Snow Ninja Village, in the western district.
At the residence where the Konoha Delegation was staying.
After the meeting ended, Kakashi and Shikaku returned to the residence. Shikaku's expression was grave as he summoned Sai, who had returned with Might Guy, Iruka, and the others and had remained obediently at the residence the whole time. In a side room, the men stood face-to-face. Under the stern gazes of the three Jonin before him, Sai still wore a faint, insincere smile, his expression otherwise unchanged.
He had been raised by Root from a young age.
He was also a member Danzo trusted enough to entrust with important missions.
This little show of force.
Wouldn't stir Sai's emotions in the slightest.
"I wonder why Kakashi-san and Shikaku-san called me over in such a hurry? Did something go wrong at the meeting? Do you need me to report anything to Lord Danzo? If so, there's really no need to go to all this trouble..."
"You don't need to keep up that childish act here, Sai. Whatever else we may be, we're all shinobi of the same village. Tell us honestly what Yamanaka Fu went to do! What orders did Lord Danzo give you? This isn't a joke, Sai. What you've done could very well trigger a war between our villages. You need to understand that you can't possibly bear that responsibility!"
Before Sai could finish his formulaic response,
Shikaku, standing to his left, cut him off in an unusually blunt manner. He stared sternly at Sai, who still wore a faint smile, and spoke in a harsh tone.
The sudden change in atmosphere.
And the immense pressure bearing down on him.
Made Sai's expression shift ever so slightly.
It wasn't as if he were deliberately adjusting or controlling his reaction.
It was simply