In the Hokage's Office, Hiruzen Sarutobi and Shimura Danzō watched the scene through the [Telescope Technique], the corners of their mouths curling upward.
"Haha, that sounds a little like a confession, don't you think? ...Danzo~ I want to be your best friend~"
Hiruzen Sarutobi, who had maintained a dignified air ever since becoming Hokage, finally revealed his mischievous true nature.
"Sorry, Hiruzen. You're a good man, but we're not right for each other!"
Shimura Danzō played along with a stern rejection, shifting his seat farther away.
"Hahaha..."
The two slapped the desk and roared with laughter again.
Then the office door silently swung open.
Their laughter cut off.
Watanabe Ichiro stood in the doorway, one hand pushing the door open, the other holding the Laboratory's door handle.
He watched them in silence, not a glimmer of light reaching his dark eyes.
"L-Leaf Dragon... Uh... We were actually trying to... h-help you..."
"Yes, Leaf Dragon... Everyone is helping you in their own way..."
Caught red-handed, the two struggled for a long time before stammering out their explanations.
I thought Shimura Danzō was the only one behind this. I didn't realize you were in on it too, Hiruzen.
Fine, fine, fine. So that's how you want to play.
Having a good laugh, are you?
You probably don't know what happened to the last person who laughed this happily in front of me!
I'm so touched by what you've done. So touched that I've gotten hard-
My fists, that is!
Don't call me Leaf Dragon. My name is Pain now!
You damn Konoha brats, I'll personally...!
No, I can't attack. As an intelligence operative, Leaf Dragon might not actually be able to beat the two of them in a real fight. Besides, neither reason nor sentiment would justify attacking the Hokage.
But killing