Either that, or he no longer cared about the Hokage's authority.
Neji set down his pen and walked over to the stone lantern in the courtyard. He reached out and gently stroked its cold surface, sensing the natural energy contained within. The power of Crystal Release flowed through his body, blending with Sage Chakra and bringing him a reassuring sense of security.
No matter who Danzo was or what his purpose might be, Neji was no longer a wandering soul who had just arrived. He had strength, status, and the advantage of foresight.
"Come on, old man," Neji murmured toward the direction Danzo had left, a flicker of battle intent flashing through his eyes. "Let me see whether you are the ambitious schemer from the original story, or..."
Or the transmigrator whom even the Sage of Six Paths had been unable to find.
As dusk deepened, Stillness Garden returned to silence. Only the few drops of blood slowly drying on the stone slabs silently spoke of the brief yet fierce clash from moments ago.
As evening closed in, Konoha was shrouded in dim yellow afterglow. Deep within the Root Base, swaying candlelight made the cold stone chamber flicker between light and darkness. Danzo sat cross-legged in the center of the room, his single eye half-closed as his fingers tapped rhythmically against his knee. His shadow stretched long and twisted across the stone wall like a venomous snake lying in wait.
"Lord Danzo..." A weak voice came from the entrance to the stone chamber.
Danzo slowly opened his eye, his gaze cutting toward the source like a blade. His capable assistant—a Root ninja wearing a bird-beak mask—leaned against the doorframe. The wound on his right shoulder was still bleeding, staining half his gray vest red.
"What happened?" Danzo's voice was low