Chapter 173: Expungement
"What the heck is wrong with you?" she wondered, rising slowly. "Why did you come here?"
"The real question is what's wrong with you?" he coolly shot back. "You've been reduced to nothing more than a tool; you've had your power stripped away, and until you recognize that you're serving the wrong person, you'll continue to be useless, remaining trapped in a cycle of despair. Open your eyes, Tayuya..."
For the first time, she fell silent. Her gaze dropped to the ground, tracing invisible patterns in the dirt as she wrestled with the harsh truths he presented.
"Wh... Why do you care?" she finally murmured.
Arthur crossed his arms, expecting her to feel the gravity of her situation before saying, "Why does that matter? Why don't you instead ask who you think sent me here?"
A confused frown creased her brow as she understood his words.
"You weren't sent by Orochimaru..." she began hesitantly. "You... you came here on your own."
"Yes," he affirmed, steady and resolute. "I came to rescue you from the shackles binding you. I'm here for you, to help you rediscover who you really are and to help break you free."
Her eyes widened in disbelief as he spoke those impactful words. She truly didn't know what it was or where this feeling of radiance in this dark cell came from.
Was this what they called hope?
What had seemed impossible moments ago was now the potential for freedom. She had a chance to make a choice: redefine herself beyond the shadows of evil influencers or remain here forever trapped in darkness to eventually rot in hell.