"I don't understand. Why did Inabi insist on going along? He doesn't seem to be that close to Naoki, either..."
After receiving Uchiha Fugaku's confirmation, Uchiha Inabi took his leave. Once he was gone, Uchiha Yashiro voiced the question on his mind.
Uchiha Fugaku remained silent. Beside him, Shisui seemed lost in thought.
Ever since the war on the Southern Border Battlefield ended, Naoki's deeds had gradually spread throughout Konoha, and his reputation had grown. In the foreseeable future, once Naoki returned to the village, he would be one of the Uchiha Clan's most influential members. Combined with his existing position in the Internal Affairs Bureau, he would have a major impact on both the Police Force and the Uchiha Clan.
Lately, Uchiha Inabi had been spending a lot of time with Uchiha Takuto and the other hardliners in the clan. Shisui guessed that Uchiha Inabi wanted to use this opportunity to win Naoki over...
In the quiet mountain village, Aikawa Yumi sat on her bed, staring blankly out the window.
Three days had passed since she and Naoki had barged into the village. She had been kept here the entire time, with no knowledge of what was happening outside. But tonight was the final deadline. Naoki would be sent into the cave where the Buddha Mother was worshipped.
Nobody else knew what went on in that cave, but she did.
Even she would have had a hard time getting out without thorough preparation, let alone Naoki, whose soul had long since been offered to the Buddha Mother.
Clenching her fists, Aikawa Yumi knew she had to act tonight. She couldn't put it off any longer!
She took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down.
Over the past three days, she had tried countless times to escape this