"It wasn't betrayal. It was taking another path." Yahiko shook his head firmly in correction. "It was to fulfill our original dream of 'changing the world,' not to fall into a trap woven by someone else."
"Kisame Hoshigaki, your strength should not serve a scam."
"On this new stage, your abilities can be put to more genuine, more meaningful use."
Hearing Yahiko's persuasion, Kisame Hoshigaki fell into a long silence.
Only his heavy breathing and the faint clinking of chains remained in the cell.
At last, he gave a derisive laugh of unclear meaning. "Hmph... a world without lies?"
"And in the end, the biggest lie was right beside us."
Kisame Hoshigaki leaned against the wall as he spoke, looking utterly exhausted. In a low voice, he said, "I'm tired.
"If the future you and the Fifth Hokage create really is that wonderful, then it won't be too late for me to join after the Shinobi World is unified, will it?"
Those words were neither acceptance nor refusal.
He truly was deeply disappointed by the Eye of the Moon scam, but he also had doubts about Naruto's new plan. Thus, he intended to wait and see, letting time prove everything.
Yahiko was slightly taken aback, not expecting that answer.
He quickly regained his composure and replied, "You'll see soon enough. Of course, I advise you to make your choice quickly. Otherwise, there may be no place for you in the new future."
"I don't need your reminder!" Kisame Hoshigaki snorted coldly, turning his head away and refusing to speak further.
Yahiko sighed softly and turned to leave the cell.
Yamato, who had been guarding the door, immediately understood from Yahiko's expression. He strode into the cell and used Wood Release to swiftly restrain Kisame Hoshigaki's throat, preventing him from doing