"Are Hyuga Hiashi and Uchiha Sōken still at Shōchiku-tei?"
"Yes, Hokage!"
"Do you know what they're talking about?"
"Your subordinate is incompetent."
The Anbu member bowed his head deeply.
Sneaking close to the heads of the Hyuga and Uchiha Clans to eavesdrop on their conversation—anyone with half a brain could see how utterly unrealistic that was. But since the one asking was the Hokage, all the Anbu could do was take the blame for failing at their duty!
This was Konoha Hospital.
After the meeting ended, the Third didn't return to his office or to the Sarutobi Clan compound. Instead, he came to Konoha Hospital and entered the room of Shimura Danzō, the Hokage Assistant. He had come to visit his old friend, who was irreversibly inching toward death.
"Leave."
The Third waved a hand, unable to hide the irritation on his face.
The Anbu member withdrew as if granted a reprieve, leaving the room to the Third and the two Elders... Oh, and the barely breathing Hokage Assistant, Shimura Danzō!
That was right.
Not long after the Third arrived at Konoha Hospital, the two Elders came one after another, like a pair of shadows dogging his steps. The Konoha F4 had gathered once again in this spacious, luxurious hospital room!
"Damn it! Uchiha Sōken and Hyuga Hiashi—those two bastards!!!"
Once the Anbu member had left, Utatane Koharu cursed furiously.
"Koharu, calm down. You could curse here all day and night, and it wouldn't do a bit of good. Instead of wasting your energy and time, calm down and let's discuss how to deal with this mess." Mitokado Homura was in just as foul a mood, but he managed to keep his reason and composure.
Utatane Koharu pressed her lips together and fell silent.
"Hiruzen."
Mitokado Homura looked toward the