Main World.
Konoha Year Twenty-Two, spring.
Konoha, Root base.
Danzo stood at the entrance to the base, dressed in black combat gear, a ninja blade hanging at his waist. In his hand, he held the two dark red syringes-Forbidden Drug: Asura's Cinders. Behind him stood eight hundred Root Ninja. Every face was expressionless, but a nearly fanatical fire burned in every pair of eyes.
"Lord Danzo, the Anbu are ready."
A Root Ninja walked up beside him and spoke quietly.
"They think they're going on a secret mission."
Danzo nodded.
"Have them move out. Assemble outside the east gate."
"Yes."
The Root Ninja turned and left.
Danzo raised his head and gazed at the boundless sky.
"Tobirama Senju... you're dead. It's time Konoha had a new master."
In a stretch of woods outside Konoha's east gate.
Thirty Anbu ninja stood at the edge of the woods, awaiting orders. They were the elite of Konoha's Anbu. Every one of them had survived countless life-and-death missions, and every one had proven their loyalty on the battlefield. Tobirama Senju had trained them personally. They were Konoha's sharpest blade.
"Captain, what's our mission this time?"
A young Anbu ninja spoke, a trace of curiosity in his voice.
"I don't know."
The captain shook his head.
"The orders from Root said it was top secret. We'll only be told once we reach the destination."
The young Anbu ninja nodded and said nothing more.
A short while later, Danzo emerged from the woods with dozens of Root Ninja.
"Lord Danzo."
The captain stepped forward and bowed slightly.
"Root is ready."
Danzo nodded.
"Move out."
He turned and walked deeper into the woods.
The Anbu ninja followed him.
Deep in the woods, in a clearing.
Danzo stopped, turned around, and looked at the thirty Anbu ninja.