Island No. 9.
After Right Red's death, Shiraishi Yoshijo seemed to have fallen into grief. He sat cross-legged on a rock without moving.
Nianze stood uneasily behind him, his face filled with extreme terror.
Orochimaru, Kabuto Yakushi, Uchiha Itachi, and Sasuke all watched Shiraishi Yoshijo without daring to make a move, because the killing intent permeating the air was simply too intense.
The two sides remained locked in this standoff until the eastern sky began to brighten. Shiraishi Yoshijo seemed to receive some sort of message and suddenly rose to his feet.
As he stood, the suffocating killing intent in the air dissipated as well.
He turned to look at his son. Though his gaze was complicated, he ultimately smiled at Nianze. "Did I scare you?"
Nianze hurriedly said, "Father, I really was controlled by Uchiha Itachi. If you don't believe me, you can ask him."
"You're still hung up on that? Forget it. Go back."
Go back?
Nianze hesitated before tentatively asking, "Father, are we going back together?"
"No. I can't go back. From now on, just consider me dead. After you return, ascend the throne. Let me give you a few words of warning: the emperor's position may seem supreme, but it isn't as wonderful as you imagine. If you want to be a good emperor, severing all feelings and ties is the first requirement."
"If you can't let go, then my today will become your tomorrow. Never repeat my mistakes."
Before Nianze could grasp the deeper meaning behind those words, Shiraishi Yoshijo waved for him to leave.
"Father, I'll remember."
Watching his son's departing back, Shiraishi Yoshijo shook his head before turning his gaze toward the Uchiha brothers.
"Why aren't you leaving? Do you really want to die here?"
The brothers looked at each other, surprise appearing