Otsu Without His Mask

Although Danzo did not understand the special meaning hidden in Chen's words, it did not stop him from appreciating them.

Because they truly suited his state of mind.

He had done so much for Konoha, yet so many ninja failed to understand him and even maliciously slandered him. Heh... he did not need anyone else's understanding.

Because he had always been alone.

Sarutobi Hiruzen had once been someone Danzo could take comfort in, but he later came to understand a truth: humans were creatures incapable of understanding one another. Only power was eternal.

"Let me alone savor this loneliness and bear this pain.

"Likewise, Konoha must be held in my hands."

This was the conviction that had brought Danzo this far.

"Never mind why Kagami's son said such things... Still, they aren't so unpleasant."

Danzo decided to have those words written in Root's main hall, to warn all his subordinates.

Do not care about what others thought. Root existed to serve Konoha and Danzo.

In a fairly good mood, Danzo soon returned to Root.

Otsu was already waiting at the entrance to the laboratory.

Danzo waved his hand, dismissing the hidden ninja around them. Only Danzo and Otsu remained in the laboratory.

The surroundings were empty and deserted. Danzo said nothing, and Otsu would say even less. He merely knelt halfway to the ground in a humble posture.

Danzo simply stared at him.

Otsu felt a pressure that was not caused by Ninjutsu, but by having his life controlled by another for so long.

It was the pressure of being unable to control his own fate.

After a while, once he saw Otsu begin to tremble, Danzo finally asked, "Is everything ready?"

"It is ready, sir," Otsu answered, lowering himself even more humbly.

"There won't be any problems?"

"No. We