Beru looked at Nobu and sighed softly.
"You always think too much," he said.
Nobu looked up at him.
"Nothing will happen to you. And even if something does… we'll face it together."
For a moment, Nobu stayed silent. Then a small smile appeared on his face.
"You should rest," Nobu replied gently.
Beru nodded slightly and leaned back against the hospital bed.
Nobu turned around and walked toward the door. Without saying anything else, he left the room and stepped into the quiet hallway.
A few minutes later, he exited the hospital and stood near the main gate.
The cool wind brushed across his face.
Nobu looked at the sky, deep in thought.
Kurokage Clan…
The name echoed inside his mind.
Only one person truly knew about them.
Malvek.
But Nobu knew something very clearly.
Malvek would never tell him their location so easily.
So Nobu decided to find the truth himself.
Without telling anyone.
Not his wife.
Not Beru.
Not even his closest allies.
Because Malvek lived inside him, Nobu knew that anyone close to him could be dragged into danger.
And he refused to let that happen.
For the next several days, Nobu traveled from place to place.
He visited different clans, underground organizations, and old warriors.
Everywhere he went, he asked the same question.
"Do you know anything about the Kurokage Clan?"
But every time the answer was the same.
Either people had never heard of them…
Or they became silent the moment the name was mentioned.
As if speaking about that clan itself was dangerous.
Finally, Nobu decided to ask one last person.
His father.
When Nobu asked him about the Kurokage Clan, his father's expression changed slightly.
"I've heard that name before," he said slowly.
Nobu leaned forward.
"Do you know where they are?"
His father shook his head.
"No."
"But there's something you should understand."
His voice became serious.
"They are very dangerous… and very intelligent."
"If they find out that you're searching for them…"
He looked directly into Nobu's eyes.
"They could kill you… and your entire family… without anyone even realizing what happened."
Nobu stayed silent for a moment.
Then he nodded.
"Thank you for telling me."
As Nobu turned to leave, his father suddenly smiled slightly.
Last night, Nobu had saved the Misaki Clan.
Because of that, the clan was still standing.
"Be safe," his father said.
Nobu raised his hand slightly without turning back.
Then he left.
Later that night, Nobu sat inside his car, parked in a quiet place.
The city lights flickered in the distance.
Nobu closed his eyes.
"Malvek."
The world around him disappeared.
Darkness swallowed everything.
Once again, Nobu found himself in the endless dark space.
Malvek stood there, just as always.
Waiting.
Nobu walked straight toward him.
"Where is the Kurokage Clan located?"
Malvek looked at him quietly.
"Why do you want to know that?"
Nobu answered without hesitation.
"I want revenge."
Malvek raised an eyebrow slightly.
"For what they did to my parents."
For a moment, Malvek stayed silent.
Then he spoke calmly.
"Your father betrayed them."
Nobu lowered his head slightly.
"As a clan leader… killing a traitor is the rule."
Nobu let out a quiet breath.
"So even you think the same?"
Malvek nodded.
"Yes."
"I was the one who created that rule."
The dark space became quiet.
Then Malvek spoke again.
"But it doesn't matter."
"Because you cannot find the Kurokage Clan."
Nobu frowned.
"You know where they are."
Malvek nodded slowly.
"Yes."
"But they are not in this time."
Nobu's eyes widened.
Malvek began explaining.
"Five hundred years ago, when I created the clan system… some clans desired power equal to mine."
"The Kurokage Clan was one of them."
"They discovered a special tool."
"A tool capable of traveling through time."
Nobu stared at him silently.
"They wanted to return to the past… to the moment when the clan system began."
"So they could establish their power alongside me."
Malvek continued.
"But before they could use that tool… your stepfather stole it."
Nobu clenched his fists.
"That is why they hunted him down."
"And killed him."
Nobu's mind struggled to process everything.
"And you?" Nobu asked.
"Why did they attack you?"
Malvek smiled faintly.
"Because they feared me."
"They knew that if I learned about their plan… I might follow them."
"And they did not want that."
"So they tried to destroy my soul."
Malvek crossed his arms.
"In the end, they escaped into another time period."
"And that is where they still exist."
Nobu looked at him in disbelief.
"You're good at making stories."
Malvek's expression didn't change.
"Believe it or not."
"But you can search the entire world…"
"And you will never find them."
"Because they are not here."
Nobu remained silent.
Then he asked one more question.
"If they used a tool to go there…"
"Where is that tool now?"
Malvek shook his head.
"I don't know."
"I have been inside your body for too long."
"But…"
He paused.
"There is another way."
Nobu looked up.
"What way?"
Malvek answered slowly.
"There is someone from my era."
"An immortal."
"He may be able to send us back to that time."
Nobu's eyes sharpened.
"Where is he?"
Malvek raised his hand to stop him.
"There is a risk."
Nobu waited.
"If something goes wrong during the process…"
"Our souls could become trapped inside the time barrier."
"And we would never return."
Nobu thought for a moment.
"What are the chances?"
Malvek replied calmly.
"Fifty percent."
Silence filled the dark space.
Malvek looked directly at him.
"Think carefully."
"If that happens…"
"You will never see your family again."
Nobu lowered his head.
His wife.
His children.
Beru.
All the people he cared about.
He stayed silent for a long time.
Then he slowly raised his head.
"I'll do it."
Malvek watched him quietly.
Nobu's eyes were filled with determination.
"If the Kurokage Clan truly escaped into the past…"
"Then I'll follow them."
"And end this clan system once and for all."
Malvek looked at him for a long moment.
Then a soft smile appeared on his face.
"Very well."
Suddenly, the dark world began collapsing again.
Nobu started falling through the darkness.
But this time…
He wasn't afraid.
Instead—
He was smiling.
Because his path had finally been decided.