...So, if we want to resolve this matter, we have to achieve that. Otherwise, everything will have been for nothing."
After explaining everything, Chiba finally ended on that sentence, his words carrying a complicated sense of helplessness.
"Is that so?"
After Chiba's account of Yukina's unfair treatment, the Hyuga Rebellion Incident, and the progress of his solution, there was a pause behind the door before Hirohiko's voice came through, somewhat subdued.
"Mm. But everything is moving in a better direction now. It is only a matter of time before it is resolved."
Hearing the low note in his voice, Chiba hurriedly added.
During this explanation, he had held nothing back. Although Hirohiko was focused on revenge, clear-headed, emotionally steady, and rational, showing no signs of falling into darkness, Chiba still had to prepare for the worst.
In other words, Hirohiko might not have fallen into darkness, but revenge might already have occupied all his thoughts, leaving no room for anything else and pushing him toward another extreme.
After all, if one became too obsessed with revenge, one could still fall into darkness.
Since Chiba wanted to control and guide the darkness in Hirohiko's heart, he had to draw out the light within him. Hirohiko's light was undoubtedly them—Kushina, himself, and Yukina. Moreover, Hirohiko's trust in him and concern for Yukina were both good signs. They showed that Hirohiko's feelings for them had not changed in the slightest.
That was why he had told Hirohiko about Yukina's situation: to awaken those feelings, that warmth, and, ideally, to get Hirohiko involved in resolving Yukina's unfair treatment. He wanted Hirohiko to divert some of his thoughts away from revenge and toward Yukina, toward the place where his warmth lay, to balance the darkness brought on by his obsession with revenge.
Of course, he