Inside a dim sewer pipe, three shinobi were sprinting, their expressions twisted with terror. Suddenly, three snakes coiled around them, delivering fatal bites in an instant.
Kabuto's figure flickered back into view, though he was markedly different from before.
"I didn't expect Kanon to have mastered Sage Mode at Ryūchi Cave as well," he mused. "Now that I've acclimated to this power, I feel excellent."
"Very good... as a fellow disciple of Ryūchi Cave, I will provide you with unconditional support."
"It's about time to launch the operation, and find her while I'm at it." Kabuto gave a cold smirk. Since they were of the same sect, he would follow the White Snake Sage's instructions and assist Kanon.
…
Kanon wiped the cold sweat from her forehead. She looked at Sasuke, who remained unconscious; however, the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan transplant was undoubtedly a success.
As this was her first time performing such a transplant, Kanon had been exceptionally meticulous. The masked man standing beside her watched the bandaged Sasuke and said softly, "I didn't expect you to be skilled in surgical transplants as well."
"It seems you possess quite a few secrets yourself."
"We are two of a kind," Kanon replied, indifferent to his teasing.
Gazing at the sleeping Sasuke, the only family she had left in this world, Kanon reached out, her hand gently tracing the side of his cheek.
"One can sever almost anything... except for the ties of blood. Since you have inherited Itachi's will, you are destined to be my enemy."
"But I will not kill you now. I will defeat you fairly and honorably."
"Now, you have the same eyes as I do."
"Sasuke Uchiha, come and face me in battle. I will see my will through to the end and destroy everything Itachi cherished... including you!"
As her voice trailed off, Kanon turned toward the distant doorway. The masked man also sensed movement. Outside the door, a shadow clone, identical to Kanon, walked back toward them.
The two made eye contact, and the shadow clone in front of Kanon abruptly dispelled.
"It seems the last one has been dealt with," the masked man sneered.
"Yes." Kanon reached into a spatial rift with one hand and pulled out the corpse of the Land of Fire's Daimyō.
She placed it alongside the bodies of the other four Daimyō.
"Such efficiency," the masked man nodded, feeling thoroughly satisfied. Seeing Kanon's effectiveness, leaving this girl alive years ago was undoubtedly the best decision he had ever made.
"With the Daimyō of the Five Great Nations dead, those people should finally realize we aren't just making idle threats," Kanon sneered.
"I've wanted to kill those pompous fools for a long time. Well done," the masked man added with a cold laugh.
Kanon turned back to look at Sasuke lying behind her.
"Let this fellow rest for a while. It seems we have an uninvited guest outside."
"An uninvited guest?" the masked man asked, perplexed. He was not a sensory-type ninja, but Kanon's sensory abilities were immense; she had already detected Kabuto's chakra signature.
"Let's go see," Kanon said, walking toward the exit with the masked man following behind.
Sure enough, outside stood Kabuto, draped in a cloak, watching them approach.
"First, a greeting, Tobi."
"No... perhaps I should call you Madara now," Kabuto said calmly.
"I'm impressed you were able to find this place," the masked man replied with a chuckle.
Seeing the masked man's attitude, a slight grin tugged at the corner of Kabuto's mouth.
"As a spy, I have moved between many nations. I was once a member of the Akatsuki as well; it would be best not to underestimate my intelligence network."
The masked man's expression grew significantly colder. Though hidden by his mask, an undeniable aura of chilling intent radiated from him.
"You were Sasori's spy. You are a traitor to the Akatsuki."
The masked man moved to strike immediately, leaping forward. Kabuto jumped back in sync, but his gaze shifted from the masked man to Kanon behind him.
"I have come at the request of the White Snake Sage to assist Kanon."
"In other words, my only purpose here is to help her."
"Wait!" Kanon called out, stopping the masked man.
At Kanon's voice, the masked man halted his movement. Kanon looked at the cloak Kabuto was wearing. Indeed, just like her own Uchiha trench coat, it bore the insignia of Ryūchi Cave.
"The White Snake Sage sent you?"
"Yes. She said I could be of use to you."
Kabuto gave a light chuckle and reached a hand out toward Kanon.
"Though I entered the sect later than you, I am older. The White Snake Sage asked me to assist you as your senior disciple."
Kabuto was sincere this time. He was deeply grateful to the White Snake Sage for the guidance he had received recently. Like Kanon, he had undergone a metamorphosis at Ryūchi Cave; he had transcended from a snake into a dragon.
"I see... Since you are now a fellow disciple, I thank you." Kanon shook Kabuto's hand.
"So, how do you plan to help us?" the masked man asked coolly.
"Who said I was helping you? I am only helping my junior, Kanon."
"Tch. Helping her is helping me, isn't it?"
"It's not the same." Kabuto shook his head, then turned to Kanon with a light smile.
"Kanon, when we first met, there was a question I wanted to ask."
"What question?" Kanon asked, curious.
"Who do you think I am?" As Kabuto asked this, he looked at the genius girl of the Uchiha clan, her face possessing an intoxicating beauty.
Suddenly, images of the orphanage flashed through his mind. He could not forgive himself for killing Mother Nonō Yakushi. Nonō's final words surfaced in his consciousness once more.
That single question – "Who are you?" – had left Kabuto lost for half his life. He had sought the answer from Sasuke, Orochimaru, and even Danzō, but they only ever gave him one answer:
"You are Kabuto Yakushi, a subordinate of Orochimaru."
He had no prestigious bloodline, no family, and nothing to carry his hopes and dreams. Every step of his journey had been carved out solely through his own grueling efforts.
Kanon was the same. Though she had talent, bloodline, and even hope and dreams, she, like him, still relied on her own relentless hard work.
"You already have the answer in your heart, don't you?" As Kanon spoke, Kabuto froze.
Kanon's expression was no longer indifferent. She walked toward Kabuto, stood on her tiptoes, and gently straightened his glasses.
"What does it matter who you are? Even if you were 'nobody,' from the day you entered Ryūchi Cave, you became one of us."
"The White Snake Sage told me that Ryūchi Cave is my eternal home. I am saying the same thing to you."
"Regardless of how many identities you take, even if you are no longer called 'Kabuto,' what of it?"
Kanon turned slightly, offering a sincere and beautiful smile.
"Because Ryūchi Cave is your eternal home too!"
"It is because we have a home that we have ties to this world. You are you; do not let a label like a 'name' trouble you."
"Since you have come out of Ryūchi Cave, you are someone the White Snake Sage cares for."
Kanon extended her fist and gave Kabuto a gentle smile.
"Let us tear down the past entirely, undergo a true metamorphosis, ascend into dragons, and welcome a new future."
Kabuto stood there, his gaze piercing through the cracks of time to fixate on Kanon's warm smile. Her long, straight black hair fluttered slightly, seemingly carrying a familiar scent that made Kabuto's soul tremble involuntarily.
In that moment, Kabuto seemed to see the shadow of Mother Nonō Yakushi.
She was the gentlest sanctuary in his memory, his only reliance in a lonely world. Mother Nonō had always looked at him with those eyes full of compassion, stroking his hair with her warm hand, telling him that no matter how cruel the world was, there would always be a place where he belonged.
And now, as Kabuto gazed at Kanon's smile, that long-lost feeling of warmth flooded his heart once more.
Kanon's smile was like a spring breeze sweeping across a frozen land, melting the frost in his soul. Her smile was so pure, so healing, as if it could wash away all his sorrow and exhaustion.
Kabuto felt his eyes grow moist. He had never imagined that in this cold world, anyone could make him feel such profound emotion, not even Orochimaru.
Kanon's smile was like a lighthouse, guiding him forward whenever he lost his way. He suddenly understood that there really was someone else in this world who could give him warmth and care, just like Mother Nonō.
Kabuto took a deep breath, trying to suppress the agitation in his heart. He knew this emotion wasn't just because of Kanon's smile, but because he had finally found the place where his soul could find solace.
Finally, he took off his glasses and began to wipe the tears from the corners of his eyes.
Even though he now possessed Sage Mode, he finally felt the warmth of home again for the first time since the orphanage.
Kanon took a handkerchief from her pocket and met Kabuto's vertical, slitted snake pupils with her own.
"Senpai, take this."
"Thank you..."
Watching this scene, the masked man remained silent, though perhaps even his heart felt a slight stir.
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