Root's base was dim, as though countless secrets were hidden within the darkness.
The darkness carried a faint, decaying stench,
as if the roots of a great tree had completely rotted away from disease.
That rotten smell also contained a trace of blood,
and that bloodiness represented cruelty, true mercilessness.
Had ordinary people come here, this passage alone would likely have frightened them out of their wits.
But although these two were somewhat old, what kind of scenes had they not witnessed in the past?
Besides, this was far from their first visit here.
Others might feel fear or other such emotions toward Danzo, but they would not.
Yet today, they seemed to have been overly confident in themselves, or perhaps they had underestimated Danzo's bottom line.
After passing through a series of corridors, the two saw Danzo in a room clearly lit by dim yellow lamps.
Danzo was currently gripping his cane with both hands, the cane braced against the floor.
His expression was solemn, as though he had been waiting for the two of them for quite some time.
Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura entered the room and closed the door. Danzo did not greet them, and they did not sit down either.
Utatane Koharu immediately spoke. "Danzo, what exactly are you trying to do?"
Danzo remained silent, like a corpse—or perhaps a puppet.
His expression did not change in the slightest, nor did he move at all.
Seeing this, Utatane Koharu continued, "At such a critical time, you made a move against the Hyuga Clan. Have you considered the consequences?"
Mitokado Homura added, "Danzo, stop! If this continues, the village will be the only one to suffer losses."
"And at a time like this, it will bring no benefit to you or the village. It can only