The usual goofy smile on Akimichi Torikaze's face vanished in an instant.
As soon as Mito Uzumaki finished speaking, his expression froze.
"Did something serious happen?"
Mito Uzumaki stared at him, but instead of answering, she asked a question of her own:
"Are the village's defenses still intact?"
At that, Torikaze realized the gravity of the situation.
Mito wasn't just asking casually—she was implying that something had happened. Something serious enough to cause upheaval within Konoha, perhaps even attract the attention of outsiders.
And it would be up to him—one of the Jōnin responsible for defending the village—to prepare for such a possibility.
This might very well be the most critical moment in Torikaze's entire career as Konoha's defender.
"Please rest assured, Lady Mito. Konoha's defenses can withstand any test."
Mito gave a small nod, then finally responded to his original question.
"Someone in the village laid hands on a child… and it was someone high-ranking."
"But the most important part is—Hiruzen may be involved too."
Torikaze's eyes widened with shock, staring at her in disbelief.
He couldn't fathom what he was hearing. That a high-ranking official had harmed a child was already hard to believe...
But Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage? Why would he be involved?
Still, Mito Uzumaki wasn't the kind of person to joke about something like this.
And the fact that a Jōnin Council meeting had already been called—there must be solid evidence.
Suddenly, a face flashed through Torikaze's mind.
'Danzo… was it you?!'
It was a hard thought to accept.
After all, he had served alongside others in the Second Hokage's personal guard, and they had formed deep bonds.
Why else would the Third Hokage have kept him in charge of Konoha's defense?
If this incident proved true, and Danzo was indeed responsible, Torikaze would be caught between loyalty and justice.
As if sensing his internal struggle, Mito Uzumaki stepped forward and gently reassured him.
"You don't need to take a stance on this. Just be a witness."
"It's getting late. Let's move quickly."
With that, she turned, pulling Hikaru Uchiha and Nonō Yakushi along with her, quickening her pace.
Torikaze stood there watching the trio walk away, his expression shifting as thoughts churned in his mind.
Then, with a heavy exhale, he began walking toward the Hokage building.
But his steps were no longer brisk—they had become leaden, as if each one carried the weight of his doubts.
...
By the time Hikaru Uchiha and the others arrived at the meeting hall, most of the attendees were already present.
Hiruzen Sarutobi stood on the raised platform, his face unreadable, shifting between dark and grim.
Where once he was flanked by three trusted aides, now only Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane remained.
Danzo was nowhere to be seen.
The sudden summoning of the Jōnin Council, and Danzo's absence… it gave Hiruzen a very bad feeling.
Just as his unease grew stronger, the meeting officially began.
Mito Uzumaki stepped forward. Her expression was stern and unsmiling—completely unlike her usual self.
She scanned the room. Under her gaze, the low murmurs from the crowd died down one by one.
"This Jōnin Council meeting was called by me," she said, her voice calm but powerful. "And the reason is simple."
"A high-ranking official has attacked children within the village—and has already succeeded with some."
The moment her words fell, a few hot-tempered Jōnin couldn't help but erupt.
"Which bastard son of a—! We're risking our lives on the frontlines, and this trash is sneaking around doing this?!"
"I'll beat the shit outta him—no, I'll beat the shit with his shit—then stuff it back in him!"
The room filled with a cacophony of vulgar curses.
Mito Uzumaki frowned—not at the crude words, which she could understand—but because of something else.
Danzo was still absent.
And strangely, many of the Uchiha clan's Jōnin and even their clan head hadn't shown up either.
But the meeting was already underway. She couldn't leave now. All she could do was trust the Uchiha.
By the time the swearing had died down, the more impulsive Jōnin had also begun to settle.
"That's enough," Mito declared. "Now I'll ask Hikaru Uchiha, the one who uncovered this, to explain the full situation."
She turned to him, giving him a small nod of encouragement.
Hikaru sighed inwardly. 'These overtime shifts are killing me.'
Still, he walked to the front and began recounting the events.
He explained how he noticed something was off with Nonō Yakushi, a classmate.
How he suspected someone had harmed her.
How he had sought help from the Hokage—only to be ambushed afterward while trying to protect her.
As Hikaru spoke, Nonō stepped forward as well, confirming his account.
And the more they said, the heavier the silence in the hall became.
Things had started feeling off the moment they brought up the meeting with the Hokage.
Especially when Hikaru said the attack happened right after they had seen Hiruzen.
Anyone with a brain could tell—the Hokage couldn't be uninvolved.
From the moment Hikaru began speaking, Hiruzen Sarutobi's face had grown darker and darker.
By the end, his emotions snapped. He clenched his pipe so tightly it snapped in half.
Even the two standing behind him looked at him with disbelief.
They didn't want to believe it. This man, who had always dreamed of being Hokage—had he truly fallen so far?
When Hikaru finished speaking, the room was dead silent.
Some were afraid of offending the Hokage. Others were carefully organizing their words.
Then the Hyūga clan head stood up, joined by many smaller clan leaders.
"Lord Hokage," he said. "What is your explanation for this?"
Hiruzen was momentarily at a loss for words.
If only Hikaru had come to him alone, he might have been able to smooth things over.
But Hikaru had come with Mito Uzumaki—and she wasn't someone who would fabricate something like this.
Worse, they had a witness.
According to Nonō, she could even identify Danzo.
How could he argue against that?
His heart was full of regret.
He regretted ever handing Danzo that authorization scroll.
He regretted not listening to Danzo and getting rid of Hikaru Uchiha when he had the chance.
Still, he wasn't ready to give up. As long as there was no proof that he tipped off Danzo to silence them...
He might lose his position as Hokage, but at least he wouldn't be imprisoned.
But if that part got out—it wouldn't just be the end of his career. It would mean life imprisonment at best.
After all, giving the order to kill children? That alone could get him executed.
He thought hard for a moment, preparing a rebuttal—when suddenly, the doors of the meeting hall slammed open.
Uchiha Ang staggered in, his clothes disheveled and his body covered in wounds.