Back at the compound, delight showed on Fugaku Uchiha's face.
Though Hiruzen Sarutobi hadn't agreed outright, he had given a definite answer.
Right away, Fugaku summoned all the Uchiha Clan's key members.
Then he announced the news.
"Pursue Orochimaru?"
"If the village had let us go after him sooner, we might have caught him already."
"Once we take care of this, can we move back to our old compound?"
"Our clan leader is impressive! He's actually starting to influence the higher-ups!"
The Uchiha Compound was filled with celebration.
They were certainly proud of their talents, but they were also remarkably simplehearted.
A little thing like this was enough to make them happy.
But where some rejoiced, others worried.
Shimura Danzō, for instance!
The man had been sitting in a daze in the Root Organization's office for half a day.
"Sir, you have a letter."
A Root Organization member approached Danzō, carrying a snake.
The sight of it sent a surge of anger through Danzō.
"Shhk!"
Danzō struck, killing the snake in the Root member's hands.
Then he pulled a tiny scroll from its head.
"Mission failed. Find another time to act."
There were only ten words on it.
But as Shimura Danzō read them, the anger he'd only just managed to suppress flared up again!
What was this supposed to mean?!
He'd already gone this far. Hiruzen Sarutobi was even starting to consider taking action against the Root Organization.
And now Orochimaru had the nerve to say this wasn't the time to make a move?!
Thinking back to when Orochimaru had first sought him out after defecting, and laid out some of his plans for the future...
Could he really have been foolish enough to believe him and get his hopes up?!
Orochimaru!
"Pfft!"
Wind Release chakra surged in