Once someone had a way out, they became weak.
That was true of anyone.
And it was precisely because Aburame Ryūma, Root's second-in-command, adhered to this creed that he had survived all the way to his current position in the dark underbelly of the ninja world, a place rife with lies and deception.
The 12th, 5 p.m., the estuary off Grass Wave Coast.
Aburame Ryūma sat aboard a Thunder Boat, silently gazing toward the point where the sea met the sky.
The day was overcast, and the wind was fierce. Endless dark clouds churned and twisted at the far edge of the sky, yet the sea remained calm, as though gathering the violent power to overturn heaven and earth.
Until—
A nimble figure wearing a bird-beak mask leaped out from the coconut grove and landed on the shore.
Aburame Ryūma adjusted his sunglasses and turned, his indifferent gaze settling on his subordinate, Terai, behind him.
"Is it taken care of?"
"Shigaraki Tanuki has been arrested on charges of embezzlement and theft of Root assets, but..."
Aburame Ryūma nodded as though he had not noticed the hesitation in the latter half of Terai's report.
Terai gritted his teeth, yet still insisted on reporting, "Hyuga Yu and Shigaraki Tanuki seem to have jointly developed something extraordinary... something related to that project we've been researching in secret."
"I know."
Terai sternly said, "Sir, any progress in that research will draw Lord Danzo's attention. Forgive my bluntness, but we were already too late when we brought Shigaraki Tanuki under control."
"As long as he holds 'value' in his hands, he will ultimately be acquitted. Moreover, his position will become even more secure than before, and he may even... pose a threat to you!"
Yet—
"Not too late."
Aburame Ryūma shook his head and said