"How could this be?"
Inside the Hokage's office in Konoha.
Hiruzen Sarutobi listened to Shikaku Nara's report with a grave expression.
Inoichi Yamanaka had suffered severe mental trauma. Not long after returning, he had been unable to hold on any longer and fell unconscious.
He was currently receiving treatment at Konoha Hospital.
Fortunately, Shikaku Nara was in fairly good condition.
Other than his pale complexion from excessive Chakra consumption, he had no serious injuries.
But as the leader of this operation, he had watched nearly a hundred elite ninja be wiped out.
Nine of them had even been members of his own clan. One could imagine how much pain he was in.
Also in the office were Danzo Shimura, Homura Mitokado, Koharu Utatane, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru, all of whom had rushed over after hearing the news.
Orochimaru was there because he had found himself utterly unable to understand the Teigu, Extase, and the Shingu, Prometheus.
He could not understand why they possessed such extraordinary quality and functions despite clearly not being made of Chakra metal.
They were no less impressive than the seven ninja swords of the Hidden Mist Village, or Konoha's Thunder God Sword.
As a result, Orochimaru was now deeply interested in anyone from Loulan.
Naturally, that included Aramaki, who was approaching Konoha.
To be honest, he had even considered personally going to Loulan to investigate.
The six people present could be considered Konoha's current upper echelon.
As for Tsunade, she had yet to return to the village.
As Shikaku Nara continued his report, everyone except Orochimaru, who remained expressionless, gradually turned grim.
The pressure in the room dropped to the point where it was almost suffocating.
Twenty Jonin, thirty Special Jonin, and fifty Chunin—all ninja from the major clans.
And with Minato Namikaze, Choza Akimichi, Hiashi Hyuga,