I, Naruto Uzumaki, don't need your approval.

Amidst a flurry of footsteps, a dozen Root members blocked the two's path. The leader was none other than Shimura Danzo, the leader of the Konoha Root organization.

Danzo glanced at Kakashi's mask, recognizing his signature white hair, and immediately gave the order: "These two are spies from Kumogakure who have infiltrated the village. Kill them without mercy!"

No sooner had the words been spoken than Root members launched a series of attacks on Kakashi and Rin Nohara.

After revealing his three-tomoe Sharingan, Kakashi's perception improved significantly. Together with Rin Nohara, he repelled the Root's attack and kept a close eye on Danzo Shimura ahead.

"Lord Danzo, is it really necessary to be so ruthless as to exterminate them all?"

Danzo did not reply, staring expressionlessly at Kakashi and Rin Nohara. He had recognized their identities from the beginning and understood that this was likely an order from the Fourth Hokage.

That's why the order to kill was given.

But he couldn't understand why the Fourth Hokage wanted to target him. He had already successfully run for the Fourth Hokage, making him and Orochimaru, whom he supported, lose. He and the Fourth Hokage shouldn't have had much interaction anymore.

However, the secrets of this laboratory must absolutely not be discovered by the Fourth Hokage...

With that thought in mind, Danzo secretly formed hand seals under his sleeves, and a sharp wind blade quickly materialized. Taking advantage of the dim environment inside the laboratory, he silently slashed out.

Clang!

The wind blade was stopped by a kunai, and a figure wearing a divine robe appeared in front of Kakashi and the other two, his gaze coldly fixed on Shimura Danzo.

"Elder Shimura, why did you kidnap my disciple!"

Danzo's expression shifted between light and dark. As he was choosing his words to reply to Minato Namikaze, a whooshing sound caught his attention.

Immediately, a large number of members of the Dark Guard appeared in the laboratory, and the leader was none other than his old friend, the Third Generation.

The Third Hokage, who arrived just in time, witnessed Minato Namikaze rescuing Kakashi and frowned. He wasn't stupid; he immediately realized that this was a scheme by Minato against Danzo.

Otherwise, Minato wouldn't have deliberately notified him to join in capturing the criminal who threatened the village.

But he also couldn't understand why Minato wanted to eliminate Danzo so completely. Was it because he couldn't wait to take action against these old guys as soon as he became Hokage?

While he was still undecided, the head of the Anbu came to the Third Hokage's side.

"Third Hokage, we discovered experiments related to Wood Release in this Root laboratory. Most of the participants were children, no older than twelve."

"Danzo and Orochimaru are secretly conducting forbidden experiments."

Upon hearing this, the Third Hokage's expression changed, and his gaze towards Danzo became completely different, but this was not the private Hokage's office.

In front of the current Hokage and the Anbu, he could only wave his hand and say, "Everyone, capture the wanted criminal Shimura Danzo, and seal off and investigate the Root base."

"Yes, Lord Third Generation..."

Minato Namikaze, looking very obedient, then personally joined the battle against Root.

Not long after, with Danzo's voluntary surrender, this special operation against Root came to a perfect end, and the notorious criminal Shimura Danzo was directly imprisoned in Konoha Prison.

Chapter 330 When the Dragon Vein Returns, Minato's Memories Were Not Sealed (4)

The next morning.

The news of the capture of Danzo, the leader of the Root organization in Konoha, caused a huge uproar in Konoha.

Most ninjas were unaware of Danzo's existence, but within the Jonin circle, the name of Danzo, the Dark Lord of Konoha, was known to everyone.

With the explanations of these high-ranking ninjas, the villagers and ninjas learned the whole story.

Danzo, harboring resentment, kidnapped Kakashi, a disciple of the Hokage, to vent his anger. However, the Fourth Hokage saw through his plot and led a team to the Root base to rescue him.

During the rescue, they unexpectedly discovered that Danzo had conducted a forbidden Wood Release experiment and was attacking the villagers.

This news immediately reminded the villagers of the missing children in nearby villages, and they were instantly furious with Danzo Shimura, clamoring to bring him to justice.

As time went on, Danzo's crimes were gradually uncovered.

The villagers then discovered that a deep darkness had been lurking in the upper floors of the village, constantly threatening their safety.

Amidst the public outcry, the ninjas joined forces to petition for a public trial of Danzo.

Even the Hokage Building could not withstand such immense pressure, and the Fourth Hokage had no choice but to agree to put Danzo on trial and expose the crimes he had committed.

A few days later, the trial was held as scheduled.

In the presence of a group of Jonin, Danzo was brought to the dock, his face extremely grim as he faced the onlookers, ninjas, and villagers.

While lying in the shadows, he imagined countless ways to step into the limelight and become a Hokage bathed in sunlight, but he never expected to be exposed to the light as a criminal.

He couldn't understand when the news of the human experiments he and Orochimaru were secretly conducting had been leaked. His subordinates, who had been marked with a cursed seal, would not betray him, and Orochimaru had no reason to do so.

Without the help of an elder, Orochimaru's experiments would only become more difficult.

Could it be that there are actually many Root members whose cursed seals have been removed? In an instant, Danzo thought of a few suspicious names, but it was too late to verify them now.

All he can do now is try his best to maintain his position and shift the blame for the human experiments onto Orochimaru.

After all, Orochimaru conducted the experimental materials and research process for the human subjects; he merely provided the funding and did not inquire about the origin of the test subjects.

Thinking of this, Danzo looked at Minato Namikaze, and then at Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Minato Namikaze would not let him go; this was the newly appointed Hokage deliberately targeting him. The only option left was to seek help from his old friend, the Third Hokage.

Hiruzen Sarutobi happened to look over as well, revealing a disappointed expression.

Danzo was his friend and the only high-ranking official willing to act as his glove. By utilizing Danzo's Root organization, he did many things that the Hokage could not do, maintaining the stability of the village and his own position.

But now, his hand-picked successor has clashed with Danzo, leaving him caught in the middle and unable to move.

Whether he sides with Minato Namikaze or Danzo, he will face considerable pressure. But isn't Minato afraid that his position as Hokage will be insecure if he goes against the advisors and elders?

Having lost Danzo as a trump card, how do we deal with other factions outside the Hokage lineage?

Just as Hiruzen Sarutobi was pondering how to protect Danzo, evidence against Danzo was brought out one by one, and the faces of the Jonin grew increasingly grim.

Finally, Fugaku, the head of the Uchiha clan, stood up and said loudly, "Everyone, as early as during the last Shinobi World War, we suspected that Danzo had secretly harmed the Uchiha. Many clan members who died in battle lost their Sharingan, and the traces of ninjutsu around us were in the style of the Anbu."

"The Third Hokage wouldn't target the Uchiha clan, so that leaves only Shimura Danzo!"

Upon hearing this, Danzo's heart skipped a beat, and he fell silent. He had indeed targeted the Uchiha, but only by planting spies within the Uchiha clan. When had he ever attacked the Uchiha?

At this moment, Fugaku Uchiha stared at Danzo and said, "If you don't believe me, you can take off Danzo's eyepatch and see if there's a pair of Sharingan eyes underneath that can't be closed!"

Fugaku's words immediately silenced the Third Hokage, leaving him hesitant to speak again.

Indecisiveness and looking back and forth were the Third Hokage's old problems. In layman's terms, he was concerned about the big picture, which put him at a great disadvantage in this kind of self-destructive debate.

Given the current situation, if Danzo didn't have the Sharingan, he could step forward and try to deal with him.

But if Danzo really did possess the Sharingan, then he would be doomed.

Minato Namikaze, who was sitting on the referee's bench, walked to Danzo's side and looked at him expressionlessly: "Elder Danzo, are you willing to take off your blindfold to prove your innocence?"

Danzo stared intently at Minato Namikaze and whispered, "Minato, are you really going to kill us all? I believe that everything I've done is for the sake of the village, and I've never had any selfish motives!"

Minato Namikaze sneered inwardly. If he didn't know what would happen in the future, he would really believe it.

Unfortunately, he knew what Danzo had done, and based on the mistakes Danzo had made, he was no longer worthy of remaining in the position of advisor elder.

"Elder Danzo, it's not that I attacked you, it's that the Will of Fire can't stand your actions!"

After saying that, Minato Namikaze removed Danzo's eyepatch before Danzo could reply, revealing his somewhat cloudy three-tomoe Sharingan.

"It's the Sharingan! Danzo really did harm his clansmen! And it's the three-tomoe Sharingan! This is absolutely unforgivable."

"So Lord Danzo's Will of Fire was used against his own comrades? I've never seen anything like it."

"Shimura Danzo must be severely punished! Konoha will never tolerate such a person!"

In an instant, the audience erupted in uproar, with similar comments flowing freely as they began to condemn Shimura Danzo, including many high-ranking Jonin.

They had long disapproved of Danzo's actions, but lacked the power to bring him down.

Faced with widespread condemnation, Shimura Danzo became calm, completely disregarding the evidence that followed. His actions against the village's ninjas and civilians alone were enough to condemn him to eternal damnation.

Now, all he can rely on is Hiruzen Sarutobi; only Hiruzen Sarutobi can keep his position.

Thinking of this, Shimura Danzo looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen, his eyes seeming to say, "If you don't make a move soon, I'll drag you down with me."

Hiruzen Sarutobi noticed Danzo's gaze and also the number of Jonin denouncing Danzo.

After careful consideration, he slowly stood up and said, "I also bear responsibility for Danzo's crimes due to inadequate supervision. I am willing to fully cooperate with the Fourth Hokage's investigation and work together to give the village a satisfactory answer."

Chapter 331 When the Dragon Vein Returns, Minato's Memories Were Not Sealed (5)

Initially, the Third Hokage wanted to reason with Minato Namikaze and at least save Danzo's life.

No one could guarantee that Danzo wouldn't reveal their dealings over the years when he was cornered, but now that he had Minato's assurance, he no longer hesitated.

Between preserving Danzo and preserving his own reputation, he chose the latter.

After all, old friends are old friends, and I am myself. I also have the huge Sarutobi clan behind me that I need to protect.

Moreover, the fact that the Uchiha, Hyuga, and Ino-Shika-Cho clan leaders all spoke out during the recent condemnation of Danzo proves that Minato Namikaze had communicated with them privately and gained the approval of the major ninja clans.

If he insisted on protecting Danzo at this moment, he would undoubtedly be standing against the village.

Having seen the situation clearly, he had no choice but to betray Danzo to protect his own interests.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's words shattered Danzo's last shred of hope, and he even began to suspect that Sarutobi and Minato had conspired to deliberately deprive him of his power to lead the Root organization.

If you ask yourself honestly, once he and Orochimaru rise to power, they will definitely use this method to suppress their competitors.

After sighing inwardly, Danzo looked at Minato Namikaze beside him and sneered, "Minato, you won this time. But how could you, a new Hokage, know that there are many things that a Hokage cannot do? That's why I was able to gain the authority to act independently."

"Moreover, everything I've done is for Konoha!"

"This is not a reason for you to attack your comrades and civilians. Elder Danzo knows whether it is for Konoha or to become Hokage."

Minato Namikaze muttered expressionlessly, then addressed the audience: "The evidence against Elder Danzo for attacking his comrade is conclusive. After discussion between the Third Hokage and me, Danzo is stripped of his ninja status, all his property is confiscated, and he is sentenced to two hundred years of imprisonment as punishment."

With Minato Namikaze announcing his decision regarding Danzo, the trial gradually came to a close.

Most of the ninjas cheered, but some kept their eyes fixed on the Third Hokage and Minato Namikaze, lost in thought.

The trial of Danzo appears to be led by Danzo, but in reality, it involves the Fourth and Third Hokage.

Danzo was an important force in the Third Hokage's group. The fact that the Fourth Hokage overthrew him proves that the Fourth Hokage was not a puppet of the Third Hokage, but an independent Hokage with his own ideas.

It's unclear what the Fourth Hokage will do next to solidify his authority as Hokage.

After the trial concluded, the Third Hokage, looking several years older, approached the Fourth Hokage and said in a somber tone: