"Ribbit!"
A grass-ash-colored figure leaped down from Hashirama's shoulder, its limbs pressed against the wooden floor as its orange frog eyes swayed slightly, watching the people seated cross-legged on cushions before it.
The communication frog, Toad Yuhiko, gave Madara and Hashirama a slight nod. "Lord Tobirama urgently asked me to relay the news that the White Snake Sage has arrived in Konoha."
"The White Snake Sage?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen, seated at the front, was instantly overcome with surprise, his mind violently shaken.
They had only just arrived at Mount Myoboku, yet the great sage of Ryūchi Cave had secretly gone to the village.
And—
Shouldn't this kind of intelligence have been kept confidential?
Why had the First and Second chosen to have a communication frog disclose such top-secret information in front of ninja from other Hidden Villages?
His furtively shifting gaze could not help drifting toward where Rikusei was.
?
Why were you wiping your forehead protectors?!
And wiping three of them, at that.
His thoughts abruptly diverted, Hiruzen found it somewhat hard to accept. He turned to look in Biwako's direction.
She seemed a little far away.
But—
Rikusei's actions.
Let him clearly see the character "Shinobi" on the forehead protectors.
The Shinobi Alliance.
Hiruzen understood. What came next was not meant for them alone, but for the various forces behind them to hear.
"Phew—"
With countless thoughts racing through his mind, Hiruzen pretended to be like everyone beside him and let out a long breath, concealing the turmoil in his heart.
"Don't worry. The White Snake Sage only went to take a look around Konoha." Hashirama, who already knew the specifics, soothed everyone's emotions. "Yuhiko, continue. What exactly did the White Snake Sage discuss with Tobirama?"
The explanation did not last long. Yuhiko, who had spoken in human language,