Chapter 42 – From Beginning to End, You Were Never a Weapon
After Suigetsu Hozuki's proud words, the air seemed to grow cold. He stole a cautious glance at Orochimaru's expressionless face, then quickly shifted his gaze toward Yuto, curiosity blazing in his eyes.
Toward Orochimaru, Suigetsu felt an instinctive dread. Yet it was precisely because of this fear that he found Yuto, who could speak as an equal with Orochimaru, so intriguing.
"Follow you? To where?" Suigetsu asked in a low voice.
"Of course back to Kirigakure. Who else did you expect to come for you?" Yuto shot him a look of disdain, as though staring at an idiot.
Those words made Suigetsu freeze. Returning to Kirigakure? His expression darkened. Compared to being left to rot in Orochimaru's tanks, he wanted even less to go back. He had stolen the clan's scrolls and fled. If he returned now, his clan would surely kill him.
Just as he opened his mouth to protest, Yuto's flat voice cut him down:
"You have no right to refuse."
Suigetsu clicked his tongue, turning away without another word. His brashness didn't mean he was stupid. Anyone who could speak on equal footing with Orochimaru could only rely on sheer overwhelming strength. Status alone would mean nothing to someone like Orochimaru.
"Yuto-dono, I've fulfilled your request," Orochimaru said suddenly, tongue flicking as his eyes gleamed. "Would you perhaps be interested in one of my plans?"
"Plan?" Yuto's gaze sharpened, though his face remained calm.
"The plan concerning Konoha," Orochimaru replied, excitement bleeding into his voice.
Yuto smiled. "I'm very interested."
Indeed, aside from reclaiming Kimimaro and Suigetsu, this was one of the main reasons Yuto had come.
The original Konoha Crush was a pathetic failure—Sarutobi Hiruzen dead, some buildings destroyed, but no true blow dealt. Orochimaru had even dragged Sunagakure down with him, costing them a Kazekage, reparations, and treaties. It was almost laughable.
If there was such a chance to truly weaken Konoha, Yuto would not let it slip. Even if he could not annihilate the village outright, he would see it crippled. And when the day came that his name spread across the ninja world, war would follow.
Their discussion was brief. Neither man needed details; plans never remained flawless. All they needed was the direction.
Yuto left Otogakure with Kimimaro and Suigetsu in tow, satisfied. The visit had gone smoother than he expected. Orochimaru had his collection of tricks, but to Yuto, most were worthless. Only Edo Tensei had any real value, and that jutsu was Orochimaru's lifeline—he would never share it.
On a narrow, uneven path, Yuto walked ahead with a bored expression. Behind him trailed Kimimaro, face blank, and Suigetsu, eyes darting mischievously.
"So… are we really going back to Kirigakure?" Suigetsu asked cautiously yet again.
Yuto didn't even look back. He couldn't be bothered to answer. The boy was a chatterbox—he had already asked the same question countless times on this short journey.
Suigetsu glanced at Yuto, but when no answer came, he didn't press. Instead, his eyes darted toward the roadside, as if searching for an escape route.
"I advise you not to think about running," Yuto said flatly. "Otherwise, you may not keep your legs."
A chill spread through Suigetsu's body.
Compared to him, Kimimaro was far quieter. He hadn't spoken a single word since they set out.
"Without a master, do you think a weapon still has reason to exist, Kimimaro?" Yuto asked, still walking without turning his head.
Existence?
Kimimaro froze, his eyes filled with confusion. From the moment Orochimaru had taken him, he had lived solely for that man—Orochimaru's strongest weapon.
But now, discarded, what purpose did he have left?
"As a weapon, do I still have a reason to exist?" he murmured.
"Tch. There really are fools who think of themselves as weapons," Suigetsu muttered under his breath, eyeing Kimimaro. "What, never had a friend or family?"
Though softly spoken, both Kimimaro and Yuto heard him clearly.
Friend…
Kimimaro's lips moved, whispering the word as a faint image surfaced in his mind.
"Jūgo…" he said quietly.
"Then you're no weapon," Suigetsu replied offhandedly, his face troubled. "Not if you've got a friend."
Yuto's eyes lingered on Suigetsu with mild surprise. By accident, the boy had helped him.
Yuto suddenly stopped walking, turning to face Kimimaro.
Meeting the boy's bewildered eyes, Yuto smiled faintly.
"Who said you have no family? You're the descendant of an old friend of mine. That makes you my junior. From beginning to end, you were never a weapon."
Kimimaro froze, struggling to digest the words. Family—such a distant, foreign idea. And yet, he could not sense any falsehood in Yuto's voice.
Yuto's smile widened. He reached out, placing his hand atop Kimimaro's pale hair.
Startled, Kimimaro reacted by instinct, pulling a bone blade from his body and stabbing forward.
The blade struck Yuto's chest—but as in their earlier battle, it could not pierce even the surface of his clothes.
Yuto's hand settled gently on Kimimaro's head. He ruffled his hair lightly, his voice warm.
"I'll take you home."
Kimimaro's body stiffened. A strange familiarity washed over him.
It was the same feeling he had known the first time Orochimaru held his hand and led him away.
That inexplicable sense of peace.
But now… it was stronger.
(End of Chapter)
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