Konoha's high-level meeting was convened in the council chamber of the Hokage Building, a full three days ahead of schedule.
It was not the Third Hokage who had wanted to move it up—it was Danzo who had requested it. Early the morning after Kumogakure's diplomatic note arrived, he appeared outside the Hokage's office with two Root guards behind him and a formally sealed proposal in hand. The wax bore not Root's seal, but the official seal of the Konoha Advisory Council. He placed the proposal on the Third's desk, said, "This concerns Konoha's security. Please convene a meeting as soon as possible," then turned and left. The Third stared at the proposal's cover, took a drag from his pipe, and did not open it.
He knew what was written inside.
The council chamber doors closed promptly at nine in the morning. Konoha's highest decision-makers sat on both sides of the long table—the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, occupied the head seat, pipe in his mouth and an expression as still as stagnant water. Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura sat to either side, and neither advisor looked pleased. Shimura Danzō sat directly across from the Third, his hands folded on the tabletop and his back ramrod straight. A Root clerk sat on each side of him, holding blank scrolls for the meeting record. The ANBU commander stood behind the Third. His mask concealed his entire face, but the tension in the wrist gripping his sword showed that he had already anticipated the coming agenda.
The Third had read Danzo's proposal the previous night. Its core came down to two sentences: Kumogakure demanded the culprit responsible for attacking the diplomatic mission's escort unit be handed over, and in exchange, it would add a trade clause highly favorable to Konoha to the alliance agreement;