Now that Akaseki knew Shimura Danzō, who had always been at odds with the Uchiha Clan, was behind this, even if he had a way to clear himself of suspicion, he would not go with them—what if that old bastard decided to play dirty?
"You dare resist arrest?" Although the masked Anbu ninja could not see the Sharingan's distress signal, he knew what had happened and immediately grew angry.
"End this quickly!" They knew that once the distress signal went out, complications were bound to arise.
However—
The "complications" came faster than they had imagined!
"Everyone, stop!"
Just as Akaseki was about to get serious with the three masked Anbu ninjas, Hiruzen Sarutobi's own voice rang out.
The Third Hokage was dressed in a light Hokage robe, with what appeared to be sleepwear underneath. He seemed to have been disturbed in the middle of the night and had simply thrown something on before rushing over.
Akaseki's gaze sharpened—Shimura Danzō was standing beside Hiruzen Sarutobi as well.
"Lord Hokage!" Akaseki hurriedly called out, his words full of a plea for help.
"Lord Shimura!"
The three masked Anbu ninjas all dropped to one knee and saluted Shimura Danzō.
Akaseki realized then—
These ninjas wearing masks identical to the Anbu's were probably not Anbu at all.
Although Root had been established for several months by now, it had always remained secretive. It did not even need to report its work progress to the Jonin Council. No one knew what they did; it was a completely independent secret organization!
That was why it had little presence. Akaseki did not even recognize their uniforms, and only now did he realize that these three were probably Root members.
"Stand down!" Sarutobi waved his hand.
He was clearly speaking to the three kneeling men, since they were