358. The Verdict

"Elder Danzo, listen to me, 'Make-Out Paradise' is a work of art. If it could be officially published, it would definitely be a huge hit!!"

All the way, Jiraiya had been trying to persuade Danzo, hoping he would approve the release of 'Make-Out Paradise'.

Unfortunately, Danzo would never allow such contraband to appear through official channels.

Of course, he had critically read Jiraiya's 'Make-Out Paradise' in private.

It was indeed quite well written...

Not only was 'Make-Out Paradise' good, but other works like 'The Tale of the Gutsy Ninja' also had high artistic value.

Someone with such a delicate mind and adept at capturing emotions is indeed the perfect choice for the position of Minister of Propaganda.

At the same time, Jiraiya's presence could also help soothe some of the tensions within the village.

After all, there were still many talents among the conservative faction of Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Even Danzo did not want to see their talents go to waste.

Therefore, Jiraiya's unique identity was needed to stabilize the morale!

Let these old retainers of the Third Hokage know that Danzo was not without tolerance.

Although there had been a major purge, as long as you capable conservatives could abandon those stubborn old ideas and actively embrace the new world, you could continue to shine in Konoha!

Meanwhile, Danzo also hoped that through this process, Jiraiya could see how Konoha was step by step moving towards the new world, thereby abandoning those foolish and backward ideas.

With these thoughts, Danzo and Jiraiya soon arrived at the conference room in the Hokage Building.

This was the first meeting Danzo held after returning to the village from the capital, and its significance was self-evident.

The influential clan leaders and jonin of the village all attended.

However, when they saw Jiraiya closely following Danzo, expressions of surprise appeared on their faces.

Danzo had just purged the conservatives, and the whereabouts of the two elders, Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado, were still unknown.

Even the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, had confined himself to his residence since returning to the village, not stepping out of his door!

Under such circumstances, Jiraiya, as a disciple, actually appeared alongside Danzo, how could this not lead to wild speculations?

Danzo was well aware of what these people were thinking.

However, he did not bother to explain, and immediately knocked on the table, getting straight to the point:
"Elders Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado, along with the Twelve Guardian Ninja, launched an attack on me, attempting to hinder the revival process of the Land of Fire, and have been killed by me."

"Here are the letters they exchanged with the capital and the evidence of their attack on me, everyone can take a look."

Danzo took out a scroll from his pocket and gently placed it on the table for everyone to pass around.

Under his entrapment, the series of actions by Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado to plot a rebellion were indeed irrefutable.

From any angle, there was no chance of overturning the case.

Therefore, when everyone saw the evidence in their hands, they were immediately shocked.

Although they had already received a lot of information in advance and had various speculations about the incident.

But when Danzo personally said these words and they saw the irrefutable evidence with their own eyes, they couldn't help but feel a bit melancholy.

They never expected that Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado, the direct disciples of the Second Hokage, would do such things.


Even more unexpected was Danzo's ruthless tactics, showing no mercy even to old friends who had accompanied him for many years.

Perhaps, this was also the attitude Danzo wanted to convey.

Anyone who obstructs the development of Konoha will be mercilessly crushed by him.

Even his former good friends are no exception!

Understanding this, everyone couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat.

As esteemed advisory elders, they were killed after betraying Konoha, let alone ordinary people like us.

Could you be more important than these two elders?

It seems we need to be more diligent in the future...

The jonin present looked at each other, each seeing the thoughts in the other's mind.

But Danzo's explosive statements did not end here, after everyone had fully read the criminal evidence of the two elders, he continued:
"Next is the handling of the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi."

Hearing this, everyone present became nervous again.

Compared to the two advisory elders, the Third Hokage who participated in the ambush was the most heavyweight figure!

Moreover, everyone knew that Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo were as close as brothers, under such circumstances, what would Danzo do?

Soon, Danzo gave the answer—"Hiruzen Sarutobi, as the former Hokage, did not adhere to his original intentions, was misled by the two advisory elders."

"Fortunately, he repented at the critical moment, thus not committing a major mistake."

"Considering his decades of hard work for Konoha in the position of Hokage, I have decided to confine him indefinitely at home, and he is not allowed to leave his residence without special summons."

"This is my verdict on the main figures of this incident, if anyone has any objections, please raise them."

After these words, although Danzo's tone was calm and composed, it still brought a terrifying sense of oppression to everyone.

It was as if Danzo was not judging the former Hokage and two former elders, but them.

As for Danzo's decision, it was, of course, widely supported.

After all, those who did not support it were now in the Root's dungeon...

"Since everyone has no objections to the handling decision of this incident, let's move on to the next topic."

"For the need to promote the Will of Fire, I hope to establish a Propaganda Department, responsible for Konoha's internal and external propaganda work, and the approval of cultural and entertainment projects such as newspapers, books, and movies."

"And I propose Jiraiya to be the first Minister of this Propaganda Department."

After saying that, Danzo immediately closed his mouth and quietly looked at the people in the conference room.

Sure enough, after he proposed Jiraiya as the candidate for the Minister of Propaganda, the expressions of those 'old retainers of the Third' immediately improved.

From Danzo's 'promotion' of Jiraiya, it seemed he had no intention of conducting another major purge.

This reassured everyone.

Thus, Danzo's proposal was immediately agreed upon by everyone.

After all, Jiraiya was a best-selling author not only in the Land of Fire but throughout the entire ninja world.

Coupled with his identity as a disciple of the Third and his numerous life-and-death experiences for Konoha, he was more than qualified to serve as the Minister of Propaganda.