Twelve members of the Root Suicide Squad lay sprawled across the bluestone pavement in front of the main viewing stand on South Street.
The swift horse from the Hokage Building had barely reached the street entrance when Hiruzen Sarutobi came down over the rooftops.
Hiruzen Sarutobi wore a loose Hokage robe, his hat pulled low.
Two teams of fully equipped Anbu elites followed behind him.
Chikage, who had remained below the stand and was about to head back for some tea, stopped upon seeing Hiruzen arrive.
Chikage turned around and pulled a thick stack of kraft-paper case files from a briefcase.
"Your timing is impeccable, Lord Third."
Chikage waved the papers at Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"We've just wrapped up this case. Please come over and serve as a witness."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's heart gave a heavy thump when he saw the suicide operatives lying on the ground.
Their clothes had been torn apart, clearly exposing the black tree-root tattoos on their shoulders.
Even more glaring was the squad captain's tongue, hanging out of his mouth, with the octagonal Cursed Seal still darkening on it.
Hiruzen's face twitched.
"Chikage, what on earth happened here?"
His voice was dry as he turned toward the Daimyo seated above.
The Daimyo snorted and slammed his folding fan against the railing.
"What happened here?"
"Hiruzen, look at those assassins on the ground!"
"They're wearing Uchiha uniforms, but they bear Root's markings!"
"If Deputy Captain Chikage and the Konoha Military Police Force hadn't acted quickly, I would have left Konoha in a coffin today!"
Cold sweat broke out on Hiruzen's forehead, and he hurriedly bowed.
"Please calm yourself, Your Highness. There must be some misunderstanding."
"Danzo has always known where to draw the line. He would never..."
Chikage cut Hiruzen off.
"Lord Third, the evidence will tell us