Iruka pulls out the contents of the envelope, careful to keep what is on the papers out of Naruto's line of sight. Before he has even read the first sentence on the first piece of paper, Iruka's blood freezes in his veins. Immediately after he finishes reading, Iruka casts a barrier seal around himself, Naruto and the Hokage. Then Iruka turns to the Hokage and says, "I don't think anyone should know what is in this until something is done about it."
The Hokage reads over the papers quickly then says, "do you mind if I keep these until later? I would like to discuss this with you, but I will need some time to consider the situation."
"That's probably a good idea," says Iruka, glad that Naruto will not learn what really happened just yet. How is he supposed to tell Naruto that someone tried to assassinate him?
The Hokage tucks the papers back into the envelope and files it away inside his clothing. "So Naruto," he says. "Why don't you tell Iruka what you and Hinata got up to the other day?"
Naruto laughs nervously and scratches the back of his head.
"Naruto, what did you do?" asks Iruka sternly.
"I'll tell you what he did," says a voice from the door.
Iruka turns to see Hiashi and Hinata Hyuuga standing in the doorway. "What did Naruto do?" asks Iruka.
"It wasn't just Naruto," volunteers Hinata. "It was my idea to draw mustaches on the policemen, and then when Shisui caught us he helped-"
"What?" Iruka interrupts. "What do you mean you drew mustaches on the policemen?"
"Well," explains Naruto at breakneck pace. "We thought the policemen looked unhappy, so we thought we'd brighten their day up. And then we planned everything out and Hinata got every felt and marker in the Hyuuga compound and stole some sleeping tablets and powder from her dad's medicine cabinet. And then we drugged all the policemen and once they were asleep we drew on their faces." He takes a deep breath and barrels on, "but then Shisui caught us and once we told him what we were doing, he decided to join us."
"Fugaku decided not to press charges," adds The Third Hokage.
"And he decided to grow a real mustache!" adds Naruto cheerfully.
"Yay!" Hinata grins and claps her hands.
"Naruto!" Iruka scolds. "I thought I told you not to cause any trouble?"
Naruto sticks his chin in the air and says, "I thought I told you to be careful!"
Iruka is stunned for a few moments then he laughs. "I guess I can't really say anything, huh? Especially since I did the opposite of what you told me."
A nurse comes in and shoos everyone out, leaving Iruka alone to ponder the most recent developments.
Hiruzen sits at his desk, pondering the most recent developments. That envelope contains a photograph of Iruka, a photograph of Danzo at a meeting with a Mist Kunoichi, a summons from Danzo to that meeting, a contract between Danzo Shimura and Mei Terumi for the assassination and a contract between Mei Terumi and some ninjas called 'Wind and Rain' for the protection of Iruka Umino. It would seem Danzo wants Iruka dead for some reason, but why? It is quite a conundrum and one that Hiruzen feels he should discuss with Shikaku Nara.
"Lord Hokage?" says a voice from the window.
Hiruzen turns to see Shisui crouched on the windowsill with Itachi in tow. "Yes, Shisui?" he says calmly.
"We have news regarding the situation with our clan," say Shisui.
"I hope it is good news," says Hiruzen, fully expecting bad news. "I could use some right now."
To his surprise, Itachi smiles. "It is good news," she says, looking more relaxed than Hiruzen has seen her in a long time.
"Why don't you come inside and tell me?" suggests The Hokage.
The two Uchihas climb in the window and stand in front of his desk, seemingly eager to give their report. That's unusual, Hiruzen reflects; usually the last thing they want to do is give a report on the status of the impending coup.
"Lord Hokage," says Itachi. "My father has not only called off the coup d'etat, but has also forbidden anyone else in the clan to start one."
The Hokage starts in shock, then smiles. "That is good news. What brought it on?"
"Oddly, it was Naruto, Hinata and Shisui's prank that brought this about."
Hiruzen starts laughing loudly. This is entirely unexpected, but not at all unwelcome.
"So what do you think?" asks Hiruzen once Shikaku is finished reading over the contents of the envelope.
"I think that Mist kunoichi either has an ulterior motive or a soft spot for Iruka," say Shikaku grimly. "She gave him this - with a seal only a Whirlpool ninja could open - and told me she'd given it to him. It is obviously meant for us rather than Iruka, which begs the question of why she gave it to Iruka rather than me and why she had it sealed so thoroughly. There is also the question of who sealed it and who took the photograph of that meeting. Another thing bothering me is who Wind and Rain really are - those names are obviously code names, but the pair are not ANBU." Shikaku examines the photograph of the meeting between the Mist Kunoichi and Danzo. "The most important question," he says heavily, "is why Danzo hired a Mist ninja to assassinate a Leaf ninja."
"That is what troubles me most about this," says Hiruzen. "I have suspected for some time that Danzo has been doing things behind my back, and now I have proof. What else has he done?"
"Perhaps we should find out," suggests Shikaku. "But first we must make as much sense of this information as we can." He examines the papers again. "First the seal: she obviously knew that Iruka would be able to undo it, and she placed it there to decrease the chances of someone other than Iruka opening the envelope. The problem is that Mei Terumi is no seal master, and neither are the shinobi of the Hidden Mist. The logical conclusion then is that either Wind or Rain placed the seal."
"That makes sense," agrees Hiruzen, puffing at his pipe. "If that is the case, do you think that maybe one of them took the photograph?"
"That is possible," nods Shikaku. "But the question still remains as to who they are. If one of them placed this seal, then that one must either be from the Hidden Whirlpool or had a whirlpool-style upbringing."
"But why, if it was meant for us, did Mei Terumi have the envelope sealed with a seal that only someone with Whirlpool fuuinjutsu training could undo?" Hiruzen muses, taking another puff at his pipe.
"Maybe so that Iruka could ensure that only the right people saw it," suggest Shikaku. "Imagine if this had fallen into Danzo's hands."
"Yes," says Hiruzen. "If Danzo got ahold of this, I think a few good people would die. What shall we do about him?"
"I hate to say this," says Shikaku. "Since Danzo has been a valuable part of the Leaf's leadership, but his underhanded meddling has got to stop. The only way to stop him for good is to kill him."
"As much as it saddens me that it has come to this," says Hiruzen, lowering his pipe. "I agree. For the good of the village, Danzo must be executed before he does lasting harm. His actions nearly drove the Uchiha clan to a coup d'etat. Fortunately, that tragedy has been avoided, but if he is allowed to continue there is no guarantee that he will not cause lasting harm to the Village."
"So what shall we do?" asks Shikaku so heavily the Hiruzen knows he knows what the Third is about to say.
"We execute Danzo for treason against the Hidden Leaf Village," replies Hiruzen. "Gather the clan heads; we will confront him about this together."
"All the clan heads?" asks Shikaku, raising an eyebrow. "You will have to explain to them all what Danzo has done."
"I know," sighs Hiruzen. "But the clan heads must know what Danzo has done."
"But is it necessary to gather so many to kill one man?" asks Shikaku skeptically.
"Maybe not," replies Hiruzen. "But it is one way to ensure he does not survive."
Shikaku rises. "I will locate the clan heads and send them here, then," he says. "Should we tell Iruka of this?"
"Not until it is done," says the Third Hokage. "I will send a team of ANBU to guard him and Naruto until Danzo is taken care of."
"Is that necessary?" asks Shikaku. "It may alert Danzo that something is up."
"I will advise them to be discreet," The Hokage assures him. "If Danzo has already found out Iruka returned alive, the boy will need the extra protection of an ANBU team."