Danzo's appearance had already made Hiruzen Sarutobi's heart sink.
He knew his old friend's strength better than anyone.
Danzo's mastery of Wind Release was arguably unmatched in the Shinobi World, powerful yet a sheer pleasure to watch.
Had he not lost the use of one eye and one arm, Danzo would have been on par with the Third.
But the Third already knew what was really going on with Danzo's right eye and right arm. They were covered in Sharingan, and apparently contained cells from Lord First as well.
With the Pure Land's blessing added to that, the outcome of a fight between them was far from certain.
Yet it seemed the arrivals were not over.
Almost as soon as Danzo finished speaking, another figure silently emerged from behind a massive fallen stone pillar in another direction, moving like a ghost.
He wore the Uchiha Clan's traditional dark blue, high-collared attire beneath Konoha's green Jonin vest.
His face was handsome, but his eyes held the serenity of someone who had weathered life's hardships. Stray locks of hair partially obscured his vision.
It was Kagami Uchiha.
Kagami Uchiha's gaze first swept calmly over Hiruzen Sarutobi and Monkey King Enma, both tense and braced for a formidable enemy, then settled on Shimura Danzō. His eyes flickered almost imperceptibly, as though recalling unpleasant memories.
Ultimately, however, he turned to Hiruzen Sarutobi, nodded slightly, and spoke politely:
"It's been a long time, Lord Third."
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at his two old acquaintances. One was a former comrade whose ideals clashed with his own, whose unscrupulous methods had ultimately led to their falling out.
The other was a companion who should have had a bright future, only to die young. A jumble of emotions filled his heart.
The Third slowly released a weary breath and