"Extra, extra! Under the Third Hokage's masterful command, Jiraiya and the Leaf Village Ghost joined forces to defeat the enemy! The Hidden Cloud Village's Third Raikage was killed, the A-B Combo was captured, and the Hidden Cloud Village front collapsed! Extra, extra!"
The newsboy's cries echoed through the Leaf Village's streets and alleys, and villagers swarmed toward him.
They scrambled to buy newspapers still fragrant with fresh ink. Some read aloud, some shed tears of excitement, and some slapped their thighs in delight.
The entire village erupted-the Third Raikage was dead, the A-B Combo had been captured, and the Hidden Cloud Village had been routed.
It meant another victory for the Leaf Village, that the scales of war were tipping, that the children fighting bloody battles on the front lines could finally come home.
Countless villagers discussed the Leaf Village Ghost. Wherever he went, victory followed. He truly was a lucky general!
Meanwhile, the atmosphere inside the Hokage Office stood in stark contrast to the celebrations outside.
Hiruzen Sarutobi sat behind his desk, the newspaper spread before him alongside a more detailed battle report.
His pipe rested on the desk, long since extinguished, its smoke dispersed. Danzo stood across from him without sitting, a dangerous glint in his single eye.
Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura sat on the sofas to either side, the tea before them already cold.
"Hiruzen, you've read the detailed report from the front," Danzo said, his voice low and urgent.
"The Third Raikage is dead! This is no small matter. What exactly was that move that came down from the sky?
"Why did he conceal a jutsu that powerful? What is he planning?"
He unfolded an intelligence report and jabbed his finger hard at the line describing the move that descended from the sky.
Its power