Hearing Minato's words, Chidong couldn't help but pause. Then his gaze casually drifted toward the red-haired boy standing nearby, his expression blank.
Noticing Chidong's glance, Minato's eyes followed, shifting to Scorpion. His voice was calm.
"Are you saying that this boy here is the preparation you mentioned?"
At Minato's words, a smile appeared on Chidong's rough face. He replied in a gruff voice,
"Why couldn't it be him?"
"Scorpion has unique conditions and advantages that allow him to do this. Even I couldn't manage it!"
Minato was slightly taken aback by Chidong's words. Then he turned to look at Scorpion, whose expression remained blank. With a sharp flash, the Byakugan opened.
What he saw next genuinely surprised him. He murmured in astonishment,
"This child..."
Through the Byakugan, he could see countless Chakra Threads inside Scorpion's body, converging around his heart.
It was as if Chakra Threads, originating from his heart and spreading outward, ran through his entire body, controlling every movement of the vessel.
That feeling... It was as if he were a puppet controlled by Chakra Threads...
Minato's expression grew complicated. He asked in confusion,
"Did this child turn his own body into a puppet...?"
As if he had sensed the pity in Minato's voice, Scorpion gently turned his head and looked calmly at him with his reddish-brown eyes.
Their gazes met: one pair pale as jade, the other red as blood.
Yet what they shared was the strikingly similar calm hidden in their eyes.
Scorpion quietly met Minato's gaze and spoke softly. His voice was still young, but his tone was peaceful.
"If you feel sorry for me, there's no need."
"This was my own choice."
As he spoke, he slowly lowered his head, his reddish-brown eyes glancing at his pale hands. His voice was quiet.
"Humans are