Even Hiruzen Sarutobi, who had been talking about the Will of Fire and trying to calm the villagers so they wouldn't panic over Minato Namikaze's death, was forced to stop his speech and step forward to support Akashō.
"It looks like Uzumaki Akashō really cared deeply for the Fourth Hokage and his wife."
"Yeah… just look at how hard he's crying. He must be in so much pain inside."
"Don't even mention him—I'm about to cry just watching this… sob…"
"Well, it makes sense. He already lost his parents in the Third Shinobi World War. Just when he finally had clan members to rely on, a new support system… it's gone again."
"He may be tall, but in the end he's just a seven- or eight-year-old child…"
After countless people felt sympathy for Akashō, the memorial ended hastily.
Akashō refused any help or company and walked alone toward the forest above the Hokage Rock. His back looked lonely and desolate, stirring sorrow and pity in those who saw it.
I need to get out of here fast. If I keep crying, even I won't know how to keep up the act.
In the shadows, a figure in a black robe quietly withdrew, following behind Akashō to the outskirts of the forest.
Kabuto Yakushi removed his hood, hesitation flickering in his eyes.
That look on Akashō… it's fake, right?
After all, the real mastermind behind everything was him. The grief felt real, yes—but years ago at the Hidden Leaf Village orphanage, Kabuto had already seen Akashō's acting skills…
As Akashō stepped into the forest, the choking sobs in his throat instantly disappeared. He looked up at the clear white sky, recalling the worried expressions and endless sighs of the villagers earlier, and couldn't help but curl his lips.
"Pfft… heh heh… hahaha!!"
At first, he only chuckled softly, but soon he couldn't hold it in and burst into loud, unrestrained laughter.
Kabuto, who had just caught up and found that red figure, froze the moment he heard the manic laughter.
Peeking over, he saw Akashō throwing his head back as he laughed wildly—yet the tears on his face hadn't dried. It looked like he was crying and laughing at the same time, like someone on the brink of madness. The sight left Kabuto stunned.
After a long while, Akashō finally calmed down. His Observation Haki had already detected Kabuto's presence.
"Come over. Let's talk."
The two of them sat down by a cliff, letting the gentle wind pass over them. For a long time, neither spoke.
Eventually, Akashō broke the silence.
"At the very end… I went up to them and revealed who I really was."
Kabuto froze. He actually exposed his true identity?
He wanted to say it was unwise—but Minato and Kushina were already dead, so it didn't matter anymore. Maybe Akashō felt that since they were about to die, they deserved to know the truth… otherwise he wouldn't be able to live with it?
"But then, Kushina… instead of getting angry, she said something like, 'That's good. This way you'll have enough strength to protect yourself.' She was actually happy. Heh… ridiculous, right?"
Kabuto was stunned again. His expression turned complicated as he lowered his head. If it were him, he'd probably be devastated right now.
But Akashō… didn't seem that affected at all. As expected of him.
"Suddenly, I started wondering… maybe all this time, my hostility really has been too heavy."
Akashō tilted his head back, his tone thick with weight and confusion.
Kabuto froze yet again. What did that mean? Was he regretting it?
Looking at Akashō's back, his red hair swaying in the wind with a strange sense of sorrow, Kabuto felt a jolt in his chest.
So he… really regrets it?
Yeah… Akashō was still human after all. How could he have no emotions? He had already lost his family once, and now, because of the path he insisted on, he had personally killed the new family he had finally gained… how could he not feel pain?
For a moment, Kabuto himself felt lost.
"Hahaha—did you actually think I'd feel that way?"
Suddenly, Akashō turned with a mischievous grin and flicked Kabuto's forehead, leaving him completely dumbfounded.
"You wavered just now, didn't you?"
Akashō turned to face him directly.
"Listen carefully. A true strong person doesn't change their will because of what others say or do."
"If you can be swayed by others, it just means you're not strong enough—not firm enough. And that means you won't go far. Just like you a moment ago."
Kabuto rubbed his forehead and smiled.
"I knew it. There's no way you'd waver."
"Hah, yeah right. That expression of yours earlier looked exactly like an orphan abandoned by his parents."
From the moment Kabuto had been carrying out Danzō Shimura's orders while secretly feeding him information, Akashō had already figured it out—this kid admired him and wanted to follow him.
Akashō didn't really care. What was wrong with having another useful tool?
As for treating Kabuto as a truly trusted companion… that was something Akashō could never do.
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