The reaction across the meeting was largely the same – all clan leaders and other Shinobi murmured their agreement, and others, such as Fugaku, made their approval slightly louder.
One person, (a Shimura clansman) however, loudly disagreed, and Katsuro smiled internally.
"Wait, Katsuro! Life imprisonment? Don't you think that's a bit too far?"
The murmurs changed suddenly, from approval to anger.
"Hokage, the fact that Danzo would still be breathing seems to me to be more than merciful," Fugaku immediately responded, anger and mistrust evident in his voice.
You again, Fugaku? Maybe Danzo was right – the Uchiha do cause more problems than they solve, thought Hiruzen angrily. Nevertheless, the Third Hokage tried to remain diplomatic. He looked around the room as he had so often done before – the faces of the clan leaders indicated agreement with the Uchiha, and begrudgingly, Hiruzen accepted that this wasn't a battle he could win.
But at the very least, I can't allow them to interrogate Danzo! I know he wouldn't succumb to torture, but the Yamanaka clan could extract his memories, and if they do, they'll know for sure I'm complicit. Besides, I don't want Danzo to be tortured. As for the compensation, I won't address it now – if I can cause a large enough stir with the interrogation demand, hopefully they'll forget or I can weasel my way out of it.
"Of course, young Fugaku, you're right. I just-" Hiruzen paused, feigning sadness.
"I just hoped that maybe… nevermind. However," he said, his tone now sharp.
"I'm afraid I won't allow Danzo to be interrogated, via torture or mind controlled."
There was an uproar at his words, but Katsuro, who had been waiting for this moment, raised his hand, silencing the crowd. He turned to Hiruzen, eyebrows raised.
"Just so I'm clear, Hokage, you are aware of the fact that Danzo and the Root have likely tortured, experimented on and desecrated the bodies of countless of Konoha Shinobi, yet you wish that Danzo be spared from a taste of his own medicine? Especially in a situation where there is actual reason and justification to do so?"
"I apologise, Katsuro. I know how it must seem, but believe me – all of you, believe me – it is in the village's best interests that Danzo is not interrogated, and as Hokage, I must act in the village's best interests. Danzo knows countless secrets which if spread would be immensely detrimental to the Leaf."
Katsuro's internal smile grew wide. Just as I expected.
"I see. Well, in that case, Hokage, could you explain why it is in the village's best interests? And I mean actual, tangible, understandable reasons, not some vague story. I believe all of the victims' families, friends and clans should have the right to closure on what happened to their loved ones, and if there's a reason why that can't happen, it needs to be made aware to the clan leaders."
Hiruzen cursed Katsuro mentally – he had forced him into a corner.
"Well, Katsuro, I'm afraid I can't say – the details are of S Rank – no, beyond S Rank – in importance, so they absolutely cannot be leaked. Furthermore, what guarantee is there that Danzo will be kept alive during this 'interrogation'? Someone, no matter how justified their anger is, may lose control and take the opportunity to finish him off. I cannot allow that."
Again, there was uproar in the meeting, although now the uproar was far less formal and polite. People knew Hiruzen's first excuse was weak – after all, Danzo himself had leaked information about Hatake Sakumo, the White Fang's, S Rank mission, yet Hiruzen had no problems there. The Hokage's hypocrisy and selfishness became clearer and clearer by the second, but once again, Katsuro raised his hand, quietening the room.
"Fine then, Hokage. I will agree to that."
"Katsuro, what-" Fugaku interrupted, standing from his chair enraged, but Katsuro interrupted back.
"Trust me, Lord Fugaku, I believe my counter proposal may be of interest to you. May I continue?"
Fugaku looked at Hiruzen with barely disguised contempt, before nodding and sitting down.
"Here is my counterproposal. Hokage, to me, and many of the other clan leaders here, your demand is unacceptable, for obvious reasons. However, I have faith in my clan's abilities, and I know that we will get to the bottom of most of the things Danzo and his Root have done, so I'm willing to accept your request – in exchange for something else."
Hiruzen, who was initially looking elated by Katsuro's agreement to his request, now looked weary – if there was anything he had learnt from his interactions with the Senju Patriarch, it was that this man was dangerous.
What are you going to try?
Without waiting for acknowledgement, Katsuro continued, staring directly at Hiruzen.
"You will issue a public apology to all affected clans in front of the entire village in a formal address. You will accept accountability for allowing Danzo and the Root to operate without supervision. You will announce that the associated clans, families and any dependents of the victims will be compensated, and if there is no clan or family, compensation will be put towards the orphanage. Also, we, the clan leaders, will decide fairly and honestly the amount of compensation required per victim after our investigation is complete."
Katsuro paused for a moment, and Hiruzen, assuming that he had finished his demands, began speaking – the demands were financially costly, yes, and it was true that public opinion of him would be decreased, but compared to the cost of them finding out about his involvement with certain Root activities, it was far better. Besides, I can start trying to win back favour now.
"I see, Katsuro. Well, those demands do sound reasonable, especially considering most of the problems here are my own fault – in fact, I was planning on doing all of those myself. I will accept these conditions, if it is acceptable with the rest of the clan leaders."
The other clan leaders grumbled at the response – it was obvious to most of them that Hiruzen was just playing political damage control, and they wondered what Katsuro was thinking. However, Katsuro just smirked at Hiruzen. He's fallen right for the trap.
"That's excellent to hear, Lord Hokage. I'm glad to know that you were planning on making a public apology, accepting accountability for this whole situation, and delivering fair compensation. However, I didn't finish – I have one more demand."
The room fell deathly silent. Sh*t, I've already agreed to the demands – if he asks something outrageous now and I decline, I'll look like the biggest fool ever! After a sizable pause, Hiruzen, seeing that smirk on the Stormbreaker's face, finally dared to ask the question that he had almost been too scared to ask.
"What is the demand, Katsuro?"
"As soon as a suitable replacement is found, you must step down as Hokage."
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