Three days later.
Outside Konoha's gates.
The five, led by Sarutobi Hiruzen, limped in from the distance, supporting one another.
All five were wounded. Shimura Danzō had suffered the worst; the bandages covering half his face were dark red with dried blood, and an X-shaped wound had appeared on his chin, utterly ruining his once sunny, handsome face.
At that moment, something was off about the glint in Shimura Danzō's remaining eye. He kept his head lowered, seemingly lost in thought.
"What happened to you? Where is Lord Hokage?!"
The ninja guarding Konoha's gates rushed over in alarm to ask about the situation. "Didn't you escort Lord Hokage to Kumogakure for negotiations? Why are only you back? Where is Lord Hokage?!"
"Lord Hokage, he..." Sarutobi Hiruzen's tears burst forth. "He stayed behind alone to cover our retreat. By now, he might already... already..."
At that point, Sarutobi Hiruzen rolled his eyes back and fainted. His four teammates also lowered their heads in tears, saying nothing.
"Why didn't you stay behind? Why didn't you go instead?!"
The gate guard directly roared, spittle spraying all over Sarutobi Hiruzen and the others' faces. "Aren't you members of the Shadow Guard Squad? Lord Hokage hasn't returned, so how do you have the nerve to come back?!"
"Enough!"
Shimura Danzō raised his head then, a flash of viciousness passing through his single eye. "Now isn't the time for this. We still have a mission entrusted to us by Lord Hokage. Move aside!"
With that, Shimura Danzō shoved aside the Konoha Ninja guarding the gate and led the group into Konoha.
The instant they entered the village, the bedraggled five drew the attention of nearby pedestrians and ninja. They were soon surrounded by people asking questions all at once.
Mitokado Homura, Utatane Koharu, and Torifu Akimichi