Different forms of address corresponded to different identities.
Though they were the same person, they stood in different positions.
When he opened the letter, it was addressed to Uchiha Yū. Much of it questioned him and reprimanded his actions, but it ended with words of concern.
It had been sent to Uchiha Yū from the perspective of a friend.
Yet when the letter reached Uchiha Yū's hands, he read every word, whether reprimand or concern. In the end, he tucked it into his robes and nodded gently.
"Bring the messenger ninja to the main hall. Since they want confirmation of my identity, then let everyone in Konoha know that I am still alive."
"Now this is interesting."
Orochimaru, whose mind had been occupied with experiments involving the underworld, stopped as he was about to leave. Moved by those words, he said,
"As expected of my disciple. The paths we have taken are the same. We both still have comrades in the village, but once our identities are revealed before them, can we truly bring ourselves to act?"
Orochimaru had never abandoned his identity. It represented his severance from the past, allowing him to face being enemies with Konoha. Yet since arriving here, Uchiha Yū had always worn a mask. While it could dispel some suspicions and ensure that Konoha would not target Dawn Hidden Village in the early stages, had Uchiha Yū truly prepared himself to meet them on the battlefield?
"I was prepared long ago, Teacher Orochimaru."
Crack! Crack! Crack!
Cracks rang out as the mask at his waist shattered, signifying that Uchiha Yū no longer needed to hide behind one.
He would once again stand at the pinnacle of the shinobi world and become the Poison Ninja whose name struck fear into all who heard it! Only this