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Swoosh swoosh swoosh, three black shadows zipped directly over people's heads. In such a tense situation, how could it not be frightening?
Naturally, there was a commotion in the crowd on the street. The ninjas maintaining public order were busy, while the hidden Anbu observed the three figures speeding across the rooftops. Recognizing who they were, the Anbu sighed helplessly.
After all, these were the Hokage's beloved disciples. Running on rooftops during wartime was nothing; they were capable of even more outrageous things, like...
Crash! Glass shattered and flew everywhere. Orochimaru, Tsunade, and Jiraiya broke through the window, landing with a leap onto the floor of the Hokage's office.
Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Third Hokage, in his prime middle age, sat behind the desk, piles of thick documents before him, a pipe in his mouth, puffing away. Suddenly, he was startled by his three disciples crashing through the window!
Swoosh swoosh swoosh swoosh, four Anbu guards hidden around the office suddenly appeared, surrounding the Sannin.
Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed, waved his hand to dismiss the Anbu, and asked his three disciples helplessly and confusedly:
"What on earth happened? You three rushed back so urgently, even breaking the window to get in!? Could it be that you were defeated!?"
Jiraiya stood up, shouting:
"Sensei Sarutobi! We weren't defeated! However, the situation is even more critical than if we had been defeated!"
"What could be more critical than defeat!?"
Orochimaru drawled mysteriously, "Sensei Sarutobi, Hanzō of the Salamander... was killed by someone!"
"Killed by whom!?"
Tsunade gathered her blonde hair, her face somewhat pale, recounting with lingering fear:
"Killed by Uchiha Madara!"
"What did you say!!!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen was utterly shocked, his previously rock-solid composure crumbling instantly. His cry of disbelief echoed throughout the entire Hokage administrative building, puzzling the various ninjas inside.
Looking around nervously, Sarutobi Hiruzen broke out in a cold sweat:
"You must take responsibility for your words!"
The three Sannin nodded gravely in unison, their expressions genuine, definitely not joking!
Taking a deep, sharp breath, Sarutobi Hiruzen ordered with disbelief and uncertainty:
"Summon all elders, clan heads, and all elite Jonin for an emergency meeting!"
During wartime, Konoha's administrative efficiency was terrifyingly high. Five minutes later, after Sarutobi Hiruzen led his three disciples into the meeting room, everyone required to attend had already arrived.
The meeting setup was simple. Around a large round conference table sat the elders Danzō, Mitokado Homura, and Utatane Koharu, flanking the Hokage's main seat. Below them were the heads of the Uchiha clan, Hyuga clan, the Ino-Shika-Cho trio (Yamanaka, Nara, Akimichi), and other clan heads. A crowd of elite Jonin, such as Sarutobi Shinnosuke and Yuhi Kurenai, stood around.
Sarutobi Hiruzen acted decisively, sitting in the Hokage's main seat. The Sannin didn't yet have the status to sit with him and stood behind him.
The meeting room doors were closed, guarded layer upon layer by ninjas outside. The room itself was sealed with a barrier, ensuring absolute soundproofing and security!
Then the meeting began.
After Tsunade revealed the information about Uchiha Madara's reappearance, the entire meeting room felt as if a bomb had been dropped, leaving everyone stunned and speechless.
Bang! Danzō slammed his hand on the table, his face dark, his deep-set eyes staring intently at the Sannin, his tone as sinister as a ghost's:
"You three, falsely reporting military intelligence is a grave crime! Even Sarutobi's disciples cannot be spared!"
Clearly, Danzō didn't believe it, or rather, he didn't want to believe it.
Tsunade glanced at Danzō with disgust. She knew this guy was at odds with Sarutobi Hiruzen. Suppressing the aversion in her heart, her tone was extremely serious and grave, and naturally, tinged with anger:
"Elder Danzō! We would not joke about such an important and terrifying matter!"
Mitokado Homura, sitting on Sarutobi Hiruzen's other side, broke out in a cold sweat, his expression almost frantic:
"This... impossible! Uchiha Madara... wasn't he killed by Lord First Hokage? That's universally acknowledged in the ninja world!"
Utatane Koharu also panicked and agreed:
"Yes, he's been dead for so many years! Where did this Uchiha Madara come from!?"
"Fake! An imposter!"
It was Danzō again. He slammed the table, acting as if he had the final say! Completely disregarding the authority of Sarutobi Hiruzen sitting in the main seat.
Sarutobi Hiruzen glanced at Danzō, long accustomed to his antics. He ignored him and continued to silently smoke his pipe.
However, Danzō's theory of an imposter seemed to give those present a chance to deny reality. The various clan heads and the two elders, beads of cold sweat on their foreheads, forced smiles and chimed in:
"Yes, yes! Elder Danzō is right!"
"It must be an imposter, Uchiha Madara died long ago!"
"Someone actually dares to impersonate Konoha's great enemy, truly seeking death..."
Amidst the murmuring discussion, Sarutobi Hiruzen, seated in the main chair, tapped the table several times with his pipe. The clear tapping sound echoed through the room, and the meeting room immediately fell silent.
This was the legitimate authority of Sarutobi Hiruzen as Hokage, far beyond that of a dancing clown like Danzō.
Danzō's hand under the conference table clenched tightly, filled with frustration. The situation he had painstakingly stirred up was stopped by Sarutobi Hiruzen in an instant... Damn it!
Sarutobi scanned everyone present, giving Danzō a particularly long look.
"Alright, everyone. Next, Tsunade will provide a detailed description of this Uchiha Madara's situation. By the way, Tsunade, as the only granddaughter of Lord First and Lord Second, you should have considerable understanding!"
"Yes, Sensei Sarutobi..."
Then Tsunade described in detail Uchiha Madara's sudden appearance and how he easily killed Hanzō.