The wind made the command post door sway.
At the corner of the corridor outside, an ANBU-coded whistle sounded urgently.
Uchiha Fugaku had just risen from the floor when his expression abruptly changed.
"Someone's coming. Their chakra is cold and sinister, with a murderous edge."
Fugaku lowered his voice, his right hand resting on the short blade at his waist.
Qian Ye lifted his teacup and moistened his throat without so much as raising his eyelids.
"Why panic? Our god of wealth is here."
Qian Ye pointed to a hidden door behind the screen.
"Clan Head Fugaku, go sit inside for a while."
"While you're there, you can see how Root's commander usually delivers money to me."
Fugaku froze for a moment, then swiftly slipped into the secret room.
The hidden door closed seamlessly, leaving only a tiny ventilation hole.
The next instant, the command post's main door was shoved open.
Shimura Danzō strode in with his cane, even the wrinkles on his face smoothing out.
The two Root guards following Danzo tactfully withdrew outside and closed the door behind them.
Danzo's exposed eye gleamed, his face brimming with an irrepressible smile.
"Qian Ye, beautifully done!"
Danzo tapped his cane against the stone floor with a crisp clack.
"You stripped that old bastard Hiruzen of every scrap of dignity at the Hokage Building today!"
"I sat beside him watching the show. You have no idea how satisfying it was!"
Qian Ye hurriedly stood up, putting on an expression of nervous humility.
"You flatter me, Lord Danzo."
"Without your backing, I would never have dared challenge the Third to his face."
Qian Ye stepped forward quickly and pulled out the chair at the head of the table for Danzo.
Danzo settled into it without hesitation and stroked the stubble on his