Sarutobi Hiruzen sat behind his desk, while Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura sat opposite him. Whenever those two met with Sarutobi Hiruzen at the same time, there was bound to be more to it. Naturally, the cool office was quite lively.
Outside the office stood a masked, dark-faced ninja. Beside him was Hatake Kakashi, his left eye covered by a slanted forehead protector.
"Hiruzen, Tsunade is already on the road back to Konoha. She'll probably arrive within two hours, yet you haven't even convened a meeting of Konoha's higher-ups. Isn't that somewhat against the rules?"
Utatane Koharu's voice was thin and shrill.
"Secondly, although I don't want to admit it, I have to say that I'm old, and I truly can no longer remain in the Hokage's position. Though Tsunade isn't the best candidate, she is the most suitable one. If we convene a meeting of the higher-ups to make a decision, do you think Konoha's upper ranks would truly agree to let Tsunade become Hokage?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen took a puff of his pipe and slowly exhaled. Seeing that both Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura had fallen silent, he continued, "Since that's the case, why not let Tsunade return, take her to the Fire Country's daimyo, and have her assume office? That way, we can avoid unnecessary trouble caused by such a major change."
"For example, Danzo?"
Upon hearing Sarutobi Hiruzen's final remark, Utatane Koharu's eyes narrowed involuntarily.
By now, even someone like Utatane Koharu had expressed dissatisfaction with Root.
Now that they were discussing the matter, she directly brought Danzo into the open.
Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded lightly and sighed. "Danzo's actions lately have gone too far. He has repeatedly disobeyed my orders. Not to mention that Rock Lee of the Yamanaka Clan was recently killed. It is truly disappointing."