The scene on the Sky Screen shifted, then settled on the rooftop of the Hokage Building.
Hiruzen Sarutobi stood alone up high, looking down over the peaceful, secure village of Konoha. His gaze was heavy, his expression unreadable.
Before long, a grim figure approached.
Danzo glanced around. Seeing only Hiruzen Sarutobi, he immediately asked in an indifferent tone.
"Hiruzen, why did you specifically ask me to meet you on the roof?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi turned his head slightly, looking at him calmly, his tone utterly solemn.
"Danzo, stop. From now on, you are not to target Kushina again."
That simple sentence flatly vetoed something Danzo had spent so long planning.
Danzo immediately let out a cold laugh, his eyes full of scorn and resentment.
"Isn't it a little late to say that now?"
"The plan is already in motion, and everyone is in position. Now you're telling me to stop?"
"Hiruzen, don't put on that righteous act in front of me. I know your little schemes better than anyone."
From beginning to end, Hiruzen Sarutobi had tacitly approved everything and cooperated behind the scenes.
He had left the dirty work to Danzo and made him shoulder the blame. Now, just as things were about to begin, he had stepped forward to play the good guy instead.
Why didn't you refuse to cooperate with me in the first place?
Danzo found it utterly laughable.
Hiruzen Sarutobi offered no defense against Danzo's mockery.
He merely raised a hand and gestured lightly toward the village.
"Look for yourself."
Danzo furrowed his brow and looked coldly in the direction he indicated.
A second later!
His expression changed drastically!
His confidence and certainty of victory collapsed in an instant, replaced by shock, livid anger, and disbelief!
On a distant forest path, a squad of ninja was