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The sun had barely risen above the horizon when the funeral began. A gray sky loomed over Konoha, casting an ominous gloom on the mourners gathered to pay their last respects.
The air was thick with grief, heavy and suffocating, but beneath that sadness lay something darker—a current of fear that buzzed quietly, unnoticed by most.
Hiruzen Sarutobi stood at the forefront, dressed in his formal Hokage robes, his robes heavy and ceremonial, his aging face.
His aged face was etched with sorrow, but his eyes burned with anger and unease, betraying a mix of grief and simmering anger. He bowed his head as the eulogy was delivered, his hands clasped tightly together.
Mourners gathered around, a sea of faces ranging from high-ranking jonin to members of Konoha's most prestigious clans.
'Koharu...' He thought bitterly. 'You were a pillar of our council, a loyal defender of Konoha. Whoever did this...'
His jaw clenched. 'They will pay!'
As the eulogy concluded, Hiruzen looked out over the gathered shinobi. High-ranking jonin, village elders, and members of Konoha's most prominent clans stood in solemn silence.
Inoichi Yamanaka and Shikaku Nara exchanged murmured words. Hiashi Hyuga stood stoically, flanked by his clan members. Even the Uchiha, though still distrusted, had sent a few representatives to show respect.
Even younger shinobi like Kakashi Hatake stood among them, his mask hiding whatever emotion he might be feeling. Everyone knew this was not just a funeral for an elder but a reckoning that loomed on the horizon.
The entire village was in attendance, or so it seemed.
Yet something felt... wrong.
Hiruzen's mind raced, the feeling gnawing at his gut.
"Hiruzen,"
A familiar low and cautious voice broke through his troubled thoughts.
Danzo Shimura stepped up beside him, his one visible eye cold and calculating. "Where is Homura?"
The question hit Hiruzen like a slap. His eyes widened, and he instinctively scanned the crowd.
'Homura...'
The elder was notably absent from his place beside Hiruzen and Danzo. He hadn't noticed until now—Homura was absent. The elder's usual place beside Danzo and Hiruzen stood empty.
A chill ran down Hiruzen's spine, and his senses were immediately on high alert.
He faltered. "I…"
Homura never misses an event of this importance. He wouldn't just vanish. His unease deepened, morphing into full-blown dread.
Hiruzen then quickly masked his unease. "I don't know. He should have been here."
A cold sweat broke out on his brow. Two council members disappearing within a span of days?
What is happening?
Danzo's eyes narrowed. "Two council members gone in quick succession?"
He leaned in slightly, his voice dropping to a whisper. "This is no coincidence, Hiruzen. We're being targeted."
He then followed up, asking carefully. "Shall I have my men investigate?"
"No." Hiruzen shook his head. "I'll send an ANBU. We must be discreet and mustn't draw suspicion from the public."
He glanced at one of the masked shinobi standing guard.
"Find Homura," He ordered. "Bring him here at once."
The ANBU vanished with a silent nod, disappearing in a swirl of leaves.
Hiruzen turned back to the funeral, but his mind was elsewhere, racing with possibilities.
'Two council members in danger... or worse. Is someone coming after us one by one?'
A shiver ran down his spine.
'Who could be behind this? An enemy village? A rogue shinobi? And why target Koharu and Homura?'
His stomach twisted with the thought, a cold sweat forming at the back of his neck.
He tried to focus on the proceedings, but his gaze kept flicking to the empty space beside him.
The minutes ticked by, each one stretching into an eternity. The assembled shinobi shifted uncomfortably, as if they, too, felt the creeping sense of dread in the air.
Danzo was still at his side, his demeanor unreadable.
"You seem... troubled," He murmured, though his tone suggested amusement more than concern.
Hiruzen shot him a glare. "You would be, too, if your closest advisors were dropping like leaves in the autumn wind."
Danzo's lips curled into a thin smile. "I am merely considering the possibilities. Whoever orchestrated this attack has been meticulous."
His voice took on a chilling quality. "Perhaps too meticulous for anyone outside our village."
Hiruzen's eyes narrowed. "You're suggesting an inside job?"
The idea unsettled him, but it wasn't impossible. 'What if one of our own is behind this?'
The thought was horrifying but logical.
Before Danzo could respond, the ANBU returned, his appearance a silent exclamation of urgency. Dropping to one knee, the operative's voice was grave. "Lord Hokage, I found Elder Homura in his home."
The masked operative's voice was grave.
"Lord Hokage," He said. "I have found Elder Homura."
Hiruzen's heart lurched. "And?" he demanded, his voice cracking slightly. "Where is he?"
The ANBU hesitated, a rare occurrence that only heightened Hiruzen's anxiety.
"Elder Homura Mitokado is dead, Lord Hokage. We found him in his home. He... he appears to have taken his own life."
Gasps rippled through the crowd, and Hiruzen's vision blurred with shock. He gripped the edge of the podium for support, his knees feeling weak.
"What?" he whispered. 'Homura... dead? By his own hand?'
The word felt heavy, unreal.
First Koharu, now Homura... He swallowed hard. Who will be next?
"No," He whispered, disbelief washing over him. He glanced at Danzo, whose face remained impassive, but something predatory gleamed in his eye.
"What did you find?" Danzo demanded, his voice harsh. "Are there any signs of foul play?"
The ANBU shook his head. "No, sir. There is a suicide note, written in Homura's hand. It confesses... many things."
"Many things?" Hiruzen echoed, his voice hoarse.
'Confessions?'
His mind whirled. What did Homura write? What secrets did he spill?
The ANBU hesitated again. "The letter... exposes actions taken by the council," he said carefully. "Including decisions regarding the decline of Senju Clan, operations on young,g children, and other covert operations."
Hiruzen's blood ran cold. No... it can't be. His hands clenched into fists. "Bring me that letter. Now!"
Danzo's expression darkened, but a spark of something else—something like opportunity—flickered in his eye.
The ANBU bowed and vanished once more, leaving Hiruzen standing there, his mind in turmoil. If those secrets come to light... He glanced at Danzo, who met his gaze with an expression of grim understanding.
"We're compromised," Danzo murmured, his voice barely audible. "Someone is targeting us, Hiruzen."
Hiruzen's jaw tightened. "We need to act quickly. If our secrets are revealed, everything we've worked for—everything—could be destroyed."
Danzo's eyes narrowed. "Then we must find this enemy and eliminate them. No hesitation."
Hiruzen felt a pang of guilt and fear. He had always justified his decisions as being for the good of the village, but now those choices had returned to haunt him.
'I have to protect Konoha... but at what cost?'
"Lord Hokage." The ANBU had returned, holding a scroll sealed with Homura's official mark. Hiruzen took it with trembling hands, unsealing it with a flick of his thumb. As he read, his face grew pale.
The letter detailed years of conspiracies, manipulation, and sins committed in the name of Konoha's security. It was a damning confession, one that would ruin the village's leadership if made public.
"No..." Hiruzen whispered. His fingers crumpled the paper. "This... cannot get out."
--- ✦ ✦ ✦ ---
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