Almost as soon as Danzo gave the order, the Root shinobi on the perimeter used Sealing Jutsu to conceal the entire area.
Inside the cordon, several Jonin wore vacant expressions. They were facing the Hokage's son, yet their eyes showed not the slightest reaction, as though he were just another ordinary mission target.
Root's brainwashing, combined with the Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal, had long since worn away every trace of their individual will. To them, Danzo's words were the only orders they needed to obey.
Shinnosuke Sarutobi stood there, already knowing how this would end.
He probably would not survive tonight.
His opponent was Shimura Danzō, a man notorious throughout Konoha for his ruthlessness. Once in his hands, hoping to leave alive was little more than a fantasy.
He thought of his father, an indescribable bitterness rising in his mouth.
"Father, did you ever imagine a day like this would come?"
"The dog you raised with your own hands turned around and bit you in the end. But knowing you, you probably never imagined it possible."
"Sincerity earns sincerity, and interests are exchanged for interests. But if all you ever do is scheme, then other people's schemes are all you'll receive in return."
"You spent your whole life calculating, believing everyone was under your control. I doubt you ever expected someone to turn the tables on you."
"You were wrong."
Shinnosuke murmured, his voice growing softer and softer.
When he first learned that Arashi Sarutobi had betrayed him, he had felt resentment and injustice. But now, as he truly faced death, the words Danzo had spoken earlier suddenly seemed to crash into his mind.
He had been right.
Whether in ability, temperament, or strength, Arashi Sarutobi ranked among the best in the clan. Had Shinnosuke not been born to the