By the time Danzo arrived at the conference room with his cane, the other senior officials who had been invited were already there.
As before, only the Elder Advisors and two of the Sannin attended the meeting. Between them, they could make any decision on Konoha's behalf.
Danzo's arrival immediately drew everyone's attention, but this time, rather than retreating into the shadows, he took a seat beside the Third.
That seat had originally been reserved for younger people like Jiraiya and Tsunade.
But after receiving a transplant of Hashirama cells, his body was no less vigorous than those of the two younger Ninja. In fact, with Hashirama cells inside him, he was closer to the First and Teacher Tobirama than even Tsunade was.
Resting his chin on his hands, Danzo maintained his customary silence as he listened to the senior officials argue.
When they learned that the two ANBU commanders-the Third's eldest son and daughter-in-law-had died, and that the place of their deaths was Kirigakure, disbelief and astonishment spread across their faces.
The Sarutobi couple had been powerful Jonin. Even against Ninja with renowned titles, they could have put up a fight.
Kirigakure, mired in turmoil, should not have had Jonin powerful enough to kill them.
Despite his overwhelming grief, the Third maintained the composure expected of a Hokage and said slowly, "They sent back a piece of intelligence, one that is extremely important to the village."
After a brief pause, under the expectant gazes of the senior officials, the Third spoke again. "Kirigakure's Fourth Mizukage, Karatachi Yagura, may be under the control of an Akatsuki member. The one controlling him is very likely the Masked Man who caused the Nine-Tails' Rampage. Even Little Monkey and his wife may have died at his hands."
After saying this, the Third let