Everyone present noticed the change in Yamato's expression, and their reactions differed.
Kakashi's eyes were filled with sympathy. From the conversation just now, he had learned that this Root youth, who had previously shouted about killing him, had actually endured such a tragic past.
Orochimaru's gaze remained cold. To him, Yamato was merely an unexpectedly successful test subject. Even if that test subject hated him deeply, he did not particularly care.
Sarutobi's eyes were full of pity and guilt. In his view, although this young man's tragic experience had been caused single-handedly by Danzo, it was also inseparable from Konoha's complicated political situation. Nor could he possibly punish Orochimaru severely for this youth's sake, because Nawaki had made it very clear just now that Orochimaru was only a pawn in the struggle between multiple parties. If this matter were truly pursued, none of Konoha's factions could escape responsibility.
Of everyone present, Nawaki understood the emotional changes within Yamato best. Through the Sensory Technique, he could clearly sense the confusion and numbness in the other's heart, and that reaction made him frown inwardly.
Although Nawaki's earlier defense had sounded quite reasonable, the truth was not so simple. In reality, he had deliberately helped bring about Yamato's circumstances. Aside from preserving the plot, he also wanted to cultivate Yamato into a future helper.
In the original work, Yamato and Kakashi were very similar types of ninja. Both had become mentally listless after losing companions in their youth. Moreover, both possessed great talent. If not for that despondent mindset limiting their development, they could at least have become Kage-level powerhouses!
Kakashi's talent went without saying, while Yamato's talent was at least Kage-level as well. Although Yamato's Wood Release bloodline limit could not compare to true Wood Release due to his lack of Yang