Chapter 207: Emotions

Bang!

A loud explosion echoed in the air as Yuto pulled back a corner of the curtain, looking out at the funeral procession in the distance.

Four masked Anbu members carried the coffin, walking towards the cemetery under the watchful eyes of villagers and shinobi. The procession was silent, with everyone immersed in a somber atmosphere.

"Kakashi... That kid is probably lying in the coffin, lost in thought by now."

Yuto's lips curled into a slight smile as he sat back in his chair. He turned to Konan and asked:

"What do you think, Konan? Will Obito survive today?"

The purple-haired woman thought for a moment, uncertain.

"He probably... won't die, right? After all, he's a man who possesses time-space ninjutsu. He's focused on escaping, and it would be difficult for Konoha to stop him."

"I'm betting Obito will die," Yuto shook his head. "Orochimaru is a leader who will stop at nothing. Compared to the Third Hokage, his bottom line is much lower."

"Eh? But Yuto-sama, isn't the Third Hokage still in charge of Konoha right now?"

"It will soon be Orochimaru. After all, this is the village where I grew up. Just from the subtle expressions of Konoha's high officials when they greeted you, I can tell that the Fifth Hokage's succession ceremony is definitely being prepared... At the latest, by this time next year, Hiruzen Sarutobi will have retired." He paused, then stroked his chin with interest.

"To be honest, I'm quite looking forward to Orochimaru's performance today. Among the Sannin, he's the one with the highest intellect and greatest potential."

Konan chuckled.

"Yuto-sama, I thought you would favor your sensei, the Slug Princess."

"There's nothing to favor. I'm just stating the facts. Although my sensei holds a high place in my heart, as a shinobi, Orochimaru is the more exceptional one."

"It does seem that way. I was shocked the first time I saw the [Great Snake Substitution] jutsu. I never thought a person's body could contort in such a way, like a beast..."

Like a beast? For some reason, several inappropriate images suddenly popped into Yuto's mind—

That night four years ago, he and his sensei had done something that should not occur between a teacher and student. He was so emotional at the time that he didn't control his strength, leaving his sensei in quite a miserable state.

But speaking of which, that night, his sensei left many "marks of honor" on him as well. After leaving Konoha, when he checked his body, he found the most severe injuries were the claw marks on his back and the bite marks on his chest.

'Hmph, we were the real beasts...'

Yuto touched his nose, pushing the chaotic thoughts aside, and waved his hand as he walked back into the inner room.

"Konan, do not disturb me for the time being. While Konoha and Obito are engaged in battle, I need to steal the summoning blood contract from the Shikkotsu Forest. Just stay here with the others, and do not take any actions."

"Yes, Yuto-sama."

...

Asuma Sarutobi crouched down, lifting the base of the wheelchair with both arms, along with Jiraiya, who was sitting in it, and gently carried them up the steps into the office.

"Thank you, Asuma." Jiraiya patted Asuma's arm. "You've built up quite well, young man."

"Jiraiya-sensei, four years ago when the village faced a crisis, I realized that, as the Hokage's son, I had to bear a heavier responsibility. So, I doubled my training intensity!"

"Good boy, you truly are a Sarutobi. Here, let this sage give you something good. This is my bestselling book 'Icha Icha Violence'..."

"Ah, Jiraiya-sensei, I don't read this stuff..." Asuma Sarutobi quickly hid the book in his coat, giving Jiraiya a secret thumbs-up.

"Asuma, hurry up!" At that moment, Kurenai Yuhi called out from nearby, frowning. "We're almost late for the meeting."

"Got it!" Asuma responded before turning back to the man in the wheelchair.

"Jiraiya-sensei, the Hokage's office is yours for the time being. As long as no one outside notices, you can do whatever you want... except for going to 45 East Stone Street."

"I know," Jiraiya replied with a smile. "That's the temporary residence of Amegakure. I killed Nagato Uzumaki. If Konan sees me, she might lose control."

"I'm glad you understand, Jiraiya-sensei..." Asuma chuckled bitterly, scratching his head. "After all, when you launched a surprise attack on Amegakure and killed her only friend Nagato, the village was a bit in the wrong, to be honest..."

Jiraiya was momentarily stunned, falling silent. He remained motionless for a long time, and just as he was about to raise his head to say something, he realized that Asuma Sarutobi and Kurenai Yuhi were already out of sight.

'Launching an unannounced attack on Amegakure and killing the leader of the Akatsuki... Didn't I do all of this for the village?'

'The Toad Sage's prophecy said that my disciple is the Child of Prophecy, someone who will bring great change to the world. Nagato had already fallen deep into pain and hatred and possessed the Rinnegan. If I didn't kill him, the Shinobi World would have faced an unprecedented disaster.'

Yet Jiraiya knew that, in his current state, he didn't even have the ability to chase after Asuma to correct his mistaken words—he was still in a wheelchair.

He sighed deeply, tilting his face up, letting the glow of the setting sun fall on it.

The Hokage Rock stood silently in the distance, with four massive statues overlooking the village, admired by countless people every day.

'Orochimaru's face... will soon appear up there.' Thinking this, Jiraiya sighed once again. 'When the succession ceremony comes, I'll make sure to get drunk.'

...

Late at night.

Konoha Cemetery.

In the deep, dark forest, Obito, clad in a black robe, slowly emerged.

He wore a mask with an unusual pattern and had cut his hair short.

Under the one-eyed mask, the tomoe in his Sharingan slowly rotated, revealing complex emotions that even Obito himself could not perceive.

'Kakashi, a genius like you, dying before the age of twenty...' Even if the wars end, the Shinobi World remains a hell soaked in blood.

Obito left the forest and approached the freshly dug grave from earlier in the day.

The cemetery was a critical area in Konoha, but its guard was always nominal. The cemetery's significance was more symbolic than practical, and since it was located within the village, the security was never a priority. For Obito, who possessed Kamui, infiltrating the cemetery was a breeze.

Along the way, he picked a white flower, placing it at Kakashi's grave, then raised his hand to start digging.

It took only a few seconds for him to reach the coffin lid. With a swift movement, he tore it open, revealing the body of Kakashi Hatake. He was dressed in a special kimono meant for rest, his eyes closed, looking as though he were merely asleep.

Obito bent down, ready to take Kakashi's left eye.

But at that moment, he saw something unexpected.

Kakashi's hands were crossed over his chest, holding a photograph.

A handsome young man with golden hair, a lively Uchiha boy, a lazy-looking white-haired teenager, and a cheerful, beautiful girl... The four members of Team Minato were smiling in the photo, seemingly crossing time and space to look at Obito with a smile.

The young man in the mask trembled, and the hand that could shatter a mountain felt as heavy as lead.

—He had shown a moment of weakness.

(End of Chapter)