"Hiruzen, you heard the news, didn't you?"
Inside the Hokage's Office, Danzo pushed the door open and entered, waved away the ANBU on either side, then questioned Hiruzen Sarutobi directly.
"So what if I did, Danzo? Are you planning to try something underhanded again?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi was still reading the confidential letter in his hand as he replied. Although the war between the great nations had ended, their covert struggles had never stopped; to win the allegiance of the Small Countries, secure missions, and so on, the Five Great Shinobi Villages continued sending ANBU or mission squads to fight on the Small Countries' territory.
Their last scheme had failed and only made the other party more wary. He used to come to Konoha from time to time to check on his businesses, but now he seemed to have all but abandoned his businesses in Konoha and had not visited in a long time.
And after arriving this time, he had stayed by Tsunade's side throughout, even lodging at the Senju Clan Compound at night.
It had also caused Kushina and Tsunade to grow somewhat distant from him. At that thought, Hiruzen Sarutobi felt some regret. Having occupied a high position for so long, he had nearly forgotten that intelligence mattered most to a ninja. Last time, before investigating thoroughly, he had rashly let Danzo and the other three persuade him.
That had been a failure of judgment on his part as Hokage. This time, Hiruzen Sarutobi would absolutely not make that mistake again.
"Hiruzen, the ANBU also discovered some medicine in the Land of Water. It came out of the Land of Water's capital, and reportedly Kirigakure sent it there."
Danzo took out two pills brought back by Root ninja and placed them on Hiruzen Sarutobi's desk. They looked good,