Starting with rogue ninjas, building the insect kingdom.

Chapter 149 Since that's the case, let's redefine the ninja clan.

Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't reply, but just looked at him quietly, and finally informed him, "I have temporarily handed over the power of Root to Orochimaru. You should reflect on your actions here."

After saying that, he turned and left. Perhaps he would come back here in a few years to release Shimura Danzo who was imprisoned here, but not now, in any case.

As for the position of Hokage, he admitted that he was not a qualified Hokage. Perhaps his ambition had been worn down after he realized that he was not as strong as the First Hokage and did not have the same ruthless methods as the Second Hokage.

"Hiruzen, you can't do this to me! You'll regret this." Knowing that his power had been completely divided, Shimura Danzo could no longer control himself and began banging on the cell door.

But all he got in response was the sound of the door slamming shut and the empty cell.

-

After Danzo was imprisoned, Konoha briefly returned to peace, and Root ninjas rarely appeared.

As for the power to manage the Root organization, Orochimaru temporarily took over. Unfortunately, as long as Danzo lived, Orochimaru's management would remain superficial, and he would never gain access to core control.

However, Orochimaru didn't care. He was so engrossed in his research that he couldn't extricate himself. Every day, he did nothing but experiment, especially in his research on Wood Release and Hashirama's cells, where he gradually entered a state of fanaticism.

A few days ago, he had heard about the disappearance of the nobles of Daming Prefecture overnight, but he quickly figured out who was behind it. Who else in the world could use such special hypnotic illusions to quietly take away a city's nobles and empty their property?

"Power is truly laughable, and the lives of ordinary people are so fragile and fleeting. Zhicheng, have you, like me, embarked on the path of exploring the true meaning of life?"

Orochimaru licked his lips, muttered something, and continued working in the Root laboratory. Now he was no longer limited by resources, and at least ostensibly, he controlled Root's economy.

On the other side, the Hokage's office building.

Hiruzen Sarutobi sat alone in his office, a scroll in front of him displaying his draft proposal for the formation of the elders' council:

Of the six elders, three were recommended from ninja clans with established lineages, and three were selected from ninjas of commoner origin.

This was his attempt to build a new balance in the post-Danzo era, absorbing the power of the ninja clans while opening up upward mobility for ordinary ninjas, in order to dilute the overly concentrated power of the old advisors and make decision-making more diverse.

The initial intention was good, but its implementation was extremely difficult, and it was stuck at the first step for a long time.

There are many meritorious civilian ninjas, but when it comes to seniority, reputation, political acumen and skills, and the ability to stand on equal footing with the representatives of the old ninja clans, it is difficult to find three.

If he chooses someone who lacks experience and strength, he will be easily suppressed by the ninja clan, which puts him in a dilemma.

Just then, there was a knock on the office door, and consultants Koharu Utatane and Homura Mito entered side by side, both looking rather grim.

"Hiruzen, wasn't the punishment for Danzo too harsh?" Koharu Utatane spoke first, her tone reproachful. "Even if he had a thousand faults, his initial intention was for Konoha. His imprisonment for these past few days has served its purpose as punishment. The village is currently in a turbulent time, and we desperately need capable people. Shouldn't we consider…?"

"Koharu is right," Mitokado Homura chimed in, clearing his throat. "We've worked together for decades, through thick and thin. Danzo may be radical, but he's like us, a comrade who watched Konoha being built and growing. We also bear responsibility for our inadequate supervision of his mistakes. But simply imprisoning him isn't the solution. Releasing him, restraining him, and letting him make amends will be more beneficial for the village."

They spoke earnestly, even bringing up their past camaraderie.

Hiruzen Sarutobi listened in silence, his fingertips lightly tapping the table. He understood that the request to release Danzo was merely a pretense.

The real crux of the matter is that his decision to form an elders council and abolish the old Hokage advisor system has substantially touched their core power.

In the past, three people constituted the highest decision-making circle, but now it is to be expanded to six people, and their positions have not been mentioned. It is even possible that half of them are from the general public—which means that their influence will be greatly diluted.

Without Danzo constantly contradicting them and drawing attention away from them, they realized how powerless they were when facing the Third Hokage alone.

Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly raised his head, his gaze sweeping over his two old friends and colleagues: "Regarding Danzo, my mind is made up. He has not only violated the rules, but also crossed the line. As for the formation of the Elder Council, it is for the future of Konoha, to ensure that more voices are heard and that decisions are made more comprehensively. This matter will not be changed."

Upon hearing this, Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado's hearts sank.

They never expected Hiruzen Sarutobi to be so ruthless.

The atmosphere in the office plummeted, and the two consultants eventually left with grim faces—they knew that conventional objections were ineffective and they had to find another way.

After they left, Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed, "My two old friends, so you can't let go of power either? This thing really can corrupt people's hearts."

However, the game of power never stops.

A few days later, the two advisors sought an audience again, this time bringing a carefully prepared scroll.

"Hiruzen, we have carefully considered the idea of ​​selecting members of the elder council from ninja clans and commoners, and we believe that the definition of 'ninja clan' may need to be clarified."

"The definition of a ninja clan?" Hiruzen Sarutobi was taken aback. This completely new term made him question his very existence. How else could a ninja clan be defined?

Mitokado Yan unrolled the scroll, pushed up his glasses, and said with the scholarly air, "The so-called 'ninja clans' of Konoha today are quite complex in composition."

Many of these families have gradually formed in recent decades because members of their clans possessed ninja skills, learned ninjutsu, and passed it on.

This type of ninja clan is easily replicable. Strictly speaking, they are more like a "ninja family" than a "ninja clan" with a long history and unique heritage.

Koharu Utatane continued, "We believe that a true 'ninja clan' should possess core qualities that are either impossible or extremely difficult to replicate. Therefore, we have formulated three criteria; only those who meet one of these criteria can be recognized as a 'ninja clan.'"

After listening to them, Hiruzen Sarutobi looked down and saw the scroll titled "Draft Standards for the Recognition of Konoha Ninja Clan".

Bloodline Limit Inheritance: A family possesses a stable inherited bloodline limit, which must be jointly identified and confirmed by the Medical Department and the Sealing Team to ensure its stability.

Unique Secret Techniques: The family possesses unique family secret techniques that cannot be copied or widely learned by outsiders.

Overall strength benchmark: If neither of the above is met, then the following must be met at the same time: the clan has two or more active Jonin, and the number of clan ninjas registered and serving in Konoha is not less than fifty.

Hiruzen Sarutobi stared at the scroll for a long time.

A novel definition, yet reasonable.