The Elders' Argument

"Hiruzen! Is that the only thing you can say?"

"If we wait any longer, it'll be too late!"

"You two, say something!"

Danzo's voice remained loud as he pressed the Third Hokage, trying to get the other two elders to back him up.

Mitokado Homura shared Danzo's view. He, too, wanted the ninja to move quickly, reach the border, and investigate what had happened in Amegakure so they would be prepared for whatever came next.

But Utatane Koharu reached out and tugged at him.

"Don't say anything..." Utatane Koharu whispered.

"Koharu! What's that supposed to mean?"

The gesture had been discreet, but Danzo still caught it. He was far from pleased that Utatane Koharu had stopped Mitokado Homura.

At that moment, he desperately wanted his two old teammates to speak up for him, not sit there like statues in a shrine, silent and useless except for accepting offerings.

"Iwagakure and Sunagakure haven't reacted as quickly as you think. When Jiraiya and Kakashi went to the Land of Rain, our Anbu and the ninja stationed at the border had already stepped up their patrols."

"So you're completely in the dark about what's happening in Amegakure. You don't even know how the village should respond. You should listen to me!"

"I've warned you many times, Danzo. Do not work with Orochimaru again!" he said gravely.

Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura knew that, of course. But since the Third Hokage had not brought it up, they had pretended they knew nothing.

"Aren't they both rogue ninja?" The Third Hokage's voice suddenly dropped. "How did you conclude they were in Amegakure?"

"Where did Sasori of the Red Sands go after fleeing Sunagakure? And who has that explosives kid from Iwagakure been working for lately?"

"You couldn't be more wrong. They know everything!"

Mitokado Homura