Hiruzen Sarutobi crouched in the shadows outside the Shimura Clan's compound wall, dressed in black with his face covered. Only his eyes showed.
The night wind blew in from the Naka River, sweeping dead leaves across the ground and past his feet.
He watched the lights inside the compound and the three-story wooden building. A lamp burned on the second floor, casting a figure's shadow on a paper door. The figure paced to the left, stopped by the window, then returned to the right and sat down at a table.
This was one of Hiruzen Sarutobi's targets tonight: Danzo's eldest son!
His other target was downstairs: Danzo's eldest grandson, Shimura Hiroki!
Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes narrowed with anticipation.
He felt neither hesitation nor guilt about what he was about to do.
For the sake of the village, he needed to complete the three-for-one exchange and press ahead with the hunt for the Masked Man, Madara Uchiha. He would pit Uchiha Yongye against Madara Uchiha, preferably leaving both gravely wounded!
Danzo was out of his mind for now, but Sasuke Uchiha was still alive. One more person had to die to fulfill the three-for-one agreement before the hunt could continue.
And personally, he wanted revenge on that old bastard Danzo!
He had lost a son and a grandson. Tonight, Danzo would lose a son and a grandson too!
An eye for an eye, blood for blood!
Hiruzen Sarutobi darted from the shadows and glided along the compound wall toward the wooden building without a sound.
His speed was astonishing. His geta made no noise on the grass, and his black clothes stirred gently in the night wind like the wings of a gliding owl.
He crossed the courtyard and skirted an old pine tree. Its branches swayed in the breeze, and needles