Everyone who knew, every Anbu member who had taken part in this plan, had to be silenced. All of them had to be disposed of.
Danzo understood at once, a cold, ruthless glint flashing in his eyes.
The fate of this Anbu squad had already been settled several days earlier, when he had asked Hiruzen Sarutobi for manpower. Neither man had needed to say it aloud.
Those who knew the leadership's secrets and participated in their shadowy schemes never survived to the end.
Danzo nodded slightly without another word. Once again, this dirty work would fall to him.
With the internal loose ends dealt with, Hiruzen Sarutobi could no longer spare a thought for infighting or scheming. His gaze suddenly sharpened as he turned toward the border beyond the village.
He swept his hand sharply through the air and issued an emergency Hokage order in a grave voice!
"All personnel, mobilize immediately!"
"Ninja from Kumogakure have infiltrated Konoha and kidnapped Kushina! Prepare to pursue them and rescue her!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi was utterly stunned.
Hadn't he merely wanted to bind Kushina to Konoha through personal bonds?
How had the staged kidnapping become real?
Orders spread in an instant!
Every Anbu member on standby mobilized, racing out of Konoha to pursue the enemy beyond the village!
All of Konoha immediately went on its highest state of alert!
Wind howled and figures darted past as the entire village sprang into action.
Only Hiruzen Sarutobi remained standing quietly on the rooftop, gazing at the empty mountain forests in the distance, his eyes filled with exhaustion, anxiety, and a desperate hope that things might still work out.
He murmured softly, placing his last desperate hope in that name.
"Minato..."
"This time, we really can only count on you."
Every arrangement he had made had collapsed.