Inside the Hokage Building's conference room, the oppressive atmosphere had nearly solidified. The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, stood at the head of the table, wisps of smoke rising from his pipe and obscuring his grave expression.
"Everyone," the Third's voice was low and hoarse, "Konoha has reached a critical moment of survival."
His gaze slowly swept across the room, and every Jonin it touched unconsciously tensed up.
"According to the latest intelligence, the four major shinobi villages—Sunagakure, Iwagakure, Kirigakure, and Kumogakure—have most likely formed an alliance and are preparing to launch a full-scale war against Konoha."
"How is that possible?!"
Shikaku Nara abruptly stood up, and the tactical board in his hand slapped onto the floor. He pushed up his glasses, rare shock in his voice. "The Five Kage Summit just ended. How could this suddenly..."
"Why?"
A cold voice came from the shadows. Danzo slowly emerged, leaning on his cane, mockery glinting in his lone eye. "Naturally, it is because of the great Uchiha."
Fugaku Uchiha's gaze turned cold as the Three-Tomoe Sharingan slowly spun in his eyes. "Lord Danzo, what do you mean by that?"
"What do I mean?" Danzo sneered and heavily struck the floor with his cane. "This Five Kage Summit was convened because your Uchiha filmed the 'Uchiha Naruto Chronicle'! The shinobi of every nation and their daimyo have long had an agreement—shinobi are forbidden from doing business!"
Fugaku swept his gaze over those present, a cold smile curling at his lips. "Which shinobi clan here dares claim that it has never done business?"
"Is doing business all the same?" Danzo's voice suddenly rose. "One Uchiha film raked in billions of ryo and shook the entire Shinobi World! This is not business—it is a slap in the face of every nation's daimyo! If Hiruzen had