The three reanimated vanguard ninja began moving, slipping soundlessly through the muddy water.
They skirted the detection zones of Konoha's standard barrier and advanced along a concealed conduit toward the ground beneath the Special Zone Office.
Explosive Tags had already been attached to the load-bearing stone beams overhead in the tunnel.
Once the tags detonated, the office's foundations would collapse on the spot.
"Blow the building above to pieces. I want those Uchiha buried alive inside."
Danzo growled through clenched teeth, his sole remaining eye bloodshot.
Orochimaru raised two fingers, preparing to channel chakra into the Explosive Tags.
But a strange sound suddenly filtered down through the cracks between the stone slabs overhead.
Sizzle!
It was the sound of hot fat dripping onto charcoal.
Then the rich aroma of grilled meat wafted into the tunnel through the ventilation and drainage opening.
Orochimaru's hand paused.
"What's that smell?"
Danzo froze too, sniffing hard.
"Beef?"
"No, there's pork belly too!"
Rather than the expected chaos and quiet, the ground above the tunnel was bustling with noise.
"Yashiro, pass me the cumin."
Chikage's languid voice drifted down with perfect clarity.
"Deputy Captain Chikage, this batch of black-haired beef is premium stuff supplied exclusively to the Daimyo's Internal Affairs Ministry."
That was Yashiro's booming voice.
"Isn't grilling outside the office today a little too conspicuous?"
There was laughter in Yashiro's voice.
"Conspicuous? Everyone worked hard today. What's wrong with treating them to an extra meal?"
Chikage's voice rang out again.
"It's called team building, understand?"
"Come on, Inabi, Tekka. Cheers!"
The clear clink of glass beer mugs echoed above the tunnel.
Beer foam even dripped through a crack in the stone, landing right on the tip of Danzo's nose.
Danzo stood rooted to the spot, his expression turning ugly.
"Uchiha Chikage!"
"How could he