You'll Regret This!

The Hokage Office.

Hiruzen Sarutobi sat behind his broad desk, his hands clasped beneath his chin. His pipe rested on the ashtray at the corner of the desk. The tobacco had long since burned out, leaving only cold ash.

A woman stood across the desk from him.

She wore the standard black uniform of the ANBU. With her mask removed, her pale, beautiful face was bare.

Sarutobi Tsukikage.

Deputy commander of the ANBU, daughter-in-law of the Third Hokage, and widow of Sarutobi Shinnosuke.

"We've confirmed the Chakra traces left at the scene."

Sarutobi Tsukikage opened the investigation report in her hands and continued reading.

"Residue from Ash Pile Burning covered the entire stone-paved area outside the trading company's main entrance. Judging by the spread and depth of the burns, at least four Elite Jonin cast the technique simultaneously from different angles."

Mitokado Homura sat in a chair nearby. At that, he frowned.

Ash Pile Burning was the Sarutobi Clan's signature fire technique.

In all of Konoha, the only Elite Jonin capable of using it to that degree were members of the Sarutobi Clan.

"Also, the damage in the company's main hall has been confirmed as the result of a combined attack using five different Chakra natures."

"Fire, water, wind, earth, and lightning were released at the same time. When they converged, they triggered a chain reaction. That technique..."

She paused and looked up at Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"The traces match the witness statements exactly. It was... Five Release: Great Combo Technique!"

The office was silent for three full breaths.

Then Mitokado Homura shot up from his chair.

"Hiruzen!"

His voice rose to a shrill pitch. The chair slammed into the wall behind him with a dull thud.

“You were too impulsive! There was no need to go this far! I know