Hiruzen Sarutobi watched silently, a heavy ache weighing on his heart.
He had always regarded Uchiha Kagami, whom he had not seen in so long, with great vigilance and suspicion.
But as the events of those years slowly unfolded on this alcohol-scented night, his wariness drifted away on the breeze like fireflies released into the air.
He listened as the man named Uchiha Kagami spoke lightly of the past, brushing over the hardships of those years as though they were nothing.
Beneath that matter-of-fact account lurked deadly dangers, yet Uchiha Kagami recounted them without a care, relaxed and unrestrained.
This was the freedom of letting everything go.
Those words surfaced in Hiruzen Sarutobi's mind, and he remained silent.
He did not know how to respond. Perhaps he ought simply to listen in silence, then bury it all deep in his heart-or share the man's story when the time was right.
A prodigal's return was beyond price. Though Huo He had betrayed the Uchiha Clan, he had traded his life for valuable intelligence about Black Zetsu. His deeds should not be forgotten like this.
The man lying on the ground looked slightly startled, gazing at the starry sky with a bewildered expression.
Bracing his right hand against the ground, he sat up again. The silver-white mask in his hand reflected the moonlight. He seemed to understand something, paused briefly, then placed the mask over his face once more.
He stood and brushed the dirt from his clothes, looking with some dismay at the stains left by the liquor.
"My apologies, Lord Hokage. I lost my composure after drinking," he said.
Xihuo, the Shadow Organization Leader, had taken control of this body again.
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at him, took a deep breath, and answered.
"It's quite all right... Lord Xihuo."
The silver-white