"I refuse."
Hiruzen Sarutobi slapped the application roster onto his desk, his refusal leaving no room for argument.
All of the Akatsuki entering Konoha?
There were several S-rank missing-nin among them, including Uchiha Itachi.
How was this taking part in the chunin ninja exams?
It was practically a small-scale shinobi world war packaged into a roster and delivered to his desk.
Gojō Ryūsen fell silent for a moment, then cautiously reminded him:
"Lord Hokage, this application from Cangyue doesn't seem to be asking for your approval."
Hiruzen Sarutobi froze.
"What do you mean?"
"It seems more like a notice."
"In other words, by the time this application reached Konoha, they might already have been ready to leave."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's vision darkened, and the pipe in his hand nearly fell onto his desk.
"Kambara Sogetsu..."
"What exactly is he trying to do?"
Lately, each commotion Cangyue caused had been bigger than the last.
First, he had joined the Akatsuki as a Konoha genin.
Then he had single-handedly fought his way through Sunagakure, forcing the Fourth Kazekage to bow his head and admit defeat.
Now he had gone even further.
He planned to bring the entire Akatsuki to Konoha to take part in the chunin ninja exams!
Watching the Third Hokage's face abruptly age several years, Gojō Ryūsen asked hesitantly:
"What do we do now?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep drag from his pipe.
Through the curling smoke, his expression gradually grew serious.
"First, I believe Cangyue bears Konoha no ill will."
Gojō Ryūsen nodded.
If Cangyue truly wanted to harm Konoha, he would have had no need to send the roster ahead of time.
With the strength he had displayed in Sunagakure, fighting his way straight in would have been easier.
"Second, recall Tsunade and Jiraiya immediately."
Hiruzen Sarutobi set down