Due to the formal reassignment of the latter to the Anbu Commander, all information on this area was classified and not available even to advisors, not to mention ordinary shinobi.
Given the loyalty of some of the organization's members to the past head personally, rather than to his ideology, incidents were possible once the verdict was known to the general public, not just to the narrow circle of people close to the top of the village government.
- Unfortunately, the whereabouts of about two dozen people are still unknown, despite the best efforts of my men," Sarutobi knocked the ash from his pipe and put it away in its case, "so, Danzo will be kept in a cell under heavy guard until the sentence is carried out, shackled and under overwhelming seals.
Left unspoken is the thought that if the criminal can escape even from such a situation, heads will fly and he'll have to vacate his chair and remove his triangular hat within the next few days - the clansmen seriously want blood for digging up dirty secrets in the Root's closets.
- It's time, Hiruzen," Mitokado looked at his watch.
- 'Time indeed,' Sarutobi sighed, rising from his chair and adjusting the formal robes of the village leader.
Accompanied by the elders and Anbu's personal guards who had joined them outside the office, Hiruzen made his way down the stairs to the assembly hall. As was customary, his group was the last to arrive and the rest of the Kanohagakure governing body had already gathered, talking quietly amongst themselves.
Taking his seat, Sarutobi took a quick glance around the attendees and noted with a little sadness the solid number of empty seats among the civilians. A testament to how deeply Shimura's influence had spread behind his back and now, looking back at the many full meetings held, it was clear why some people voted one way or the other on various issues.
The new Hyuga head who didn't see fit to hide his forehead with the familiar seal, now with an additional pattern, was also conspicuous, but that ship had already sailed and there was nothing he could do about the shift in power among the byakugan wielders, surely not without casualties.
The clans' right to non-interference in their internal politics was in full glory, and hardly anyone would give him the opportunity to violate that right now.
- I declare this meeting open," he said softly, instantly silencing those around him, "and the only matter on the agenda today is the fate of the former commander of Anbu Ne, Danzo Shimura. Commander, you have the floor.
- Thank you, Hokage-sama," the owl-masked Anbunin stood up and bowed slightly, 'since everyone here has been following the investigation closely, I will simply read the final conclusion,' he took a scroll from the table in front of him and unfolded it and began to read, "as a result of the investigation of the commission, the following evidence of the crimes of the imprisoned Danzo Shimura has been obtained - great abuse of power in his position for personal gain, preparation of the creation of an armed formation not accountable to the village leader, deliberate weakening of the village leader, and the use of the owl-masked Anbunin.
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