The next moment, a volley of shuriken stabbed into the spot where he had just stood.
As Shiki was focusing intently on observing his surroundings, preparing to fight or flee,
a familiar voice of admiration came from beside him.
"Shiki, you're truly someone worthy of respect. Even with your body so injured, you still possess such strength."
A familiar figure appeared wearing Konoha's forehead protector. His nearly iconic eyes gave him an elegant aura. Yet when Shiki saw him, his heart never felt at ease.
"Oh, it's Senior Yakushi. You really scared me just now. I was wondering how could an assassin have sneaked into Konoha?"
Shiki acted as if he had just caught his breath, dramatically thumping his chest, like someone greatly relieved to find a friend nearby.
But deep in his mind, he was thinking: That creepy bastard Kabuto nearly turned me into a pincushion.
Still, another question lingered in Shiki's mind.
Why would Kabuto Yakushi come looking for him at a time like this?
According to logic, for Orochimaru's plan, Kabuto should be avoiding exposure and trying to stay hidden, making himself seem ordinary.
Yet now he kept approaching repeatedly—it was enough to raise anyone's suspicions.
Kabuto smiled, his white teeth giving him an especially sunny appearance.
"I thought this way of greeting you might make you angry," he said. "But I'm surprised you handled it so calmly. Actually, I feel ashamed compared to you."
Shiki asked knowingly, "I wonder how Senior managed to distract Root's people? (an underground faction within Konoha's ninja system) I'd also like to hear about your experience."
Indeed, Shiki was genuinely curious how Kabuto had managed those troublesome elite ninjas from the Root Division.
Kabuto thought for a moment before replying, "That was merely a bit of clever opportunism. By coincidence, a senior ninja from Konoha who wished to remain unnamed taught me a unique ninjutsu. And just like you, Shiki, I long for the light and reject the shadowy ways of Root. When I realized you needed my help, I just couldn't stand by and do nothing."
Shiki nodded, while thinking to himself, I don't believe your nonsense for a second.
Still, he respectfully asked out loud, "May I ask what business Senior has coming to find me this time?"
"It's nothing much actually. I've just run into some setbacks recently—my experiences felt similar to yours, so I wanted to talk with you."
Kabuto spoke nonchalantly, as if genuinely hoping to share troubles together with Shiki.
Yet Shiki became even more alert. He knew someone like Kabuto—an elite spy—would always use the most unassuming methods to approach targets, ultimately achieving all sorts of hidden purposes.
After all, how could a spy idly risk exposing himself just to chat with someone about problems?
There must be something fishy going on!
Chapter 61 Kabuto's Persuasion
Thinking thus, Shiki instinctively raised his defenses. Although Kabuto now disguised himself as a genin who hadn't passed the Chunin Exams multiple times,
Shiki would absolutely never treat Kabuto Yakushi as merely a genin.
Even treating Kabuto as an ordinary jonin would still be underestimating him.
After all, Kabuto Yakushi was one of the rare well-rounded ninjas Shiki had ever met.
He wasn't just skilled in taijutsu and ninjutsu; even his medical ninjutsu and genjutsu showed exceptional mastery.
This ninja, who originally seemed ordinary within the canon storyline, actually possessed hidden power no one saw coming.
Thinking about these things, Shiki carefully asked, "May I ask what kind of setbacks you've experienced? I feel someone as powerful as you should easily overcome any setback, right?"
Kabuto Yakushi took a few steps toward Shiki and said, "I'm just a lowly genin who has failed the Chunin Exams repeatedly. Someone like you, a genius, is truly my role model."
Looking at Kabuto Yakushi's serious demeanor, every word seemed sincere and genuine.
If he didn't know the canon storyline, maybe Shiki really would have believed Kabuto Yakushi's words.
Then Kabuto Yakushi hesitated for a moment before asking, "Shiki, what are your thoughts about Lord Danzo?"
Shiki hesitated slightly because discussing Danzo within Konoha Village did seem somewhat dangerous.
Kabuto Yakushi smiled and said, "Actually, my sensing ability isn't bad—probably because I'm a bit older than you. According to my perception, there are no Anbu ninja around here. Probably because Danzo lacked vision and discarded someone with your potential."
It was another attempt to justify himself.
Kabuto Yakushi kept playing down his abilities, yet somehow, his words came across as surprisingly sincere.
People tend to believe compliments and humble remarks from others anyway.
Shiki could only remind himself mentally that this person could kill him in an instant without breaking a sweat—stay sharp, stay focused.
Shiki was genuinely afraid that Kabuto Yakushi might suddenly cast a genjutsu, leaving him confused at some unknown moment.
Seeing Shiki remained silent, Kabuto Yakushi continued speaking.
"Back to the previous question—what do you think of Danzo, Shiki?"
What do you mean?
He's definitely a bastard!
Shiki didn't even need a moment to think. People like Danzo had long lost their humanity. He would sacrifice absolutely anything for power and personal gain.
However, considering Danzo still maintained close ties with Orochimaru at present, plus not fully understanding Kabuto Yakushi's intentions yet, Shiki decided to reply neutrally.
"There are many of Danzo's actions that I disagree with."
However, Kabuto Yakushi smiled and slapped Shiki's shoulder like a friend. "Looks like you're still not telling the truth, Shiki. Danzo has treated you this way and betrayed nearly every principle you hold dear. How can you possibly just 'disagree' with him?"
Before Shiki could answer, Kabuto Yakushi angrily declared, "That bastard is someone I must eliminate with all my strength!!!"
Shiki was taken aback, not understanding the meaning behind those words.
This shouldn't be happening, right? Even if Kabuto Yakushi hated Danzo this much, why would he share it with an outsider like himself?
At least Shiki knew he couldn't possibly possess such personal charisma that could convince someone like Kabuto Yakushi—a formidable figure—to join his campaign against Danzo this early on.
Noticing Shiki's shocked expression, Kabuto Yakushi eased his tone slightly and said, "Sorry for losing my temper like that in front of you. But I really can't stand Danzo's actions anymore—he's done unforgivable things to me. And he's gone that far with you as well."
Shiki didn't fully understand the current situation, so he simply went along and replied, "If we just keep pushing forward, one day we'll break free from Danzo's grip."
Right as Shiki was about to spout off a long rant on moral high ground to try and convert Kabuto,
he noticed that Kabuto Yakushi was staring at him intensely, suddenly looking very serious.
Shiki felt uneasy seeing the look a man like Kabuto Yakushi was giving him, and couldn't help but get goosebumps all over.
Wait, is this guy into guys or something?
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