Izanagi?
Minato Namikaze was the first to frown. As Hokage, he even had a close friend from the Uchiha clan, yet he'd never heard of such a technique. The three counsellors who recognized the name looked even more stunned.
"The Uchiha's most mysterious Dōjutsu, Izanagi…"
"Who would've thought the technique mentioned by the Second Hokage back then would be spoken of again…"
Homura Mitokado removed his glasses and rubbed his eyes, the shock making them sting. Koharu Utatane and Hiruzen Sarutobi were equally stunned.
"Gentlemen, from your reactions, you know this technique?"
"What kind of technique is this, Kazuyama?"
Now, Minato Namikaze was the only one in the room unaware of what Izanagi truly was. His curiosity was instantly piqued.
Kazuyama Gekkō shrugged.
"How to put it... it's a technique that rewrites one's fate at the cost of blindness."
"It's not an exaggeration to call it invincible, but the price is simply too high."
"But you saw it yourselves—Danzō's arm isn't adorned with just one Sharingan."
Though not many, there were three Sharingan eyes.
Hiruzen Sarutobi stopped smoking, leaning heavily back in his chair as he set his pipe on the table.
"Izanagi..."
"Who would've thought Danzō could master such a dōjutsu? As a non-Uchiha... to wield the Uchiha's ultimate dōjutsu..."
"If the Uchiha found out about this, ah..."
His words were spot on. If the Uchiha learned of Danzō's actions, even with Uchiha Fugaku as the current clan head and his unwavering support for Minato Namikaze... He'd likely storm straight to the Hokage Building demanding answers. Not to mention, Danzō possessed four Sharingan eyes... If things went south, the Uchiha might even revolt.
"And Wood Release..."
"Ah..."
Sighs of various kinds escaped the mouths of the three veteran officials. Meanwhile, Minato Namikaze had finally grasped the true nature of Izanagi. He was overcome with emotion. Invincible. Using the power of a Dōjutsu to forge an invincible body. Though the cost was immense, if used properly, it could absolutely turn the tide of battle.
"As for those Root Division operatives, I turned them all into crystals and erased them."
"And I strongly suspect Danzō colluded with the Guardian Shinobi."
"That's precisely why our village's economy and missions have been suppressed by them lately."
"His deep understanding of the village's structure allowed him to act so decisively."
"Calling him a Missing-nin is no exaggeration."
Kazuyama Gekkō criticized Danzō without mercy. After all, he was in his custody now—he could vent his frustration however he pleased. What else could you do? Make him talk back? As if he could!
Silence. The room fell completely silent. After all, Kazuyama Gekkō had hit every nail on the head. Danzō's actions had indeed been excessive.
"Since you've already taken care of Danzō, let's leave it at that."
"Well... he did contribute a lot to the village back in the day."
"Kazuyama, hand over his body. I'll give him a proper burial."
Hiruzen Sarutobi picked up his pipe again. As an old friend, now that Danzō was dead, many things could be forgiven. Pursuing them further held no meaning.
"Pfft. Old geezer, I respect you, but I have no respect for that scum."
"What he did was utterly wrong."
"Don't try to smooth things over now, okay?"
"He was nothing but a criminal. I only brought him back to show you all. If not for that, I would've turned him into dust long ago."
Burial? What nonsense!
How could that be possible?
Hiruzen Sarutobi nearly choked on Kazuyama Gekkō's words—no, he had already choked. That puff of smoke had choked him.
"You little brat! I'm the Hokage Counsellor, dammit!"
"And your sensei's sensei!"
"Could your attitude toward me get any worse?"
After being repeatedly snapped at, Hiruzen Sarutobi finally lost it. He tossed aside his pipe, stood up, and strode toward Kazuyama Gekkō, practically ready to roll up his sleeves and fight.
"Hey, hey, hey! Old geezer, what are you doing?"
"I'm a war hero!"
"If you weren't my senior and I respected you, I wouldn't even bother with you."
The old man and the young man started bickering right there in the meeting room. Of course, it wasn't a real fight, but their squabbling did lighten the oppressive atmosphere a bit.
"Alright, Kazuyama, Sarutobi counsellor."
"Now that Danzō is dead, there's no point dwelling on the past."
"Let's focus on the next steps."
Minato Namikaze stepped in to smooth things over again. As Hokage, he had to keep everyone's emotions in check.
"Kazuyama, if Danzō had been hiding in the Daimyō's Manor all along, did you confront him there?"
"Did the Daimyō's Manor say anything?"
Kazuyama Gekkō chuckled.
"Beneath the Daimyō's manor."
"The commotion caused the entire Daimyō's manor to shake like an earthquake."
"If I hadn't stopped him from unleashing Wood Release, the Daimyō's manor might have a towering tree planted in its place by now."
"Come to think of it, the Daimyō's manor should be thanking me."
Hearing the battle took place within the Daimyō's manor, the others reacted differently. Minato Namikaze didn't think much of it. But the three elders were genuinely startled.
"You really have the guts."
"Fighting in Daimyō's Manor? Weren't you afraid of tearing the place apart?"
"What about your Flying Thunder God Technique? Couldn't you have teleported Danzō outside the manor before fighting?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi practically sprayed saliva onto Kazuyama Gekkō's face, who recoiled in disgust.
"Old geezer, watch your spit. That's disgusting."
"If not in the Daimyō's Manor, where else should I fight?"
"He'd have to give me a chance to relocate first."
"With dozens from the Root Division ganging up on me? Relocate? How did you come up with that pipe dream?"
Faced with Hiruzen's tirade, Kazuyama Gekkō wasn't about to let him rant unchallenged. Joking aside, even if he could have relocated back then, he wouldn't have.
"Besides, if Danzō can operate in the Daimyō's Manor, do you really think the Daimyō's people are unaware of his presence?"
"The Guardian Shinobi organization? Hmph. They're absolutely in cahoots with Danzō. Need I say more?"
"But judging by the Daimyō's demeanor, he probably doesn't know. It's likely those guys like Kazuma and others are conducting their dealings with Danzō privately."
"I also saw your precious son. His attitude toward me was just as foul as ever."
"Still, I gave him a few words of advice. Hopefully, it'll do some good."
After hearing Kazuyama Gekkō's words, Hiruzen Sarutobi stopped pursuing him. He cared deeply about his son. That brat had gone to the Daimyō's Manor without a word. When he returned, he'd have to give him a proper talking-to.