The bloodstained scroll rolled across the rubble-strewn ground, producing a string of rustling scrapes.
It did not stop until it reached the tip of Hiruzen Sarutobi's sandal. The outermost yellowed parchment had been torn open at one corner, exposing densely packed black writing within, along with several glaring crimson seals.
The flames of the Four Violet Flames Formation baked the underground space with scorching heat. The veins bulged on the hand gripping Hiruzen Sarutobi's Golden Cudgel as he stared fixedly at the scroll on the ground without immediately picking it up.
The old Hokage's instincts told him that this thing was a hot potato.
"What? Too afraid to look?" Hyuga Xiao stood in the center of the barrier, still holding Hinata's hand with his left while casually dusting off his sleeve with his right. A mocking curve hung at the corner of his lips, and his eyes regarded Hiruzen like a trapped beast. "Or did Lord Hokage already know what rotten accounts were buried down here, and now you're just afraid to tear off that fig leaf in front of so many ANBU?"
Those words struck straight at the heart.
The elite ANBU maintaining the formation said nothing, but behind their masks, their eyes involuntarily shifted from the scroll on the ground to their supreme commander.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's face twitched violently. He knew that if he refused to look today, he would completely lose the upper hand before this Branch House brat. Besides, dozens of ANBU eyes were watching.
He drew a deep breath and sharply flicked the Golden Cudgel in his hand.
The scroll flew into the air and landed firmly in his grasp. Hiruzen Sarutobi shook it open one-handed, his gaze swiftly sweeping over the words written on it.
After only one glance, the old Hokage's pupils contracted