"It's been over a decade. There's no need for you and me to keep hiding things from each other. Whatever schemes or open plots you have now will do nothing but make things more complicated. Besides, do you really think those tricks of yours can fool me? Since I'm here, are you really sure your little tricks will still work?"
The roaring echoes of the air-shaking blast rumbled on. In an instant, everyone's attention had turned to the billowing black smoke behind the Blood Moon Silver Robe. Yet Uchiha Nobuhiko was looking at the gate tower ahead as though he were still speaking with the Third Hokage, even as his words were clearly meant for Taki Chiba.
"What's going on?"
"What is that?"
"That way is... Konoha's main gate?"
At this moment, the entire spectator stand had gone from utter silence to complete uproar. Most people had risen to their feet, staring at the billowing black smoke. The lingering thunder of the explosion overhead had robbed them of any ability to remain calm.
Especially those influential figures who had just been loudly proclaiming who they were and acting as though the Blood Moon Silver Robe was beneath their notice. Their faces were now either openly filled with panic, or they were pretending to stay composed. Though their expressions remained calm, the hands clutching their armrests had begun to tremble.
Others had begun shouting along with the crowd, some even grabbing the nearby Anbu Ninja and demanding that they quickly think of a way to get them out safely, declaring just who they were.
Still others clamored that if Konoha could not guarantee their safety, then Konoha should not expect this or that from them in the future.
Of course, there were also those who were not arrogant, pleading with the