บท 194: Chapter 193: The Days After Yuto's Departure (Part 2)

Konan stood at the top of the tower, striking the classic pose of the leader of the Akatsuki.

—Dressed in a black cloak, drenched in rain, and gazing expressionlessly over the steel city of Amegakure.

"Kitsu," she suddenly spoke, her voice laden with complex emotions.

"So... the Moon God is Yuto?"

"That's right." The young man with Wood Release shrugged nonchalantly. "Surprised?"

"A bit," Konan replied with a bitter smile. "I finally figured out that mystery... Back then, when the three of us were ambushed by Hanzō the Salamander and Konoha, Yuto uncharacteristically jumped out and struck me down with Gentle Fist. Then the Moon God appeared and saved me... Haha, so Yuto was the Moon God all along."

"Konan-nee, there's something off about your tone."

"What's off?"

"It sounds like you're upset, as if you've been deceived and discarded."

"Hmph." The purple-haired woman shook her head. "Kitsu, don't underestimate your leader. No matter what Yuto's goals are, it doesn't change the fact that he helped Nagato and me. Just that alone is enough for me to protect Amegakure in his stead."

"Konan-nee, you're truly a remarkable woman," Kitsu said with a thumbs-up. "But there's no need to use the word 'protect.' After all, everyone in the shinobi world knows that Amegakure is ruled by the most notorious S-rank rogue shinobi in history. Who would dare to meddle?"

"You're right. Yuto... no, when is Mr. Yuto coming? The task he gave me is almost complete."

"I have no idea." Kitsu rested his head in his hands, speaking casually. "Now that his wishes have been fulfilled, his thoughts have become even more unpredictable. He hasn't contacted me, so I don't know where he is."

...

"Zetsu, do you want to die?"

Obito removed his mask, revealing his terribly bruised right face. His Mangekyō Sharingan spun slowly, clearly indicating his genuine anger. "Why didn't you tell me that the Moon God is Yuto?"

"Oh no, so scary, so scary..."

"Shut up, White Zetsu. Don't speak right now!" Black Zetsu scolded, glaring at the thoughtless half of his body. He then replied seriously, "It was Madara's order."

"Heh." Obito's face remained expressionless as he took a step forward. After causing the Nine-Tails' rampage, an even more terrifying aura condensed around him. For the Uchiha, each emotional loss only strengthens their ocular power.

Staring at the black-and-white Zetsu, Obito spoke in a calm tone, "I remember saying many times... I am Madara."

'This kid has truly grown strong,' Black Zetsu thought silently. He continued, "Not revealing the Moon God's true identity was one of the conditions for cooperating with Yuto... Apologies."

"Hmph." Obito's expression softened slightly.

"Let this be the last time. Remember, even without you, I can complete the Eye of the Moon Plan with just this eye!"

"Your ocular technique is indeed extraordinary, but why not retrieve the other Mangekyō? The Sharingan's full power can only be realized with both eyes."

"It's not necessary. If I retrieve it now, it might expose the fact that I'm still alive..." Obito paused, suddenly considering something. "Does Yuto know about me?"

"...He knows."

"This could be a problem." Obito scratched his head. "It would be best to find an opportunity to meet him..."

...

"Muta, you were too harsh."

A handsome boy caught his companion's hand, speaking softly. "There was no need to sever his tendons. We still need to take this Kumo shinobi back to the village. If he can't walk, it'll delay us."

The hooded and sunglass-wearing Muta Aburame remained silent for a moment before replying in a hoarse voice, "I'm sorry, I was just... irritated."

Shisui's bright eyes dimmed slightly, but as the team captain, he perked up and patted his companion's shoulder. "I understand how you feel, but as shinobi, we must focus on the mission..."

"You're lecturing again, rambling like a woman!" At that moment, a white-haired girl jumped down from a tree. She spread her arms wide, hugging Shisui and Muta from behind, her face cheekily close to theirs. "Sensei is gone, no one's around to boss us. How great! Let's take on an A-rank mission when we get back to the village! Let's try to break Kakashi-senpai's record for the fastest Jonin promotion!"

Uchiha Shisui chuckled helplessly, covering the girl's mouth. "Ruri, could you please say a little less?"

Despite some minor setbacks, the Ninth Squad successfully completed their mission, capturing the Kumo shinobi who had infiltrated the Land of Fire and bringing him back to Konoha.

After having ramen with his two companions, Shisui returned to the Uchiha compound.

The oppressive atmosphere within the clan and the reality of his sensei's defection left the eight-year-old boy uninterested in conversing with his clan members. He went home, leaned against his bed, and stared blankly at the framed photo on the wall.

In the photo, a gentle and handsome young man stood at the back, smiling as he hugged Shisui, Ruri, and Muta.

Even now, Shisui Uchiha could easily recall the happiness he felt when the photo was taken. His admired sensei, his best friends, and the girl he liked...

'Sensei, they all say you were consumed by hatred, that you became an S-rank rogue shinobi who killed the Fourth Hokage and massacred your clan.'

'When we meet again, perhaps we'll have to face each other as enemies.'

'But even so, I still want to ask you.'

'That evening, when you hugged the three of us for that photo, who were you?'

'Were you the caged bird that despised the village? Or were you simply... the sensei I respected and admired?'

...

The boy named Yuto Hyuga was feared, hated, and revered by many.

Feared for his god-like power, hated for the crimes of slaughtering his clan and killing the Hokage.

People like him rarely appear in the shinobi world.

In distant lands, rumors even spread that "Yuto Hyuga is the reincarnation of the Sage of Six Paths." His name reached every corner of the world, even the most remote Land of Sea knew of him.

—The rogue shinobi who killed the Fourth Hokage, massacred his clan, and became the most notorious S-rank rogue shinobi in the shinobi world!

However, no one expected that the boy at the center of the world's storm vanished without a trace on the night he betrayed his clan.

Every so often, reports of Yuto's whereabouts would surface, prompting the great shinobi villages to send their best to investigate, but to no avail.

Initially, Konoha dispatched investigation teams twice a month, attempting to find any trace of Yuto. But no matter the method or personnel, they all returned empty-handed.

Gradually, as Konoha became occupied with reconstruction and dealing with the scrutiny of the other villages, fewer resources were dedicated to the search. Eventually, "Searching for Yuto" became just another routine Jonin mission.

And so, four years passed in the blink of an eye.

(End of Chapter)