So He Was Shimura Danzō

Yuuhi Kurenai ate ravenously, replenishing her body after her time in prison while slowly building up her chakra.

She knew that if she had to fight next, it would be no simple matter. Having gained a Sharingan, even if it was not a Mangekyo Sharingan, she now understood how powerful the Uchiha Clan was.

Something unexpected might happen to her, too. She had to be fully prepared.

Sasuke Uchiha stared at the lavish meal before him, unable to eat a bite.

Unlike Naruto, he had been escorted straight home by the Anbu and Root. But his house was no longer as quiet as it had been. Root and Anbu operatives were there, along with an Elder whose face was wrapped in bandages.

The Third Hokage was there too, which put Sasuke somewhat at ease. Since Sasuke's return, he had kept asking about his studies and training, every bit the kindly old grandfather.

But when mealtime came and the Anbu brought in delicious food, Sasuke held his chopsticks and hesitated.

The Third Hokage was eating beside him, seemingly as comfortable as if he were in his own home. He finished a rice ball in a few bites. Nothing about him suggested his advanced age.

He invited the other Anbu to eat as well. Only the Root operatives remained standing at attention. Those by the windows were especially vigilant, their gazes sharp as hawks' as they watched for anything suspicious.

Shimura Danzō, the leader of Root, had not eaten either. Even when the Third Hokage invited him over, he gave no response. Instead, he frowned and said in a low voice:

His Root operatives obeyed orders without question, but in some ways they truly could not compare with the Anbu. They lacked an important quality: approachability. Compared with the Third Hokage, Danzō