In truth, no one really knew where Kita had gone, aside from the fact that she was in the Kirigakure Village. How she spent her time there, what exactly she was doing—nobody had a clue. If it had to be summarized vaguely, it would be: causing trouble for Uchiha Madara.
It wasn't that Nagato was indifferent to this extra-operative; on the contrary, it was absolute trust in her abilities.
Hence, Nagato could casually sip tea and snack on sunflower seeds while listening to Kita's work report with Konan, in a relaxed, unofficial manner.
There was no thrill, no suspense. Kita delivered her report with no flourish whatsoever, the very definition of a poor presenter. Once the report concluded, Nagato picked up the token that Kita had gleefully handed to Konan, and sighed in admiration.
"The Fourth Mizukage really knew how to make an impression… even giving this to you."
The Mist Village's Mizukage Token, unique in the world. The holder could enter and exit the Mist Village at will. More importantly, in a life-threatening situation, presenting the token summoned the village's full protection. Although it could only be used once, used wisely, its significance was immense.
How romantic. In the cruel political and survival-driven environment of the Kirigakure, such a passionate, loyal, and heroic setup existed—something even the other Four Great Nations lacked.
Konan had only one question regarding Kita's actions and gains.
"Is Terumi Mei beautiful?"
Kita suddenly didn't know how to answer. Nagato smiled and returned the Mizukage Token, engraved with the Fourth Mizukage's name, to the table.
"Put it away," Nagato said, leaving Kita with a puzzled expression.
——You're not going to use it?
Nagato shook his head.
"Akatsuki owes Kirigakure a favor. Consider this debt repaid."
Kita understood. Nagato was the kind of person who would hit you in the face if he disapproved, but never stabbed you in the back. Back then, Madara controlled Nagato in Kirigakure, but he didn't like it. Fortunately, he didn't sully the Akatsuki's reputation.
——I don't need it.
Kita tried to discard the token, but Konan quickly stopped her.
"Keep it. It'll make things easier for you." Her insistence was firm. Kita thought she wouldn't return to Kirigakure again, shrugged slightly, and handed both the token and bankbook to Konan, with a teasing smile.
——Handed over to the "state."
Konan smiled, pinched Kita's cheek with mock severity.
"Now explain this Terumi Mei thing. You talked with her for so long—what did you even discuss? What's so interesting?"
Nagato calmly observed the domestic "violence" scene, having witnessed countless similar moments.
After some laughter and teasing, the conversation returned to its proper course. Kita reported her unexpected discovery. On the table lay the severed arm, alongside sunflower seeds and desserts—Nagato ate without any stress.
——Orochimaru will investigate. Not sure what this is yet. Honestly, I have a bad feeling about it.
Chakra flowed through the severed arm. No reaction—it was just ordinary wood, albeit oddly shaped.
"Keeping it won't hurt," Nagato muttered between snacks. Kita agreed; Konan scoffed, dismissing it, and shifted to another topic.
"The Mizukage has changed. Mist Village's strength is diminished. No harm will come our way for now. Two of the Five Great Nations weakened. We'll have work to do in the coming days."
Nagato and Kita simultaneously reacted.
"Not dying this quickly, right?!"
Konan shrugged.
"Quickly. He has to act before Madara returns. Even as Mizukage, being controlled is humiliating, but he solved the Kaguya crisis. This is his only honorable death. Imagine—because he didn't detect the Kaguya clan's treachery in time, it led to a tragedy among his own people. The Fourth Mizukage, furious and grieving, went to honor the dead. The headline alone would bring people to tears. Naturally, no one would investigate if he'd been controlled. Meanwhile, Terumi Mei got a chance to reform Kirigakure… this village really profits."
Nagato blinked, choosing not to comment. He figured the Fourth Mizukage would have had a strategy with Madara—he wouldn't just commit suicide. Kita scratched her cheek, also choosing silence. Konan saw their expressions and decided it wasn't worth explaining.
…
He was essentially a shut-in, unlike Kakuzu. Kakuzu would run around earning money when he had no missions. He, on the other hand, spent all his non-mission time either at home or returning home.
So when Kita knocked on the door, she didn't worry about him being absent. Their team's large bird, Deidara's creation, could travel quickly, saving time.
The one to open the door wore beige pajamas with a teddy bear print. Style-wise, it didn't suit him, but Kita assumed he had simply changed tastes.
"Long time no see." He said it casually and headed upstairs. Serving tea or entertaining guests wasn't his style. He added, "Grab whatever you want from the fridge." And he was gone, leaving Kita alone in the living room.
The room was simply furnished but complete: sofa, TV, everything aligned with Deidara's taste for simplicity and practicality. The hanging bird ornament and patterned rug were unusual for him, though.
Kita opened the fridge. Drinks, beer, ingredients, convenience foods—all fully stocked, plus snacks. She took two drinks upstairs.
The loft was ventilated, dry, spacious, and well-lit. Goose-feather curtains, a solid wood table, leather chairs. The walls displayed completed and unfinished puppets. The table held puppet parts, the Third Kazekage's puppet, open scrolls, various maintenance liquids, and small weapons. It seemed to be an improved Third Kazekage model.
Kita set a lime juice can down and tried manipulating the Third Kazekage puppet's facial joints. Only the half-open mouth moved—nothing else.
——What are you doing?
"Expressions."
Kita was confused.
"Trying a new method to add expressions to puppets. Failed."
He sounded deeply frustrated. Kita decided not to discuss it further—impossible, in her opinion.
She set down the puppet, handed over the lime juice. After a sip, he asked,
"Something you need?"
Kita shook her head and pulled out a gift she had brought.
——Found something interesting. Thought you might want it. Move these aside—they're corpses.
He nodded and quickly cleared the table using chakra. The scroll contained preserved corpses, still fresh. Apart from the smell, nothing special.
"Anything remarkable?"
Kita's chakra covered the bodies as she began examining them.
——Kekkei Genkai, skeletal pulses. This person is strong, adept with their bloodline.
"From the Land of Water?"
Kita nodded.
——The Kaguya clan is wiped out, only one young boy remains. You might want to keep him.
"Thanks. I appreciate it."
——Don't mention it. You helped me immensely. Thanks to your guidance with Brain Wash Jutsu, I avoided a huge problem.
She had planted spies in the Mist Village. The surviving Hozuki Mangetsu Party members were now her puppets, completing the village's intelligence system.
——Small matter. He produced a scalpel, implying he was about to use it. Kita quickly raised her hand to stop him.
——Wait. I don't want to see you making human puppets. I have something else to ask.
He frowned but set the scalpel down.
Kita took a pristine white letter from her sleeve.
"What's this?"
——A will.
"What?" Even he, usually calm, looked puzzled. Kita shrugged.
——For Konan. If I die, give it to her.
"Tell her yourself! Why make a will?" He frowned, handing it back. A bothersome task he didn't want to deal with.
——If I could, I wouldn't need this. Some things can only be said after I'm gone.
"You're going to die?"
Kita shook her head.
——No. Just in case. If I don't explain to her, I'll regret it forever. You're the only one I can ask.
Kita wavered slightly. She was his friend—he knew that, and trusted her to help.
"Still not letting go?"
Kita neither denied nor confirmed, sighing helplessly.
"Actually, what others think doesn't matter. You look down on yourself. Humans and non-humans are no different. Kita, this cage you're in—you built it yourself."
Perhaps that was true. Kita didn't argue. She pushed the white envelope back.
——Promise me… if that day comes, give it to her, okay?
She couldn't refuse. Nodding, she accepted the will into her possession.
━━━━ ❖ ━━━
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