My older sister is Kushina

While Minato Namikaze, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and others were discussing how to deal with Orochimaru, Hanamichi Uzumaki simply listened from the sidelines without participating.

Currently, he is merely a squad leader in the Dark Division and is not yet qualified to participate in the talks between the Konoha high-ranking officials. Of course, if he were to forcibly join them based on the strength he has demonstrated, it is estimated that Hiruzen Sarutobi, Homura Mitokado, and others would not object.

However, Uzumaki Hanamichi felt that he should not fight for this right for the time being. How to deal with it was a matter for the Konoha higher-ups. His current identity was more like that of a "henchman".

He was somewhat surprised to hear from the Hokage's confidant that Shimura Danzo had arrived. The operation had only just begun, and Shimura Danzo's arrival at this hour clearly indicated that he already knew something about the situation; his reaction speed was quite fast.

Hiruzen Sarutobi, Koharu Utatane, and the others were also somewhat surprised.

Soon, several figures appeared before the crowd, the leader of whom was none other than Shimura Danzo.

Danzo Shimura's expression was somewhat unpleasant. When he saw Minato Namikaze, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and the others, as well as Orochimaru who had been beaten to a pulp, his heart sank, but his face did not change much.

Soon, Danzo Shimura asked, "What exactly happened?"

Danzo Shimura wasn't entirely clear on the specifics of the secret prison, but based on Orochimaru's situation, he had a general idea that he had been caught red-handed.

Upon learning of the situation at the secret prison, he immediately brought his men over.

Hiruzen Sarutobi stared intently at Danzo Shimura, his voice laced with barely concealed anger as he demanded, "Danzo, don't you know what's going on?"

Danzo Shimura shook his head and said, "How would I know what's going on? I handed this underground chamber over to Orochimaru a long time ago. I only came here as soon as I heard that something seemed to have happened here."

Although he doesn't yet know the specifics of what happened, he is already mentally prepared and has corresponding countermeasures.

After Orochimaru exposed the secret base on the island in the middle of the lake, Danzo Shimura had anticipated that something like this might happen. However, it happened rather quickly, catching him off guard. What surprised him even more was that Orochimaru was soundly beaten and captured. He had initially thought Orochimaru was strong enough to handle the situation, but now it seemed he had miscalculated.

As for his current strategy, Shimura Danzo's idea was simple: deny everything and shift all the blame onto Orochimaru. This was a pre-planned strategy; he had intended it from the very beginning when he established the secret experimental base with Orochimaru. Orochimaru was his chosen one.

A shield.

Mitokado Homura said, "Danzo, are you really completely unaware of this? You probably provided considerable support for Orochimaru's horrific and forbidden experiments."

Danzo Shimura quickly replied, "Madoka, don't talk nonsense. Although Orochimaru is a member of Root, I know nothing about your so-called forbidden experiments. Orochimaru, can you explain yourself properly?"

As he spoke, Shimura Danzo looked at Orochimaru, who had been severely injured.

Facing Danzo's slightly sharp gaze, Orochimaru's golden pupils contracted slightly, and then he uttered a hoarse voice: "This secret experiment indeed has nothing to do with Lord Danzo."

At this moment, Orochimaru was also aware that he would probably be unable to escape punishment after being caught red-handed. The only person who could stand with him now was Shimura Danzo. If he dragged Shimura Danzo into the mess, his situation would become even more dangerous. If he could save Shimura Danzo now, he would have a lifeline. He knew a lot of Shimura Danzo's secrets.

The two could be said to have reached a tacit understanding with just a glance.

Hiruzen Sarutobi said, "Orochimaru, have you thought this through?"

Before Orochimaru could answer, Shimura Danzo immediately said, "Hiruzen, what do you mean by that? Orochimaru is your prized disciple. Do you have some ulterior motive?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi glanced at Danzo Shimura and snorted softly.

Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu frowned. They didn't believe that Shimura Danzo had nothing to do with Orochimaru's secret experimental base, but now that Orochimaru had taken the initiative to distance himself from Shimura Danzo, they couldn't say anything more. Shimura Danzo was a high-ranking member of Konoha, and his backing was not weak. It would be pointless to forcibly refute Shimura Danzo.

Koharu Utatane: "We only have a preliminary understanding of the situation at present. The specific details need further investigation and verification. The Hokage plans to hold a high-level meeting, and how to handle this matter needs further discussion."

Danzo Shimura said, "This matter involves the Root organization. No matter what, I hope we can investigate it thoroughly. What do you think, Hokage?"

Minato Namikaze: "Don't worry, I will investigate thoroughly. If this matter has nothing to do with you, I will definitely clear your name. I will not wrong an innocent person, but I will not let a bad person go unpunished either. In addition, this matter involves the Root organization, and I hope that the Root organization can cooperate with the investigation."

Danzo Shimura: "Of course."

……

The atmosphere among the Konoha high-ranking officials was somewhat complicated, with each of them offering their own opinion.

Fugaku Uchiha didn't get involved much, mostly just observing from the sidelines. Although he really wanted to eliminate the Root organization, Orochimaru had taken the blame, so it wouldn't be easy to drag Danzo Shimura into it. Therefore, he didn't want to get involved.

Uzumaki Hanamichi continued receiving treatment from Aoki Yukiko, but he also overheard the conversation between Namikaze Minato, Sarutobi Hiruzen, and Shimura Danzo. The current situation wasn't too good, but it wasn't too bad either. It would be difficult to directly bring down Shimura Danzo. Actually, the key to this matter was Orochimaru, since he was in charge of the underground secret laboratory. If he didn't want to drag Shimura Danzo into it, it would be difficult. As for Orochimaru's thoughts, he actually had some guesses. Obviously, Orochimaru placed his hopes on Shimura Danzo.

Soon after, Minato Namikaze's conversation with Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others ended.

Thanks to Aoki Yukiko's treatment, the injuries on Uzumaki Hanamichi's body have basically healed.

However, Yukiko Aoki finally gave Captain Ryougi a concerned reminder to be careful.

Minato Namikaze quickly arranged for personnel to conduct investigations, with the first squad of the Anbu unit assisting in the relevant reconnaissance.

However, not all members of the first squad of the Dark Division remained; only six members were left.

Uzumaki Hanamichi entrusted the task to Hyuga Himaru. Although he had won the battle against Orochimaru, he had suffered considerable damage during the battle and needed to rest. More importantly, he had some special circumstances that he needed to report to Namikaze Minato.