CHAPTER 154: 154. DANZO’S MASK OF PAIN

◉◉◉◉◉

That night, for the first time in a while, Neji stayed at the Hyuga compound.

Under the moonlit sky, he found Hiashi still awake, seated in the courtyard with a pot of tea beside him. The soft murmur of water and the quiet rustle of leaves gave the space a rare tranquility.

"Danzo, huh?" Hiashi murmured after hearing everything. "I didn’t expect it to escalate this quickly."

His tone was calm, but his eyes betrayed concern. "Be careful. Danzo is not someone to provoke carelessly. He’s seen too much... done too much. If you push too hard, he’ll twist your actions and weaponize them against you."

Neji nodded. "I know. But the sharper the blade, the deeper it cuts when turned inward."

He laid out his plan.

Hiashi listened quietly, brow furrowing.

"...You’re sure about this? If something goes wrong—"

"It won’t," Neji said with quiet confidence.

Hiashi paused, then gave a long sigh. "Then you’ll have my support."

Neji left the courtyard soon after, the plan in motion.

Hiashi remained behind, sipping his tea beneath the stars.

---

The next few days passed quietly.

Neji kept a low profile. Barely seen in the village. Until one morning, when he entered his lab holding a sealed container.

The security seals flickered just for a moment as he stepped through the barrier.

And that moment was all it took.

A Root operative watching from afar caught a glimpse of what was inside.

His eyes widened in shock.

Sharingan. Three tomoe. A matched set.

Without hesitation, he vanished to report.

---

Back in the lab, Neji placed the container down and smiled to himself.

Now then... will you take the bait, Danzo?

Inside the jar, suspended in stasis, floated a pair of Uchiha eyes.

---

Later that day...

The Root agent kneeled before Danzo.

"You’re certain?"

"Yes, sir. The subject appeared to be carrying a preserved set of Sharingan. Possibly an accident the seal flickered just long enough for us to catch a glimpse."

Danzo’s single visible eye narrowed.

Interesting.

"Are you sure it wasn’t staged?"

"I... can’t be certain."

Danzo tapped his cane. "Withdraw. All of you. Do nothing further for now."

"Yes, sir."

Once alone, Danzo stood in silence, thoughts racing.

Sharingan. In Hyuga Neji’s possession.

The boy’s becoming too bold.

---

Later that evening...

"Danzo-sama. The Hokage is summoning you."

Danzo looked up, irritated. Again?

Tsunade had been summoning him almost daily, ostensibly for policy meetings but in truth, it was just her way of wasting his time. Menial affairs, pointless discussions, hollow proposals.

She was stonewalling him.

Still, as the Hokage, her summons couldn’t be ignored.

With a scowl, Danzo rose and left Root HQ.

---

At the Hokage Tower...

"Ah! Just in time," Tsunade greeted him with exaggerated warmth.

Her desk was stacked high with documents.

"Another proposal? You’re quite diligent lately," she added, voice laced with acid.

Danzo’s jaw tightened. This had been her pattern for days now. She would ask his opinion on everything then systematically reject each suggestion. He could offer no idea without it being dissected and discarded.

It was a performance, and he knew it.

Today was no different. He made a suggestion. She smiled and rejected it.

Again.

His patience, honed over decades, was wearing thin.

Even Hiruzen never disrespected him like this.

"...If my input is so unworthy," Danzo said coldly, "perhaps I should excuse myself. I have pressing matters elsewhere."

He turned toward the door.

But Tsunade’s voice followed, deceptively sweet.

"Pressing matters? You’re one of Konoha’s top advisors. Surely the Hokage should be aware of everything going on in her village...?"

Danzo froze at the threshold.

Tsunade’s tone sharpened just enough. "It would be irresponsible of me to let a senior official leave unattended. Especially with so many... minor matters stacking up."

She gestured to the mound of paperwork.

"Wouldn’t you agree?"

The silence that followed was stifling.

Danzo’s grip on his cane tightened.

"...Very well," he said quietly. "I’ll stay."

But as he turned back, the door swung open—

And Might Guy barged in.

"Yo! Danzo-sama! Are you—whoa, you look a little pale!"

Danzo’s eye twitched.

"I was just leaving."

"Nonsense," Tsunade cut in. "he wasn’t feeling well. Guy, help him to a seat. I’ll give him a quick examination."

"What?! I—no! That’s not necessary!"

Tsunade smiled like a predator.

"Oh, but I insist. After all... I am a world-class medical ninja. It would be irresponsible of me not to check."

Danzo’s expression cracked just slightly.

"I said—"

"Too late!" Guy was already reaching to help.

Danzo jerked away, snarling, "I am fine."

Everyone in the room paused.

Even Guy looked puzzled.

"...But didn’t you say you were feeling unwell?"

Danzo turned slowly to Tsunade, who was now watching him with open amusement.

"Hmm... must’ve been a miracle recovery," she said. "Still, it’s understandable. Age is catching up to us all. Perhaps it’s time to consider... retirement?"

Danzo stared, silent.

Ah. So that’s it.

He smiled coldly.

"On the contrary. I feel better than ever. Let’s resume."

"Wonderful!" Tsunade chirped. "Let’s get started."

She gestured at the towering mountain of paperwork.

Danzo sat.

But inwardly, he was burning.

◉◉◉◉◉

~Support with 200 PowerStones = 1 Bonus Chapter

◉◉◉◉◉

For early access to advanced Chapters on P-atreon:

P-atreon/iamxeno

(Just remove the - hyphen to access Patreon normally)

Thank you so much for your support and for reading!