Konoha.
Outside the Conference Room on the top floor of the Hokage Building.
Hiruzen and Minato, accompanied by the Konoha High Command and the heads of the various clans,
stood waiting eagerly at the door, more than twenty people in all.
Just then,
five figures slowly emerged around the corner of the corridor.
Everyone, including Hiruzen and Minato,
instinctively held their breath, growing tense despite themselves.
Obito quickened his pace and approached first, saying with a smile,
"Everyone, no need to stand guard out here. Let's go inside first."
Minato exchanged a glance with Obito, then nodded slightly to the people behind him.
Soon,
everyone entered the Conference Room together, respectfully ushering the newcomers inside.
Several squads of elite Anbu swiftly appeared afterward.
They set up layer upon layer of barriers outside the Conference Room.
Once inside, the newcomers all removed their disguises.
"Let me introduce everyone."
Obito gestured at the four beside him.
"The First, Lord Hashirama; the Second Hokage, Lord Tobirama; and my grandfather, Madara Uchiha."
"Oh, and an Orochimaru who's found his way back from the wrong path."
Before anyone could react,
a graceful figure in green swept past Obito and threw herself straight at Hashirama and Tobirama.
"Grandpa! Great-Uncle!"
Hashirama laughed and opened his arms, scooping the woman up just as he had in the old days.
"Little Tsunade! You've grown so much!"
Even Tobirama showed a rare hint of a smile.
Minato couldn't help breathing a sigh of relief at the sight.
Whew. This wasn't the opening I expected, but things seem to be going pretty well.
The three began chatting as though no one else were there.
And honestly, no one present dared interrupt such a heartwarming moment.
They could only rein in their impatience and wait...
Jiraiya sidled up to Orochimaru and quietly