"What?"
"Konoha suffered a crushing defeat on the Land of Rain front, Tsunade is dead, and Jiraiya's whereabouts are unknown?!"
When the news reached Konoha, almost no one dared to believe it.
Konoha, the overlord of the ninja world, had actually suffered a disastrous setback at the hands of a small nation.
Not to mention the outrageous news that even the famed Three Legendary Ninja had met with misfortune.
Yet it had happened just like that.
At that moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, sat in his office, listening to his subordinate's report in utter shock.
"Is what you said true?"
In an instant, he seemed to have aged several years. Even the pipe in his hand trembled incessantly.
Seeing this, the Konoha ninja who had come to report the news showed a bitter expression and replied, "This intelligence was sent back by Elder Danzo through Root. It is absolutely true."
Hearing that, Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly set his pipe down on the desk.
An incomparably grim aura erupted from him, shrouding the entire office.
The oppressive atmosphere immediately made the Konoha ninja before him break out in a cold sweat...
Though Hiruzen Sarutobi usually appeared mild and kindly, when he was angry, his presence was more terrifying than the earth splitting and mountains collapsing.
Fortunately, he had cultivated his composure deeply. Knowing he absolutely could not reveal his true thoughts at this time, he could only force down his anger for the moment.
"I understand. Go summon the two elders. I have something important to discuss with them."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's calm voice contained fury like rolling thunder.
"Yes."
The ninja hurriedly acknowledged the order and left the office.
Only after no one else remained did Hiruzen Sarutobi finally lose his ability to suppress the grief and rage in his heart.