In the dark, narrow corridor.
"Click!" "Click!" ...
A slow, steady rhythm of footsteps echoed through the passage.
Sosuke's tall figure appeared.
With a faint smile on his face, he reached the room at the end of the passage. Two oil lamps hung outside its door.
"Creak..."
The wooden door opened gently, and Sosuke walked inside.
He looked at the middle-aged man sitting in the room, his face expressionless, and spoke softly.
"Teacher... It's been a long time..."
As if he had known Sosuke would come, Danzo gazed at him with narrowed eyes, his expression complicated. His voice was hoarse.
"Sosuke, congratulations on making it back alive from Sunagakure..."
Sosuke heard the disapproval in Danzo's tone and explained softly.
"I was careless. I underestimated Sunagakure's strength and nearly lost my life there... I'm ashamed to say..."
Seeing Sosuke's gentle demeanor, Danzo's urge to reprimand him slowly faded. He rasped, "Never mind... At least you made it back."
At that, his eyes darkened slightly as he continued, "You could say this misfortune turned out to be a blessing. After this battle, even Sarutobi has been full of praise for you. After all these years together, I understand what he's thinking."
"It seems he may intend to appoint you as the Fourth Hokage."
A glint flashed in his cloudy eyes as he said in a low voice, "Besides... your obstacles have mostly been removed. Whether it's Uchiha Tokino, Hatake Sakumo, or even that man from the Kato Clan, none of them can compete with you anymore."
Hearing Danzo's words, Sosuke pretended to consider them and nodded slightly.
Danzo glanced at him and said in a low voice, "Remember, Sosuke, don't let compassion cloud your judgment!"
"Fate has decreed that you become Hokage. Heaven itself has cleared away your obstacles. Besides, the incapable