As Hiruzen Sarutobi sprinted across the rooftops, his face was dark as water and his gaze sharp as a blade.
As Hokage, he had many things to consider.
Now that Kumogakure had set its sights on a Jinchuriki, the situation had to be handled properly.
Otherwise, the consequences would be unimaginable. At worst, war could break out.
The Uchiha had only just left Konoha. The village needed time to recover and couldn't afford to be dragged into a war.
From this moment on, he had to consider every decision with the utmost care.
"Lightning Chakra Mode? Is this masked man a Cloud ninja too? Who could he be? To take Naruto away under such heavy guard, he must be formidable. When did Kumogakure produce a ninja like this?"
"I hope the Uchiha clan's departure from Konoha has nothing to do with Kumogakure."
Watching Neji speed away with Naruto in his grasp, Hiruzen's mind filled with questions.
The Uchiha's departure from Konoha was a foregone conclusion.
Although it was the last thing Hiruzen wanted, he had to accept reality.
Hiruzen only hoped that, after leaving Konoha, the Uchiha would settle in some small country and establish their own village, or join a minor shinobi village like Amegakure or Takigakure.
If that happened, the Uchiha wouldn't be much of a threat.
The various factions that coveted the Sharingan would deal the Uchiha a heavy blow without Konoha even needing to intervene.
If they joined one of the other Great Shinobi Villages—especially Iwagakure or Kumogakure—Konoha might lose its title as the foremost shinobi village.
Just then, Hiruzen glanced back at the people behind him.
At such high speeds, sustained over a long distance, only the elite of the Hyuga and Ino-Shika-Cho clans could keep up with him. There were barely twenty of them.