"Shisui! Get to the point! Just explain Itachi's truth clearly!"
Naruto's voice came through the mask, carrying a rare urgency. Shisui had gone into far too much detail—he had brought Satsuki here tonight to clear away the fog in her heart, not to pile another massive boulder of guilt onto it.
The dark details from those memories surged forth, and Mikoto immediately stepped forward, gently drawing the pale-faced Satsuki into her arms.
"It's okay... That was all a long time ago... It's already over."
She stroked her daughter's trembling back, her voice as gentle as if she were coaxing her to sleep as a child. "Their plan never succeeded at all. Naruto will always, always stay by Satsuki's side from now on."
She gently pressed Satsuki's face against her shoulder, her fingers combing through her slightly cool black hair. "Back then, you didn't know anything... It was never your fault."
But Satsuki's pupils still trembled rapidly, unable to reflect any light. "They... wanted to use me... to take Naruto's life..."
She knew what happened when a Tailed Beast was extracted—a Jinchuriki would undoubtedly die. That possibility was like an icy blade, slowly carving apart every breath she took.
"Mom... I don't want to leave him... What should I do..."
Her voice grew softer and softer, while the light in her eyes gradually dimmed, like stars swallowed by the tide. The overwhelming shock had trapped her in a cycle of obsession. If she let go even slightly, everything real before her eyes would shatter.
"If you dare leave that person's side—"
Menma's low voice suddenly rang out, breaking the silence on the verge of collapse. "Even if that person had to chase you to the Ends of the Earth, he would drag you back."
His voice was calm, yet filled with