"During the investigation of Danzo's associates, we uncovered that the rumors about White Fang years ago were spread on Danzo's orders. Shimura Hiroshi, the current clan head, and others were all involved. White Fang's teammates were also silenced by them," Seiryu said calmly, watching the reactions of Hiruzen and the two advisors.
The two advisors looked panicked when White Fang was mentioned. Even Hiruzen seemed a bit unnatural.
Seiryu realized that none of them were innocent in the White Fang incident.
"Let's leave it at that. The village already has an official verdict on White Fang," Koharu said immediately.
"Really? Are we going to let a hero who bled for the village be wronged, even after death?" Seiryu stared at them, speaking quietly.
"The failure of that mission was indeed White Fang's responsibility," Homura said.
"But he did it to protect his comrades, didn't he?" Seiryu replied calmly.
"A ninja must complete the mission!" Koharu insisted.
"Hokage-sama, is that what you think too?" Seiryu looked at Hiruzen. "That's not the Will of Fire at all."
At Seiryu's words, the office fell into an awkward silence. Shikaku wished he could vanish from sight.
Seiryu smiled inwardly.
When it comes down to it, ninjas are paid killers. The Will of Fire was just pretty words. But at this moment, the Will of Fire was a useful tool.
Could Hiruzen deny it? Of course not.
The Will of Fire was Hiruzen's political foundation, Konoha's political correctness, bound to his very identity. In Hiruzen's world, you could question whether Asuma was his biological son, but never the correctness of the Will of Fire.
"Seiryu, I understand your point," Hiruzen sighed. "We'll restore White Fang's reputation, but the investigation ends here. It's been too long, and digging further would waste too much time."
"If that's Hokage-sama's decision, the Police Force will obey," Seiryu's expression darkened.
Inwardly, Seiryu was delighted. Once he confirmed these three weren't clean in the White Fang incident, his only goal was to restore White Fang's honor. If they kept digging, who knows what else might come to light? The Uchiha weren't ready to go all-out against them yet, so Seiryu was already planning to drag things out. He hadn't expected Hiruzen to take the blame himself.
"In addition, according to current clues, Danzo had deep ties with the rogue ninja Orochimaru," Seiryu said carefully. "But since Orochimaru's case involves external forces, I request permission for the Police Force and ANBU to cooperate in the investigation and capture of Orochimaru, to give justice to those who died in his inhuman experiments."
"Orochimaru, huh..." Hiruzen's eyes darkened.
That matter from back then does need a conclusion, Hiruzen thought to himself. Firming his resolve, he looked at Seiryu. "Understood, Seiryu. This mission will be led by Kakashi, with your Police Force assisting. Is that acceptable?"
"Yes." Seiryu nodded in acceptance.
"This time, Orochimaru must be brought to justice."
Seiryu left, not bothering to take Yamanaka Fu, who continued drooling in the Hokage's office. The two advisors, after Seiryu left, turned to Shikaku. He understood and said:
"Hokage-sama, I heard from Inoichi that Fu was forcibly taken by Danzo as a child. Although he committed unforgivable crimes with Danzo and deserves his fate, for the Yamanaka clan's sake, please spare his life."
"Shikaku, don't say that. It's all Danzo's fault." Hiruzen sighed. "Take him home and look after him."
"Yes." Shikaku nodded and left with Yamanaka Fu.
As soon as Shikaku left, Homura couldn't wait to speak. "Hiruzen, are we going to let this go? Will you just let the Uchiha keep running wild?"
Hiruzen lit his pipe, took a deep draw, then looked up at his old friends. "Seiryu won't do that. He's a good child, loyal to the Will of Fire."
"Hiruzen!" Koharu cried. "He's a Uchiha—don't forget the Second Hokage's teachings!"
"Danzo was right, you're too indecisive!" Homura added. "If we let the Uchiha go unchecked, you'll regret it one day!"
"Enough!" Hiruzen slammed the desk in anger. "I am the Hokage!"
"Do you think I want this? Because of Danzo's Sharingan arm, we have to give the Uchiha an explanation! Otherwise, we're the ones forcing them to rebel! The Uchiha already have a Mangekyo Sharingan, but the village doesn't have another First Hokage!" Hiruzen scolded their foolishness. "Seiryu is the one suppressing talk of rebellion—that's already the best result!"
"Hiruzen…" The two advisors fell silent at his outburst.
A long time later, after the tobacco in Hiruzen's pipe burned out, he finally spoke again: "I'll send word for Jiraiya to come back."