"Akashō… do you think there might come a day when you deceive me too, just like you deceived the Fourth Hokage and his wife?"
Kabuto suddenly spoke. After everything Akashō had done, what he felt now wasn't just admiration and longing—it was fear as well. A deeply conflicting emotion.
But that was simply how the world worked. Contradictions existing side by side were nothing unusual.
"Heh… deceive you?"
Akashō let out a mocking laugh.
"What value do you even have that would make me bother with something like that?"
Compared to others, Kabuto understood Akashō far better. In front of him, Akashō had no need to put on an act.
Kabuto rubbed his nose awkwardly and lowered his head.
"Yeah… seems like I really don't."
But one day, he would have that kind of value.
Kabuto swore it to himself. Though… the way that sounded felt a little strange.
Whatever.
"Akashō, I might have to leave the Hidden Leaf Village for a while."
"Oh?"
Akashō narrowed his eyes.
"Because of Minato Namikaze's death?"
"Yeah."
Kabuto nodded. "Not long ago, Orochimaru defected. Now both Minato Namikaze and the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki are dead, and the new jinchūriki hasn't grown yet. The Third Great Ninja War hasn't truly ended… it could very well flare up again."
Akashō nodded. Of course he understood. This was one of the minor complications caused by killing Minato Namikaze.
But before taking action, Danzō had already stated that he was confident he could handle the aftermath. After all, the Five Great Ninja Villages had just gone through a massive war—their losses were heavy, and none of them could afford to start another so soon. The chances of another conflict breaking out weren't high.
However, there was one exception—the Hidden Cloud Village, which had suffered relatively little loss and still hadn't renewed its peace agreement.
Danzō had made it clear beforehand: if the Hidden Cloud Village really moved against the Hidden Leaf Village, he hoped the Dark Council would step in to help.
Akashō didn't dwell on it. If the Hidden Cloud Village made a move, he would act as well. The Third Great Ninja War needed to end as soon as possible.
Not just because peace would allow shinobi to quickly forget their fear of the Dark Council—but also because if the war dragged on, the balance of power might collapse entirely, leading to the destruction of a village.
That wouldn't benefit him at all.
Until he became truly invincible, this world needed to remain chaotic… yet balanced.
"Alright, got it. Go do what you need to do. When you come back, I'll treat you to some dango."
"Mm."
Kabuto smiled and nodded. Then he pulled up his hood and swiftly left the Hokage Rock.
...
"So, what do you think? That Uzumaki Akashō—was his grief real, or fake?"
Inside the Hokage's office, Mitokado Homura stood with his arms crossed, leaning against the wall in thought.
"Are you serious? He's just a child! You old fool—don't use your filthy mindset to judge a child's sincerity!"
Utatane Koharu's eyes were red. She was still caught up in the sorrow stirred by Akashō's emotions. The moment she heard Homura's words, she exploded in anger and pointed straight at his face.
"Old fool? Filthy!?"
Homura froze, almost snapping back with "aren't you one too?" But after taking a breath, he forced himself to calm down.
"Don't forget—his relationship with the Dark Council is… questionable at best!"
"Then why don't you mention that if the God of Destruction hadn't stepped in, who knows how many people would've died this time!"
"I—!"
Homura was left speechless and could only look to Hiruzen Sarutobi for help.
"What do you think?"
Hiruzen sat behind his desk, smoking his pipe leisurely.
"Danzō—what's your take?"
In the end, Hiruzen ignored Homura and instead turned toward Danzō, who stood hidden in the shadows.
"Heh, asking me? My answer is he's no good. Best thing would be to throw him into Root. You dare to?"
Danzō let out a cold laugh.
"…"
Hiruzen withdrew his gaze. "Don't even think about it. He's a good child. Even if he doesn't become a ninja in the future, he must live properly in front of the Hidden Leaf Village's people."
"Tch."
Danzō clicked his tongue. As expected—whatever he said, Hiruzen would immediately take the opposite stance. Uzumaki Akashō… Uzumaki Akashō… don't say I never tried to help you.
Still, what a waste. After finally getting rid of Minato Namikaze, that shameless old man Hiruzen had climbed back into power again. All that effort for nothing. He wondered if the Dark Council had any thoughts about that old man.
"Enough. Now's not the time for that. Minato's death has far-reaching consequences. Recall all ninja currently on missions outside—prepare for instability."
Hiruzen spoke through his pipe. Behind the thin veil of smoke, his eyes gleamed coldly.
The two advisors and Danzō left the Hokage's office. Hiruzen opened his desk drawer and took out a crystal ball.