A Shadow-Level Expert Became My Subordinate

The Root Base beneath Hidden Leaf never saw daylight year-round.

The air was thick with the smell of damp earth and a faint stench of blood.

Hatake Sakumo followed behind two masked Root shinobi.

The Chakra Suppression Shackles around his wrists had already been removed.

Yet he walked slowly, his steps dragging.

None of the former White Fang of Konoha's sharp aura remained.

Dim torches burned along both sides of the long stone corridor.

Their light cast swaying shadows across the walls.

Sakumo's gaze was calm, betraying no emotional fluctuation.

He knew what role he was supposed to play now.

A beaten dog abandoned by the village, driven into a corner and left with no choice but to bow to darkness.

Only then would Danzo truly let down his guard.

After passing through the corridor, they came upon a heavy iron door.

The Root shinobi pushed it open and gestured for Sakumo to enter.

The hall was dimly lit.

Shimura Danzō sat upright in the seat of honor atop the platform.

With both hands resting on his cane, his single eye looked down at Sakumo as he entered.

Qian Ye stood in the shadows at the side of the platform.

He wore a Chunin flak jacket, his arms folded across his chest.

When Sakumo entered, a faint curve lifted Qian Ye's lips.

Sakumo stopped beneath the platform.

He did not kneel, merely lowering his head slightly.

"Hatake Sakumo."

Danzo spoke, his voice echoing through the empty hall.

"You have finally made the right choice."

"Your time in the serious offenders' prison wasn't pleasant, was it?"

"That weakling Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't even have the courage to protect you."

"He only cared about his pathetic Hokage reputation."

"When the civilians of Hidden Leaf cursed you, he went with the flow and locked