He popped a piece of cooked beef into his mouth and took a sip of his drink, waiting for time to pass.
Outside, the moon climbed slowly higher, and the Barbecue Restaurant grew busier. Fugaku stood, paid his bill, and left. As he passed a corner, he vanished.
That day, Koharu once again visited the place where Danzo was confined. The Hokage's faction owed much of its success this time to him.
Danzo sat in the room drinking tea. He looked at Koharu as she approached and said calmly, "Judging by your expression, it worked."
Koharu smiled. "Your method really was more effective. When the four of us work together, everything falls perfectly into place.
"This will keep the Uchiha scrambling for a while. The next time Uchiha Tenjo tries to run for Elder, we can bring it up again to sway public opinion.
"Whether it works or not, it should at least knock down the Uchiha's standing."
A rare smile appeared on Danzo's usually stern face. "Where there is light, there is darkness. Hiruzen listened to too many of Fugaku Uchiha's lies before. He let Fugaku mislead him.
"Konoha is the largest village in the Shinobi World. Developing only its visible strength isn't enough. Without forces in the shadows to clear obstacles for him, many things will be held back.
"I hope Hiruzen learns from this and doesn't let anyone mislead him again."
"Danzo, do you have a good way to deal with Fugaku Uchiha? Fugaku is the backbone of the Uchiha now. If we eliminate him, all the influence they've built up will collapse overnight."
Danzo's expression turned serious again. "Don't move against Fugaku Uchiha lightly. The position I'm in today is the result of everything he did, step by step.
"Until we're absolutely certain of success, we