Elsewhere, Hiruzen Sarutobi followed Hyuga Hiashi to a secluded spot.
"Go on. What is it?"
Hyuga Hiashi bowed slightly before reporting the intelligence he and the others had gathered.
"Lord Hokage, we have confirmed the situation. The intruder was a young man named Jūgo. He appears to have used some secret method to grow stronger, but Jonin Might Guy has now captured him alive."
"As for the other intruders, our investigation confirmed that Orochimaru joined forces with Supreme Danzo and two of his trusted subordinates to carry out the invasion. Fortunately, Lord Jiraiya and Lady Tsunade held them off long enough for Jonin Kakashi and the rest of us to arrive as reinforcements."
"There were no further incidents, but we only captured the two trusted subordinates. Orochimaru and Danzo escaped."
"Hm?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes nearly popped out when he heard that.
Had he really heard that correctly?
He stared at Hyuga Hiashi doubtfully, hoping the man would tell him it was a joke.
But Hyuga Hiashi merely looked back at Hiruzen Sarutobi, waiting for his response. He was not lying.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's heart sank completely.
No wonder.
No wonder Hyuga Hiashi had pulled him aside to report this. If the other villages found out, they would not only laugh at Konoha, but might also turn against it.
Everything he had said earlier would fall apart.
"Pin all the blame on that man named Jūgo..."
Someone had to be sacrificed.
Besides, Jūgo's invasion of Konoha was already a capital offense. He might as well do them one last favor before dying and take the blame.
Their story would only hold up if the truth stayed hidden. From what they now knew, this was entirely Konoha's internal affair: an invasion by the missing-nin Orochimaru and a betrayal by Danzo.
If that news