— A conspiracy. This is definitely a damn conspiracy.
The pink-haired's mutter, as soon as it left his lips, was drowned out by the sound of his footsteps as he pushed through the forest undergrowth.
Even so, the brat following him still seemed to have heard him, judging by the growing intensity of the gaze burning into the back of his neck.
After turning his head and surreptitiously observing the pair of swaying blonde pigtails, along with the three pairs of tensed whiskers on her cheeks, the idea that he'd been lured into a trap only grew stronger.
He was so sure of it that he'd bet one of his testicles on it.
He'd have to save the other one to bet that that decrepit old man Danzo was to blame for everything.
What kind of reincarnated being would he be if he didn't blame that old man for everything bad?
Besides, what other explanation besides the Shadow Hokage could justify a pink-haired brat—who killed some scum from the Hyuga branch family a little over a month ago—suddenly being paired with the damn Nine-Tails Jinchūriki?
If he had another testicle, Yashin would bet again that the Third Hokage would be totally against that arrangement.
Given how brazen the ANBU have been in keeping tabs on him lately, he was sure there would be nothing more important to the Hokage—as far as he was concerned—than keeping him as far away from the Jinchūriki as possible.
Although from that perspective, he also couldn't understand what Danzo was up to by pairing him with that blonde brat.
Well, it wasn't as if it mattered all that much.
The mummy had always tended to do inexplicable things for the sake of Konoha.
This wasn't a big deal.
Besides, the main reason for Yashin's distrust of the old man wasn't the Uzumaki brat, but the Hyuga brats who were chasing him.
That both of those brats had landed the role of trackers could still be justified by the privileges of their background, but that they were paired up—and, worse yet, to chase after him… plain bad luck couldn't account for a coincidence like that.
…
"It's no conspiracy. It's just your shitty luck doing what it's supposed to do."
…
— Screw you. My luck isn't that bad.
…
"I'm really surprised you can still say that after nearly dying on an auspicious date."
…
Before the pink-haired could reply, Natsuki's frigid voice—questioning what he was saying and who he was talking to—reached his ears.
Having no interest in getting into an argument with that brat, Yashin simply ignored her and quickened his pace.
Natsuki didn't press the issue either.
She simply followed in the pink-haired's footsteps while focusing on covering any traces of their progress.
A difficult task, considering the thick vegetation of the Forest of Death. Even so, even Yashin had to admit that the blonde's skill was exceptional.
Every footprint on the ground, every trampled branch or leaf—even the mess the pink-haired left behind on purpose—was completely covered up by the frivolous little girl with blonde pigtails.
It was things like that that made it hard to believe she was related to the airhead she called her brother.
If the outlandish hypothesis Yashin had come up with a few years ago turned out to be true, that brat had surely stolen all the intelligence from her counterpart.
Or perhaps it was the result of the influence of the half of the Kyubi that each of them possessed?
Yin and yang.
Physical energy and spiritual energy.
Brute force and intelligence.
Be that as it may, the dismembered beast that each of the Uzumaki siblings harbored within them held little interest for the pink-haired.
Instead, his surroundings were far more appealing to him.
The air he discovered with every new step that took him deeper into the Forest of Death seemed… magical to him.
Yashin was certain that his good friend Aburame would also deeply appreciate the surroundings.
The damp, almost thick purity of every breath, the colossal trees, the labyrinthine branches, the shadows they cast on the ground, the sound of the wind oppressed by the vegetation, even the echo of the wildlife hidden in the twilight—it was like a crackling or a heartbeat that intensified the suffocating nature of the surroundings, as if he were trapped in the twisted bowels of a apotheosic being.
A garden like that… he was sure he could make it much more useful and beautiful.
Like a garden or a paradise.
Unfortunately, although the pink-haired appreciated the beauty, not only did he lack the motivation, but at that moment he also lacked the ability.
Whatever was going through his mind would have to wait.
— It looks like we've gotten far enough away now.
While he was absorbed in the beauty of his surroundings and what might be, the Uzumaki's unwelcome voice dragged the pink-haired back to reality.
Slowly, they both stopped and turned to face each other.
— Far enough away?
— Yes. There shouldn't be any prying eyes here anymore.
The pink-haired boy's eyes inevitably swept the surrounding shadows, certain that members of ANBU or ROOT were watching them at that very moment.
Damn it. He didn't even need to think about it that much. The chakra of the chunin assigned to protect them during this mission shone like a beacon in the gloomy forest.
— So…
— Stay away from Sarada.
Natsuki's stern expression and calm voice belied how fast her heart was racing.
— …Huh?
More than confused, Yashin could only tilt his head.
What the hell was that brat talking about now?
— Sarada… Sarada is my friend. I don't want her to be around someone like you.
— …I see. But I think you're a little confused. I'm not the one who wants to be around that brat; she's the one clinging to me. Instead of bothering me with nonsense like this, you should talk to her directly.
Despite the pink-haired's reasonable words, the Uzumaki's blue eyes only grew colder, as if, instead of hearing an explanation, what had reached her ears had been a vile insult.
— I'm not asking for your opinion, so you should keep it to yourself.
The blonde's response also caused the chill in Yashin's gaze to match her own.
Immediately, Natsuki's skin prickled.
That immense amount of unbridled malice, amplified by the setting of the Forest of Death… she suddenly remembered what kind of beast she was dealing with.
However, she didn't let the fear show on her face.
— I… I already know she's the one approaching you. What I want to ask you is to do something to drive her away for good.
Despite his terrible mood, a hint of irony flashed across the pink-haired girl's face.
Do something?
If he'd been able to do anything about the Uchiha, why would he have waited for a request from some brat?
Even so, Yashin was curious about what the older twin of the demon foxes had to say.
— So… what do you have in mind?
Although she opened her mouth, the words got stuck in her throat for several seconds.
But that was normal.
No matter how much her small body harbored a thousand-year-old fox infested by hatred, she was still just a little girl.
Expressing the thoughts she held inside required more than just a detached resolve.
But despite that, she forced herself to speak.
— Do everything you can to make her hate you, to the point where just seeing your face makes her feel sick.
— …
The silence didn't last long before it was broken by a snort, which was quickly replaced by a juicy laugh.
He hadn't expected that.
In fact, the girl's request had exceeded all his expectations.
However, it had been a more than pleasant surprise.
"Do everything you can to make her hate you."
The mere aftertaste of that phrase seemed enough to keep him laughing for hours.
But the blonde didn't have that much time or patience.
— You… that's enough.
It took Yashin several seconds to catch his breath and wipe away the tears that had welled up in the corners of his eyes.
— Yeah. I'm sorry. It's just that… I never expected you to say something like that. It was nice to hear.
For a brief second, Natsuki's blue eyes were consumed by an intense crimson; however, the very next second, everything seemed to return to normal.
Everything except for the deep, metallic stench in the air surrounding both children.
Yashin, though surprised, merely deepened his smile before continuing.
— Still, what makes you think I'd agree to do something like that? Moreover, why ask someone as harmless as me something like that?
This time, it was Natsuki's face that twisted into a mocking grimace.
— Harmless… I wonder what Shouen or Tenma Hyuga would think if they heard you say that. I heard that Tenma Hyuga had quite a few problems after what you did that time. So much so that even his position as a member of the Main Branch was at risk. And as for Shouen… I don't think I need to say anything.
The atmosphere surrounding Natsuki's voice felt to Yashin as stimulating as it was repulsive.
As if he wanted to silence her, but at the same time also wanted to hear her even more,
With that conflicting feeling, the pink-haired took a step forward and began to close the distance between them.
He wanted to smell it better—amidst the bestial plague of hatred and resentment she had unleashed—he wanted to sense the caution and hidden fear the blonde had always felt toward him.
However, even when the only thing separating them was a single step, the faint, vinegary scent that usually accompanied her whenever he was near her was nowhere to be found this time.
All he could sense from her was hostility and determination.
As their gazes locked, neither giving an inch, Natsuki opened her mouth again, her smile still hanging at the corners of his lips.
— And if that's not enough, I could also mention those you extorted when the academy first opened. All the people you beat to the point of breaking their limbs.
The contrast between the curve of her lips and the sternness etched between her eyebrows was yet another of those charming contradictions.
— And even the few you disfigured and left with permanent consequences. I remember those particularly well, since you dared to threaten the eldest of the Hyuga heiresses with doing the same to her if she didn't stop crying—all while you were flaying the scalp someone right in front of her. I wonder whether or not I should continue.
— …
She hadn't held anything back.
At some point, she'd stopped shattering at his hypocrisy to spit out just how horrendous he was.
In the end, she was exhausted.
And Yashin… Yashin was spellbound.
Whether it was because of the fading yet still sinister red eyes staring at him, or because of Natsuki's raw and apathetic way of expressing herself.
Unconsciously, he moved his hand to touch her and make sure she was real, but the Uzumaki's almost imperceptible shudder made him stop short.
As enchanting as she seemed, she was nothing more than a mere mirage.
A single touch would be enough to shatter the illusion.
Even so…
— For a mere bratty girl, I have to admit you speak quite well. You're right. I've done what you said—and much more.
The pink-haired's smile twisted a little further.
Almost at the same time, that vinegary scent rose to the surface, souring part of his blissful mood.
— Still, I don't understand why you're emphasizing all that to me. Or rather, why should I help you by making your friend hate me? Aren't you aware of how dangerous the Uchiha can be once they hate something?
— I'd be grateful to you.
— I don't know what good that would do me.
— You'd get rid of her for good.
— I enjoy her attention.
— You…
— Me…?
His tone, his smile, his words—everything about the pink-haired was infuriating to her.
Natsuki had to pause for several seconds to take a deep breath and regain her composure.
— … I don't have a great reputation either, you know? And I've seen how much you protect Sakura. What do you think would happen if one of the demon foxes suddenly took an interest in your sister? What do you think might happen to her?
Immediately, the temperature plummeted, and the thick stench of blood—which had already dissipated—returned.
The bestial gleam in Natsuki's eyes also resurfaced; however, far from radiating its former ferocity, it barely seemed able to stay afloat.
Even so, the Uzumaki was determined to stand her ground.
For his part, the pink-haired, despite his menacing expression, wasn't upset; on the contrary, the blonde's determination pleased him deeply.
Finally, taking advantage of the girl's stubbornness, Yashin decided to close the distance completely and bring his mouth close to her ear.
— I see. That sounds… very concerning.
The whisper was like adding another layer of suffocation.
— I wonder, what exactly should I do to make Sarada hate me?
Afraid that Natsuki would break down just as she was starting to enjoy it, the pink-haired reached out to hold her shoulder.
— You… I'd say you already have plenty of experience. Do you still need my advice?
However, He was underestimating her.
After taking a deep breath, she pulled her hand away.
— But if you want to hear my opinion, you should attack me—break my limbs, or leave a… very long scar on my face—and then tell her that, if she doesn't leave you alone, next time you'll do something much worse.
Suddenly, Natsuki's whisper and scent became particularly sweet, almost floral.
The pink-haired boy's blood began to rush and pool in the south.
He didn't try to suppress it, nor did he try to hide it; however, Natsuki was too… lost in her own performance to even notice.
— That sounds pretty good, but… I've heard that Sarada also has an older sister. Why not attack her?
When he spoke again, Yashin's voice sounded much hoarser than before.
— I'm just worried you won't be able to do it.
— …I see. It doesn't sound like a bad plan. However…
Natsuki's shiver lasted as long as the breath the pink-haired took before walking away.
An eternity for her and an instant for him.
Just enough for both of them to continue feeling comfortable.
— I think we should negotiate a little more before reaching any agreement.
This time, Natsuki's vertical pupils didn't flinch at Yashin's oppressive aura, but at the unfamiliar, innocent smile on his face.