"How could someone like Setsuna Uchiha return to the Uchiha without causing the slightest stir, only for everything to suddenly go quiet?!"
"If you ask me..."
"This may well be a smokescreen the Uchiha released in preparation for a coup!"
"After all, Konoha's attention—and indeed the entire ninja world's attention—is focused on the Joint Chunin Ninja Exams right now. Isn't this the perfect opportunity?!"
Bang!
The Third Hokage slammed his pipe onto the desk, cutting Danzo off.
"Enough!"
"Setsuna Uchiha may harbor ill intentions, but he isn't an idiot."
"If he launched a coup at a time like this, there was no way he could keep it hidden from the nations of the ninja world. Even if he succeeded, all the Uchiha would gain would be ruins."
Danzo refused to let it go.
"Maybe he's counting on you thinking exactly that?!"
"Hiruzen!"
Anger flickered in the Third Hokage's eyes.
"Danzo, I am the—"
"I know. You're the Hokage!"
A mocking smile curled across Danzo's lips, especially when he saw the confusion in the Third Hokage's eyes.
"As an advisor, I must remind you that the Uchiha—especially the Uchiha now that that old dog has returned—must be guarded against."
"Your conciliatory tricks may fool others, but they won't fool me. And they certainly won't fool the Uchiha."
With that, Danzo had no intention of staying any longer and immediately rose to leave.
When he reached the Third Hokage's door, he paused and spoke in a voice only the two of them could hear.
"You'll regret this!"
"Hiruzen!"
"..."
For a moment, the Third Hokage was speechless. He merely lowered his head and looked at the pipe on his desk.
Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura exchanged glances, both seeing the surprise in each other's eyes.
Though the Third Hokage and Danzo had