"Who is it?" A knock came at the office door, drawing both Hiruzen Sarutobi's and Hyuga Taku's attention.
"It's me, Sarutobi." A familiar voice came from outside.
Danzo?
"Come in!"
As soon as he spoke, the office door opened. A familiar figure slowly walked in.
"Danzo, what do you need?" he asked.
Danzo said nothing. He walked to one side of the office and stood there in silence.
Seeing Danzo's gloomy expression, Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned.
Wasn't taking all those Byakugan enough? Why was he still making that face?
Danzo did not answer, and the entire office fell silent.
Hyuga Taku looked at their expressions, then sighed.
"Lord Third, if there's nothing else, I'll take my leave."
"All right." Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded.
Hyuga Taku bowed, then walked slowly toward the office door.
As he reached the door, something suddenly occurred to him. He turned back to Hiruzen Sarutobi and thanked him. "Oh, thank you for the ANBU's help earlier. The Hyuga Clan is deeply grateful."
With that, he stepped out of the office.
Thud. The door closed softly, and Hyuga Taku disappeared from view.
Hiruzen Sarutobi was puzzled by what Hyuga Taku had just said.
When had he sent the ANBU to help the Hyuga? Had he ever done that?
After a moment's thought, he looked at Danzo, and the cause of it all immediately became clear.
"Danzo, when did I say your Root could operate under the ANBU's identity?" he bellowed.
Despite Hiruzen Sarutobi's reprimand, Danzo remained unmoved. His expression suggested he was holding something back.
"Danzo, did you hear what I said?" Hiruzen Sarutobi continued.
But Danzo still said nothing.
At that, Hiruzen Sarutobi no longer felt like talking to him.
After a brief silence, he held out his hand toward Danzo, palm open.
"Danzo, the Hyuga Clan is