Behind the Kazekage stood more than a dozen Jonin wearing Sunagakure forehead protectors. Rage burned in their eyes, and they looked anything but friendly.
As the Sunagakure delegation approached, an atmosphere of barely restrained hostility arose between the two sides.
Quite a few shinobi quietly reached for their weapons.
"You must be exhausted from the journey," Sarutobi Hiruzen said.
"Not at all. Since Konoha cannot manage the Uchiha Clan, we had no choice but to come ourselves," Fourth Kazekage Rasa replied, his emotions unreadable.
Those words made the Jonin in the village glance toward Sarutobi Hiruzen.
As though he had heard nothing, Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled kindly and stepped aside.
"Get some proper rest today first."
Fourth Kazekage Rasa nodded and walked forward.
The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, proceeded alongside him into Konoha.
Though he had told the Kazekage to rest well, Sarutobi Hiruzen still discussed the details with Fourth Kazekage Rasa for their visit to the Uchiha Clan Land the next day.
For example, what they would do if the Uchiha refused to hand over Gaara;
And how Konoha should compensate Sunagakure for its losses if they agreed.
The day was exceptionally busy.
Yet time passed as fleetingly as always.
Amid the villagers' heated discussions and denunciations of the Uchiha, the sun set.
Sarutobi Clan Land.
Sarutobi Hiruzen, Utatane Koharu, and Mitokado Homura gathered together.
"Hiruzen, the Uchiha probably will not hand over that Jinchūriki," Mitokado Homura said.
"We should have worked with Danzo to wipe out the Uchiha Clan by force back then!" Utatane Koharu regretted it deeply.
Sarutobi Hiruzen glanced at her.
What use was hindsight now?
Besides, work with Danzo? With what? Their lives?
If they had fought the Uchiha then, Kumogakure and Iwagakure would have charged in eagerly long ago!
If that had happened,