Sunlight filtered through the gaps, casting shifting, mottled patterns across the bloodstained ground.
The wind blew through the forest, stirring the leaves into a faint rustle.
Silence. At that moment, everything was utterly silent.
Danzo's eyes remained open, their light dimmed.
Only after a while did those present finally react.
A trace of confusion flashed through Fugaku's eyes, and his gaze drifted involuntarily toward Xia Le.
At that moment, he no longer knew what to do next.
Sasuke was still alive. That news had thrown his thoughts into complete turmoil, leaving him unable to make any further decisions.
"Xia Le!"
He struggled to call out.
Xia Le stared at the dead Danzo for a long while. Only after confirming that all signs of life had faded did he look away.
Then he formed a seal with one hand.
Bang!
Hiruzen Sarutobi, wrapped in a cocoon, fell from the air. His face was pale, and his entire body felt weak and sore.
"Danzo!"
When he turned and saw Danzo's body, sorrow appeared on his aged face.
Though they had differed in many ways over how to govern Konoha, they had grown up together. More importantly, every decision Danzo had made throughout his life had been for Konoha.
"Where is Sasuke?"
Xia Le's voice came from above him.
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked up, sorrow in his eyes, and shook his head. "I cannot hand Sasuke over to you!"
"I'm sorry, but he is now the only bond connecting Konoha and the Uchiha!"
He paused, then forced himself to rally.
"For the village's peace, Sasuke must grow up here!"
Fugaku clenched his fists, but he managed to remain calm.
He understood the current situation perfectly. Xia Le possessed enough power to destroy Konoha, and Danzo had paid the price for wiping out the Uchiha.