Chiba directly confronted Danzo in front of everyone, demanding that Hiruzen Sarutobi revoke Danzo's position as Hokage Advisor and disband Root.

Hiruzen Sarutobi flatly refused, saying, “That’s impossible. Danzo was merely making a reasonable inquiry. Furthermore, I am well aware of what Danzo was doing during the Nine-Tails Incident; it was with my approval.”

Chiba was now a powder keg, confronting anyone he disliked, showing no one any respect.

Currently in Konoha, whether in terms of strength or prestige, Chiba was not inferior to anyone, including Hiruzen Sarutobi.

And Hiruzen Sarutobi was merely the former Hokage; although he still held power, the visible authority was Minato Namikaze. To Ninja and villagers unaware of the situation, Hiruzen Sarutobi was now a retired old man.

The establishment of the Konoha Defense Force helped Chiba gain recognition in Konoha, making the villagers no longer fear Uchiha Ninja, and this was something Chiba had brought them.

When Chiba resigned as captain of the Konoha Defense Force and Shinsuke Nara succeeded him, many villagers were very dissatisfied with this, believing that Chiba should continue.

After all, they had been bullied by the Uchiha clan for so long, and just when they could finally hold their heads high in front of Uchiha Ninja, the most important Chiba was suddenly replaced.

After Shinsuke Nara took office, the villagers felt that Shinsuke Nara was completely incomparable to Chiba; he was simply too gentle with the Uchiha.

When Chiba was in charge, if an Uchiha dared to argue, the Konoha Defense Force would immediately arrest them without a word.

As a result, during that period, if there was even a slight sign of an argument, the Uchiha would immediately turn and run, fearing that a team of Ninja would suddenly rush out from nowhere and arrest them.

But now, after Shinsuke Nara took office, if they got into an argument with someone from the Uchiha clan, it would only be a verbal education for both sides.

Chiba's disciple, Kakashi, did a better job when he took office than Shinsuke Nara.

Now they were all starting to miss Chiba.

As for strength, there was even less to say; Chiba currently had no opponents in Konoha, and even few in the Shinobi World.

Chiba now had the power to overturn the table. Enduring was something to do when one had no strength, but now that he had strength, why should he continue to endure?

So Chiba now directly confronted Hiruzen Sarutobi: “Oh? Does Third Hokage know? Then please, Third Hokage, tell us, what were Danzo and Root doing at that time? Because I now suspect Third Hokage is shielding Danzo.”

Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo's faces were as ugly as if they had eaten a fly. What were Danzo and Root doing at that time? Of course, they were monitoring the movements of everyone in the Uchiha clan.

But how could such a thing be said in this setting, in front of so many people?

The Nine-Tails Incident caused Konoha's largest Ninja clan to guard the villagers, and this mission was not issued by Minato Namikaze, but by Hiruzen Sarutobi, the already retired Third Hokage, which was against regulations.

Now Chiba was clearly determined to confront Danzo here.

Danzo had just targeted Chiba, and Hiruzen Sarutobi had helped Danzo make Chiba explain. Now that Chiba was seizing on this point, and Orochimaru was also speaking up for Chiba, Hiruzen Sarutobi could no longer favor Danzo.

Chiba tapped the table with his finger and continued, “Furthermore… Third Hokage has already retired. To my knowledge, Third Hokage does not currently hold any official position. So, I would like to ask, in what capacity did Third Hokage approve Root’s actions?”

Utatane Koharu rebuked, “Then in what capacity are you questioning Hiruzen? Your current status is merely that of an ordinary Ninja of Konoha! This is not your place to cause trouble!”

Chiba looked at Utatane Koharu: “In what capacity do I question? Of course, I question as a meritorious official who made outstanding contributions during the Nine-Tails Incident! I, with my own strength, blocked two powerful enemies who invaded Konoha! When Fourth Hokage and his wife were unable to restrain the Nine-Tails and seal him, it was I who controlled the Nine-Tails and assisted Fourth Hokage in the seal!

Danzo and Root were nowhere to be seen during this Nine-Tails Incident. I now suspect Danzo colluded with the enemy, relayed information about the Jinchūriki Miyuki Uzumaki's childbirth to the enemy, and helped the enemy breach Konoha's barrier. Is there a problem?

Third Hokage said he approved it, so I am asking what Danzo and the Root Ninja were doing at the time, and questioning the rationality of Third Hokage's approval of Danzo's actions. Is there a problem?

Advisor Utatane is now asking me in what capacity I raise questions. Are you perhaps questioning my merits and contributions during the Nine-Tails Incident?

Shortly after Fourth Hokage's incident, Danzo questioned and held me, a meritorious official, accountable. Conversely, I cannot question Danzo, and Third Hokage is clearly shielding Danzo, so I question Third Hokage's rationality. Now you, this Advisor, jump out and question my identity?”

Chiba suddenly stood up, activating his Mangekyō Sharingan, and a powerful aura swept through the entire conference room.

Chiba scanned Hiruzen Sarutobi, Danzo, Utatane Koharu, and Homura Mitokado, questioning, “Are you now trying to unite against me? Do you feel that I am now threatening your rule over Konoha, so you are using Danzo to make trouble for me, is that right?”

The surrounding clan leaders were all stunned.

What was happening now?

Chiba directly confronting Konoha's high-ranking officials?

This was too explosive!

Hiruzen Sarutobi, Danzo, Utatane Koharu, and Homura Mitokado looked extremely grim.

They had not expected Chiba to be so unyielding as to directly confront them.

Especially Danzo, who had originally intended to annoy Chiba, but now Chiba's actions had put him in an impossible position.

By doing this, was Chiba not afraid of being unable to remain in Konoha?

Hiruzen Sarutobi was now also completely cornered.

Originally, this meeting was simply to select a candidate for Fifth Hokage, and if there was no candidate, he would temporarily assume the responsibilities of Hokage.

Hiruzen Sarutobi had also not expected Danzo to directly hold Chiba accountable.

Hiruzen Sarutobi could actually guess Danzo's intention: he simply wanted to curb Chiba's momentum and prevent Chiba from becoming Fifth Hokage.

Hiruzen Sarutobi allowing Chiba to explain was, firstly, because Chiba was indeed somewhat suspicious, and secondly, he also wanted to curb Chiba's momentum.

Because Minato Namikaze was currently unconscious, Chiba could be said to be the most suitable candidate to succeed as Hokage at the moment.

However, Hiruzen Sarutobi would never hand over the position of Hokage to Chiba.

There were many reasons for this impossibility, such as his personality, and his relationship with the Uchiha clan. After all, Konoha needed the Uchiha, and if Chiba took office, the Uchiha clan might react adversely and do things he did not wish to see.

At the same time, there was another point: with Chiba's strong personality, Chiba would absolutely not allow others to dictate in the governance of Konoha. This was something Hiruzen Sarutobi could absolutely not accept, so Hiruzen Sarutobi cooperated with Danzo to make Chiba explain.

However, the development of events exceeded Hiruzen Sarutobi's imagination.