With the Hokage's orders, Konoha's Anbu leaped into action. Even those monitoring and guarding Kushina Uzumaki were called back, highlighting just how seriously the Third Hokage was taking this.
A massive investigation began.
Meanwhile, elders Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado were quickly roused from their beds, hurrying to the Hokage's office after receiving the news.
"Hiruzen, what's going on? Why have all the Anbu been mobilized?" Koharu asked as soon as they walked in, her voice tense.
"Take a look for yourselves," Hiruzen replied, handing over the initial report. His expression was grim.
The first piece of information to come in was regarding the identities of the dead. They weren't Anbu.
They were dressed in Anbu gear, wearing Anbu masks, but the actual Anbu had no record of these two individuals. Which left only one possibility: they were from Root.
"The nerve of them," Homura growled, slamming his hand on the desk. "We must get to the bottom of this. Whoever was responsible for this not only found the hidden Anbu exit but had the audacity to attack so close to the village. We can't afford to take this lightly."
As far as the identities of the dead went, Koharu and Homura didn't care much. Whether Root or Anbu, they were all Konoha's shinobi. The priority now was finding out who was responsible.
The sound of hurried footsteps and a cane striking the floor echoed down the hall. Hiruzen's eyebrows knitted together as he sensed the approaching chakra.
Sure enough, moments later, Danzo arrived.
Danzo had been resting in the hospital, but something had felt off-his neck had tingled, and a chill had settled over him. Then, the bad news came: the operatives he had sent out were dead, and the cargo was missing.
Danzo had nearly leaped out of bed the moment he heard. Ignoring Tsunade's orders to stay in the hospital, he rushed straight to the Hokage's office. The amount of chakra metal at stake was too much to ignore.
"Hiruzen, have you found any leads on the culprits?" Danzo demanded as he entered.
"Danzo, you should be resting in the hospital, not involving yourself in these matters," Hiruzen replied, unfazed by Danzo's sudden appearance. He was long used to Danzo showing up at just the right moment.
What bothered him was that Danzo wasn't taking care of himself and was, instead, running around sending Root operatives on questionable missions.