After a moment's hesitation, Hiruzen left of his own accord.
He didn't know what Teacher Tobirama had in mind.
In truth, his mere presence to invite the Sand Shinobi delegation was enough to signal to Danzo that everything was ready.
It would also better conceal their intentions and mislead Black Zetsu.
After all, in Tobirama's eyes, everything they did ultimately served one purpose: luring Black Zetsu out.
As for everyone else, they were just there to make up the numbers.
"Hiss!"
"The Third Hokage personally came to invite the Kazekage to the banquet, and the Sand Shinobi delegation still won't go?"
"That's a serious snub!"
"What snub? If you had the Rinnegan, would you dare attend? You wouldn't be afraid Konoha had three hundred Kunai-wielding hands waiting in ambush?"
"Surely not? If Konoha wanted to attack them, why would they send people to guard the inn?"
"Don't forget, Konoha has the Uchiha. What if they use Genjutsu on you at the banquet, force you to hand over the Rinnegan, and make you do it willingly? What could you do then?"
"Hiss—! That makes sense!"
"But there's another possibility: maybe the Kazekage is still recovering from her injuries."
"Recovering? What if she's already escaped?"
"Impossible! So many people are watching them. Where could they go?"
"So how long do we have to keep watching?"
"Keep watching. They'll come out sooner or later!"
In the shadows nearby,
the various groups keeping watch whispered among themselves as they watched Hiruzen Sarutobi leave dejectedly.
They were trying to determine the Sand Shinobi delegation's exact situation,
so they could adjust their own plans of attack at any time.
As for why no one went after the injured Hiruzen Sarutobi,
that was a joke.
What could they possibly want from a member of the Sarutobi clan?