**Hiratsune, Lord Mito, why did you call us over so late? What happened?**
Shimura Danzo walked beside Sarutobi Hiruzen, muttering softly and glancing at the moon, which was now obscured by dark clouds. It was a dark and windy night, a time for mischief and crime.
For some reason, Shimura Danzo felt a chill, and the looks from passing Senju clan members made him uneasy.
Danzo's mood was complicated, but his friend Sarutobi Hiruzen seemed calm.
"If it's a blessing, it's not a disaster. If it's a disaster, you can't avoid it," Sarutobi Hiruzen said lightly. "People are the knife, and I am the fish. It has come to this point, what else can I do?"
Facing potential death did not frighten Sarutobi Hiruzen; he regretted only that he might not fulfill his master's last wish.
Sarutobi Hiruzen quickened his pace, and Danzo hurriedly followed suit.
**Inside the Room**
Utane Koharu, Mito Kado En, Uchiha Kagami, and Akimichi Tofu arrived ahead of them at Uzumaki Mito's room.
Standing outside, Sarutobi Hiruzen saw two Senju clan jonin, Senju Kihana and Senju Kiharu, guarding the entrance.
Inside, two rows of Senju clan ninjas awaited them, like a tribunal.
The imposing scene made Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzo tremble with fear.
If this wasn't handled well, the trees in the Senju family courtyard might grow more luxuriantly.
Utane Koharu, Mito Kado En, and the others smiled bitterly at Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzo as they finally joined them, a hint of relief in their eyes. Standing amidst the Senju clan ninjas had been an unnerving experience.
Uzumaki Mito, seated at the head of the hall, remained silent, her expression unreadable. She glanced at Uchiha Kagami at first, then focused on sipping her tea.
Mito Kado En and Utane Koharu knew their status well; they were like rootless duckweed, easily manipulated. The families behind them held no sway in Konoha's powerful bloodlines and secret clans. Their deaths would go unnoticed in the vastness of Konoha.
Akimichi Tofu and Uchiha Kagami were different. Akimichi Tofu was the heir to the Akimichi clan, part of the Ino-Shika-Cho alliance, while Uchiha Kagami was a Uchiha genius, maintaining the delicate balance between Hokage and the Uchiha clan.
No matter how the situation unfolded, these two were safe.
The Senju clan ninjas had been watching them intently, adding to the psychological pressure.
Uzumaki Mito was waiting—for Sarutobi Hiruzen, the third Hokage appointed by his teacher, Senju Tobirama. Shimura Danzo was merely an extra.
Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzo stood at the threshold, momentarily frozen by the unusual scene, a buzzing noise filling their minds.
Uzumaki Mito put down her teacup, looking at Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzo. "Since you are here, come in."
Danzo's scalp tingled, his feet glued to the ground. He turned to Sarutobi Hiruzen for guidance.
After a brief hesitation, Sarutobi Hiruzen snapped out of it, took a deep breath, and strode into the room with a calm demeanor. Shimura Danzo quickly followed.
Once inside, the Senju family ninja shut the door with a snap.
The sound made Sarutobi Hiruzen, Shimura Danzo, Utane Koharu, Mito Kado En, Akimichi Tofu, and Uchiha Kagami tense up. It was intimidating!
In the room, Shimura Danzo and the others looked to Sarutobi Hiruzen, silently urging him to speak. As the future Third Hokage, it was his place.
Feeling their gaze, Sarutobi Hiruzen swallowed nervously and stepped forward.
"Mito-sama, why have you summoned us so late? Has something happened in Konoha?" he asked.
Uzumaki Mito's gaze made his heart race. "I remember telling you before—no one is to spread news of Tobirama's death."
"But this afternoon, all of Konoha knew!!" she exclaimed, slamming the table. Her voice was full of energy, making the others panic. They exchanged confused looks, unsure of what had happened.
This afternoon, they had been isolated, either resting or receiving medical treatment.
"I need an explanation!" Uzumaki Mito demanded, her eyes fierce as she scanned them. Her chakra flared, the Nine-Tails' chakra adding a chaotic and evil aura.
Die, die, die! Shimura Danzo and the others thought in unison, feeling the pressure.
Utane Koharu, the only woman present, was the first to break under Mito's intense aura. She began swearing oaths of innocence, her voice trembling.
"I swear to God, I was in the house all day. I saw no one except the Senju medical ninja. If I leaked the news, may I die terribly!"
"I swear on my family, I leaked nothing. Otherwise, let my entire family perish!"
The others followed suit, echoing her oaths in desperation.
"Hmm, just swearing isn't enough. I need explanations!" Uzumaki Mito said, unimpressed. If they didn't provide useful information, she wouldn't hesitate to use other means. Konoha's ANBU were skilled in extracting information.
Just as they swore their innocence, the door opened.
Senju Taomu entered, announcing, "Mito-sama, the source of the news has been traced to the Uchiha family's shops."
All eyes turned to Uchiha Kagami, who was taken aback.
Me?