The black tentacles burrowed back into Nagato's palm, and the seams smoothed over.
The minor wounds on Hiruzen's chest were stitched shut with black thread. He lay on the ground, utterly drained and unable to move for the moment.
Nagato said, "These threads will dissolve on their own once your wounds heal. Your chakra will not be affected, but from this day onward, you will no longer be able to use any ninjutsu related to Yin Release."
"..." Hiruzen said nothing. He silently took a soldier pill from his ninja tool pouch and swallowed it. After recovering a little strength, he rose to his feet.
"Orochimaru, as you wish, I will bury what happened today in my stomach. But... Nagato, I also hope that you will honor your promise and never take the initiative to attack Konoha!"
After taking one last look at Enma's corpse, Hiruzen felt a pang of grief in his heart. I'm sorry, my comrade. You fought beside me for half my life, yet I cannot even see you off on your final journey!
"Farewell, then!" Hiruzen withdrew his gaze, turned, and left.
Watching his receding figure, Orochimaru felt a hint of melancholy. "Sensei... did not even want to look at me one more time..."
Nagato said, "After all, you took the hatred that should have been aimed at me and drew it onto yourself..."
Lowering his eyes, Orochimaru said, "It seems I am unexpectedly unwilling to trouble others as well. After all, this was a compromise Nagato made for my sake, so I should bear the corresponding responsibility."
"And... I truly am grateful to you, Nagato."
"Grateful to me for what?" Nagato turned to look at Orochimaru's profile.
Orochimaru smiled. "Only now have I truly let go of Konoha in my heart. That old notion of