Sorry

Deep in the woods, Sōsuke Aburame, emaciated beyond recognition, watched indifferently as the Poisonous Insects tentatively crept toward him. Before long, the one who commanded them would be devoured by them.

This was the ending I should have expected all along, wasn't it?

Pain radiated from within Sōsuke Aburame. Once he could no longer supply the kikaichū with chakra, they had begun feeding on his flesh.

Just as the surviving Blood-Sucking Mosquitoes, Poison Scorpions, and Poisonous Insects approached Sōsuke Aburame, a stream of flame descended from above, burning away these stragglers that had escaped Madara Uchiha's fire dragon.

"Is that you, Kazuhiko-sensei?"

Between the massive blood loss and the kikaichū turning on him, fourteen-year-old Sōsuke Aburame could no longer see. But since the newcomer used Fire Release and had not killed him immediately, it had to be Kazuhiko Sarutobi.

“Sōsuke Aburame fought to his last breath while protecting Lord Shinhiko Kōzuki and died at the hands of Sunagakure ninja. That is what I will report to the village. Is there anything else you want to say?”

A flicker of pity crossed Kazuhiko Sarutobi's eyes as he looked at Sōsuke Aburame's ravaged body. But even if Sosuke returned alive, Danzo would not spare him. He would die a criminal then. Letting him die a hero now was the best outcome for him, the Aburame Clan, and Konoha alike.

"Thank you, Sensei. Please tell Hayato and Itachi I'm sorry."

As death approached, Sōsuke Aburame pictured Hayato Hyuga's cheerful smile and Madara Uchiha's impassive face.

If I hadn't come from Root, perhaps I could have joined them in their training.

"Wind Release: Wind Blade."

Two wind blades shot from Kazuhiko Sarutobi's hands. One severed Sōsuke Aburame's head; the other pierced his heart.

The wind blades moved so quickly that Sōsuke Aburame should not