The viewers, who already knew Naraku had been discovered by Konan through the omniscient perspective, were a bit nervous, fearing a fight would break out. But in the next episode, when they saw Yahiko leading Naraku around for a tour after dawn, they all burst into laughter.
[Hahahahaha, what are you guys doing?]
[I never thought, Yahiko, you big-eyed guy, you also like to tease kids.]
[Yahiko: I found you, but I won't say anything, hehe, just playing~]
[Yahiko: Look, we're not doing anything bad, okay?]
[Naraku seems to have sensed something was off too, hahahahahaha.]
After exchanging identities, the Naraku on screen looked at a note handed to him by Konan.
Memories flashed back: the unrefusable strict demands in the mission brief, the Anbu responsibilities Sakumo had mentioned, the contact person who had vanished without a trace, the message conveyed to the "enemy"... Naraku finally awoke from his dream, murmuring softly in his heart.
--So that's how it is... To kill me...--Because I am an Uchiha.
He remained silent, his gaze gradually dimming, unconsciously clenching his fists.
When he heard Yahiko ask for his name, he replied with his name, devoid of joy or sorrow, and also the surname that represented both pride and loneliness.
[Under normal circumstances, Naraku, having walked into a trap, would surely die. Luckily, the leader of the Akatsuki was Yahiko.]
[It must be Danzo! No doubt!]
[Hiruzen Sarutobi's ban is completely useless to Danzo, isn't it?]
[I've completely realized the Uchiha Clan's predicament; it's practically a burning crisis.]
[Wuwuwu Naraku, don't be sad, only that damned Danzo is the bad guy.]
[The Village trying every means to kill him, anyone would feel a chill.]
[From Naraku's perspective, Konoha is truly disappointing.]
Yahiko timely broke the silence, proactively inviting Naraku to lunch. At the table, he talked endlessly about the Akatsuki Organization's development. Nagato and Konan's accustomed reactions beside him added a touch of humor, significantly diluting the gloomy atmosphere.
The scene of the four of them eating at the same table reminded many viewers of their school days.
[This looks so much like our middle school cafeteria.]
[Better than the high school I attended; that cafeteria didn't even have stools, you had to stand and eat quickly.]
[Then our school was pretty good; at least it had tables, chairs, and benches.]
[Yahiko is really so verbose, hahahahaha.]
Naraku declined Yahiko's invitation, staring blankly at the Akatsuki Organization members coming and going around him.
Everyone's faces showed some fatigue, but there was light in everyone's eyes. They firmly believed that the cause they dedicated themselves to was righteous and remained optimistic about the future.
Naraku couldn't help but offer a warning.
He feared that these lights would also be swallowed by the darkness of the world, feared that invaluable passion would be extinguished by the coldness of human nature, feared that Akatsuki would become like Tamai then, or the Uchiha now.
Yahiko, however, said that to gain the trust of others, one must first offer genuine sincerity.
A faint light flickered in Naraku's eyes again, seemingly revealing a glimmer of hope for breaking the world's vicious cycle.
Shattered hope was mended by the world's most noble and pure wish, transforming into threads of warmth that returned to his restless heart, soothing the constant fear.
He remembered the clan leader's words; perhaps when his master became Hokage, the Uchiha and Konoha would not head towards ruin.
[The Akatsuki Organization as a whole really has a magical enthusiasm that can infect people.]
[Naraku now sees everyone like Matsukata.]
[The Uchiha's situation is almost suffocating him.]
[The lessons witnessed firsthand were too tragic; Naraku can't help but overthink.]
[If there are no torches from now on, I will be the only light.]
[To be the first to dare to offer genuine sincerity, Yahiko is a true man! (ToT)]
[Go, Akatsuki, become the hope of the world.]
Perhaps wanting to add another chance to the beautiful future Yahiko described, or perhaps inspired and temporarily forgetting that heavy burden, Naraku tried to recall what prosperous places he had seen looked like, and cautiously offered a suggestion.
Yahiko held his hand and refused to let go, even offering to give up his position as leader.
This back-and-forth between the two made the audience burst into laughter.
In the end, Naraku's difficult and slightly exasperated refusal echoed from inside the room to the corridor, startling a small bird outside the window.
[Help, Yahiko really looks like a bad uncle luring children, it's too funny.]
[Such explosive enthusiasm, he definitely can't handle it, hahahaha.]
[Naraku: Wasn't I here to go undercover?]
[Naraku: Oh no, I've become the leader of an "evil organization"?]
[To scare Naraku like this is quite impressive; Kakashi and Sakumo couldn't do it.]
[That's great, Naraku has recovered some of his previous lively appearance.]
Unlike the somewhat cheerful atmosphere at the end of the previous episode, this episode began with a pervasive, oppressive, and chilling coldness.
The camera was set very low, almost on the damp ground. A shoe stepped by, splashing a little water.
Then the owner of that shoe appeared in full view of the audience as he ran further away.
[Hmm??? Something's wrong, something's wrong.]
----------------------------------
I've already uploaded over 40 new chapters on Patreon!
If you're enjoying the story and want to read ahead, feel free to check it out.
Your support truly means a lot to me!
patreon.com/Kazenova223
Thank you so much for being here!
And if you're having fun with the story, don't forget to drop a Power Stone for me!