With several clear cracks across his face, Tobirama sat in Hiruko's private isolation research room, solemnly examining Konoha's files, records, and finances from recent years.
Before him were a relaxed, unperturbed Danzo, along with an extremely apprehensive Hiruzen Sarutobi and Mitokado Homura.
Utatane Koharu, meanwhile, sat composedly in the farthest seat, holding a cup of the Laboratory's specially supplied invigorating tea and taking a small sip.
Knock, knock, knock~
Outside the transparent glass room, a round-faced, portly man was lightly knocking on the Isolation Room door, looking somewhat ill at ease. His casual clothes bore a large character meaning "food."
"Torifu! Come on in!"
Beaming, Danzo ignored Tobirama's dark expression and the oppressive atmosphere surrounding him, and beckoned to Torifu Akimichi, who was standing nervously outside.
All he had done was retire because he couldn't stand a certain Third Hokage's behavior but didn't want to fight it!
He had started slacking off and stopped contributing to Konoha!
There was no need to look so guilty!
The rotund Torifu pushed open the Isolation Room door and "squeezed" his enormous body inside.
"Haha~ Teacher, long time no see..."
The moment the words left his mouth, Torifu, the Ino-Shika-Cho's "Retired Emperor," wanted to slap himself.
He had gone so long without talking to outsiders that he had turned stupid.
Tobirama lifted his sharp eyes and shot the fat man an irritated glare.
"Torifu, you really are getting too important for the rest of us..."
"You wouldn't even come when Danzo, the Hokage, summoned you. You had to make him invoke my name, did you?"
Tobirama's sarcasm made Torifu Akimichi pull a miserable face and shift his backside on the "cramped" stool.
Smack~
Tobirama tossed the final document onto the table, closed his eyes, and rubbed his forehead, though it did nothing for his