The Third Hokage wanted to see him?
And right after he had returned to the village?
It could be said that although Shōji had long prepared himself mentally to face all kinds of matters, he was still stunned at that moment. Kogen and Homura beside him both turned grim. It was not directed at Shōji, but at the white-haired Anbu before them. Their eyes were filled with suspicion and wariness. Everyone knew that in the current situation, the Uchiha Clan was a clan the higher-ups watched and guarded against.
Now, an Anbu had suddenly appeared to summon their clan's new-generation genius to see the Third Hokage immediately upon his return? No matter how one looked at it, it reeked of conspiracy. For a moment, Kogen even suspected that this was a plot by the higher-ups—or, more precisely, by the head of Root, Shimura Danzō!
Just as Danzo was extremely hostile toward the Uchiha Clan.
Nearly everyone in the Uchiha Clan held little goodwill toward Konoha's Root. Judging from the various incidents in the past, they had ample reason to suspect Shimura Danzō. Thus, when faced with the Anbu member who had appeared before them, Kogen, Homura, and the others instinctively went on guard.
"Does Lord Hokage wish to summon me right now?"
Shōji's eyes flickered. After a few seconds of contemplation, he immediately came back to himself and looked intently at the white-haired Anbu before him, speaking in a steady tone.
"Yes, right now!"
The white-haired Anbu replied in the same icy tone.
"Alright, I understand. Then—"
After hearing those words, Shōji nodded lightly. But before he could move—
"Shōji!"
Kogen, standing to his left, grabbed him.
"I think something is wrong here. Why summon you the moment we return? I think we should find an excuse to refuse for