"Danzo?"
Though it was late, Hiruzen Sarutobi was still reading reports in the Hokage's Office.
So much had happened lately that he had no choice but to keep working overtime.
He had also been wondering why his old friend had yet to return from the Land of Rain. Had something happened to him?
Then Danzo's voice rang out, leaving him both surprised and pleased.
"You're... back?"
"Hmph. Were you hoping I'd stay there?"
Black Zetsu made Danzo snort in displeasure. Truthfully, he was puzzled by Danzo's relationship with Hiruzen Sarutobi.
According to Danzo's memories, he had once tried to assassinate Hiruzen Sarutobi, yet the Hokage had let him live.
At other times, the Hokage had shown Danzo no mercy at all. He had even surrounded Danzo's Root with Anbu!
Black Zetsu had lived for a thousand years and seen all manner of strange bonds and feelings, but he had never understood them.
It hardly mattered. All he had to do was play his part.
"Then I'm afraid you'll be disappointed. I came back alive."
"Why would you say that..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi shook his head, his pipe between his lips. He looked Danzo up and down before speaking quietly.
"Things aren't looking good in the Land of Fields, but that can wait. What happened in the Land of Rain?"
"What happened in the Land of Fields?"
"Danzo" slipped straight into work mode, though he still asked out of habit.
Hiruzen Sarutobi merely watched him in silence over his pipe. At that, Danzo snorted.
"Hmph. Things in the Land of Rain aren't as promising as we imagined, either. Hanzo is practically finished."
"Only finished?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes widened slightly. He could scarcely believe it.
"He wasn't controlled or killed?"
"Danzo" stared at Hiruzen Sarutobi without expression. Inside, Black Zetsu cursed Obito.
*Damn