In the Hokage's office, Uzumaki Raiden did not hide the truth from Minato and Shikaku. He trusted them completely. Besides, it was Orochimaru who had killed Danzo—it had nothing to do with him.
After hearing the shocking news, Namikaze Minato and Nara Shikaku were speechless for a long time, quietly listening to Raiden's explanation.
"Lord Hokage, you should keep this matter a secret and not tell anyone else," Shikaku advised.
"The three elders and Lord Danzo have known each other since childhood. Their bond runs deep over the years."
"If they learn the truth, Konoha might fall into internal strife."
"You must be thinking that if it can be hidden, you'll hide it; and if not, it doesn't really matter."
Shikaku waited until Raiden had finished speaking before sharing his thoughts. In his opinion, Raiden had handled the situation perfectly. If there were any potential leaks, it would be from the Anbu who handled the bodies. If Raiden truly wanted to keep the matter a secret, the most effective method would be to eliminate all those involved.
However, since Raiden had explained everything to them, it was clear that he didn't actually care whether the truth reached the third Hokage and the others.
"As expected from my military advisor. You're right—even if the old man and the others know the truth, it doesn't matter," Raiden said with a chuckle.
"Besides, I didn't kill Danzo. Even if I had, the advisors wouldn't say a word against me over a dead assassin."
Raiden gazed out of the window nonchalantly, and silence fell over the office as they resumed their work.
The Konoha Police Department Morgue
Under the escort of Raiden's Anbu, Hiruzen Sarutobi, Mitokadu Homura, and Koharu Utatane arrived at the location where Danzo's body was being examined. A full-time intelligence team was conducting the autopsy. Uchiha Fugaku took the matter seriously and had arranged a dedicated inspection room.
As the results came in one by one, Fugaku's expression grew more serious. When the advisors arrived, Fugaku was outside the room, waiting for the report.
"Fugaku, can us old folks go in and have a look?" Hiruzen asked.
"Lord Third Hokage? Advisors."
"Oh, of course."
"Open the door!"
Fugaku was momentarily surprised to see Hiruzen but quickly regained composure and ordered the guards to grant access. Without further conversation, the advisors entered the inspection room, with Fugaku following closely behind.
"Danzo..."
Danzo's body lay on an operating table in the center, fully exposed with all his clothes removed. Hiruzen, gazing at the lifeless body, couldn't help feeling a pang of sorrow.
He never expected his old comrade to die so quietly.
"What happened to Danzo's arm and eye?" Hiruzen asked, quickly noticing the missing right arm and empty eye socket.
A strange white texture surrounded the severed arm, sharply contrasting with Danzo's natural skin tone. The empty eye socket and the unusual coloration caught his attention immediately.
"Lord Hokage, Danzo-sama's body arrived in this condition," Fugaku reported. "According to the Anbu who delivered it, his arm and eye were already gone when they found him."
"Danzo-sama's fatal wound was a sword thrust to the chest. His right arm and eye were either destroyed or taken away."
"The autopsy revealed that Danzo was poisoned before his death. The poison is unknown but highly potent. The white tissue on his arm contains strange cells with strong activity and aggressiveness—likely the enemy's doing."
"All recovered ninja corpses had curse seals implanted in their brains, which were activated upon death, preventing the retrieval of their memories."
"Even Lord Danzo's memories cannot be retrieved."
Fugaku flipped through the report while detailing the findings, showing no intention of hiding anything.
"Strange cells?"
Hiruzen's pupils contracted at Fugaku's words. Koharu and Homura exchanged glances, their expressions shifting before quickly regaining composure. Hiruzen stepped forward, carefully observing the unusual tissue on Danzo's body, his face darkening.
"What about the eyes? What happened to them?" Hiruzen pressed further.
"Hokage-sama, Danzo-sama likely possessed some kind of dōjutsu," Fugaku replied, his expression grim.
Hiruzen, Homura, and Koharu were visibly startled.
"Dōjutsu?!" Hiruzen murmured. After pondering for a moment, he had an idea of what had happened. Giving Fugaku an apologetic nod, he silently walked out of the inspection room.
Homura opened his mouth to speak but was stopped by Koharu, and they followed Hiruzen out.
At Mitokadu Homura's Residence
After returning from the morgue, the three advisors gathered in Homura's study.
"Hiruzen, who do you suspect killed Danzo?" Homura asked in a low voice.
"I don't know," Hiruzen replied, his voice uncertain. He had his suspicions but didn't want to admit them.
"Come on, Hiruzen. Are you really clueless, or are you just pretending?"
"Danzo's right arm was likely a product of the First Hokage's cells. As for dōjutsu, it had to be either the Sharingan or the Byakugan."
"Remember the Hyuga clansman who died in battle and only one eye was recovered? That eye ended up in the hands of a Mist ninja."
"Besides the Byakugan, the only other possibility is the Sharingan! That's why Fugaku looked so grim!"
"Danzo continued his experiments after you banned them. And after his death, someone took his arm and eye."
"The only one capable of doing all this is your prized student—Orochimaru!"
"He was the mastermind behind these experiments in the first place! He has both the skills and the motives!"
Homura slammed his teacup down in frustration.
"Hokage should step in and arrest Orochimaru!" he declared.
"Homura!"
"Don't make baseless accusations!" Hiruzen retorted sharply.
"Are you seriously suggesting we arrest one of the legendary Sannin based on speculation?"
Despite his forceful tone, Hiruzen's mind had already connected the dots—poison, sword wounds, missing arm and eye. Everything pointed to Orochimaru.
But between his deceased comrade and his living, brilliant student, Hiruzen had already made his choice.
"You're covering for Orochimaru?!" Homura asked in disbelief.
"This isn't about covering up! It's about waiting for the investigation to conclude!" Hiruzen said firmly.
"Danzo was a hero who protected Konoha, not some nobody to be assassinated without repercussions!"
After finishing his tea, Hiruzen stood up and left, not wanting to discuss Raiden's involvement.
However, as he departed, a troubling thought crossed his mind:
"When Orochimaru and Raiden arrived together, Danzo and his men were already dead."
If Orochimaru was the culprit, then what was Uzumaki Raiden's role?
Strengthening his resolve, Hiruzen left without another word.
"Is this your answer, Hiruzen?" Homura muttered bitterly.
(End of the chapter)