Di Yan, with a professional demeanor, seemed to be intently studying something… and very seriously at that.
All in all.
Di Yan approached, right under Sakura Haruno's nose.
"Wait… you…"
Sakura Haruno had been a smart girl since she was little.
Almost instantly.
She understood Di Yan's intention.
Precisely because of this, she became even more agitated… "Stop, I told you to stop…"
Sakura instinctively wanted to save herself; her personality contained a tenacious quality.
But how could a hunter listen to its prey?
Di Yan even had a strange curve to his lips.
As if he appreciated her performance.
Di Yan's gaze was filled with reminiscence, comparing the Sakura Haruno before him… with the Sakura Haruno in his memory, who was feisty and even somewhat annoying to him… In the past, when Di Yan watched anime.
He often complained about this pink-haired girl.
After all, her reputation had indeed never been very good.
Now, it seemed he could finally properly deal with her and vent his frustration.
Moreover, he would not show the slightest "mercy."
"Sasuke… ugh…"
In this situation, Sakura Haruno undoubtedly thought of Sasuke.
It was useless… So, she cried… Compared to Tenten, she might have felt more pain… Because for her, Di Yan only had punishment… Now, it was Tenten's turn, on the other side, to enjoy the show.
And the tragedy that had just befallen her.
Was now being replayed without reservation on her friend.
This dual impact, both visual and spiritual.
For the dying Tenten.
Perhaps it was also a form of torture more cruel than physical pain.
And this "enjoyment" itself was the deepest despair.
In the night, moonlight shone through the window, illuminating the entire room along with the candlelight.
The night was still long… [Ding! Communication with Sakura Haruno completed, obtained "Elementary Super Strength."]
… Spoon.
62 Konoha, are you trying to rebel?
Konoha Plaza, the morning light was faint, yet the cold was biting.
The dawn failed to dispel the tense atmosphere that hung over Konoha.
Instead, it made the murderous standoff in the plaza even clearer.
The hotel where His Majesty the Emperor of the Land of Fire was staying remained tightly shut.
Like a lurking beast.
Silently watching the increasing crowd in the plaza ahead.
Konoha Ninja of the Konoha Guard Department had set up a cordon around the plaza, maintaining order with grim expressions.
Preventing any unauthorized personnel from approaching.
Further away, in the shadows of rooftops and treetops.
Anbu Ninja could be vaguely seen lurking like statues, on alert.
Under cold animal masks, their gazes vigilantly swept every corner.
In the center of the plaza, several chairs had already been arranged in advance.
The Konoha Higher-Ups, led by Fifth Hokage Tsunade, slowly walked over.
And sat down in the designated main seating area.
Tsunade was wearing a standard Hokage robe today, her golden twin tails tied behind her, her face solemn.
Deep in her emerald eyes, anxiety and a trace of imperceptible tension were suppressed.
Her fists were slightly clenched in her sleeves.
Behind her was Shizune, her face full of anger, which did not match her usual confidence.
Beside Tsunade were the two Advisory Elders… Utatane Koharu and Homura Mitokado.
The two elders had calm expressions, but when their eyes met, a hint of worry inevitably showed.
Behind them stood the elite Jonin Kakashi Hatake and Might Guy.
Kakashi still had a lazy appearance.
But his exposed eye was as sharp as a blade, subtly observing his surroundings.
Might Guy seemed unwell, his dark circles were a bit heavy.
"597" Nara Shikaku, Inoichi Yamanaka, Hyuga Hiashi, and other family representatives also sat to the left and right.
Everyone's expression was quite serious.
Inoichi Yamanaka's brows were tightly furrowed, his gaze occasionally glancing at the tightly shut hotel door.
With deep concern.
He knew his daughter Ino had not returned last night.
The entire Konoha Higher-Ups.
Was filled with a sense of oppression, like a storm brewing.
Just then.
A leisurely pace of footsteps was heard.
Danzo Shimura was seen slowly entering the plaza, leaning on his cane, guarded by Aburame Torune and Fu Yamanaka on his left and right.
He walked directly to a relatively independent but well-sighted corner of the plaza and sat down.
Aburame Torune and Fu Yamanaka stood behind him like guardian deities.
On Danzo's face, there was an almost undisguised look of smug satisfaction.
In his single exposed eye, the light of excitement and ambition flickered.
The corners of his mouth even curved slightly upward, almost uncontrollably.
He certainly had reason to be happy.
Last night, his informants had confirmed.
His Majesty the Emperor Di Yan had once again made a promise to him through secret channels:
As long as he, Danzo, could successfully control Tsunade today.
And force the Konoha Higher-Ups to acknowledge the coup and complete the transfer of power.
Then His Majesty would, on the spot, in the name of the supreme ruler of the Land of Fire.
Announce him, Danzo Shimura, as the successor to the Sixth Hokage!
Years of aspirations, years of lurking in the shadows of Root, were about to be achieved today!
The thought of legitimately taking the Hokage position and bringing Konoha completely under his control.
To truly implement his "Root" will.
Made Danzo's blood boil.
He could even already imagine Tsunade's humiliated and unwilling expression when she was forced to step down.
He slightly turned his head and glanced at Aburame Torune and Fu Yamanaka, who were as loyal as puppets beside him.
His heart felt even more secure.
With these two powerful subordinates, with His Majesty's secret support, with the trump card of Kotoamatsukami… Today, victory was assured!
Danzo closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and suppressed the excitement in his heart.
He hadn't expected that Di Yan, that precocious fellow, would actually be able to help him successfully ascend to the Hokage throne.
What he could do now.
Was to wait for the appearance of His Majesty the Emperor.
Waiting for the moment he would reach the pinnacle of power.
However, Danzo did not notice at all.
The cold determination that flashed in Shizune's eyes behind Tsunade on the high platform, when she looked at him.
Nor did he notice the extremely calm analysis hidden beneath Kakashi's seemingly lazy gaze.
As time passed, the atmosphere in the plaza gradually changed from solemn to anxious and doubtful.
The sun gradually rose higher, illuminating the plaza brightly.
But the hotel door remained motionless.
The scheduled time had long passed.
Yet, not even a shadow of His Majesty the Emperor of the Land of Fire was seen.
The originally quiet plaza began to buzz with whispers.
The Konoha Higher-Ups and elite Ninja all showed expressions of confusion and impatience.
This feeling of being left to wait.
For Ninja, who were accustomed to strict timekeeping, was undoubtedly a torment and an insult.
Shizune, behind Tsunade, couldn't help but complain in a low voice, with clear dissatisfaction:
"What is wrong with this guy? He was the one who requested the meeting today, and he specified the location."
"Now he's making all of us wait here foolishly…"
Her complaint echoed the sentiments of many.
Some short-tempered Konoha Ninja also began to whisper among themselves, expressing their displeasure.
"This is outrageous, what does he take us for?"
"Exactly, Hokage-sama herself is here, yet he puts on such airs."