Smoke filled the Hokage's Office in Konoha.
Hiruzen Sarutobi set down a sealed scroll that had just been delivered by the Anbu. The pipe between his fingers had hardly moved for some time.
His brow furrowed as he began to doubt the reliability of the information in his hands.
Several letters from different sources lay open across the desk, clearly piecing together a timeline of the recent upheaval in Kirigakure.
"This intelligence... has it been verified?" he asked in a low voice, unconsciously emphasizing the words.
"We've cross-checked it against several independent sources. It can be considered accurate," an Anbu ninja replied respectfully, kneeling on one knee.
Across the desk, Tsunade had been summoned on short notice. She stood by the window with her arms folded, her face also clouded with uncertainty.
"So the Kaguya Clan attacked the Mizukage Building in an armed coup, only to be crushed in a trap set by the Third Mizukage. Even the Kaguya Clan leader died on the spot." She reviewed the information, her tone full of doubt.
"And just a few days later, under their new leader, they launched a crazed assault on the Yuki Clan's grounds? Even more unbelievable, they actually succeeded?"
She paused, her voice tinged with disbelief. "In such a short time, two of Kirigakure's most powerful Bloodline Limit clans have nearly wiped each other out in a bout of infighting?"
The two of them were stunned by the reports before them, trying to piece together the chain of events behind them.
A knock sounded at the office door. A messenger ninja hurried in and presented the latest report.
Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately took it and skimmed through it. As he read, his expression shifted again.
He handed the report to Tsunade, his voice sounding uncertain. "See for yourself."
Tsunade took