The moment Yuzuru spoke, every Takigakure ninja present showed shock and doubt on their faces.
"More to the story?"
Their village's records about Kakuzu's defection were crystal clear.
He had stolen Earth Grudge Fear and slaughtered all of Takigakure's higher-ups, causing their power to collapse overnight and leaving them unable to contend with any major forces in the ninja world.
What hidden truth could there possibly be?
And since they had already chosen to submit, Yuzuru had no reason to fabricate anything.
If he intended to deceive them, he would have brought it up during the confrontation just now.
Thinking this through, Shibuki repeated the recorded account of Kakuzu's defection, then asked in a low voice, "Lord Yuzuru, is there something wrong with the records in our village?"
Yuzuru shook his head. "Everything written there is true."
Shibuki and the Takigakure shinobi were stunned once more.
If the records weren't wrong, then why did Yuzuru say there was another side to Kakuzu's story?
Seeing their bewildered expressions, Yuzuru let out a soft laugh. "Even if everything written is true, that doesn't mean it reveals the whole truth."
"As long as you erase part of the facts, even the truth can be used to tell a lie."
"Do you know Senju Hashirama?"
Upon hearing the question, the ninja who had first found Yuzuru—Kagon—replied, "Of course we do. He was the hero who ended the chaos of the Warring States era, praised as the 'God of Shinobi.' He wielded the strongest Wood Release and was the man who stood at the apex of the ninja world."
As Kagon recited Hashirama's achievements like a scholar listing treasures, Yuzuru couldn't help feeling a little moved.
As expected—the ones who understand you best are often not your allies, but your enemies.
In modern Konoha, few could accurately describe Hashirama's true might anymore.
Seeing Yuzuru fall silent, Kagon cautiously asked, "Lord Yuzuru… why bring this up?"
Yuzuru slowly explained, "Back then, Kakuzu was ordered by Takigakure's higher-ups to assassinate the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama."
"What?!"
Every Takigakure ninja widened their eyes in disbelief.
Their village's records had never mentioned such a thing.
Sending Kakuzu to assassinate Hashirama? That truly sounded like sending a man to his death.
Was that the reason he defected?
As if reading their thoughts, Yuzuru continued, "In those days, ninja lived to obey commands."
"So even though he was furious about the order, Kakuzu still carried it out."
"Afterward…" Yuzuru paused, "after an extremely dangerous battle, the assassination attempt failed—naturally. Kakuzu narrowly escaped with his life."
"But when he dragged his heavily injured body back to the village, he was not welcomed with praise. What awaited him were accusations."
"They questioned why he ran, why he didn't kill Hashirama. They insisted he should have fought until his death, or else he had tarnished Takigakure's honor."
"Kakuzu was thrown into a dungeon, awaiting execution."
Yuzuru stopped speaking, because the faces of the Takigakure shinobi were already filling with outrage.
Times were different now. After Yuzuru abolished the Feudal Lord system, ninja were no longer treated as disposable tools.
So upon hearing Kakuzu's story, the Takigakure group became furious.
"So that's the real story?! Those higher-ups were scum!"
"Exactly! They enjoyed everything while accusing a subordinate who almost died on a mission—what did they think our lives were worth?!"
"They sent comrades to their deaths and kept us fooled all these years!"
"If it were me, I'd have done the same as Kakuzu!"
"Kakuzu-senpai shouldn't be called a rogue ninja—he's our village's hero!"
No one doubted Yuzuru's words. With his level of power, lying to them made no sense.
And thinking back, the records of Kakuzu's defection truly did feel abrupt and incomplete.
With this explanation… everything finally made sense.
After they finished processing the truth, Shibuki stepped in front of Kakuzu and spoke sincerely, "Kakuzu-senpai… it was our village that wronged you. On behalf of Takigakure, I apologize."
"From now on, we are willing to follow all of your guidance!"
Shibuki bowed deeply—ninety degrees.
Kakuzu glanced at Yuzuru, and his nose stung for a moment.
When he defected, he never imagined he would return to the village like this.
All those years of grievance vanished in an instant.
He helped Shibuki stand back up, then took out a scroll. "What happened back then no longer matters. The people I hated are long gone."
"This is the Earth Grudge Fear training scroll. From now on, anyone with talent in the village will have the chance to learn it."
The Takigakure shinobi lit up with joy.
Their lost treasure had finally been returned—nothing could be more thrilling.
Shibuki said excitedly, "Lord Yuzuru, Lord Kakuzu, please allow me to show you around our village!"
Kakuzu glanced at Yuzuru, and seeing no objection, nodded. "Let's go."
"Yes!"
Shibuki dispersed the surrounding ninja and personally guided Yuzuru and Kakuzu through Takigakure.
The village was not large, so the tour quickly finished.
In the end, they arrived beneath an enormous ancient tree at the back of the village.
The enormous trunk would take dozens of people to encircle. Shibuki smiled. "This is the sacred tree of Takigakure."
"It is our symbol of faith. Everyone believes the sacred tree protects our village."
Once Shibuki finished, Kakuzu added, "This tree has indeed helped us overcome many hardships. The Hero Water that the one called Yatori drank earlier is collected from this sacred tree."
Yuzuru raised an eyebrow. "You still have Hero Water left?"
Shibuki replied instantly, "Only a little. Each year we can only collect a few drops."
"That's enough."