Konoha was holding its ground for one reason: to make Sunagakure bow its head first, leaving Konoha with all the leverage.
Hiashi asked no more questions. He bowed and took his leave.
On his way out, he glanced once more at the boy beneath the lamp. By broad daylight, word that the Hokage has emerged from seclusion will spread through the village. Konoha's people will finally be at ease.
Hiashi had barely left when hurried footsteps sounded from the far end of the corridor.
Click! The office door swung wide.
Tsume Inuzuka strode in and slapped the desk so hard the teacup jumped three times.
"You little rascal! You finally came out!"
"Everyone said you'd gone into seclusion. I thought something had happened to you. I was about to bring my Ninja Dogs over and tear your door off!"
Uchiha En laughed. "Inuzuka Clan Head, how is your division's training going?"
"Of the Five Great Combat Divisions, mine has the highest spirits and the toughest fighters!"
Tsume Inuzuka planted her hands on her hips. Her booming voice made the windowpanes hum.
"Just tell me who you want to fight. I'll send every Ninja Dog under my command to chew through their bones!"
Uchiha En smiled and shook his head.
"No rush. We're not fighting yet."
"We'll wait for the prey to walk into the net."
Tsume Inuzuka froze for a moment, then caught on. She slapped her thigh and threw back her head laughing.
"Fine by me! I love doing this kind of... underhanded work with you!"
Her hearty laughter bounced off the walls, shattering the stillness of the late night.
Many others came that night.
By the hour before dawn, the last group had left.
Dawn brightened the eastern sky, streak by streak.
The outlines of Kage Rock