First Choice for Dirty Work: Scapegoat Danzo

That night, all was silent.

Yet the Hokage's Office was brightly lit, filled with curling smoke.

With a pipe clenched between his teeth, Hiruzen leaned over his desk, carefully studying an extremely detailed map of the Ninja World. Beneath his tightly furrowed brows, his eyes were filled with contemplation.

"Tap!"

Suddenly, a black shadow flickered out from the corner and respectfully dropped to one knee.

"Where is that person from Sunagakure now?"

Without even raising his head, Hiruzen asked the Anbu assigned to monitor the Sand Ninja delegation.

"Reporting to Hokage-sama, West Street."

"Uh..."

Hearing that familiar place name, Hiruzen—himself a frequent visitor to West Street—straightened up with a strange expression.

He had just arrived and already went to that kind of place?

Were young people these days all so uninhibited?

"Never mind. Let the guest relax properly. Just make sure you protect him."

As a fellow enthusiast, Hiruzen expressed his understanding and respect. He even had the urge to exchange a few pointers.

The Anbu who had received the protection assignment vanished in the blink of an eye. Hiruzen took a puff from his pipe, and the contemplative look in his eyes deepened.

At the same time, his gaze slowly lowered and settled on a confidential letter marked: To Be Personally Opened by the Third Hokage.

The seal had already been broken. The signature at the bottom belonged to the Third Kazekage.

As for its contents, he had just finished reading them. All he could say was that Sunagakure was planning something huge this time.

"Creak~"

Just then, several figures who had come together pushed open the door and entered.

"Hiruzen, why did you call us here so late at night?"

At the front, Mitokado Homura adjusted his glasses, his puzzled expression hidden behind their glare.

"I just finished