You regret my shadow, wait! Where's the door?

"Bang!"

At the Root base of the Anbu, Danzou slammed the teacup he had just finished drinking from onto the ground, shattering it.

(Teacup: You're amazing, you're noble! T_T)

After returning, Danzou grew angrier the more he thought about it.

Since he gained power in Konoha, he had weathered countless storms.

Even during the few failed assassination attempts, he had never been so thoroughly humiliated.

During his escape, although the pollen obstructed his vision and Danzou had donned a mask and a black cloak, he knew it was merely a futile attempt to cover the truth.

The many Anbu directly under the Hokage who had rushed over at that time must have recognized his identity.

What was most infuriating was that the purpose of his trip hadn't even been spoken aloud before he was beaten, suffering heavy losses, utterly defeated, and forced to flee in disarray. In the end, he hadn't even been able to get close to that brat.

The two guards were also in a sorry state, their mouths agape, not knowing what to say.

It was too humiliating!

Their target was just a newcomer who had graduated at 12 years old!

If it weren't for the opponent's young age and lack of experience, the three of them might not have made it back today.

Even if they found another opportunity to ambush Mo Chen next time, Mo Chen's strength would likely be even more terrifying by then.

"Wood Style must be in my hands. I will not back down on this!"

Danzou seemed to know what the two guards were thinking, a sinister glint flashing in his eyes.

Mo Chen's Wood Style was not on the same level as 'Kano's'; this was something he absolutely could not allow to be at large.

Bang bang!!

Just then, two figures slammed heavily in front of Danzou. These were the gatekeepers Danzou had stationed outside.

Danzou's gaze narrowed, and he instinctively prepared to lash out.

But the next moment...

Swish swish swish swish!!

A large number of figures descended using the Body Flicker Technique, surrounding a short, stout old man wearing a Hokage's hat and cloak.

He took a deep puff from the pipe in his mouth, looked up at Danzou with a cold expression, and slowly exhaled the smoke.

Danzou's body stiffened, and he shouted with feigned ferocity, "Hiruzen Sarutobi, what is the meaning of this?!"

"Danzou, you've crossed the line!" the Third Hokage said, enunciating each word.

Danzou retorted stubbornly, "What have I done to cross the line? Even if I'm removed as Hokage's assistant, I'm still a Konoha ninja, a distinguished elder of Konoha!"

"You bring so many people and attack me unannounced, injuring my men. Even if you are the Hokage, you owe me an explanation today!"

Towards the end, Danzou's tone grew more resolute, and he straightened his back, looking directly at the Third Hokage with an air of unyielding integrity against overwhelming power.

Holy crap!

The two guards stared in disbelief.

No wonder Danzou was the master and they were his lackeys. It turned out what they lacked was a face as hard as Mo Chen's Wood Golem Wall.

The Third Hokage, however, was not surprised at all. He had known Danzou for decades and was well aware of his old friend's character.

"I'm not here to argue with you today!" the Third Hokage said impassively, "I don't know how much you understand about Mo Chen, but you'd best not interfere. This is the first and last time!"

Danzou's face darkened again.

Just as the Third Hokage understood him, he also understood the Third Hokage.

From these words, he could tell that the Third Hokage was serious this time.

The Third Hokage bringing so many people clearly indicated that if Danzou refused to behave, force would be used.

"You should also know what Wood Style means to the village!" Danzou had no intention of backing down.

The Third Hokage retorted uncompromisingly, "Precisely because of that, I don't want him tainted by any darkness!"

"You're too naive, Sarutobi!" Danzou slammed the table and roared, "If you let him grow on his own without control, how can you guarantee his loyalty?"

"A weapon is only a force when it's completely under control; otherwise, it's not only useless but could also backfire! Just like your attitude towards the Nine-Tails jinchuriki, I have always opposed it!"

"That's a different matter!" the Third Hokage's voice also carried anger as he shouted, "And whether it's Naruto or Mo Chen, they are inheritors of the new generation of the Will of Fire, just as we are to the previous generation!"

"They are not weapons, but Konoha ninja!"

"In my eyes, they are all the same. The so-called ninja are also tools!" Danzou snorted coldly, sat back down in his chair, his expression returning to calm. He said faintly, "You should understand that you cannot persuade me!"

"That's why I brought a whole brigade!" the Third Hokage's expression turned serious. "Danzou, as the Third Hokage, I am now formally issuing an order!"

"If you or your subordinates attack Mo Chen again, regardless of the outcome, I will declare you a rogue ninja of Konoha and notify the Five Great Nations!"

Danzou, who had just calmed down, became sullen again.

His gaze flickered as he scanned the surrounding Anbu. These were all elites around the Third Hokage, including 'Kano' who had betrayed him.

Danzou's Root had long been disbanded by the Third Hokage, leaving only die-hard loyalists.

Even if the Root organization was at its peak, Danzou wouldn't have dared to make a move against the Third Hokage here.

Moreover, if they did fight, Root would likely lose.

Just moments ago, he had declared, "Wood Style must remain in my hands, I will not yield," but now the Third Hokage had delivered a stern rebuke.

The Third Hokage's expression was serious, his words sharp, and his stance was far from mere talk.

Danzou was filled with indignation, finally gritting his teeth and snarling, "Hiruzen, you will regret this!"

Hearing this, the Third Hokage relaxed, letting out a light snort. "Danzou, don't forget, I am the Hokage!"

"Hmph!" Danzou grunted heavily and turned to leave.

Wait! Where's the door?

Danzou suddenly realized, Damn it, this is my base, not the Hokage's Office!

As if sensing Danzou's embarrassment, the Third Hokage's lips curved slightly. He waved his hand and withdrew with the Anbu by his side.

After all, they were old friends. The Third Hokage ultimately didn't do anything to Danzou, merely issuing a stern warning.

Of course, the main reason was that he had no evidence to definitively accuse Danzou of targeting Mo Chen.

Meanwhile, Mo Chen was lying in a hospital bed, experiencing both pain and pleasure.

After he passively accepted Anko as his sister, the Chat Group system chimed.

[Ding! Congratulations to group member Anko Mitarashi, group level has been upgraded from LV1 to LV3, granting a 300% increase to all attributes!]

The Chat Group exploded.

Under the interrogation of Tenten, Ino, and the others, Anko had no choice but to reveal Mo Chen's location.

Before long, including Sakura, Konoha's Four Flowers had all gathered in the hospital room.

They "coincidentally" came here, each with a more flimsy excuse than the last.

Ino came to sell flowers; Tenten had just finished a mission and needed to relax; Hinata came for an eye check-up; Sakura claimed she urgently needed the restroom.

However, it was just such a coincidence that they all arrived at the hospital at the same time and all happened to see Mo Chen in his room.

Of course, none of that mattered.

Because Anko had just joined the group and in such a short time had leveled up three times, which had greatly stimulated Konoha's Four Flowers.

Now, they were all surrounding Mo Chen, showing solicitous concern, massaging his shoulders and legs, fetching him tea and water, and the formidable Ino even offered to help him urinate