Ueno Kei had never imagined that everything he had done at such great risk would amount to nothing but a blank slate.
But Inoichi could not possibly lie about something like this, nor would it serve him any purpose. As for Hidan? Just as he had said before, his entire brain had burst apart. The instant Inoichi finished speaking, it exploded, blood spraying everywhere in a revolting mess.
"...Sigh." Ueno Kei let out a breath. After going to such lengths, they had gotten nothing. He felt deeply frustrated. He had thought they might obtain some solid intelligence about Akatsuki from Hidan, but now...
Ueno Kei felt rather indignant. They had actually placed a seal even inside the bodies of their core members. That was simply... well, Ueno Kei admitted that it was merely a powerless complaint.
"Hand Hidan's corpse over to the research division. See if they can get anything useful out of it." Ueno Kei spoke unwillingly. At that moment, he was like a sulking child, making Jiraiya and Tsunade beside him smile.
Ueno Kei had already fully matured, becoming a strong trunk supporting the great tree that was Konoha! Yet at times, he still showed a hint of childishness. That only made Tsunade and Jiraiya feel that he was more real.
Yes, real. Ever since that incident, Jiraiya and Tsunade had noticed that Ueno Kei's expressions and displays of emotion had become increasingly genuine. He no longer wore that icy expression toward everyone he saw.
This brought Jiraiya and Tsunade considerable comfort. Someone like Danzo was truly chilling. Back then, Danzo had thought highly of Ueno Kei precisely because he possessed an aura similar to Danzo and Orochimaru.
But now, that was no longer the case at all.
Yes, Ueno Kei now resembled the sun, dazzling and brilliant.