Nishimura Tatsuto had a moment of sudden realization, "So that's how it is."
After pausing for a bit, he sighed. "Time really does fly. We old-fashioned ninjas are finding it harder and harder to understand you youngsters."
Kisame didn't let down his guard. Though he didn't hear any intent to keep fighting in Nishimura's tone, he still asked cautiously, testing the waters.
"Jonin Nishimura, you're not planning to… keep fighting?"
Nishimura shook his head, then looked deeply at Suzuko, "When you caused that much commotion, I had already lost. Now, I can only trust that you'll keep my secret, for Suzuko's safety."
Kisame suddenly felt a flare of anger, "As Suzuko's father, you're actually using her safety as a bargaining chip? Don't you think that's going too far?"
Nishimura said, "It is going too far, I admit that. But at least, for now, you two are safe."
"Since most of the poison has already been forced out of your body, I imagine you'll soon regain full mobility. I can't afford to linger here, so I'll be taking my leave."
"Oh, and… I won't be coming back. From now on, I'll be entrusting Suzuko to your care, Kisame. I hope she can grow up happy."
After saying that, Nishimura Tatsuto vanished in a flash, without a moment's hesitation.
Kisame let out a breath of relief, then turned his head toward Suzuko. Seeing the dazed look in her eyes, he said softly, trying to comfort her, "Suzuko, your father wasn't a good father. But… I hope you can forget this and start a new life."
Suzuko, however, shook her head, clenching her fists tightly, "No, I won't forget. I'll always remember this. I'll become stronger, and avenge my mother!"
Hearing that, Kisame suddenly realized, so Suzuko's mother had also been killed by Nishimura Tatsuto.
'Jonin Nishimura, you really are a heartless man.'
But seeing Suzuko's growing resolve, he couldn't help feeling a faint sense of relief. In the brutal, survival-of-the-fittest world of Kirigakure, only with that kind of mindset could one hope to survive.
Still, for now, the most important thing was… how to deal with the incoming interrogation from the Kirigakure ANBU.
Kisame straightened his expression, "Suzuko, remember what I told you before. You must not make a single mistake. Your father was right. Even if it feels wrong, for your own safety, we can only keep this secret for now."
Suzuko nodded and forced a small smile, "Don't worry, Kisame. I remember everything you said."
Only then did Kisame calm down again. Closing his eyes, he focused on expelling the remaining traces of poison from his body.
The two of them fell silent, quietly waiting for any possible Mist ninjas who might come from afar.
However, even after a long time, the surroundings remained deathly still. So quiet that they could clearly hear the cry of birds passing in the sky above.
Finally, Nishimura Suzuko couldn't hold back anymore. When Kisame spat out another mouthful of black blood and had basically purged the poison from his body, she spoke up.
"Kisame… it seems like… no one's coming."
Kisame opened his eyes slightly, a bit puzzled, "My technique caused quite a commotion. With the alertness of the ANBU from the Mist, it's impossible they didn't notice anything."
"For them to still not show up after all this time… could there be something wrong?"
At that moment, a voice suddenly sounded from behind Kisame and Suzuko.
"You're only realizing that now? Kisame, your sense of alertness really isn't sharp enough."
Kisame's heart lurched. Someone was standing right behind him, and he hadn't sensed it at all.
He immediately grabbed Suzuko and pulled her behind him protectively, then spun around sharply, searching for the source of the voice.
And then he saw, a figure wearing a black cloak with red clouds, a swirling orange mask covering his face, standing leisurely not far away, looking at him calmly.
Kisame's whole body tensed in an instant, "Who are you?" he demanded.
Tobi spread his hands, "No need to be so nervous. I won't harm you, or your little girlfriend here. I can call her that, right?"
Suzuko's face turned slightly red, but she didn't deny it.
Kisame, however, had no time to dwell on such details. His other hand moved instinctively to his blade, gripping the hilt tightly.
"You still haven't answered my question. Who are you?"
Tobi said, "Who I am? Isn't it obvious from my clothes? This outfit of mine should be pretty famous by now."
Kisame narrowed his eyes, scanning him from head to toe. He muttered, "A black cloak with red clouds… You're one of the Akatsuki, under Uchiha Madara."
Tobi's tone held a hint of displeasure, "I am a member of Akatsuki, but not under Uchiha Madara. I'd appreciate it if you understood that clearly."
Kisame said coldly, "Enough with the riddles. Why did you come to us? What do you want?"
Tobi replied, "I told you already, don't be so tense. If I hadn't covered up the commotion from your fight just now, do you really think those Mist ANBU wouldn't have come running here? And when they found out that this girl's father was a Mist spy, do you think you could've kept her safe?"
Kisame's heart sank. So the reason no Mist ninjas had arrived was because this mysterious masked man had concealed the entire battle just now.
He didn't know how the man had done it, but as he said, if Suzuko's identity came under suspicion, there was no guarantee he could protect her.
After a moment of hesitation, Kisame inclined his head slightly, "Then… thank you, Masked Man, for what you did regarding Suzuko."
Tobi suddenly looked touched, his voice trembling dramatically, "Wow, how polite! I didn't think my hard work would actually get me a thank-you. Boo-hoo, I'm gonna cry."
Beside them, Nishimura Suzuko bowed politely too, "Thank you, Masked Man."
Tobi became even happier, his body twitching with exaggerated emotion, "You're both such good people! And good people always get good rewards."
Kisame looked at Tobi's ridiculous behavior but didn't dare make any sudden moves. In fact, the more comical the man acted compared to his earlier mysterious tone, the more uneasy Kisame felt inside.
Without beating around the bush anymore, he asked, "So, you still haven't answered me. What exactly do you want from us?"
Tobi stopped pretending and said plainly, "Kisame, haven't you been feeling lately that this whole world is fake? That living in such a false world feels meaningless and hollow?"
Kisame's heart trembled slightly, because he had felt that way before.
But then he turned his head slightly to glance at Suzuko, and said, "I don't feel that way anymore."
Tobi chuckled softly, his tone meaningful, "Oh? Is that so?"
"Perhaps… that only means you've fallen into an even greater illusion."
Kisame frowned, "What do you mean by that?"
Tobi said, "Think about it. If I hadn't shown up, what would've been your and Suzuko's fate? Don't kid yourself, be realistic. Deep down, you already know the answer. You just didn't want to face it before."