The Hokage Building.
Tonight, the Third Hokage had come up to the rooftop.
Click.
With his pipe never leaving his mouth, he puffed away as he gazed out at the distant nightscape.
At one point,
Tap, tap, tap.
The sound of a cane striking the ground came from behind him. The Third Hokage knew who it was without turning around: Danzo had arrived.
"Something on your mind this late?"
The Third Hokage blew out a smoke ring and asked in a flat tone.
Danzo walked up beside him, shoulder to shoulder, and they both looked down over all of Konoha. After a long moment, Danzo gave a cold snort.
"Hiruzen, why ask when you already know? The Uchiha are holding a Clan Meeting right now. Didn't you send someone to gather intelligence, just like I did?"
At that, the Third Hokage frowned and replied displeasedly,
"Danzo, call your people back at once. I've already sent Shisui. He's the strongest Uchiha, and he has the strength to resolve the Uchiha problem."
Danzo didn't seem concerned. He replied coldly,
"You'd better hope Shisui succeeds. If he fails, my people will act."
"You..."
The Third Hokage was about to lose his temper when a sudden jolt of alarm ran through him. He turned sharply toward the Village Outskirts, in the direction of the Uchiha Clan Compound.
A fierce surge of Chakra was coming from the forest there.
What was happening? Had Shisui clashed with his clanmates?
The Third Hokage's expression was uncertain.
Danzo narrowed his eyes as well.
He was waiting for Kakashi to use the Signal Scroll, waiting for a brilliant flare to bloom over the Uchiha Clan Compound.
When that moment came, he could force the Third Hokage to make a decision and bring the Anbu—or even all of Konoha—to bear