"Someone who knows?" The Fourth Raikage frowned as he studied Kabuto. "What do you mean by that?"
"Exactly what it sounds like," Kabuto said with a small smirk, his expression gentle.
"Kid, are you trying to play mind games with us?" Oonoki snorted, clearly annoyed.
That annoyance wasn't just directed at Kabuto—it was also directed at Pain. Because this silver-haired young man was clearly associated with him.
"Wait, Yakushi Kabuto?"
Tsunade narrowed her eyes as if something had clicked. "You're that orphan from Konohagakure's orphanage… Aizen's childhood classmate? If I remember correctly, you later joined Root with him, didn't you?"
"Tsunade-sama sure knows a lot. Did Aizen tell you that?"
Kabuto turned his gaze to her, his tone polite.
Tsunade nodded slightly, her expression complicated. "Aizen once told me you were a rare genius in the ninja world."
"A genius, huh?" Kabuto shook his head slightly, looking a little nostalgic. "In front of Aizen, I don't think anyone can really claim that title."
Silence.
Even as Aizen's enemies, no one in the room could refute that statement.
At just thirteen years old, he had single-handedly manipulated the entire ninja world with both power and strategy. That level of talent was unheard of.
"But actually, he didn't tell you the whole truth, Tsunade-sama."
After a short pause, Kabuto continued, "I didn't join Root with him—I was forced to, as his spy. His goal was to take down Danzo and Orochimaru-sama."
"I see."
Jiraiya seemed to realize something and nodded in understanding.
"Of course, 'take down' might not be the most accurate way to put it."
Pushing his glasses up, Kabuto's tone remained calm. "After all, even back then, Aizen already possessed power beyond the ninja world. So to him, whether it was me, Danzo, or Orochimaru-sama, we were probably nothing more than entertainment pieces on his board."
"Beyond the ninja world?"
Uchiha Shisui, who had been silent until now, furrowed his brows as if he had caught onto something.
"You must be Shisui-kun. I've heard a lot about you."
Kabuto turned his gaze to him and smiled faintly. "As Aizen's close friend, you should know about Kyoka Suigetsu, right? That's not actually a genjutsu—it's the ability of his sword."
The sword's ability?
Shisui was momentarily stunned, suddenly recalling the strange feeling he had during his fight with Aizen earlier. He also remembered a specific detail—every time Aizen used Genjutsu, he would draw his sword.
"So, you've figured it out."
Yakushi Kabuto's smile faded as his expression turned serious. "That sword's true power is called Complete Hypnosis. It can completely control all five senses. As long as someone has seen the sword being released, they will become its prisoner. Not even the Mangekyou Sharingan or the Rinnegan can break free from it."
What?
Everyone present was shocked, their faces filled with disbelief. Complete Hypnosis? Controlling all five senses? How are they even supposed to fight against that?
"You mean… just seeing the sword's release is enough?" Shisui frowned, deep in thought.
"That's right. Once the release phrase is spoken, the hypnosis ritual is complete," Yakushi Kabuto nodded. "Shatter, Kyoka Suigetsu. Doesn't that sound familiar? That's the release phrase."
"You've got to be kidding!" Rasa's eyes widened in disbelief. "It's just an ordinary sword—how could it have such power?"
"If it were just an ordinary sword, then of course, it wouldn't."
A slight smile appeared on Yakushi Kabuto's lips. "But that sword is far from ordinary. No one in the entire ninja world, aside from Aizen, knows how to forge it. With just that sword alone, he already stands above the entire ninja world."
Silence.
The information Yakushi Kabuto had just revealed made the entire room fall into a heavy silence.
If what this silver-haired boy was saying was true, then only a handful of people here had likely never seen Aizen release his sword.
If they went into battle against him like this, they'd be nothing more than cannon fodder.
Boom.
Suddenly, a loud thunderous sound erupted.
Everyone turned toward the source of the noise. As expected, it was the short-tempered Fourth Raikage slamming his fist on the table.
"Kid, did you bring us here just to praise the enemy?"
The Fourth Raikage raised his fist, his eyes blazing with anger. "If you think this alone is enough to break my will, then you're too naive! No matter how strong the enemy is, I will never back down!"
"As expected of Raikage-sama. That kind of determination is something we should all learn from."
Yakushi Kabuto first gave a small compliment, then continued calmly, "But isn't it also important to correctly recognize the enemy's strengths and advantages? If I truly wanted to break your will, I wouldn't be standing here, and I certainly wouldn't have joined the Akatsuki."
"So, you're here looking for a way to escape Aizen's control?" Tsunade asked, frowning.
"That's not the only reason. Tsunade-sama, you've heard of Yakushi Nono, haven't you?"
Yakushi Kabuto shook his head slightly, his voice softening. "She was my and Aizen's mentor at the orphanage—someone I cherished more than anything. But now, she's being held captive by Aizen. I have to rescue her."
The determination in his eyes seemed to affect everyone present. Meanwhile, Aizen and Konan were watching this scene unfold through a monitor.
Amegakure Village's Angel: Anzen-san, this Yakushi Kabuto guy seems to be imitating you.
This is an Actor: Ah, yeah, he really does.
In the original story, Yakushi Kabuto liked to imitate Orochimaru. Now, he had just switched targets to Aizen. It was obvious that deep down, this boy lacked confidence in himself. That's why he deliberately mimicked those he admired.
Amegakure Village's Angel: But he's nowhere near as good as you. No matter how you look at it, Anzen-san is the best.
Doujin Artist: Konan, seriously? Even if you want to praise Anzen-san, can you not be so blunt about it? I don't want to be force-fed your lovey-dovey nonsense in the group chat!
Amegakure Village's Angel: You can join me if you want. I don't mind.
Doujin Artist: ?
Scarlet Lotus Fairy: ?
Skirt-Flipping Maniac: Wait… you don't mind?
Curly-haired Guy: Hold up, what do you mean by "join you"? Are you saying what I think you're saying?
This is an Actor: Konan-senpai, you've already met the Arrancar, right? Is there any one of them you're particularly unhappy with?
Doujin Artist: Uh… what kind of question is that?
This is an Actor: Since the Five Kage Summit is already happening, I should at least do something. If they don't truly understand the severity of the situation, they won't really come together as a united front.
Shark-Faced Guy: So, Aizen-sama is planning to send an Arrancar over to cause trouble? And that Arrancar probably won't be coming back alive?
Skirt-Flipping Maniac: Anzen-san, your way of thinking is something else. Most people worry about the enemy being too strong. You're worried the enemy is too weak?
Amegakure Village's Angel: In that case, send Pakura. The way she looks at you makes me uncomfortable. I don't like her.
Doujin Artist: Pfft! Konan, are you seriously using this as an excuse to get rid of a potential rival?
Scarlet Lotus Fairy: Weren't you just saying you didn't mind?
Amegakure Village's Angel: I don't mind when it's you guys, but other women are off-limits.
This is an Actor: Let's switch targets. The Espada-level ones are still useful. Besides, with Pakura's current strength… these Kage probably won't even be able to put up a fight.
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