In the end, Danzo set out at the head of an imposing force of over five hundred ninja.
Only Hashirama looked grim, for there was no telling how many of them would never return from this trip to Kirigakure!
Time passed quickly.
At a certain port in the Land of Fire.
Large numbers of fishing boats, both large and small, lay moored there, with numerous figures moving aboard them.
It was nighttime.
The sky was gray, and a thin mist had formed in the air.
The force led by Danzo had arrived. His eyes narrowed to slits as he looked at the hazy figures aboard the boats.
Beside Danzo stood his two trusted subordinates, Aburame Torune and Yamanaka Kaede, along with Kakashi, Obito, and the leaders of the other Ninja Clans' contingents.
"Obito, Torune, go negotiate with them!"
After a little thought, Danzo decided to err on the side of caution.
He would have his trusted subordinate Aburame Torune lead the way and send Obito along. If the other side had an ambush waiting, Aburame Torune's special clan ninjutsu would allow him to withstand harm!
Obito was another matter. If he happened to die, Danzo could hardly be blamed...
"Yes, Lord Danzo!" Aburame Torune, Danzo's trusted subordinate, responded immediately.
Obito frowned and sneered inwardly, but he was confident in his own strength, so he followed Aburame Torune.
Kakashi's expression remained unchanged, but his feelings were rather complicated.
He knew Danzo wanted to deal with Obito and obtain his Sharingan. He had already made up his mind that he would never let Danzo take Obito's eyes!
Aburame Torune brought several Root ninja with him and approached the boats with Obito.
Meanwhile, someone from the other side approached with several men as well. Their leader was tall, with a sinister, piercing gaze.