In front of the frog-shaped hut shrouded in curtains of rain, the atmosphere was as taut as a bowstring about to snap.
Sarutobi Hiruzen’s steady, authoritative voice cut through the rain and into the hut: "Beast Master of Sunagakure, we have arrived. Please, come out and show yourself."
The lineup gathered before the hut appeared simple, yet it concealed a deeper complexity. Standing at the front was the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, his face etched with the weight of years and unyielding resolve. Root leader Shimura Danzo leaned on his cane, his eyes flickering with an inscrutable light. Tsunade, the Princess of Konoha, wore a deeply furrowed brow, her inner turmoil and anxiety plain for all to see. Surrounding them were ten highly trained Anbu ninja.
Chapter 41