A special thank you to my patrons:
—Cain, kevin Williams, Jose Sierra, Salim, Archer, Acedia, kurtis newman, Nhoxious, Tom89, Nithin Samuel, Soumya Ranjan Pathy, Bob.
You can read 30 chapters ahead of everyone on p@treon.
P@TREON - [email protected]/lessaservantofcosmos
(just replace the "@" with "a")
ps: Please support me on P@treon. I can really use your help!
-------------------------------------------------------------
Kirigakure, the Village Hidden in the Mist.
Ao wore a deeply conflicted expression as he addressed Mei Terumī, who had now assumed the title of Mizukage.
"Mizukage-sama, are you certain this is wise? What if we incur the wrath of Konoha?"
Mei waved a hand dismissively.
"You've seen the intelligence reports from the Anbu. Konoha is severely weakened right now, barely able to protect itself. They wouldn't dare provoke us in their current state."
Ao tried to press further. "But, what about the future—"
Mei cut him off decisively.
"Future matters can be dealt with in the future. If my plan succeeds, perhaps our village won't need to fear Konoha so much going forward."
Ao let out a resigned sigh. He knew when the Mizukage had made up her mind; there was no dissuading her now.
"I can only hope it goes smoothly, then."
Mei narrowed her eyes slightly, a faint, calculating smile touching her lips.
"Naturally. That is my expectation as well."
*****
Several days later.
Deep within the mountains of the Land of Waves.
With all preparations complete, Kagaya handed his father's eyes to Karin, instructing her to perform the transplantation of these Mangekyō Sharingan.
Karin's hands trembled visibly. While she did possess some knowledge of medical ninjutsu, her skills were far from masterful. A major surgery like an eye transplant was something she had absolutely no confidence in performing successfully.
"Kagaya, I... I really can't..."
Karin was terrified. The thought of a mistake on her part leading to Kagaya being permanently, irreversibly blinded filled her with a soul-crushing dread. This boy before her was someone she had to protect.
Kagaya offered a gentle smile. He reached out and grasped Karin's trembling hands.
"You have a good heart, Karin. But don't be afraid. Even if the worst possible outcome occurs, I won't blame you."
In his current situation, Kagaya could trust no one. The only person he could place his complete faith in, who also knew medical ninjutsu, was Karin. If the transplant ultimately failed, it would simply be fate. After all, he had no other options.
However, this was the first time Karin had refused Kagaya since joining him. She shook her hands free and took several steps back.
"No!! I'm not 'good-hearted'! I just can't bear the possibility of you spending the rest of your life blind! I truly, truly cannot bear it. Anyone else could end up like that, but not you! Not you!! If the worst happens, even if you don't blame me, I won't be able to live with myself!"
Backing away step by step, shaking her head, she retreated from Kagaya, who lay on the stone slab.
Watching her, a wave of warmth flowed through Kagaya's heart. He looked at Karin with profound sincerity.
"The only person I can trust with this is you, Karin!"
Karin's voice caught in a sob. "I... I..."
She hesitated for a long moment. Gazing at Kagaya's resolute face, she found it difficult to refuse him any longer. Finally, she managed to ask a question.
"Kagaya, why are you so determined to transplant these eyes? Isn't the way things are now good enough?"
Kagaya fell silent for a beat, then memories surfaced.
"There are still two more people."
Karin looked confused.
"Two more people? What do you mean?"
Kagaya sighed first, then allowed a small, bitter smile.
"There are two more people whose vengeance remains unfulfilled. They weren't related to me by blood, and we didn't spend an exceptionally long time together. It seems... it seems like I could choose not to avenge them. I could even forget about them. That would be possible. But, after thinking it over for so long... I realize I simply can't treat them as strangers."
Karin still didn't fully comprehend.
"Are those two people worth you risking your sight for?"
Kagaya pointed to his own eyes.
"You mean these? I don't know if they are 'worth' the risk of losing them. But these eyes... regardless, they are destined for blindness sooner or later. Given that, I'm willing to gamble with them. If I win the gamble, I will pursue that vengeance. If I lose... then there's nothing to be done."
Karin still resisted the idea of her, an amateur, performing such a critical procedure.
"But... but..."
She searched for words, anything to make Kagaya reconsider.
Kagaya smiled, offering encouragement.
"Come on. Don't be afraid. Think of it this way: blindness is the inevitable end for these eyes. Without you, they will go dark. But with you, these eyes now have a chance to see forever. Isn't that right?"
Karin lowered her head, still seemingly hesitant. After a moment, she suddenly looked up.
"Kagaya, I just sensed that Zabuza has returned to the Land of Waves. He might be looking for you."
Kagaya chuckled wryly.
"Are you trying to change the subject?"
Karin remained unmoved.
"Should we go meet him? Just for a moment."
"He might not be here for me."
"Just for a look!"
"It's unlikely he's here for me."
"Just for a look!!"
"..."
Kagaya looked helplessly at the stubborn girl before him. It was clear Karin was trying to postpone the eye transplant as long as possible.
"Alright, fine. But after we see him, you will transplant the eyes immediately. No more delays."
"This..."
"If you don't agree, then I won't go. You'll transplant them right now."
"Then... then alright."
"A promise is a promise!"
"A... a promise is a promise."
Having reached this agreement, Kagaya got up and followed Karin, along with Haku, down the mountain to find Zabuza.
Locating Zabuza was easy with Karin's sensory abilities. They always knew exactly where he was.
Before long, Karin led Kagaya and Haku straight to Zabuza.
Upon meeting, Zabuza looked at the trio with surprise.
"Well, well. I thought tracking you down would be quite the chore. Didn't expect you to come find me so soon after I got back to the Land of Waves."
Hearing this, Kagaya was even more surprised.
"From the sound of it, you really did come here looking for me?"
Zabuza blinked.
"You knew?"
Kagaya gestured pointedly at Karin beside him, his expression deadpan.
"No. She guessed."
Zabuza couldn't help but let out a short laugh. "What a coincidence."
Kagaya rolled his eyes.
"So, what is it? What do you need?"
Zabuza's expression turned serious.
"The Mizukage of Kirigakure—that's Mei Terumī, the one you met before—wants you to come to the village."
Kagaya's brow furrowed. "Go to Kirigakure?"
Zabuza nodded.
"She wants to recruit you."
Kagaya raised an eyebrow, his tone incredulous.
"Is she serious? Has Mei Terumī lost her mind? Recruit me? Isn't she afraid of offending Konoha? Besides, recruiting a known missing-nin is a major taboo. If she does that, other villages might just find an excuse to attack her."
Zabuza shrugged.
"Who knows what's going on in Mei's head. I'm just the messenger. In my view, Kirigakure's unique geographical location makes it difficult to invade. Plus, adding a Kage-level fighter like you to their ranks would make other nations even more hesitant to attack. Of course..."
Kagaya finished the thought.
"Of course, all of that hinges on me agreeing. And I have no reason to accept Mei Terumī's 'recruitment.'"
Zabuza spoke without a hint of surprise.
"I thought you'd refuse."