Around the smoke-shrouded stone platform, dozens of Anbu ninja quickly spread out, loosely surrounding it.
Hiruzen Sarutobi strode up the shattered stone steps, holding the Golden Cudgel in one hand like a walking staff.
When he saw Danzo sprawled in the puddle, his breathing grew heavy.
Danzo was covered in mud, missing an arm, with half his face swollen purple and his mouth full of bloody foam.
Broken teeth littered the ground. He lay there twitching, utterly wretched.
The companion who had fought alongside him for decades had been reduced to this.
Hiruzen's eyes filled with anguish and anxiety.
"Chikage, stop!"
Hiruzen raised his staff, pointing it ahead of Chikage.
"Hand him over to the Anbu immediately! He'll be taken back to the Hokage Building for trial!"
Chikage did not move the foot planted on Danzo's back. Instead, he pressed down even harder.
Muddy water ran down Danzo's chin, and he let out a muffled groan of pain.
Chikage casually spun the Fine Steel Baton in his palm, a mocking smile curling his lips.
"Hand him over to you?"
Chikage looked the travel-worn Hiruzen Sarutobi up and down.
"Lord Third, why aren't you sleeping in your office at this hour? What are you doing shouting your head off on South Street?"
"Do you even know what time it is?"
"The police force's working hours ended ages ago."
"You dragged me out of bed to work overtime in the middle of the night. Have you paid me for it?"
Hiruzen's expression darkened at those words.
"Chikage! This is no time for your nonsense!"
"Danzo is a Konoha elder, and a former Hokage Advisor!"
"He is privy to countless core village secrets! Authority over his case rests with the Hokage Building, not your police force!"
Hiruzen raised a hand and signaled two