Meanwhile, inside the Hokage's Office.
The atmosphere was heavy.
Nara Shikaku stood at the center of the room, a document in hand.
"Preliminary investigation results," he began calmly. "Thirty-seven buildings were damaged or destroyed. Civilian casualties number one hundred sixty-four. Shinobi casualties: thirty-six."
"The most severe damage occurred at Konoha Prison. Most of the fallen shinobi were prison guards."
He flipped the page.
"The prisoners rioted. Thanks to the rapid response of the Konoha Military Police Force, four hundred twenty-one resisting inmates were killed on site. Seven hundred fifty-four have been recaptured."
He paused.
"The Eight-Tails jinchūriki from Kumogakure has been rescued. The entire Cloud envoy delegation has disappeared. They are presumed to be the masterminds behind the attack."
He closed the file.
Inside the office sat four others:
Shimura Danzo
Mito Homura
Utatane Koharu
Namikaze Minato
Homura spoke first.
"The damage isn't catastrophic. It seems their primary goal was extracting the Eight-Tails."
Shikaku added, "Uchiha Jin has already led the Military Police in pursuit. Later, Minato organized a force of one thousand shinobi under the Hyūga clan head to reinforce them. It's unlikely Cloud will escape easily."
Danzo's cane struck the floor sharply.
"How dare they!"
His single visible eye burned cold.
"Who gave them the authority to act without informing me? Why was I not notified? What exactly are they trying to do?"
His anger appeared righteous.
Too righteous.
Koharu glanced at him coolly.
"The thousand shinobi were mobilized by Minato. Homura and I approved it."
She paused.
"And as for why you weren't informed—don't forget, Danzo. You are currently suspended. You hold advisory authority only. No decision-making power."
Danzo's expression darkened.
He shifted targets.
"Fine. But what about the Uchiha? Who authorized them to leave the village?"
"The Military Police are responsible for internal security. Pursuing enemies outside the village violates protocol. They must answer for this."
Minato frowned.
"Danzo-sama, circumstances required immediate action. The Military Police were stabilizing the village all night. Pursuing fleeing enemies is understandable."
Then his tone sharpened slightly.
"On that note… I would like clarification. When the village was attacked, the Barrier Team, ANBU, and Root showed no response."
"I've heard that department heads were summoned by you in advance—and that Root shinobi were dispatched to instruct all divisions to remain inactive."
"Is this true?"
Silence fell.
All eyes turned to Danzo.
It was now undeniable that the Cloud delegation had instigated the chaos.
But dozens of mediocre shinobi should never have been able to cause such disruption in Konoha—the strongest hidden village.
Unless something had restrained Konoha from within.
And all signs pointed to Danzo.
Yet—
It felt almost too obvious.
Too blatant for his usual style.
Danzo met their gazes without flinching.
"You are correct."
The words dropped like stones.
"Yes. Last night's events were arranged by me."
Minato and Shikaku stiffened.
Homura and Koharu, however, did not react with shock—but calculation.
They had worked alongside Danzo for decades.
They were trying to see the angle.
Homura finally asked, bluntly:
"Danzo. You owe us an explanation."
Danzo's voice was level.
"There is something you may not yet know."
"Hiruzen was ambushed on his return to Konoha by Kumogakure shinobi."
"His ANBU escorts were wiped out. He sustained severe injuries."
"If not for Root's intervention, he would already be dead."
Shock rippled across the room.
Koharu leaned forward.
"That's true?"
"The ANBU report confirms it," Danzo replied calmly. "He should return today. You will see for yourselves."
Minato's brows tightened.
"And how does that justify allowing the Cloud delegation to run wild inside our village?"
Danzo's cane tapped once.
"Cloud's objective was obvious. Capture Hiruzen. Exchange him for the Eight-Tails. Avoid paying war reparations."
"They failed."
"Last night's chaos was a desperate gamble."
"If we crushed them immediately, they would deny everything. And with their shameless diplomacy, we would gain nothing."
His eye gleamed.
"But attacking a former Hokage is a slap to Konoha's face."
"And I am not someone who tolerates being struck without retaliation."
The room was still.
Danzo continued.
"Only by giving them hope—by letting them believe their plan could succeed—would they commit greater resources."
"Only then could we close the net and reap greater gains."
He straightened.
"So yes. I entered the game myself."
"I feigned cooperation. I allowed the Eight-Tails to be taken."
In a few sentences, he had reframed conspiracy into strategy.
Homura slowly nodded.
It was reckless.
Aggressive.
But undeniably… Danzo.
Koharu's voice grew grave.
"You risk reigniting war. You should have consulted us."
Danzo laughed coldly.
"And you would have agreed?"
"You have all grown dull. Where is your blood?"
He leaned forward slightly.
"Since we're speaking plainly—I also leaked part of our border defense layout to Kumogakure."
Gasps.
"This war," he said softly, "will happen whether you wish it or not."
"I will break Cloud once and for all."
"Cripple them. Make them fear Konoha."
Even Minato's calm demeanor faltered.
Danzo's voice rose—not with madness, but conviction.
"You may not understand me."
"But I will burn this old body as a torch if I must."
"I will carve a future for this village."
His cane struck the floor again.
"I will take half a move from Heaven."
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