"We don't know what happened yet, Danzo."
"Don't make accusations without evidence."
Even before Kakashi pushed the door open, the air in the Hokage Office had grown so oppressive it almost seemed to solidify.
Two old men faced each other across a desk, one sitting, the other standing. Neither showed any intention of backing down first.
Inside, Hiruzen Sarutobi watched the door to the Hokage Office respectfully pushed open. Then Kakashi and Hayashi walked into the room.
The owner of that hoarse, aged voice finally came into view.
It was none other than the Hokage Advisor-
Shimura Danzō.
He looked even thinner and more wizened than the Third, with bandages over his right eye and an old, cross-shaped scar on his chin. Leaning on a cane, he stood quietly in a corner of the office.
Kakashi paused when he saw Danzo there, then addressed the Third:
"Lord Third Hokage."
"We have confirmed that ANBU squad captain Gekko Hayate was attacked by Baki, Sunagakure's commanding Jonin, at the entrance to an alley outside their lodgings."
"The hired ninja Zabuza rescued him. He has already been taken to the infirmary for treatment."
After hearing Kakashi's report, the Third Hokage fell silent, then picked up the pipe beside him and took a puff.
Smoke slowly dispersed beneath the light.
"Didn't the Kazekage personally lead his team here for the Chunin Ninja Exams...?"
"Why would they try to kill Gekko Hayate...?"
As he murmured, he abruptly turned his gaze toward Uzumaki Hayashi, standing beside Kakashi!
Hayashi was clean and tidy, with only a few raindrops on him.
There were no obvious signs of a fight.
But something like this...
Why had Kakashi brought Hayashi here as well?
Suppressing his confusion for the moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi continued:
"What happened to that Baki fellow?"
"Zabuza cut