"Cough...cough, it's you. So you've been hiding here all this time. No wonder no one could find you."
Kakashi, looking disheveled, got up from the ground and said with a complex look in his eyes.
Aoba was startled at first, then reached out to touch the mask on his face, only then realizing that the Kamui attack that had grazed by him hadn't been completely dodged. Instead, it shattered most of the mask on his face.
He helplessly took off the remaining half of the mask and casually threw it on the ground, then looked at Kakashi seriously and said, "It's been a long time, Kakashi-senpai. You shouldn't have done this."
Who would have thought that Kakashi's attack was not meant to kill an enemy, but from the beginning, his target was the mask on the opponent's face?
Just to verify his guess.
But as Aoba thought, Kakashi shouldn't have been so 'reckless.'
"Instead of living with a mask, why not face reality? Or do you still hold onto past sentiments, giving me a chance to escape?"
Kakashi calmly said, knowing his chances of survival today were slim after seeing that face.
Otherwise, if he managed to escape back to Konoha with the information, what awaited the other party would be endless trouble. Both of them were well aware of this.
That's why Aoba said that, and Kakashi asked in return.
Aoba was silent momentarily, then lifted his clothes to reveal the sword, which hadn't been drawn for a long time. This was his answer.
"To meet in this way again, it's helpless."
Before the words fell, the sword was already drawn.
"Was that mysterious person Sasuke and the others met that day, as did you?" Kakashi was also prepared to fight to the death but seemed to have no regrets about destroying that mask.
Aoba nodded, "It was me. Everyone could have been at peace if you had just left directly."
"With your understanding of Sasuke and Naruto, you should know they are not the ones to give up easily but will become even more resilient after setbacks."
"That's true, it was my oversight."
"Then, before we decide this with a fight to the death, can you tell me, what exactly was the reason you did what you did back then?"
"Is there any point in saying that now?"
"Uchiha Itachi has been looking for your whereabouts all these years, and Naruto also wanted to see you again to ask about the truth of that year. And your statue... is still there." Kakashi took a deep breath and said.
Aoba was silent again, then sighed heavily, "The reason doesn't matter anymore. I... had no choice."
Upon hearing this answer, Kakashi was moved, realizing that there was indeed a deep story behind the other party's defection.
But when he wanted to delve deeper into the secrets, the other party no longer gave him the chance.
"Senpai, I'm sorry, but you must stay here today."
Aoba's aura began to rise endlessly...
"Raijin no Jutsu: Thunder Dragon!"
Along with a roar resembling that of an ancient thunder dragon, a golden thunder dragon seemed to traverse time and space, suddenly appearing in this world. It then opens its huge and ferocious mouth, attempting to swallow Kakashi in one bite!
Kakashi immediately channeled all the remaining chakra into his Mangekyō Sharingan!
Minutes later, the once beautiful palace was mostly reduced to rubble.
Kakashi, covered in blood, lay among the ruins, his life and death unknown.
After catching his breath, Aoba slowly sheathed his sword.
At this moment, Karin, carrying Ranmaru, came over, "Are you not going to kill this person?"
"It's not time yet; this person is more useful and alive. Treat him first, then lock him up."
Kakashi is one of Obito's obsessions. Killing Kakashi recklessly would not only cause trouble for Konoha but might also lead to unexpected changes from Obito's side, so unless necessary, there was no need to do so.
Karin, somewhat understanding, nodded. With her around, as long as a breath was left, it was possible to save him.
Since it was Aoba's arrangement, she wouldn't be disobedient.
Then, Ranmaru suddenly spoke with great guilt, "I am sorry, it was presumptuous of me. If only I were stronger, my lord would not have had to take action personally."
"Recognizing your strength is good, but don't be too hard on yourself. How long have you been training? I am already satisfied with your current strength. If unsatisfied, continue training until you become my right-hand man."
Aoba didn't comfort Ranmaru too much, as Ranmaru's mental state was quite mature, and he couldn't be treated entirely like a child.
Sure enough, rather than excessive comfort, this objective assessment immediately rekindled Ranmaru's fighting spirit, and he nodded with a determined look.
At this stage, becoming Lord Aoba's right-hand man will be his greatest goal!
Then, Naoki also arrived with his people. Upon seeing the mess, he was initially shocked, but then his gaze fell on Aoba, whose clothes were slightly damaged, and he felt a flash of disappointment in his eyes.
"Are you alright? I heard the noise of the battle and immediately dispatched people here. Is this the enemy? Please leave it to me, and I will ensure they suffer."
Aoba didn't seem to care about what Naoki was thinking; she patted him on the shoulder, "Thanks for the concern, but you might be disappointed. I'm fine."
Naoki broke out in a cold sweat and quickly started to show his loyalty.
Aoba casually nodded, "This person is still useful to me. After the treatment, lock him up in Prison Zero. Without my orders, I do not act rashly or do anything that would put me in a difficult position. And arrange for someone to rebuild this place as soon as possible."
Naoki hurriedly nodded, "I will arrange it right away. Also, the reconstruction will take some time. How about you stay in the villa by the sea for a few days?"
"Um, that's fine. By the way, how did the task I assigned you turn out?"
"I have driven away the Dazna family; they are no longer citizens of Wave Country. If you ask me why bother with such trouble, throwing them into the sea to feed the sharks would have been easier. You are too kind and willing to give them a chance."
Seeing that Aoba was completely indifferent, Naoki quickly continued, "As for the few kids living in the Dazna's house, they seem to have gone out and shaken off our men. Now their whereabouts are unknown."
After saying this, Naoki was somewhat uneasy, as even such a small matter wasn't handled well. It seemed like he hadn't put his heart into it.
However, Aoba didn't seem to have any intention of blaming him.