"Take it out."
Sasuke said only those words, and the two Konoha Military Police Force ninja at the door had already blocked the retreat.
The ANBU operative did not move, looking first at the Third Hokage.
The Third Hokage's face darkened terribly. "Who gave you the secret order?"
The ANBU operative remained silent.
Kakashi stepped forward. "Lord Hokage asked you a question."
The operative's hand drew back into his sleeve.
Neji's Gentle Fist struck the side of his elbow first, and Fugaku's scabbard hit his wrist bone. Half a secret order fell beside the table. Yamada Naoto picked it up with iron tongs and placed it in an evidence tray.
Shikaku glanced at it. "The Hokage Seal, the Internal Affairs Office's countersignature, and the Old ANBU Unit's execution stamp."
Inoichi piled on. "Matsui Takashi was just restrained, and a second secret order fell out of an old unit operative's sleeve. Lord Third Hokage, your Hokage Building tonight is leaking worse than the Old Granary."
The Third Hokage did not answer.
Sasuke spread out the secret order and read its contents aloud. "Withdraw personnel from the Uchiha patrol zone and hand it over to the Old ANBU Unit for temporary control. Reason: prevent the Uchiha from colluding with the spatial intruder."
Fugaku sneered. "Colluding? The Masked Man blasted through our Uchiha compound wall, and instead of arresting the intruder, the Hokage Building arrests the victims first?"
Hiashi looked at the Third Hokage. "Last night, the Hyuga Byakugan Squad found spatial traces on the perimeter, and the Uchiha preserved evidence throughout. This secret order from the Hokage Building predates even the examination of the scene."
Shikaku tapped the tabletop. "In other words, a conviction before an investigation."
Choza stared at the ANBU operative. "Who wrote it?"
The operative's hands and feet had