The cursed seal's power was drained swiftly. Kimimaro felt a sharp pain before his vision went black and he collapsed.
His body had only seemed stable because of the cursed seal. Losing it so suddenly, fainting was inevitable.
Even the Sound Four—physically stronger than Kimimaro—had all blacked out when Yuto stripped away their seals.
Catching him gently, Yuto shook his head. Kimimaro's condition was already terminal, far worse than Ketsuya's had been.
To cure him completely would mean erasing his kekkei genkai—a near impossibility.
But suppressing the illness? That much, Yuto was confident he could do.
As he pondered, a familiar voice called out.
"Yuto-dono, I knew you'd be here."
Chojuro jogged over, breathing hard.
"Chojuro? What is it?" Yuto asked, surprised.
"Ringo Ameyuri and Utakata have returned. Utakata brought back a child. Mizukage-sama wants to know how you wish to handle him."
Yuto's thoughts sharpened. *That child must be Ranmaru… the one whose kekkei genkai could counter the Byakugan. Such an ability cannot be wasted.*
"Tell Utakata to bring the boy straight to his place," Yuto said with a light smile. Then, remembering something, he asked, "You know where Utakata lives, don't you?"
Chojuro nodded automatically—just as Yuto passed the unconscious Kimimaro into his arms.
"Lead the way," Yuto said, smiling.
Reflexively, Chojuro replied, "Yes, Yuto-dono!"
He carried Kimimaro and guided Yuto toward Utakata's home.
Halfway there, he suddenly remembered the message he was supposed to deliver.
"Ah… but Yuto-dono, I should return and report back to Mizukage-sama…"
"No need. Tell someone along the way to relay the message," Yuto waved it off casually.
Chojuro could only obey, continuing to carry Kimimaro.
The path grew emptier the farther they went. Utakata lived in a secluded corner of the village few even knew existed. Without Chojuro, Yuto might never have found it.
Half an hour later, Chojuro staggered into Utakata's home, arms trembling, and laid Kimimaro down.
Rubbing his sore arms, he sighed in relief, then hurried back outside. Yuto leaned against a tree, waiting.
"Thanks, Chojuro," Yuto said warmly as he approached.
Chojuro shook his head quickly, but worry crept onto his face.
"What is it?" Yuto asked curiously.
Chojuro scratched his head and explained the Seven Ninja Swordsmen matter.
"Have a little faith in yourself. You may lack raw strength, but your efficiency is good," Yuto said, patting his shoulder.
Chojuro forced a wry smile. Somehow, it didn't feel like encouragement.
He excused himself, leaving to prepare for the swordsmen's restoration.
Not long after, Utakata appeared, a large bubble drifting beside him. Inside lay Ranmaru.
Without a word, Utakata pushed the bubble toward Yuto. "Here. He's yours now."
Then he turned and walked back to his home.
"Really… what an unlikable personality," Yuto muttered, amused, turning his gaze to the boy in the bubble.
Inside, Ranmaru looked back nervously.
Even Utakata feared this man. And Utakata was the strongest person he had ever seen.
Curiosity flickered in Ranmaru's eyes. His dark irises bled into crimson.
Boom!
Agony exploded in his head. A suffocating sense of danger wrapped around him.
In his vision, Yuto wasn't like any shinobi he had ever seen.
A person's strength wasn't only chakra reserves—but to a sensory-type like him, chakra was the most telling measure.
When he had first seen Utakata, he'd instantly known Raiga would lose.
But now… before him was something terrifying.
Yuto was like a black hole. No chakra visible, reality itself warped around him.
The Red Eye screamed death.
Ranmaru's vision dimmed. His eyes faded back to gray-brown. He clutched his head, trembling violently.
To Yuto, it looked as if the boy's eyes had flickered red before reverting, his body curling up in fear.
Yuto chuckled softly, tapping the bubble. It popped, dropping Ranmaru to the ground.
"Kid, don't ever turn those eyes on me. Or your little head might explode."
His calm voice reached Ranmaru, who froze. Then Yuto picked him up effortlessly.
He studied the boy: gray-black hair, delicate features—an adorable child.
Sensing no harm from him, Ranmaru's shaking eased. Nervously, he asked, "Who are you?"
"My name is Yuto. I am an elder of Kirigakure."
Yuto smiled faintly.
The boy's tension eased. Still cautious, but now with a spark of hope, he whispered:
"Yuto-dono… do you need eyes? I can be your eyes."
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