Land of Fire.
Within Konoha.
At this moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi sat upright in his chair in the Hokage Office. Before him lay a thick stack of documents and reports containing information on the various events that had occurred recently.
Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned slightly, his gaze fixed on the documents as he carefully reviewed every page, unwilling to overlook a single detail.
Minute by minute, time passed. His eyes gradually grew sore, yet he did not stop, as though some vital secret were hidden within these papers.
At last, after quite some time, Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly raised his head and rubbed between his brows, seemingly trying to ease the fatigue brought on by prolonged reading.
He drew a deep breath, then looked at Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu, who stood nearby. "The two of you should have read the information as well. What are your thoughts on these matters? Is there anything you want to say?"
Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu exchanged a glance. Then Utatane Koharu spoke first. "Hiruzen, this is what I think about the Uchiha Clan's situation."
Her tone was stern and decisive, without the slightest hesitation. "The Uchiha Clan has now fallen into an extremely dangerous situation. Their power is growing stronger and stronger, and so are their ambitions. If we do not take decisive action, the consequences will be unimaginable."
Utatane Koharu's words were like a sharp sword thrust straight at the heart, making Hiruzen Sarutobi's chest tighten.
He knew that Utatane Koharu was not merely exaggerating. The Uchiha Clan issue had indeed reached a point where no delay could be tolerated.
Yet Hiruzen Sarutobi did not immediately answer Utatane Koharu. Instead, he fell silent for a moment, seeming to ponder something.
Seeing this, Mitokado Homura added, "Hiruzen, I agree with Koharu as well. The Uchiha