In the Hokage's office, the sight was horrifying—rows of corpses lay everywhere. Even the elite Anbu operatives were stunned.
Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi looked deeply shaken. A sharp pain struck his heart, as though something was knocking from within.
"Is what you're saying… true?" he asked, with a hesitant, sorrowful tone. Tō paused, then took out an envelope, prepared earlier by Konan as Rain Village's explanation and proof of alliance with Konoha. Hiruzen opened it; after reading, he seemed to age several years more.
He turned to Kakashi and the others, nodded slowly, and said, "You may leave now. And… summon the forensics team." Tō realized Hiruzen was preparing to confront Danzo directly. She knew, however, that since Orochimaru left, Danzo had grown weaker—this development certainly made things more complex.
Still, a pairing of Danzo and the Third was a formidable one: one a leaf bathed in sunlight, the other a root buried deep in the earth.
But Danzo often acted with excessive zeal. This time, even though Kakashi and the others had put him in an awkward position, it hardly justified outright slaughter, especially of Konoha's top fighters.
After leaving the office, Tō wandered. She thought: It's three more years until Itachi's massacre… or more precisely, two and a half. This winter passes; come the new year, I'll be ten. I can hold my own with Itachi—but if he awakens the Mangekyō sharingan?
Amaterasu, I can handle—my fire absorption skill handles even divine flames. But Tsukuyomi… I still haven't found a solution. Yes, Guy can attack without looking… but that was when Itachi stood still, foolishly.
If we fought, Itachi's taijutsu might rival Kakashi's. Then you'd never know when Tsukuyomi strikes. And Susano'o—defense and offense in one unstoppable weapon—I have no answer for that yet.
I'm not even Uchiha—what if Danzo ropes Itachi into assassinating me? And Obito… his space–time ninjutsu—without something like Amaterasu, I can't fight him.
Damn… How come someone who is not hopeless can feel so stupid in the face of divine abilities? If only I had drawn the Wind God Sword instead of the Stellar Chain—I'd have a shot against Obito. I'd find him no matter how he hides.
She sighed, emotionally tangled. Just then, a sweet child's voice rang out: "Uncle, two meat buns, please!" A well-behaved little girl took the meat buns happily and walked toward Tō.
Tō blinked—and then recognized her. Tenten! She'd never been so cute as a child. Like a big-eyed doll, rivaling Hinata in cuteness!
Tenten paused, then seemed to recognize Tō, pointing excitedly: "You must be that seven-year-old graduate ninja brother!"
"I—uh—yes," Tō stammered. Tenten then smiled mischievously, shoved a meat bun into her clothes, and shot a kunai at Tō.
With a clack, Tō caught the kunai by hand—no wasted motion. She forced a wry smile. "What—what do you mean by this?"
Tenten beamed. "Wow—you caught my kunai with your bare hand! I'm the best at throwing kunai among kids our age!"
Tō sighed inwardly. But then Tenten said something that nearly drove her insane: She proposed a weekly challenge—every Saturday, Tenten would challenge Tō; if Tō lost, Tenten would "marry" her and make her her husband.
A six-year-old promising to marry you… Tō felt like vomiting blood.
Shaken from the memory, Tō began walking home. Naruto ambushed her, ripping off her disguise and slowly performing hand seals.
Seconds later: "Wind Release—Gale Palm!" But Tō reappeared at his back and kicked him far away, yelling: "Do you think I'm an idiot? You think I'm going to be hit by such a slow jutsu? Or that you've grown strong?"
"Nah… big brother Tō, I just learned that recently. I got stronger… even Sasuke was shocked. But… he's been training something too lately!" Naruto scratched his head.
Tō again dumbfounded—kids and their jutsu.
Back in the Hokage's office, the Third and two advisors sat across from Danzo, whose expression was even darker.
Danzo inhaled deeply. "So Kakashi and Guy returned… hm, I underestimated their strength—and cunning. It must be Tō's doing."
Hiruzen nodded gravely. "Don't you want to explain?"
Danzo smiled slightly and stood. "No. From the moment Orochimaru left, I know you all held some suspicion. Honestly—even though I've been restricted… everything I've done has been for Konoha."
"Why?" Hiruzen asked, still conflicted. Danzo remained in the shadows, while Hiruzen stood in the sunlight.
"Like you said, we were perfect partners. But you are the leaf in the sun. Without roots, even the finest leaf cannot grow. So… I must be the root buried deep."
Mito coughed bitterly: "But if so, you'll always stay hidden—and the Uchiha will know. They've long tried to plant spies in the Anbu."
Danzo laughed as he walked out. "Let them come in. Sarutobi, you can reclaim Anbu. But I will keep Root—the espionage network. We need manpower. And now that we've lost so many, it's time to replenish." He paused by the doorway. "As for targeting Kakashi and Guy… that was secondary. The real issue has always been Tō."
With that, he vanished.
The advisors looked stunned, deep in thought. Hiruzen sighed. "But… Uzumaki Tō is still a child. Using this will only deepen her hatred for Konoha.