Shimura Danzō was dead.
Now was not the time to handle the Uchiha Clan's problems with the same old thinking.
"Enough."
Hiruzen Sarutobi finally spoke.
He raised a hand, silencing the argument between his two old companions.
But his gaze remained on the battle report scroll for a long time.
For these peace negotiations.
Hiruzen Sarutobi bore responsibility too.
And a great deal of it!
As an advisor, Mitokado Homura could only offer Hiruzen Sarutobi suggestions.
The one who actually made the decisions was Hiruzen Sarutobi himself!
"Now is not the time to blame one another."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice sounded weary and aged.
"Our most urgent concern is..."
Was it whether Uchiha Minamoto could return alive?
Or what they should do next at the Northern Border?
Or how they should respond when the Uchiha Clan demanded accountability?
A string of questions tangled in Hiruzen Sarutobi's mind, leaving him at a loss.
In his heart, he had already marked Uchiha Minamoto as "certain to die"...
Uchiha Minamoto was indeed fast.
But how did he compare to the "Fastest Shinobi" of the Shinobi World back then?
He thought back to those days.
Tobirama Senju had taken six subordinates to the Land of Lightning to sign the Lightning-Fire Alliance treaty with Kumogakure.
They, too, had ended up ambushed and attacked by Kumogakure.
Despite developing the [Flying Thunder God Technique], the "Fastest Shinobi" of the Shinobi World had ultimately died on the soil of the Land of Lightning.
This time.
The composition of Konoha's Advance Squad could not begin to compare with that previous group.
And Uchiha Minamoto had gone to the meeting alone, at that?
"Foolish... so foolish!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi let out a long sigh, not knowing whether he was cursing himself or speaking of someone else.
Just then.
Someone knocked on the