After receiving Huayue's promise, Aqi seemed to have cast off some heavy burden, as though he had also 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 in the Orphanage as family. That was why he had risked danger and hurried to Huayue for help at the first opportunity.
"I know what happened. Go back to the Orphanage first, Aqi."
"I'm counting on you, Brother Huayue."
As Aqi's figure slowly vanished around the street corner, the gentle smile on Huayue's face froze, transforming into icy gloom in an instant.
"Come out."
The surroundings remained utterly silent. Figures emerged soundlessly from the shadows, and the Anbu leader in a bird mask gave a slight bow before speaking respectfully.
"Lord Uchiha Huayue, this matter was entirely for Konoha. Lord Danzo and Lord Orochimaru—"
The cold wind howled. Though it was autumn, the chill felt as if it had blown in from the depths of winter, plunging the many Root members into an ice cellar.
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 think you can use Orochimaru and Danzo to pressure me?"
"I would not dare. I misspoke. My deepest apologies."
With a thud, the overwhelming force of Huayue's 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 deity embodying destruction and power dwelling within that well-proportioned, powerful body.
"Do not delay a single bit of what was promised. If I find even the slightest shortfall in the funding, and