"Of course. You were the only one who answered me, Shinji!"
Yakumo finally understood. After asking everyone for help, the one who had truly come to her aid was the boy who had shaken his head at her in the twilight.
Once she understood that, the figure of "A" in her mind completely merged with Shinji before her. They became one and the same.
Whoosh.
Just then, Ido flew out of Yakumo's body and circled Shinji a few times. "How is that possible?! How could you be Master?"
Shinji glanced at Ido. "You don't believe me?"
Ido shrank back, looking sheepish. "Hehe, I'm just a little surprised. Actually, it's great that you're Master!"
Shinji turned to Yakumo. "Do you need me to explain anything?"
"No!" Yakumo shook her head, finally relaxing. "There's no need anymore. I already feel at ease."
Ever since joining the Akatsuki Organization as "D," she had been caught between conflict and anxiety.
She knew that her Red Dragon Eye, First Hokage cells, and everything else had come from the leader. He had given her the chance to continue being a ninja, so there was no question that she was grateful to him.
But deep down, caught between the organization and the village, she had felt lost about the future. The leader's continued concealment of his true identity had also left her uneasy, as if everything she relied on rested upon an illusory symbol that could disappear at any moment.
Now that Shinji was "A," the unease in her heart had vanished.
She felt at ease. Even if she defected right now, she wouldn't feel lost anymore!
Shinji sat down on the grass, plucked a foxtail grass stem, and held it between his lips. Then he leaned back on his hands and gazed up at the sky.