Seeing the shock on the children's faces, Sosuke smiled gently and spoke softly.
"That's right. Just as you suspected, we aren't really Konoha Ninja at the moment."
"H-how... could... that... be!?"
Although all three children had suspected as much, they still couldn't believe it when they heard Sosuke admit it outright.
Sosuke lowered his eyes, taking in every expression on their faces. His expression grew slightly serious as he spoke in a low voice.
"That's exactly right."
Then he looked at Yahiko.
His deep eyes fixed on him as he murmured, "Yahiko, Minato told me that your mother died at the hands of the Sand Ninja..."
At Sosuke's words, Yahiko froze.
The most painful memory in his mind had suddenly been brought up. His little face turned dark, and he looked at Sosuke with grief and anger.
Konan and Nagato, standing nearby, also looked worriedly at Sosuke and Yahiko.
They didn't know why Sosuke had brought it up.
Just then—
"Pat!"
A warm hand suddenly settled on Yahiko's orange hair.
Startled by Sosuke's sudden gesture, Yahiko stared wide-eyed, his little face blank.
"Have you already forgotten... that pain...?"
His deep, resonant murmur accompanied the words.
With one hand resting on Yahiko's orange hair, Sosuke bent down, meeting the boy's slightly dazed gaze with his own deep eyes.
Yahiko's eyes were full of sorrow. He lowered his gaze, unable to meet Sosuke's.
Sosuke gently ruffled his hair. He didn't press the distressed boy any further, instead turning to Konan and Nagato and speaking softly.
"Konan... your parents actually died at the hands of Konoha Ninja..."
At Sosuke's words, Yahiko and Nagato were both startled and immediately looked at Konan!
Konan's pretty face turned deathly pale in an instant. Her lips trembled slightly, and she didn't know what to say.
How could