Relying on constant Body Flicker and the aid of Flying Thunder God, Uchiha Shisui headed straight toward his destination, taking the shortest route across the map.
At last, on the very day Sarutobi Hiruzen gave the order, he reached the capital of the Land of Fire.
Looking at the grand and magnificent Daimyo Mansion before him, Uchiha Shisui thought, I finally made it.
Just as Uchiha Shisui was about to enter through the gate, the smell of blood assailed his senses.
"Something's happened!"
Three-Tomoe appeared in Uchiha Shisui's eyes, and he vanished from the spot.
The Guardian Twelve Shinobi included many people, but most importantly, Sarutobi Hiruzen's only son was among them.
At least, as Uchiha Shisui saw it, one of his duties was to ensure Sarutobi Asuma's safety.
When Uchiha Shisui rushed inside, he found the entire Daimyo Mansion eerily quiet. Everyone had fallen into a deep sleep.
Uchiha Shisui went to check on them and found that they had all been drugged.
A wave of panic washed over Uchiha Shisui. The Daimyo Mansion was enormous, with buildings packed closely together. There was no time to search the whole place now.
So he found an elderly man who looked suitably experienced, gave him a dose of Konoha's specially made antidote, and woke him up.
The person Uchiha Shisui had chosen was the steward of the Daimyo Mansion.
The steward woke and opened his eyes to see Uchiha Shisui's Three-Tomoe. He flinched in alarm, his expression turning startled.
Then he quickly recovered and asked,
"Are you a shinobi from Konoha, sir?"
Uchiha Shisui thought the steward's expression was a little strange, but he didn't dwell on it for now.
Instead, he pressed him,
"Show me the way. Quickly!"
"To Sarutobi Asuma's residence!"
The steward led Uchiha Shisui to Sarutobi Asuma's