The house was not old enough to be considered dilapidated. It was simply dirty and neglected. That was only to be expected. Half a year ago, it had suffered a massacre soaked in blood. Even if the property were sold at a low price, no one would come to develop land belonging to the Uchiha clan.
And it was truly far from the village center. Practically marginalized.
Zaraki Kita thought as much.
She did not enter, instead deliberately putting on an expression of being lost, lifting her head and looking around as if searching for directions.
Tall buildings surrounded the area. This layout, this atmosphere—there was no doubt this place had once been under surveillance.
Uchiha Itachi had come from the ANBU, slaughtered his entire clan, and then defected from the village. Was it really all just to evolve into the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan?
"Hey. Who are you?"
A young boy, around eight or nine years old, stood there. He bore some resemblance to Uchiha Itachi. His eyes were not filled with killing intent, but there was unmistakable hostility.
Zaraki Kita immediately bowed, wearing an expression of gratitude mixed with apology.
—Sorry, I'm lost.
She handed over the pristine white paper. The boy frowned in confusion.
"You're mute?"
It was not particularly polite, but Zaraki Kita still nodded.
"You're not from the village?"
Zaraki Kita shook her head and wrote again.
—I came to Konoha for a commissioned mission. Since it hasn't started yet, I was walking around and got lost. I'm sorry. Could you tell me how to get back to the village?
"Go straight down this road, then turn left at the fork ahead. Don't wander around other people's villages," he said with a warning tone, putting on the airs of a little adult.
Zaraki Kita nodded repeatedly, looking properly chastened. She did not linger and walked past the boy—no, past Uchiha Sasuke.
Hm? There's ANBU following Sasuke?
Surveillance, or protection?
As the thought formed, Orochimaru's obsession with the Sharingan surfaced in her mind, and understanding dawned.
Protection, most likely.
Zaraki Kita curved her lips slightly. By her beast-like intuition, the clan massacre had never been a spur-of-the-moment act. Uchiha Itachi was not someone who allowed himself to be used. With his caution and meticulousness, he would never leave such an opening—unless his goal aligned with someone else's.
Madara bringing him into Akatsuki was, on one hand, a way to plant his own people within the organization. The purpose was simple: prevent Akatsuki from slipping beyond his control. Madara had been extremely displeased when Zetsu was driven away. That explained the presence of Kisame and Itachi.
Now the real question was this: between those two, who was absolutely loyal to Madara?
Judging by blood ties, it should be Uchiha Itachi. But exterminating the clan while sparing Uchiha Sasuke—was that submission to Madara, or defiance?
…
The Hokage's office was, as always, filled with smoke. The Third Hokage was a veteran smoker; his pipe never left his hand.
"Have you found out?" His eyes gleamed with shrewdness as he spoke.
Kneeling before him were two ANBU. One wore a cat mask, the other a dog mask.
"Yes. This subordinate went to Amegakure. There is no person named Kita. The so-called food shop does not exist. No one there has heard of her, nor have nearby towns. Her origins and whereabouts are unknown. She is likely a spy sent by another country."
"Which country do you think?"
"This subordinate cannot be certain. Smaller nations lack powerful individuals. It is most likely one of the Five Great Nations."
The Third Hokage considered Wind, Earth, Lightning, and Water—then dismissed them all. If it were a major nation, they would not send someone with no detectable chakra.
And she was far too conspicuous. A spy's first rule was to blend into the crowd, yet her appearance, her muteness, her behavior, and especially her wealth were all unusual.
One hundred and thirty thousand ryō was not something an ordinary food shop owner could casually afford.
Kill her?
Better to kill a thousand by mistake than let one slip through.
But this was not something he should do personally.
"You may withdraw."
After the two ANBU left, the Third Hokage spoke again.
"Kakashi."
A white-haired man wearing a dog mask knelt instantly before him.
"This mission is yours. You do not need to use your ANBU identity."
"Yes."
After removing the mask, half his face remained hidden beneath another. His dead-fish eyes looked utterly lifeless.
"If necessary—"
"Yes. I understand."
There was no need to finish the sentence.
By the time Zaraki Kita was summoned to the Hokage's office, it was the morning of her third day in Konoha. She had just checked out of the inn and carried large bundles that looked like souvenirs.
The Third Hokage knew exactly what was inside.
A yukata worth 133,000 ryo.
A large box of Konoha specialty yokan.
These pastries are difficult to find outside the village.
A beautifully crafted silk fan.
Altogether, 139,522 ryo.
"Did you enjoy your stay?" the Third Hokage asked warmly.
—Very much. The villagers were kind, and everyone enthusiastically helped me with directions. It's truly an amazing village.
The praise was excessive, almost artless. The Third Hokage wavered again between killing and sparing her.
—Hokage-sama, how is the mission arrangement?
Her handwriting was neat and refined. Her clear blue eyes looked pure and gentle. For half a second, the Third Hokage was distracted, thinking of another pair of blue eyes now hanging in a frame on the wall.
"Have you reconsidered? The conflict between the two countries is dangerous."
—I've thought about it for a long time. In the end, I still need to go.
A decision settled in the Third Hokage's heart.
"Come in."
Kakashi entered. After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the mission was finalized. Before leaving, Kakashi received a signal from the Third Hokage's eyes.
—Kill her.
Kakashi inclined his head, understanding completely.
"Miss, life must be hard for you," Kakashi said as they walked out of Konoha's gates. He was not merely making conversation; he needed to test her.
Zaraki Kita reached for her pen, only to hear him say, "I know sign language, Miss."
The Sharingan's copying ability activated. Ten minutes was all it took. He had watched an entire sign language manual the night before.
—Anyone who lives seriously finds life hard, don't they?
It was a rhetorical question. Kakashi felt the conversation die instantly.
From that point until they left the Land of Fire, Kakashi made no further attempts to talk. His task was simple. A Raikiri through the heart. If he got no information, he would just kill her.
Compared to Chidori, Raikiri could be executed silently.
Blue lightning flared, and the Raikiri pierced straight through her chest from behind.
There was no blood.
Kakashi saw the faintly mocking smile on Zaraki Kita's face before her body collapsed into a pool of mud.
An earth clone.
Kakashi cursed himself for failing to see through the clone with his Sharingan. Then realization struck.
From the moment they left the Hokage Tower, he had not activated it.
More importantly—this person had never left his sight.
Damn it.
Was it a clone from the very beginning?
Who in the world is she?
━━━━ ❖ ━━━
Every 100 Power Stones = 1 Extra Chapter
Add to Library!