Jiraiya stepped in. "Actually, it was all my fault as a teacher. I was the one who imposed the fate of the Child of Prophecy onto Nagato, leading you to suffer such misfortune!"
"No, it was our fault!" Yahiko said. "Jiraiya-sensei protected us and taught us ninjutsu, yet ultimately died by my hands!"
"No, it was my fault!" Nagato said solemnly. "I wanted you, Yahiko, to always remain as Akatsuki's leader, enjoying that glory. But instead, I made you my tool, soaked in blood!"
"I've already said it—it's my fault..." Jiraiya suddenly slapped himself hard!
"Sensei, please don't do that..." Yahiko also slapped himself!
"Tsk tsk, Jiraiya apologizes to Nagato, Nagato apologizes to Yahiko, and Yahiko apologizes to Jiraiya. Funny how triangles are the most stable structure, isn't it?" Muttering to himself, Orochimaru walked into the cave.
...
Inside the cave, Kabuto silently crushed a chess piece into powder, then looked up at the incoming figure. "No wonder you're called Orochimaru-sama. You actually figured out a way to make them forcefully break free from my control using their own consciousness!"
Orochimaru's expression was strange. "Believe it or not, originally I just invited them to be my henchmen!"
Sensing Itachi, who was currently trapped in family turmoil, as well as the three men continuously slapping themselves, Kabuto's eye twitched violently. "Forget those failures. Are you here to reclaim everything from me, Orochimaru-sama?"
"No, I have absolutely no interest in those things you've pieced together!" Orochimaru shook his head.
"Oh? Then are you here to persuade me to defect?" Kabuto wagged his tail eagerly. "With all due respect, the current Orochimaru-sama holds no authority over me. I've already become a dragon beyond the snake!"
Orochimaru didn't get angry; he simply smiled. "Of course I don't think someone like you now can be convinced by just one word from me. But perhaps there is someone else who can!"
Kabuto picked up another chess piece, gently rolling it between his fingers. "I'm no longer a piece on the chessboard. No one can influence me anymore!"
Orochimaru didn't comment. "Haha, you've fulfilled so many people's dreams, yet no one has fulfilled your dreams. Isn't that tragic? Let me help you with that!"
Saying so, he immediately summoned an upright coffin.
The coffin lid fell down, and a gentle-faced woman stepped out from the coffin.
Seeing this person, Kabuto instinctively crushed the chess piece in his hand. His tail, which had been swaying behind him, suddenly became still and withdrew into his trench coat.
Witnessing Kabuto's reaction—like a child caught doodling on the walls upon seeing his parent—Orochimaru inwardly chuckled. "You still can't replace her in his heart, Nonou Yakushi!"
"What... what is going on...?" Nonou Yakushi looked around in confusion. "Orochimaru-sama! And you... are you... Kabuto?"
"Liar! It must be a lie!" The previously nervous Kabuto suddenly shouted at Orochimaru. "You told me she could only identify my growth through photographs, which was why she couldn't recognize me back then! So why can she recognize me now? You must be controlling her mind!"
Orochimaru spread his hands, "You, as another user of the Impure World Reincarnation, should easily be able to tell whether I used talismans to control her mind, right?"
Nonou seemed to understand something and softly said while holding her forehead, "One's voice may change, one's looks may change, but the spark deep in their eyes — that never fades!"
Kabuto was confused once again, "Then... why back in those days...?"
Orochimaru shrugged, "Sorry, I withheld part of the truth then. Besides secretly replacing the photo, Danzo also used genjutsu on her!"
Kabuto's eyes shone with intense light, "So that means, Director never forgot me!"
Nonou smiled bitterly, "I'm sorry, during the time I was under the genjutsu, I truly didn't remember you!"
Kabuto shook his head, "Look at me now — and yet you still recognized me instantly, Director. This proves that bonds don't need names or glasses to survive. True feelings from the heart go beyond every boundary!"
Orochimaru clapped his hands, "If you hadn't survived and been brought back through [Impure World Reincarnation], that moment of realization might've actually sent you straight to heaven!"
Kabuto was silent for a moment, "Let's go. I no longer need to prove my existence to others now! I am me, Kabuto Yakushi of the Konoha Orphanage!"
...
Upon learning that [the Impure World Reincarnation army] had joined the Allied Forces, everyone was excited for a while, but it didn't last long. After all, one victory or defeat meant little before the ultimate enemy was defeated!
Of course, Danzo still needed to be cursed.
If it weren't for his twisted gift for betraying his own kind, Yakushi Kabuto wouldn't have caused so many chaotic messes!
In the harmonious atmosphere of hard training, chasing dreams, and cursing Danzo, three days passed in the blink of an eye.
As the first light of dawn crept in, a wave of tension settled over everyone.
"Finally, the day has come! I wonder how many of us will survive after the war ends?"
"I'm really scared of death, but I'm even more afraid my child will live forever in falsehood!"
"That's right, for the sake of leaving a real world for future generations, we must defeat Madara Uchiha!"
Hearing these determined voices, Hashirama felt a surge of hope, "With such determination, we absolutely won't lose!"
"Whatever happens, we've already done our best!" Tobirama sighed and asked, "How is Naruto's training progressing?"
"Naruto?" Hashirama gave a thumbs-up, "He can already instantly enter Sage Mode now!"
Tobirama couldn't help but blurt out, "That fast? It took you years to master it, Aniki!"
"He must have experienced Kurama being captured, his teacher being reincarnated, and his enemy awakening to remorse, which brought him into a state of great tranquility and joy, allowing his spiritual cultivation to rapidly mature!" Hashirama analyzed.
"I see," Tobirama found it barely acceptable.
Hashirama asked, "By the way, how about that Uchiha kid?"
Tobirama turned serious, "Although he hasn't awakened the Rinnegan, his mastery of the Mangekyo Sharingan has reached an ultimate level, [developing his Susanoo to Complete Form!]"
Hashirama whistled, "You've made pretty good progress on your side too, huh!"
"Tobirama was also amazed at his progress at first, but after hearing your analysis of Naruto, I think I kind of understand now," Tobirama cast his gaze toward the family of four. "He experienced the joy of reuniting with his parents, then released the resentment built up in his heart — his soul was finally cleansed."
"Haha, now that you mention it, me and Madara also went through a period of rapid improvement back then!" Hashirama recalled with a smile. "We felt the joy of sharing the same ideals, then the pain of our fathers forcing us apart — that's when we truly began to grow!"
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