a hint of anger flashed in his eyes.
Is the Wood Release experiment restarted?
He genuinely didn't know about this.
I never expected Danzo to carry him on his back and pull off such a big stunt!
Fortunately, while Danzo may have overstepped his authority in this matter, it wasn't too outrageous...
The reactions of the Konoha residents and ninjas downstairs showed that they were not angry about the Wood Release experiment; on the contrary, they were somewhat looking forward to the Wood Release being reproduced.
However, the next second, Shiranui Xiao's words made his face turn deathly pale.
"Then do you admit that, in order to conduct live experiments using Wood Release techniques, sixty infants were kidnapped in towns surrounding Konoha and in Konoha's orphanages, of whom fifty-five died!"
"In addition, thirteen Konoha genin, fifteen chunin, and twenty-three ANBU ninja also died because of your live experiments!?"
Shiranui Sou's words were filled with murderous intent, and her voice resounded throughout the world.
The moment the words fell, complete silence fell over the area below the Hokage Building.
The residents and ninjas who had just been dreaming of the return of Wood Release in Konoha were now frozen in place.
The news was so unbelievable that it left their minds blank for a moment.
What... what is this supposed to mean?!
Not only them, but even Hiruzen Sarutobi was stunned into silence upon hearing these words.
This horrific act was something even he hadn't anticipated.
"Dan...Danzo...you..."
His voice was dry and hoarse, and his steps seemed to be nailed to the spot.
Shiranui Sho asked coldly, "Shimura Danzo, are these things true?!"
All eyes were on Shimura Danzo, awaiting his answer.
Although the news was shocking, most people remained skeptical.
After all, no one could immediately believe that the village's leaders would commit such a heinous crime!
Hiruzen Sarutobi raised his arm tremblingly, trying to stop Danzo, but ultimately lowered it again.
With countless eyes watching, stopping Danzo now would be like trying to cover something up.
The large number of residents and ninjas he summoned by his trusted subordinates turned into a sharp knife aimed at him!
At this moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi's only hope was that Danzo would loudly deny these accusations.
However, at that very moment, he caught a glimpse of the faint smile on Shiranui Sou's lips.
That was a smile of complete control and absolute confidence.
Upon realizing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi felt a chill run down his spine.
Sure enough, the next second...
"That's right, after all, Wood Release experiments are very difficult, so of course live experiments are necessary!"
"It is an honor for these people to participate and contribute to the Wood Release experiment!"
Danzo snorted coldly, his voice clearly reaching everyone's ears.
In an instant, a chill that penetrated to the bone rose in the hearts of everyone present.
Then, feelings of fear, anger, and hatred spread.
Shiranui Sho sighed, "It's really astonishing. Some of the comrades who were thought to have sacrificed themselves in missions or wars and died at the hands of the enemy actually died at the hands of their own village's high-ranking officials."
"However, why didn't you target the ninjas of other villages, but instead attacked the ninjas of your own village?"
Although both are inhumane atrocities, the former still retains a slight shred of humanity compared to the latter.
"Of course, it's because it's convenient."
Danzo's tone was matter-of-fact: "Capturing ninjas from other villages or wandering ninjas for human experimentation would require fighting, which would cost me manpower."
"Furthermore, if other ninja villages discover this, they may hold Konoha accountable."
"But if they are Konoha's genin or chunin, they often don't have much vigilance in the village, and also..."
"Even if some evidence is discovered, I can use my power to suppress the scandal. Isn't that virtually risk-free?"
Upon hearing this, Shiranui Xiao's lips twitched slightly.
To be honest, even though it was a line that I had rehearsed with von Clay beforehand, hearing it live still made me feel indignant.
All I can say is... Von Clay is truly a professional in this area!