Six members of the ANBU, all jōnin-level. From their breathing, five men and one woman. Aside from these watchers, nothing seemed amiss. At least it's a decent inn, right? Zaraki Kita thought cheerfully. There was a TV, a small fridge, and even chilled beer inside it. Even if she couldn't leave for now, she could open a cold beer and watch Kazuhiko and Takeo to pass the time.
For three consecutive days, Kita didn't leave her room—not because she didn't want to, but because she couldn't. Even when hungry, the ANBU outside would bring her the food she wanted. But leaving this inn? Impossible. So she used the three days to catch up on the episodes of Kazuhiko and Takeo she had missed.
On the fourth day, she remembered a tear in her clothes that hadn't been mended. She borrowed a needle and thread from room service and carefully stitched the rip made by the Fourth Mizukage.
Then Terumi Mei arrived.
"Getting used to your stay here?"
The bed was neatly made. The old TV was on. On the table sat a half-open beer and some of the Mist Village's famous octopus snacks. Kita, dressed in a mesh short-sleeve top and shorts with a cooling scarf around her neck, sat cross-legged on the soft bed, meticulously repairing her elegant yukata. Mei first noticed her careful movements, then the scars—burned-looking marks and countless small injuries running up both forearms. Judging by the extent, the vest beneath probably hid even more.
Disgusting. Clearly the result of injuries never properly treated with medical ninjutsu. If cared for properly, these scars wouldn't look this ugly, Mei thought.
Kita put down her needle.
——Not bad. I like octopus legs.
Mei listened. Kita ate two portions a day—one in the afternoon, one in the evening—and drank two cans of beer every night while watching TV.
"Is that so? As long as you like it." Mei's words were polite, light, and hard to extend into conversation, but Kita didn't mind.
——I've already annoyed Madara. Soon he'll know the Fourth Mizukage has shaken off his genjutsu. So… when will you let me go?
Direct, no hint of subtlety—just like Mei.
"That's a lie, isn't it? About the bear… the cliff…"
Her smile was like spring sunlight, words light as clouds, concealing a needle in the velvet and a dagger in the smile. The more pleasant such a person appeared, the harder to read. Kita felt the need for caution. Her primary goal—breaking the Fourth Mizukage's genjutsu—was complete. Eliminating the Mangetsu faction could wait; if it cost her, she wouldn't risk it. So she let intuition guide her posture: slight downward gaze, minimal emotion, only the faintest trace of disappointment visible to anyone not paying close attention.
——The leader… was real.
Her leader, Pain, was real. The debt of life, and the mercy of not killing, were one and the same. She genuinely felt happy, even if the Mist Village was poor.
This is the way of the ninja world. For comrades, for family—Mei had no reason to doubt.
"Those scars…"
——Some cost had to be paid to spite Madara.
Kita finished her repairs and draped the yukata over her shoulders. The pure white base with azure waves, paired with the blue scarf and snow-white hair, gave her an innocent, harmless appearance. Mei smiled, choosing to believe her.
"How did you sneak into the village?"
——I've done plenty of sneaky things. I'm good at it. Information on Uchiha Madara doesn't come easily.
"And how did you learn the Mizukage was under Madara's control?"
——Simple. This place is isolated—the perfect spot for Madara. And the Land of Water wasn't always like this.
"You've been to the Land of Water before?"
——Yes, when I was very young. Not friendly back then either, but not as hostile as now.
Her word friendly carried a subtle implication. Mei knew she referred to being under house arrest but didn't apologize, merely smiled.
"So I have to be cautious, after all, you've fought the Fourth Mizukage before."
With that, Mei extended a polite invitation.
"My negligence these past days aside, even if you've been to the Land of Water, you likely haven't visited the Mist Village. As a reward for helping us greatly, I formally invite you to tour the famed Kirigakure Village."
Hard to refuse… Kita blinked, smiling and nodding in agreement.
——It's an honor.
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