Yanbai used a Dōjutsu on Junlin.
Since Junlin valued his privacy so much, it was better to whisper their secrets somewhere no one could spy on them.
In a stark white space devoid of any decoration.
There were only Yanbai and Junlin.
Within this strange space, Junlin finally revealed his purpose.
"I want to help you fulfill your wish, so I've been researching the Ōtsutsuki Clan, and... Uncle Black Zetsu."
Yanbai's response was as succinct as ever. "Is that so?"
Then Yanbai fixed his unclouded red eyes on Junlin and asked, "How do you intend to do that?"
"I want to bring about the 'Eye of the Moon' plan, then summon our ancestor and seal her away for good, giving you true freedom," Junlin said.
Yanbai raised an eyebrow. "Do you know how?"
"No, but I'll find out," Junlin said firmly.
In this space, where he was alone with his mother.
Junlin seemed to have cast off the restraints of reason entirely.
"Why would you have such an idea?" Yanbai asked in an unhurried voice. "Wouldn't it be better to eat, drink, and enjoy yourself like your older brothers?"
"During that sunless childhood, you were the ray of sunlight that kept me alive." Junlin looked at Yanbai.
"You all see me as the sun. I'm honored."
That was all Yanbai said. Beyond that, he showed no particular reaction, neither anger nor any special delight.
Perhaps it was because everything bored him?
Junlin chuckled softly.
That was his mother.
For Yanbai, what mattered most was neither other people's feelings nor the outside world's opinion. His own mood mattered most, didn't it?
Whatever he had done for Konoha.
Whatever he had done for the Land of Fire.
Yanbai had always done it because he wanted to.
Not for anyone else, but for