The two set off, strolling leisurely through the streets straight toward the Hokage Building.
At that moment, a heavy, bitter smell filled the Hokage's Office.
The ashtray on the desk was crammed with cigarette butts.
Hiruzen Sarutobi sat in his leather chair, his face ashen and his eyes puffy.
On the sofa beside him, Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura sat side by side, both wearing grim expressions.
Shimura Danzō had been so enraged the night before that he had coughed up blood and passed out. He had been rushed to Konoha Hospital overnight and was still under observation.
Mitokado Homura pushed up his glasses frames, his voice edged with agitation.
"Hiruzen, having South Street placed under the Daimyo's Residence's jurisdiction has left us completely on the back foot."
"The Konoha Military Police Force has the Daimyo's decree in hand. The Anbu can't intervene at all."
"If we let the Uchiha control South Street, the village's tax revenue will shrink by at least thirty percent."
Utatane Koharu snorted and slapped the coffee table.
"Thirty percent would be getting off lightly!"
"That old fox Fugaku is hiding behind the scenes, leaving that Genin Chikage to make all the trouble."
"We haven't even settled the two hundred thousand ryō in travel expenses, and now South Street has become a special zone. The village leadership has lost every shred of credibility!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi picked up his pipe but did not light it.
He rubbed his throbbing temples, his voice weary.
"Danzo was too reckless."
"He sent suicide operatives to intercept and kill them in Sunset Gorge. Not only did they fail, they left Root's weapons in the hands of the Daimyo's Residence."
"Minister Asano now has leverage over us. If we try to force the issue, the Daimyo's Residence will withhold our military funding."