Chapter 26 What if one day I become a monster?

Araki watched as Teacher Yinsui hurriedly left, understanding that the truth about Hyuga Sora would soon come to light.

However, he was curious about the extent to which things would ultimately evolve, even though he himself wasn't sure.

Based on the current situation, Hyuga Sora could only be treated as missing.

The body couldn't be found!

Three days had already passed.

Even if he brought out the ninja dogs, the residual scent had become very faint, not to mention that he had used pepper powder to cover it up.

After school.

Araki returned home with his backpack.

During these few days of free time, he had been thinking about whether there was a better way to handle the situation with Hyuga Sora.

He could only come up with one answer.

That was corpse-dissolving liquid!

If he could obtain the corpse-dissolving liquid used by the ANBU to dispose of bodies, the next time he encountered a similar situation, he could calmly turn any threatening presence into a pool of black-red blood and bury it deep underground.

However, Araki wasn't in a hurry to obtain the corpse-dissolving liquid. The current situation with Hyuga Sora hadn't attracted attention yet, and purchasing the liquid would only raise suspicion against him.

It would be better to choose a different time.

After carefully analyzing his thoughts in his heart, Araki confirmed that there were no overlooked aspects in handling the matter with Hyuga Sora.

Indeed, it was the most prudent choice he could make at the moment.

Not long after, Araki arrived at the front door of his house.

He took out his keys, quickly unlocked the door, and was about to throw his backpack down when he turned around and was startled by a figure with red hair.

It was Kushina, who had also been missing for three days.

"Araki, you're back," Kushina heard the sound at the door and looked up. Through Araki's perspective, it was evident that her eyes were red and slightly swollen, her spirits weren't particularly good, and compared to her previous sunny and cheerful demeanor, she seemed much more gloomy and depressed.

"You're done with your business..." Araki took a deep breath inwardly. After seeing Kushina's appearance, he already understood that she had become the Jinchuriki of the Nine-Tails at this stage.

Everything had happened too quickly!

From Kushina's arrival in Konoha to her becoming the Jinchuriki of the Nine-Tails, there hadn't been much time at all.

The power of one person was still insignificant compared to the village!

Kushina originally belonged to the Uzumaki clan of Uzushiogakure. Due to her exceptional natural abilities, she was chosen to succeed Uzumaki Mito as the Jinchuriki of the Nine-Tails.

When she first arrived in Konoha, she wasn't aware of these things. In a short period, she not only had to receive so much information but also had to quickly adapt and go through all the procedures.

In this process, individual desires became completely unimportant. The greater good had to take precedence, as the village's interests were to be valued above personal ones.

In an instant,

Araki seemed to see himself in Kushina.

If the higher-ups in Konoha were to find out about his Wood Release kekkei genkai, he would be sacrificed for the village's interests, just like Hyuga Sora, making great sacrifices.

Araki had quietly trained in Konoha for three years. Compared to his peers, his strength was indeed impressive, but in the grand scheme of the village, he was still extremely insignificant.

If Konoha wanted to take action against him...

He had no means to fight back!

That was the most crucial point!

Araki's strength had indeed surpassed his peers, but his expectations for himself were not the same as his peers. He aimed to become an immensely powerful village, not for the purpose of dominating the world or looking down on others, but simply to have the ability to protect himself and avoid being subjected to experimentation.

As for the situation with Hyuga Sora...

Araki had no regrets whatsoever.

Anyone who sought to increase his exposure was indirectly threatening his life!

"I'm done."

Kushina said those three words simply, as if she had exhausted all her strength.

At this moment, she still seemed a bit absent-minded. The events of the past few days made her feel like she was in a dream.

She couldn't even remember some details.

She had come through it all in a daze.

At such a young age, after feeling the sealed monster inside her, she would always feel a strong sense of unease in her heart. It would make her feel detached, and sometimes she would even see herself as a monster.

Her grandmother, Mito, had told her to fill her heart with love and face life with an optimistic attitude.

But...

Was it really that easy?

Kushina knew that she had become the Jinchuriki of the Nine-Tails. This information was still a secret in Konoha, known to only a few people. It allowed her to get through this period smoothly, where people still interacted with her normally, unaware that she was a monster.

But if one day they found out...

Just the thought of the disdainful gazes and distant attitudes from her friends would pierce her heart with a sense of sadness. It made her doubt whether she should continue making friends.

As long as she had no friends, she wouldn't be betrayed by them. Though it would make her feel lonely, at least she wouldn't be hurt.

"You're alright, right!"

Just as Kushina wrapped herself in her inner world, lost in various negative emotions, Araki's voice slowly resounded, pulling her out of her reverie.

After Araki spoke those words, he dropped his backpack on the ground, already preparing to go train.

Every day, he had to train. He couldn't slack off any day, investing his limited time into limitless practice. Only by doing so could he achieve the greatest improvement in the shortest amount of time.

"Araki..."

Kushina saw Araki about to leave, and her heart skipped a beat. Suddenly, she felt a sense of anxiety and loss. She looked at Araki, the first person her age she had met in Konoha and the first person she considered a friend. She had complex emotions swirling inside her.

"Are we friends?"

Kushina stared at Araki with unwavering eyes. After asking this question, her hands clenched tightly, and her palms involuntarily started sweating. She was different now compared to when she first arrived. The identity of being a Jinchuriki had instilled a strong sense of inferiority in her.

"Of course we are."

Araki answered without hesitation. In fact, when he saw the note left by Kushina, he had already acknowledged this gentle and lovely girl, and he recognized the bond between them.

Moreover, now that he saw Kushina again, he felt a sense of resonance with her.

In a sense, they were two people who shared the same pain, only one had their talents exposed while the other hid them away.

If Araki's own talent were to be discovered, his current situation might not be much better than Kushina's. He would also feel that intense sense of helplessness.

"What if one day I become a monster?"

Kushina asked cautiously. She became even more nervous, and after speaking the words, she already regretted it. But she couldn't help but care deeply about his answer.