After receiving Hua Yue's promise, Aqi seemed to have shed some heavy burden and found hope. Smiling broadly, he nodded vigorously.
Though he constantly complained in front of Nonō and Kabuto, Aqi had long regarded Kabuto as his brother and the children of the orphanage as family. That was why he had risked danger to seek Hua Yue's help at the first opportunity.
"I understand. Go back to the orphanage first, Aqi."
"I'm counting on you, Brother Hua Yue."
His figure slowly disappeared around the street corner. The gentle smile on his face froze, transforming into icy gloom in an instant.
"Come out."
The surroundings were silent. Figures emerged soundlessly from the shadows, one after another. The Anbu leader wearing a bird mask gave a slight bow and spoke respectfully.
"Lord Uchiha Hanazuki, this matter is entirely for Konoha's sake. Lord Danzo and Lord Orochimaru—"
The cold wind howled. Though it was autumn, the chill seemed to blow in from the depths of winter, leaving the many Root members as though they had fallen into an ice pit.
A colossal beast slumbering since the age of myth slowly awakened, looking down upon all around it. Not one person dared meet its gaze.
"You're using Orochimaru and Danzo to pressure me?"
"I would not dare. I misspoke. My deepest apologies."
With a thud, the overwhelming force of his erupting chakra had already terrified the Root ninja. Under that pressure, they dropped to their knees and struggled for a long while, yet could not break free.
In their daze, they seemed to see a god embodying destruction and power residing within that well-proportioned, powerful body.
"There must not be the slightest delay in meeting the conditions you offered. If I find even the smallest delay in the funding, and the Third Hokage