Naruto Shadow Emperor - Chapter 46

Night had fallen, blanketing the earth like a curtain. Stars twinkled in the sky, reflecting the soft glow of scattered lights, creating an atmosphere of peace.

Bang!
The door burst open. Yukigetsu entered, dripping wet and looking utterly exhausted. His arms hung limply by his sides as he staggered forward, making everyone in the main hall wonder if he might collapse at any moment.

“You’re back!”

Tazuna pushed up his glasses, surprised. “What happened to you? Why do you look so worn out?”

“Hehe.”

Yukigetsu chuckled weakly, “I had to give my all to make sure Kakashi changed his name.”

Kakashi’s face twitched as he turned away.

“By the way, Naruto and Sasuke haven’t returned yet?” Yukigetsu asked, sitting down at the table and picking up his chopsticks.

Sakura, sitting nearby, responded irritably, “Those two said they wouldn’t come back until they reached the top of the trees! I don’t think they’ll be back tonight.”

“I see…” Yukigetsu nodded, starting to eat ravenously. He was so hungry that he couldn’t care less about his manners.

Kakashi shook his head and smiled, “Those two are probably training at half your intensity.”

“Half?!” Sakura exclaimed, covering her mouth in shock.

These past few days, unable to find Yukigetsu, she had often stayed with Naruto and Sasuke, witnessing their relentless training. Just watching them exhausted her, let alone imagining Yukigetsu training twice as hard. She couldn’t fathom how he endured such self-torture…

No wonder he progressed so quickly. Could anyone possibly keep up with him?

Yukigetsu finished the last bite of his meal, chewing and swallowing quickly before collapsing onto the table. He had truly exhausted every last bit of chakra today, and after losing a lot of blood at noon, his wounds might heal quickly, but his blood didn’t replenish as easily, making him feel dizzy.

“Don’t push yourself too hard. You’re already exceptionally talented!” Kakashi patted Yukigetsu’s head gently.

Yukigetsu brushed his hand away, pouting, “No, I’m still far from it.”

Sitting across from him, Inari stared blankly at the drenched, panting boy. It was as if he saw the same unwavering determination he had seen in Kaiza, the man who once saved their village.

“Why… Why…” Inari’s voice trembled, tears streaming down his face uncontrollably.

Yukigetsu raised his head with difficulty, confused, “What’s wrong?”

“Why do you push yourself so hard? No matter how much you train, you can’t defeat Gato’s men!” Inari clenched his fists, crying out, “No matter how hard we try, we’re doomed against real powerhouses!”

Everyone else remained silent, exchanging worried glances.

Sakura looked anxiously at Yukigetsu, who then spoke calmly, “You’re such a boring kid…”

“I really hate you!” Inari yelled, tears streaming down his face. “You act all high and mighty, but you know nothing about this country! You’ve never experienced pain, so you can’t understand me!”

“Inari…” Yukigetsu slowly sat up, leaning on the table for support.

The boy looked slightly surprised.

Yukigetsu stared at him expressionlessly, “You know… I have my own reasons for pushing myself. It’s not to help this country or to prove anything. I just don’t want to find myself unable to protect those I care about, like…”

He paused, then delivered the final blow, “Like your useless father.”

Kakashi frowned, “Yukigetsu, that’s too harsh.”

Yukigetsu shook his head and lay back down, “It’s just boring.”

…

Late at night, under the full moon.

Kakashi walked outside and saw Inari sitting alone by the water. He hesitated for a moment before approaching, “May I sit here?”

Inari glanced at him but said nothing.

Kakashi sat down quietly and spoke, “Yukigetsu didn’t mean any harm with his words. Don’t take it to heart. He just has a strange obsession with power…”

Inari hugged his knees, watching the flowing water.

“We’ve heard about what happened to your father. Yukigetsu, too, has been without parents since he was very young.” Kakashi lowered his head. “Actually, he’s never known his parents and experienced incredibly harsh things at a very young age… Honestly, compared to you, his past was much worse…”

The boy looked up, shocked, “What?”

Kakashi’s gaze deepened, “Six years ago, I was ordered by the Hokage to adopt him. You can’t imagine the look in his eyes back then, a completely indifferent gaze to life itself. I thought he would remain like that forever, becoming nothing more than a killing tool.”

Inari was completely absorbed in Kakashi’s story, “What happened then?”

“I spent a lot of time trying to amuse him, annoying him. Sometimes, seeing him frustrated and angry was actually fun for me. Maybe it was fate… Later on, he started to change. He became more cheerful, laughed, played pranks, and joked around… His transformation made me very happy and filled the Hokage with great hope.” Kakashi’s eyes reflected his memories.

Inari looked down, remembering the man who had been so good to him but who was now gone…

“I often think, if he could inherit the Will of Fire from the Hokage and become a pillar protecting our village, it would be wonderful. He’s so talented…” Kakashi paused, then continued seriously, “But I gradually realized he was just hiding his darkness, showing only his light. Occasionally, in his words, I could see the truth.”

The young boy scratched his head in confusion.

Kakashi didn’t care if Inari understood and continued, seemingly having held these words in for a long time, “This child has always struggled between light and dark. He craves familial love but has always been an orphan. He yearns for freedom but has always been shackled. You might never imagine the despair of having your life controlled by someone else!”

Kakashi’s eyes showed his concern, “That’s why he desires power so much, to the point of self-torture. He stabs himself thirty-six times a day… I’m genuinely worried about him.”

“If this world disappoints him one day, he… he could destroy everything!”

Kakashi stood up slowly, heading back inside, “We mustn’t seek strength just for power’s sake. We must grow strong to protect. That is the greatest treasure in life, Yukigetsu…”

“I hope someone can awaken you…”

…

The next morning, the sun was shining brightly.

Sakura followed Kakashi and Tazuna out of the house, stretching with a big yawn. She suddenly looked back and asked, “Kakashi-sensei, isn’t Yukigetsu up yet?”

Kakashi shook his head, “He’s pushed himself to the limit these past few days. He probably needs a good rest today. Let’s go.”

Sakura glanced back into the house, then nodded and followed.

Tsunami called after them, “Be careful on the way!”

…

At the same time, in the cone-shaped house hanging in midair.

Bang!
Zabuza crushed an apple in his right hand, stretching his fingers, “Good, I’m finally recovered.”

He grabbed his Executioner’s Blade from the corner, effortlessly slinging it over his back. “Haku, I’ll leave that fierce kid to you this time.”

The beautiful boy, Haku, hesitated slightly, remembering the scene where Yukigetsu helped him pick herbs in the forest. His heart sank, but he solemnly replied, “Yes!”

“Then let’s go!”

…

The battle is about to begin…

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