At those words, the Third Hokage narrowed his eyes and waited for Danzo's explanation.
Unlike the ANBU under his command, Danzo's Root could conveniently handle many things. Most of the spies planted in other shinobi villages, for instance, were Danzo's responsibility.
After all, spies had to be branded with the Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal to prevent them from exposing the village's intelligence.
As Hokage, he could never place such a vicious cursed seal on the ninja under his command.
Under the scrutiny of the Elder Advisors and the Hokage, Danzo recounted his subordinates' findings, then said slowly, "Don't you think the timing of the Akatsuki's appearance in Kusagakure and the Rock Ninja's arrival was a little too convenient?"
The Third Hokage and the Elder Advisors nodded in agreement.
According to Danzo's account, the timing of the Rock Ninja forces' arrival, along with Ōnoki's, was far too convenient.
Almost as soon as the Akatsuki appeared in Kusagakure, Ōnoki followed them into the village and fought a battle. The fact that the Rock Ninja had suffered almost no casualties was another major cause for suspicion.
But once they accepted Danzo's theory, the Third and the Elder Advisors couldn't help furrowing their brows.
If Iwagakure and the Akatsuki truly had formed a secret alliance, it would be terrible for the village.
Iwagakure's occupation of Kusagakure had already placed immense pressure on the northwest of the Land of Fire. Adding the powerful, elusive Akatsuki to the mix only made matters more troubling.
Konoha had originally held the advantage in numbers, but Iwagakure undoubtedly made up for the Akatsuki's weakness in that regard.
Most importantly, despite investigating for so long, they still had no idea where the Akatsuki's base was.
After studying Danzo for a long while, the Third Hokage asked gravely, "Since you've already