"Hiss!"
A spark lit his tobacco, and Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep drag before exhaling white smoke.
The small meeting room quickly filled with smoke.
"Hiruzen, I'm afraid the situation no longer allows you to hesitate!"
"If you don't make up your mind now, Konoha's Fifth Hokage may well come from the Uchiha Clan."
Danzo sneered.
Hiruzen Sarutobi took another deep drag, his gaze sharpening.
"Whoosh!"
He slowly exhaled, then raised his head, his voice low and decisive.
"The legacy of the will of fire must not be broken!"
"Danzo, I bear the responsibility passed down by the First Hokage and the Second."
"The Hokage position can go to anyone."
"Anyone but the Uchiha."
Those low words made Danzo's eyes light up, and a smile appeared on his lips.
Knowing Hiruzen Sarutobi as well as he did, he naturally understood what the old man's words meant.
"Prepare to act, Danzo!"
"But!"
After a pause, Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze grew deep.
"Make sure you leave no traces."
Danzo nodded. "Rest assured."
"Anyone who opposes our will won't meet a good end."
The meeting did not last long, but a momentous decision was quickly made.
Thunder rumbled ceaselessly overhead as a violent storm suddenly broke.
At that moment, the skies over Konoha were far from clear.
Over the next few days, the atmosphere in the village grew increasingly tense, and even the streets became less crowded.
That day, classes ended at the Ninja Academy.
"Goodbye, Naruto!"
With a blush on her face, Hinata exchanged farewells with the blond-haired Naruto.
"Bye, Hinata. See you tomorrow."
Naruto grinned and waved.
Hinata turned and slowly disappeared, escorted by a member of the Hyuga Clan beside her.
"You might not see her tomorrow."
Sasuke walked over from the side, his arms folded, and spoke quietly.
"What are