Return to the Village

The ANBU acknowledged the order, rose to their feet, and vanished in a flash among the rooftops shrouded in morning mist.

Hiruzen called out several more names, ordering them to seal off the perimeter of the building, arrange repairs, and inventory the Root prisoners and evidence.

"Seal that severed arm separately!"

His face ashen, he issued a grim order: "Anyone who dares touch the eyes on it will be treated as a rogue ninja!"

The remaining ANBU moved swiftly, and the sounds of rubble shifting resumed, but the two advisors remained slumped where they were.

After finishing everything, Hiruzen did not look at them again. Alone, he descended the collapsed stone steps into the deep pit.

Rubble crunched beneath his feet.

An ANBU tried to step forward and help, but he waved him back outside the pit.

Danzo's face had already been covered by the Hokage's Ceremonial Robe.

Hiruzen crouched beside the wreckage. Morning light poured in through the mouth of the pit, draping itself across his hunched back.

He bent down, lifted the Hokage's robe, and stared at that twisted face for a long time.

The man who had always competed with him over every victory and defeat in their youth had ultimately died to his own greed.

Hiruzen extended hands covered in bloody gashes and began moving, piece by piece, the broken bricks crushing his old friend's mangled body.

Then, he covered Danzo's face again and steadily supported his shattered shoulders and back with both hands.

"Bring a stretcher. I'll personally see him off on his final journey..."

At his feet, bloody water still slowly seeped into the cracks between the stones.

The charred tree trunks were still smoking, and the burnt stench mingled with the smell of blood, clinging to the ground as it burrowed into people's