Outside the Aburame Clan grounds~
Tall, dense trees surrounded the area, their layers of branches and leaves blocking most of the sunlight. Even in broad daylight, it was cool and dim.
The woods felt remote and mysterious, so quiet they were almost solemn.
Outsiders rarely set foot in these woods, but today, three aggressive, uninvited guests had arrived.
One was the one-armed Shimura Danzō, dressed in a Hokage Advisor's uniform, his face dark.
Walking beside him was Mitokado Homura, wearing a blue-and-white Hokage elder's uniform and green-framed glasses, his expression stern.
On the other side was Utatane Koharu, dressed in a gray Hokage elder's uniform, her hair in a bun and her expression equally stern.
Whoosh~
A dark figure flashed past the three of them~
It was Aburame Ryoma, leaving with the Body Flicker Technique. He did not even spare Shimura Danzō a proper glance.
Shimura Danzō noticed Aburame Ryoma and raised his hand to stop him, but when he saw how resolutely Ryoma was leaving, his face turned thunderous.
Mitokado Homura noticed this detail and reminded him:
"Danzo, don't forget why we're here."
"That's right, Danzo. Don't lose sight of the bigger picture over something small."
Utatane Koharu turned her head and echoed the reminder.
Fury blazed in Shimura Danzō's eyes. His left hand gripped his new cane so tightly that it cracked, sending wood chips scattering onto the grass. He snorted:
"Hmph~"
"I'll take back what I've lost sooner or later. Let's go."
Aburame Shio's voice came from a distance~
"You three have come a long way. My apologies for not coming out to welcome you!"
A dark figure rapidly approached through the distant woods.
Shimura Danzō and the other two stopped and waited where they stood.
Aburame Shio appeared before them with the Body Flicker Technique and