Just then, someone knocked on the office door. Before anyone could grant permission, Shimura Danzō walked in with his cane, his steps steady.
His expression was as gloomy as ever, but his single eye now glinted with a mixture of wariness, greed, and icy coldness.
"Hiruzen, you've already read the report from the eastern front, haven't you?" Danzō skipped the pleasantries and got straight to the point, his voice hoarse.
"Mm." Hiruzen Sarutobi relit his pipe and took a puff, exhaling a thick cloud of smoke to conceal the turmoil within.
"Ling has distinguished himself again, thwarting Iwagakure's scheme and once more proving his strength and loyalty to the village."
"Loyalty?" Danzō let out a cold laugh, his single eye fixed on Hiruzen.
"Hiruzen, when did you become so naive? The Uchiha Clan's loyalty? Hmph! Don't forget what kind of blood runs through their veins!"
Danzō paused, then brought his cane down hard on the floor. "The power described in the report! The ability to nullify attacks and transform into lightning! Do you really think that's something an ordinary Sharingan could do?"
Hiruzen remained silent, quietly smoking.
Danzō stepped closer, his tone growing colder. "Uchiha Ling's demonstrated abilities—whether the extraordinary strength and insight he showed at Kikyo Mountain Fortress or this time, his transformation into lightning that nullified attacks—are all a perfect match for the traits of the Mangekyō Sharingan!"
Danzō was practically growling. "Hiruzen! He's awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan! An Uchiha who awakened the Mangekyō at just sixteen! Do you know what that means? It means he's uncontrollable! It means he's a tremendous danger!
"Think of Madara Uchiha! Anyone with that kind of power will inevitably grow more ambitious! Perhaps he still has faith in the village now, but what about the future? When he's grown powerful enough, when