Blame fell from the sky

Inside the Hokage Building in Konoha.

Hiruzen Sarutobi sat in his office, an ANBU operative kneeling on one knee before him.

His face was expressionless.

His brows knitted together, and his tone was grave.

"How is the investigation into the Hyuga incident going?"

"Lord Hokage, we haven't found any leads."

The operative answered in an even tone. After briefly describing the investigation, he hesitated before continuing.

"The ANBU guarding the village, the Uchiha police force, and our own investigators all failed to notice anything unusual."

"The Sealing Squad has also submitted its report. The sealing formations weren't damaged, and they detected no chakra fluctuations whatsoever."

"Based on our findings, someone inside the village must have done this!"

"Otherwise, with Konoha's defenses, even someone from another ninja village couldn't possibly get in without causing any disturbance!"

"The Hyuga Clan's security is especially tight. More than fifty pairs of Byakugan keep watch around the clock. Without help from an insider, an ordinary ninja couldn't possibly evade everyone and precisely eliminate nine members of the Hyuga Main Family."

"Even a Kage-level expert might be able to kill those Main Family members, but concealing their presence and leaving absolutely no trace would be impossible!"

After finishing his report, the operative bowed lower.

His job was simply to explain what the ANBU had uncovered. Deciding what to do next was the Hokage's responsibility.

Meanwhile.

After hearing the report, Hiruzen Sarutobi sat in brooding silence.

A while passed.

He waved the operative away, then let out a helpless sigh.

"Danzo, was this your doing?"

"In all of Konoha, I can't think of anyone besides you capable of this."

"But what exactly were you after?"

"Our most important target right now is the Uchiha. Why did you go after the Hyuga instead?"

"Aren't you afraid the other