About thirty minutes earlier.
After Hyuga Tianyi had fallen into a deep, peaceful sleep under that gentle yet irresistible power.
The air in the room seemed to freeze for an instant.
At a look from Tsunade, Nawaki quietly stepped aside.
The side shoji door of the quiet room, which had seemed to hold only three people, slid open without a sound, and several figures filed in.
Leading them was the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, dressed in his Hokage robes and hat, a pipe between his lips. His expression was grave and intent.
Close behind him came Shimura Danzō, half his face hidden in shadow, his lone eye as sharp as a hawk's as he stared at the sleeping Tianyi.
Behind them were the two Hokage Advisors, Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura, their faces solemn and appraising.
Tsunade rose and gave the Third a slight nod. Her brow creased almost imperceptibly when her gaze passed over Danzo, but she said nothing.
Every gaze settled on the center of the room-on Mito Uzumaki and Hyuga Tianyi, sleeping peacefully across from her.
Mito's expression was no longer merely gentle. She slowly closed her eyes, rested her hands on her knees, and formed a hand seal.
In that instant, the Nine-Tails' purest, most powerful ability to sense negative emotions and peer into souls emerged.
Under Mito's absolute control as a perfect Jinchuriki, it was used to probe the deepest nature of a boy's heart.
The process lasted several minutes. The room was quiet enough to hear a pin drop, with only the sound of everyone's restrained breathing.
At last, Mito slowly opened her eyes. That vast sensory power receded like a tide, returning to her body.
A faint trace of fatigue appeared on her face, but her eyes remained clear and sharp.
"This child,"