Within the Land of Fire.
High above, the bright sun hung in the clear sky.
Warm sunlight scattered across Konoha like a golden glow. The villagers went about their lives as prosperously as ever, happy smiles still on their faces.
But in the Hokage Building's central office, the atmosphere was solemn, as cold and harsh as the depths of winter.
"Bang!"
Danzo slammed his cane against the floor. He glared at the Third with a sinister look and said gravely,
"Third! You should send ninja to bring that Sakumo back immediately!"
"Root Base will get to the bottom of why he did this!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't answer him. Nor did he comment on Danzo's outrageous behavior. He merely drew deeply on his pipe and slowly exhaled a cloud of smoke.
Compared to before, his hair seemed to have grown even grayer, and his eyes looked cloudier.
Seeing how tense the two men were, Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura hurried forward. Rather than reprimanding Danzo, they tried to soothe him.
"Danzo, you have to understand the Third's predicament!"
Danzo's sinister eyes narrowed slightly. His voice was hoarse as he replied,
"My only disciple died in Sunagakure because that man took it upon himself to make a decision!"
"What exactly are you asking me to understand?"
"That man is a ticking time bomb for Konoha. He must be taken to Root Base and subjected to the harshest interrogation. I want to know exactly what he was thinking!"
At that, Danzo's voice turned utterly venomous.
"Third, you know full well how much Konoha lost this time because of that man!"
"'Child of Konoha' Sosuke and 'Konoha Asura' Uchiha Tokino both remain in Sunagakure!"
"Only the 'White Fang of the Leaf'—the very man who caused all this—was left behind. If he isn't punished, how