Chương 218: Chapter 217: The Day of Execution
"Tsunade-sama, Jiraiya-sama came by again this morning," Shizune's crisp voice called from outside the room. "He looked troubled."
"Jiraiya?" On the other side of the door, Tsunade glanced at Yuto, signaling him to remain silent as she responded. "Is there some trouble in the village?"
"No, I haven't heard any rumors from the hospital."
"That's strange. Since when does that guy ever have anything on his mind?" the blonde woman murmured, swatting away the hand reaching for her waist. After dismissing Shizune with a few quick words, she turned and glared at the young man in front of her. "What are you trying to do?"
"I've been here with you for three days now, and aside from just now, I haven't even touched your hand. I've even healed your injuries," Yuto replied with his usual mischievous grin.
"A reward, maybe?"
Tsunade grabbed him by the collar and slammed him against the wall, her expression darkening. "Do you want a punch in the face? Kid, I'm letting you stay here during the day only because I'm considering the safety of the village. Do you think I'm just some plaything for you?"
"Hahaha... Sensei, four years ago, I already knew you could be as soft as dough..." Yuto caught Tsunade's two punches, twisting her arm behind her back.
Having just turned twenty, the rogue shinobi now stood a head taller than Tsunade, his broad shoulders and long arms easily pulling the blonde woman into his embrace.
"Yuto! You really think I..." Tsunade was furious, her chakra surging as she prepared to send the young man flying.
"Just a hug, Sensei," Yuto said softly, his tone soothing as he stroked Tsunade's head like she was a kitten. "In five minutes, the Amegakure delegation will be gathering to return to the Land of Rain, and I'll be leaving the village with them. Just one hug. I want to remember your warmth and scent."
Tsunade froze, her arm lowering after a long moment of hesitation.
Inside the room, only a soft sigh could be heard.
Yuto buried his face in the crook of Tsunade's neck, inhaling deeply, his senses filled with the faint citrus scent that made Tsunade's skin tingle, her body heating up and her legs feeling weak.
"You... know when to stop, right?" Tsunade bit her lip, trying hard not to make any strange noises. "I'm fully healed. If I hit you with a Heavenly Foot of Pain, it won't feel good for you either!"
"Sensei, I'm a gentleman, don't worry," Yuto sighed softly. "Besides, I need to conserve my strength... You know, I need to bring the Katsuyu-sama back to light."
Tsunade's attention shifted at Yuto's words, her eyes widening as she blurted out, "You're only twenty, with a strong body and even the Yin Seal storing energy... It shouldn't be a problem, right?"
"My body is fine, but mentally, I won't be at peace... because after that, my mind will be full of thoughts of you."
"Where did you learn to say such nonsense?" Tsunade huffed, though secretly pleased, giving him a sidelong glance. "That might work on a young girl, but time's up. Let go."
"How heartless," Yuto chuckled bitterly but released her all the same. "After leaving Konoha, I erased your name from the blood contract scroll."
"Do as you wish."
"Then, until we meet again?"
"Get lost! And remember, next time we meet, I'll definitely kill you!"
"I can agree with that. Your chest really is deadly."
"!?... You bastard..."
...
At the entrance of Konoha, Orochimaru watched the departing shinobi from Amegakure, his gaze unblinking.
Among them was a tall man wearing a wide-brimmed hat.
Only when the group had disappeared from sight did Orochimaru return to the village with his subordinates.
In the Hokage's office, the high-ranking officials stood silently.
"Four days have passed, and still no one has come to rescue Obito," Hiruzen began. "The original plan was to capture all his accomplices, but it seems that's unnecessary. Let's proceed with the execution. Orochimaru, when do you think is best?"
"Today. We shouldn't delay any longer," Orochimaru's voice remained raspy and cold. "What do you think, Clan Leader Fugaku?"
Fugaku nodded, showing no intention of pleading for his clan member. Instead, he added, "The Uchiha will not shelter those who harm the village."
Seeing no objections, the elderly Third Hokage issued the order. "Alright, make the preparations. As usual, the execution will be in the final hour before sunset, with a kunai engraved with the Konoha symbol to pierce the traitor's heart."
The group dispersed, starting to arrange the public execution.
In truth, both Orochimaru and Hiruzen knew that to avoid any complications, Obito should have been killed the day after his capture. Dragging it out this long was extremely risky.
However, because they suspected that "Yuto Hyuga followed the Amegakure delegation here," the Konoha leadership had to consider the presence of the most notorious S-rank rogue shinobi when making their plans.
— During the execution of Obito, they were bound to say things like "Betraying Konoha is unforgivable; the village will skin and dismember all traitors." Would that provoke Yuto, who might be watching nearby?
Moreover, with Yuto staying in the village, Konoha couldn't figure out his intentions, forcing them to expend considerable effort guarding against him. Orochimaru and Hiruzen took turns monitoring Amegakure's temporary residence, not daring to relax for a moment.
Why would the strongest rogue shinobi of the time stay in the village for so many days? What kind of secret plan did he have? It couldn't possibly be just to visit an old flame, could it? In the sixteen years Yuto spent in Konoha, he lived like a monk, never even getting close to any girls.
Yuto had no idea that the execution day he had been anxiously awaiting was repeatedly delayed because of him.
Since the contingency plan was already in place, the preparations for the public execution moved swiftly. Orders spread from the Hokage's office, and even the shinobi academy dismissed early so that teachers could organize the students to witness the execution—a stark example of the village's loyalty education.
A few hours passed in the blink of an eye.
Ninety minutes before sunset.
Tap, tap, tap.
Familiar footsteps echoed once again.
"So, it's you... Kakashi," the chains of his restraints clinked as Obito's voice dripped with bitter sarcasm. "Finally going to kill me?"
"I'm your executioner," Kakashi replied, forming hand seals to disable the sealing technique on the cell, lifting Obito's broken body.
With his spine shattered, his eyes gouged out, and his body covered in wounds, Obito had been kept alive by medical shinobi, but Konoha hadn't been merciful enough to ease his pain. Obito winced, involuntarily sucking in a breath, his lips trembling with the agony.
Kakashi immediately softened his movements, carefully carrying him on his back.
"Hmph... Kakashi, even now, you're pretending to be all noble."
"Obito, even death hasn't made you repent?"
"Repentance is for criminals. I don't need it."
"But you are Konoha's criminal. Releasing the Nine-Tails, causing chaos in the village—dying a hundred times wouldn't be enough to atone."
"Kakashi, the future will prove everything. When I return to Konoha, everything here will be erased, including your laughable past that you hold so dear."
"You won't get that chance," Kakashi murmured, his hand touching the execution kunai at his waist, his voice soft as if comforting the notorious criminal who had once been his best friend. "In ninety minutes, you'll find peace."
...
"So it seems I've arrived just in time..." The green, leaf-like shell slowly opened, revealing Zetsu's black-and-white form, his gaze fixed on the distant Konoha village as he couldn't help but marvel. "I had nearly given up hope, merely going through the motions, but I never expected Obito to have survived until now... Konoha, you'll pay the price for your hesitation today."
He reached out, patting the expressionless Mangetsu beside him. "Follow my orders and create chaos. The main Kirigakure forces are still crossing the forests of the Land of Fire's western region, two hours away from us. Remember, make sure you're killed by Konoha before the Kirigakure shinobi arrive..." Zetsu's tone turned malicious. "And before you die, release the Three-Tails."
(End of Chapter)
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