"Them being down here is enough to show they were killed. Be careful of how clean you make it, that's more suspicious than cuts." He made sure hs hands were clear, still even in his tone, watching him as he cleaned off his own kunai and put it away finally. He'd started close in, after all.

It was only fair he give them that much due.

"I admit I've protected all three of you, and I'm hardly the only one. We like to protect the innocent hearts, many of us older ones, who remember the last war."

He made sure his hands were free of blood carefully, rubbing them clean on the darker parts of the material. He'd have to avoid Kakashi until he could bathe. And tell Sasuke to do the same.

"That war was started because someone didn't do this. They put their team first and left witnesses behind. I consider the man a hero true but..." He shook his head. "As a Hokage I cannot afford to indulge my beliefs before the needs of my village. I merely have to try to reconcile the two."

He reached, touching the back of his shoulder. "Now come away. We'll start the fire here."