Less than ten minutes later.
Chiyo had just finished her match and hurried straight back to the treatment room.
"I'm back!"
"Is everything all right?"
"What? He's already awake?"
Chiyo was beaming after her victory. The moment she heard that Danzo had woken up, she rushed into the ward without even knocking.
As soon as she entered, she saw Danzo gripping the 'Sand Ninja' by the throat with one hand.
The two seemed to have gotten into some sort of argument.
"What are you doing?!!"
Chiyo jumped in alarm and hurried to stop them.
Danzo sighed. Since it wasn't time to show his hand just yet, he had no choice but to let go of White Zetsu.
The crafty thing had apparently sensed Chiyo's return in advance and already transformed itself to look like the original Sand Ninja.
"Nothing. Lord Dan Fire was helping me with a problem in my taijutsu."
"Lord Kazekage, I'll leave you two to talk. I'll be going now."
The Sand Ninja that White Zetsu was impersonating played along, taking his leave at once. Its goal had already been achieved; there was no need to stay in contact with Chiyo.
After careful calculation and analysis, it had concluded that the overly sentimental Kazekage Chiyo was not a suitable ally.
Danzo, on the other hand, harbored resentment toward Konoha and Tobirama Senju, making him a much more promising target for manipulation.
After all, anyone could see what had happened in the battle earlier.
Danzo and Hiruzen had fought in earnest, both truly desperate to defeat the other at any cost. That kind of emotion and behavior was difficult to fake.
That was probably the main reason White Zetsu and the others had decided to approach Danzo.
"What happened? Danzo, what on earth was going on between you