"This way."
Following the direction indicated by the Root ninja, Uchiha Shanhuo arrived at the designated location. There, a Root ninja clad in a black uniform and wearing a mask waited silently, like a cold statue.
"Where is Danzo?" Uchiha Shanhuo frowned, a trace of impatience in his voice.
"Lord Danzo is still confined. Follow me." The Root ninja spoke coldly, then turned and left without a single unnecessary movement.
Uchiha Shanhuo's brow furrowed tightly. Though he felt somewhat uneasy, he followed for Uchiha Tieyue's sake. After all, the message Danzo had sent concerned whether Uchiha Tieyue could awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan. To him, that was of paramount importance.
After passing through several dim corridors, Uchiha Shanhuo finally arrived at the place where Danzo was confined. Led by the Root ninja, he entered the courtyard and spotted Danzo from afar, seated in a pavilion and leisurely brewing tea, as though everything were under his control.
"You're here. Sit." Danzo raised his head, his gaze sharp as a hawk's. The corners of his mouth curled slightly into a meaningful smile. He casually poured a cup of tea and pushed it toward Uchiha Shanhuo.
"I'll pass on the tea." Uchiha Shanhuo coldly rejected Danzo's gesture. Staring directly at him, he asked in a questioning tone, "What did the message you had the Root ninja deliver to me mean?"
"Heh." Danzo chuckled, a trace of contempt flashing through his eyes. "As expected, I guessed right. At this point, aside from wanting to awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan, you have no cards left to play."
Uchiha Shanhuo's expression darkened instantly. His fists clenched so tightly that his nails nearly dug into his palms. Forcing down the anger in his heart, he said coldly, "Lord Danzo, if you called me here merely to humiliate me, then