Toneri regaining his sight had eased a burden on Zaraki Kita's mind. The remaining medicine in the bottle was scarce, yet enough to last a few days. With a week still before the fifty-third term, Kita felt she could explore another relic site. She sent Obito away, partly because she preferred to go alone, and partly out of selfish concern. The next location was hardly suitable for him to accompany her.
Though the village remained shrouded in mist, its name, "Kirigakure," was rarely spoken aloud. There was no need for stealth—simply showing the token in hand, the guards at the gate respectfully greeted, "Kita-sama."
The Mizukage Token truly was a remarkable tool.*
As usual, she ordered a plate of salt-and-pepper small fish. The flavor hadn't changed, though she could no longer enjoy a chilled bottle of beer with it like in the past.
"First thing you do when you come back is order salt-and-pepper fish. Is that all I've got to make you miss me?"
The ethereal voice carried a teasing tone. The woman with flowing crimson hair, clad in a blue dress, looked breathtaking. Kita's lips curved into a smile. Seeing an old friend after so many days, she wanted to surprise her.
"Terumi, how… how have you been lately?"
The title caused the Fifth Mizukage's eyes to widen in surprise, quickly replaced by unrestrained joy. Ignoring protocol, she sat on the street bench, grabbing Kita's hands and pulling her up. Pure delight shone on her face. "You're here! That's wonderful!"
Merchants and guards alike had long grown accustomed to the Mizukage's behavior. Those not on alert continued frying snacks, showing no reaction.
"So… so much… happened. From… being mute… to… stuttering… infuriating."
"No, no, it's fine now. It's fine now," Terumi said twice, scanning her long-absent friend with a touch of concern. "You've lost weight again. What would you like to eat? I'll treat."
Kita shook her head with a smile. "This… this is enough. Come… come see you, and… and Koyou. I… I can help… help her speak."
Kita didn't notice her own stuttering until she spoke; she realized it afterward, and trying to correct it only made it worse. After laboriously saying something trivial, a wave of frustration appeared on her face. Terumi noticed immediately, placing a hand on Kita's shoulder, eyes soft with concern.
"Is that so? You've become quite the medical ninja. Restoring speech is already impressive. Koyou will be very happy."
Kita blinked and smiled.
"You… you go work, and… and later, I… I'll find her."
"Ah, there's nothing much to do. I'm bored all day anyway," Terumi said. Both the bodyguard Ao and the personal attendant Chojuro watched silently, as the Mizukage began to speak playful nonsense.
"Nonsense… the leader of a small country ninja village is busy, let alone the Five Great Nations."
The scratches on Ao's forehead protector were obvious; neither Terumi nor Chojuro were blind to it. Even with only one eye, Ao could see clearly.
"That's because I, the Mizukage, am highly efficient," Terumi said. Kita laughed. Fine—without the Mizukage for a while, the Mist Village wouldn't collapse. Plenty of salt-and-pepper fish remained on the plate. Kita pointed at it. "Want… want some?"
Terumi frowned slightly. "Can't eat it?"
Kita nodded, conceding the question.
"Still sick?" This time genuine concern showed. Kita smiled and nodded again. Terumi said no more, simply instructing, "Chojuro, finish that. Ao, don't bother me unless necessary."
Chojuro froze, too surprised to respond. Terumi had already grabbed Kita from the bench, cheerfully moving along. Ao hesitated, but saw the Mizukage smile warmly at Kita. Terumi said gently, "Let's go. Koyou will be very, very happy."
"Wai… wait, pay… the bill."
"Hmm, questioning my abilities as Mizukage?"
With a playful glint in her eyes, Terumi glanced sideways. Ao didn't dare follow.
Koyou was born mute. Terumi explained that her mother had been poisoned during pregnancy, saving the child's life but damaging her vocal cords and weakening her body. That she survived—and became a ninja—was a miracle. Even as a teenager, her vocal cords never fully developed.
Toneri's vocal technique used chakra to construct a virtual vocal cord in the body, resonating to produce sound. For someone like Koyou, without chakra control, it was nearly useless. But it wasn't hopeless, or Kita wouldn't be here.
A dark green chakra sphere entered Koyou's body. Kita's fingertips generated a tiny needle of lightning that pricked Koyou's back. The twenty-two-year-old woman paled in pain, and when Kita removed her hand, she smiled at her.
"Try… try speaking."
"Umm…"
No complete words emerged, just an unclear sound. Koyou's eyes shimmered with tears as she looked at her sisters in disbelief. For the first time in her life, she made a sound. Overwhelmed, she collapsed into Kita's arms, forgetting that she was holding a non-human.
Kita gently patted her back.
"Temporarily activate the meridians. To… continue speaking, you must begin… learning to refine chakra… just a little at a time."
"Th-thank you." Koyou's voice was hoarse, tinged with sobs.
It became a rather pleasant dinner. To celebrate Koyou's recovery, the Fifth Mizukage personally prepared a feast—fish, shrimp, crab, and more. Even with abundant seafood, lighter dishes were included. Terumi's crab porridge was exquisite. Though she ate a bit more than usual, the night's atmosphere was far removed from past nights of midnight beer and barbecue. Only hot tea accompanied the meal now.
Kita leaned back on the sofa, slightly fatigued. This wasn't Koyou's home; though the sisters had reconciled, they were used to separate lives. After dinner, she returned from Koyou's place, brewing a cup of hot tea. A slight dizziness hit her before she took medicine from her sleeve. Only three green pills remained in the glass bottle. Swallowing two, her pale face regained color. Terumi watched with obvious concern.
"Old injury… not healed?"
Terumi asked, unaware of Kita's condition. Kita had never told her, believing her matters were no one else's concern. Even Toneri was unaware. Every time someone asked, she brushed it off as an old injury.
Old injuries never truly heal.
"It's… nothing," Kita waved off, though a trace of guilt lingered on her face. Terumi had once asked her to come simply as a friend, without any ulterior motive. But, over the years, every visit had a purpose.
"I knew it," Terumi sighed, knowing by her expression. She should have been angry—no one likes being used—but when facing Kita, that anger always turned to helplessness. Perhaps it was love—reckless, for someone not even human.
When the Fourth Mizukage gave the Mizukage Token, she had been ready to act at her own discretion. Even if Kita called for help after the Fourth's death, neither the deceased Fourth nor the living Fifth Mizukage would receive it. The token could have remained unused.
Yet, why reactivate it now, under the Fifth Mizukage's name?
Against the previous Mizukage's order—be cautious of Kita.
This was more than caution. It was complete trust. Kita could freely enter Mist Village, view all intelligence and secrets. Any ninja encountering her during missions would abandon their task. In this village, Kita's authority rivaled that of an elder.
As the Mizukage, Terumi had thrown caution to the wind.
"What's the matter this time?"
Kita hesitated, then stuttered, "The… the Goddess of the Rabbit… temple. I… I need to… destroy it."
Ah… Kita always knew how to give her a difficult task. Terumi could already imagine the elders' reactions—shaking, muttering morality lessons for hours.
"Kita, do you know who the Goddess of the Rabbit is?"
The world's enemy: Ōtsutsuki Kaguya.
"I… I'm not… stupid."
"I know. I'm just checking." Terumi counted on her fingers, exaggerating her grievance.
"First, the Goddess of the Rabbit is a peace deity who saves the world. But it has little to do with me. Every spring equinox, daimyos, and even me as Mizukage, must purify and pray at her temple for good fortune. Throughout the year, her temples are crowded. Faith may be limited in use, but it has purpose. Understand?"
Kita nodded.
There are three main temples for the Goddess of the Rabbit: one each in the Land of Fire, Land of Water, and Land of Earth. All are built atop Kaguya relics and remain significant landmarks. Kita's "destruction" referred to the ruins beneath the rebuilt temples. Weak chakra reactors existed within these ruins. Destroying the underground relics would collapse the temples above. She chose the Land of Water temple first, partly because Terumi could assist, making future demolition of the Fire and Earth temples easier.
"C-could it be done?"
Terumi sighed.
"Not impossible, but tell me why. That way, I have a justification when facing the elders." She spoke without expectation. Kita pondered, deciding a reason was necessary—after all, she wasn't destroying a random house, but a temple.
"The… story… is… long. You… must listen patiently."
As her words fell, a snap of her fingers conjured a twenty-one-inch virtual screen, narrating the story from the very beginning. A long night was about to unfold.
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