The moment Uchiha Yato finished speaking, Kanoshius's expression suddenly became somewhat unnatural, though the change lasted only an instant.
Yet Uchiha Yato still caught it with his keen senses.
"Mr. Yato, what nonsense are you talking about?" There was a faint, barely perceptible anger in Kanoshius's voice. She tried hard to maintain the poise and courtesy expected of a noble, but she was clearly struggling to do so.
"We've already come this far, yet you still suspect me. That truly makes me very disappointed and hurt," Kanoshius continued, her tone carrying the grievance of someone wrongfully accused.
However, Uchiha Yato remained unmoved by her words. He merely shrugged lightly and went on, "I believe everything you said is true, including the matter of wanting me to gather energy for you."
His gaze remained fixed on Kanoshius as though he could see through her thoughts. "But this contract has never told me what consequences I'll face if I fail."
"After all, the so-called freedom is something I want, not something you want, so you must have harsher methods."
"For example..."
Uchiha Yato deliberately paused, then directly revealed his Sharingan.
"Turning me into an emotionless mechanical puppet, just like that lion I first saw through the monitor."
Uchiha Yato's words carried a resolute certainty, as though he had long since seen through everything.
His eyes blazed as he stared intently at Kanoshius, seemingly trying to pierce her soul.
In that instant, Kanoshius felt unprecedented pressure. Her smile gradually froze, and cracks began to appear in her originally indifferent expression.
Uchiha Yato continued, "Am I right, Ms. Kanoshius?" His voice was low and powerful, carrying an unquestionable authority.
At this moment, he fully displayed the bearing expected of the Fourth Hokage. He was no longer that carefree, cynical figure, but a true man