"Who delivered the note?"
Kakashi rushed out of the hidden passage. Only a severed piece of a white snake's tail remained on the stone steps. It was still twitching, but moments later, it turned to ash.
Neji stood at the doorway, turning his Byakugan toward the Mission Hall's roof ridge. "The chakra connection broke. Whoever sent the message never came close. They only used a snake to deliver it."
Inoichi sealed the note in an Evidence Bag. "Orochimaru volunteered information? Has he gone mad?"
Sasuke took the note, his fingertip resting on the character for snake.
"It might not be a warning. It could also be a provocation."
Yamada Naoto cursed. "He killed the Kazekage, and he still dares send letters to Konoha?"
Kakashi looked at Sasuke. "We have to notify the Third Hokage now."
"Notify him." Sasuke handed the note back to Inoichi. "But not with this."
Inoichi understood immediately. "Just say there's something unusual about the Sunagakure delegation, without mentioning that the Kazekage is dead?"
"Right." Sasuke walked out of the hidden passage. "Let the Third Hokage sit beside the fake Kazekage himself. To complete the chain of evidence, we need him to see him in person and fail to recognize him."
Kakashi blocked his path. "Sasuke, if the Third Hokage dies at the venue, the village will fall into chaos."
Sasuke looked up at him. "With him alive, Konoha is already in chaos."
Kakashi did not move aside.
Sasuke continued, "We'll take over the core defenses. Lay out the spectators' evacuation routes in advance. Leave the Hokage Building's defense zone to the Third Hokage's old unit. Orochimaru is striking at the old authority, not civilians."
"Can you guarantee Orochimaru will follow your route?"
"No." Sasuke walked past Kakashi. "That's why I need authorization to handle security for