The Hokage Office.
The last rays of the setting sun streamed through the enormous floor-to-ceiling windows, bathing the room in orange. Fine dust drifted through the air, dancing slowly in the shafts of light.
Hiruzen Sarutobi sat in the chair that symbolized Konoha's highest authority. The tobacco in his pipe had burned out, leaving only a trace of warmth.
His face showed unmistakable exhaustion and... a hint of emptiness in the wake of relief.
Shimura Danzō, the close friend who had once fought at his side, only to drift further and further away in the whirlpool of power, now resembled a carefully wrapped "gift." Bound tightly by the Adamantine Sealing Chains, he "lay" quietly in a corner of the Hokage Office, stripped of his usual malice and arrogance. Only humiliation and resentment remained.
Without even a token knock, a hand casually pushed open the office door.
Shinichi still looked as though he had just woken up. His naturally curly silver hair was slightly tousled, and he was still wearing loose clothes meant for lounging at home. With a toothpick between his lips, he ambled inside.
Tsunade was not behind him. Clearly, he had come to this confrontation alone.
"Hey, senior brother Hiruzen. You look... hmm, much better than yesterday."
Shinichi pulled over a chair without asking and plopped down opposite Hiruzen Sarutobi, his tone so relaxed that he might have been dropping by for a chat.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyelid twitched, followed by the corner of his mouth. In the end, he merely let out a heavy sigh.
What could he possibly say?
Danzo was tied up in the corner like part of the scenery, while the man responsible sauntered around in front of him as though nothing had happened. It had been a long time since Hiruzen had felt this