A short while later.
The five Root shinobi arrived.
Seeing that the two men were unharmed, they stood silently to one side.
The seven remained where they were. With Danzo saying nothing, none of them dared ask.
Another long moment passed.
The Third and the others, who had not yet left the Hokage Building, hurried over using the Body Flicker Technique.
As soon as he arrived, the Third asked, "Danzo, where are the enemies?"
Everyone's expression grew grave at the sight of Danzo standing there completely unharmed.
Hadn't the Root shinobi just said that all four enemies had ambushed them?
Why hadn't they suffered any losses?
They knew this advisor all too well.
Had the two sides struck some sort of deal?
Danzo put on a solemn expression. "They wanted to cooperate with me and help me secure the Hokage position. In return, they wanted me to look after White Fang's younger brother and nephew and expose your suppression of White Fang."
As he spoke, he glanced at the Third, then added, "And provide them with Root's intelligence."
"Advisor Danzo, then...?"
Kakuzu spoke cautiously, studying Danzo's expression the entire time.
"Why are you looking at me like that? Do you think I would betray the village?"
Danzo fixed Kakuzu with a sinister stare.
"That's enough, Kakuzu."
The Third first made a show of reprimanding him, then turned to Danzo. "Where are the enemies? Didn't your men say all four of them were ambushing you?"
"They ran."
Danzo turned his head aside. "I refused their offer. Just as we were about to fight, Ryoma arrived, and they left."
The Third frowned. "Ryoma? Why didn't I know the village had someone that powerful?"
He knew the man existed, but he had no idea how strong he was.
This would be a