Chapter 80
Hiruzen continued questioning Aoba in detail, including Natsuki's summoning contract with the mountain giant eagle.
However, he didn't dwell too long on that point. His focus remained squarely on Orochimaru. Until they figured out what Orochimaru was planning, Konoha would remain dangerously passive.
Once he'd gathered enough information, Hiruzen dismissed Aoba.
He then sent the ANBU to summon Homura and Koharu for a meeting.
As for Danzo... Hiruzen deliberately chose not to call him.
He suspected that Danzo might still have ties to Orochimaru. Whatever Orochimaru was plotting might very well have Danzo's fingerprints on it.
The Otogakure ninja was handed over to the Interrogation Division, in hopes they could extract more intel.
Homura and Koharu arrived quickly.
But before the meeting began, the door slammed open—Danzo barged in uninvited.
"Hiruzen, you've already disbanded Root. Fine. But now you're holding meetings without inviting me? Do you no longer see me as a Hokage advisor? Or are you planning to abandon Konoha's shadow completely?"
Danzo questioned him sharply, clearly furious.
Hiruzen calmly exhaled smoke, then replied, "You still have secret dealings with Orochimaru, don't you?"