Clang.
As the meeting room doors swung open, Danzo walked in, leaning on his cane, his face dark with displeasure.
As he headed for the seat beside the Third, he glanced at the people on the other side of the table. His already gloomy expression grew even more sour.
On the Third's left, in order, sat Tsunade, Jiraiya, Kakashi, Asuma, Shikaku Nara, and the other loyal members of the Third's faction.
Even the back row of observers held two brats who hadn't yet graduated from the Ninja Academy: Yakumo and Sasuke.
By contrast, on his side, he was utterly alone.
The words "outnumbered and outmatched" might as well have been written across his face.
After taking his seat, Danzo first glanced at Yakumo in the observers' seats, then turned his gaze to Sasuke beside her and said coldly, "Hiruzen, this is such a serious meeting. Letting a brat like him attend is a little too frivolous, don't you think?"
Kakashi stood and explained, "Sasuke is currently the only Uchiha in the village to have awakened the Sharingan. We may need him when discussing matters related to the Sharingan."
The Third spoke up as well, smiling as he placated Danzo. "Danzo, it's time the children learned how hard we old men work."
Danzo had no choice but to fall silent.
With the upper hand firmly in his grasp, the Third no longer needed to press his advantage. All he had to do was maintain the status quo, and his authority would only grow stronger as the new generation rose.
Just then, someone else pushed open the door.
It was the other Advisor Elder, Mitokado Homura.
Seeing the situation in the meeting room, he felt just as isolated as Danzo had. He didn't show it, though, and silently took the seat beside