Toneri said he came down to find a partner, one who was far away in Konoha. He had to act quickly, to win her favor while her heart was still tender. Honestly, Nagato wasn't worried. Toneri may be naive, but his strength wasn't weak. He might not match Akatsuki standards, but no ordinary person could bully him. Besides, Konoha understood the situation—Toneri was harmless. They wouldn't take action against him.
Moreover, Toneri's Byakugan-like eyes weren't like the Hyuga clan's pure white. They had a faint blue tint, and since he rarely activated them, the chance of being recognized was extremely low. Nagato had considered sending someone to protect him, but doing so might attract trouble instead. Instead, he gave Toneri just enough money for a journey and meals—a rare leniency from Kakuzu.
Thus, Toneri set off for Konoha.
Sakura couldn't comprehend Toneri's background at all. She felt there was something wrong with his head, his IQ… odd. When she asked Itachi, who usually explained everything to her, he remained unusually silent, only saying that he had endured hardships before.
Sakura was baffled. The one who finally clarified things for her was someone she never expected—Kabuto.
"This world owes Toneri a favor, owes Kita a favor, owes Akatsuki a favor," he began.
This was in Sakura's laboratory. Orochimaru was absent—one off to maintain puppets, another taking a nap—and it was Sakura's turn to continue the struggle against Karin's toxins. The cells were active, and results wouldn't appear in less than ten hours. Finally, she had a moment to breathe—and listen to Kabuto reveal such a "world-shaking secret."
Honestly, Sakura didn't believe him.
"All tailed beasts have been collected by Akatsuki. You've seen Kisame and Sun, and probably the Nine-Tails as well. First question: where do you think the tailed beasts' chakra went?"
Uh…
"Does this have anything to do with Toneri?"
Kabuto smiled, pointing at an almost-empty teacup. Sakura dutifully refilled it with hot water.
When the conversation shifted to how Toneri was discovered, Mizuki, who had been flirting with Karin all day, entered the lab. Like Kabuto, he sat on the sofa.
"What are you saying?"
"Why are you here if you're not flattering Karin?"
"Eh~ You don't get it. Flirting requires a balance of tension and ease," Mizuki replied flippantly.
Sakura rolled her eyes. If Kita hears this, he's dead.
"Pfft~ I, a mighty man from the Hidden Mist, fear no small village leader!"
Mizuki was shameless. Sakura's mouth twitched. Who was too scared to even fart in front of Konan yesterday?
"Anyway, what are you talking about?" Mizuki asked after drinking a bottle of water. Sakura considered answering, but Kabuto had already said, "We're talking about Kita and Toneri."
"Ah, Kita, huh," Mizuki said, feigning realization. He was clearly aware of Kabuto's explanation.
"Wow, Sakura, you're actually pretty impressive," Mizuki said, patting her shoulder with full praise. Sakura was utterly baffled at this 'honor.'
"Kita was on the brink at first, but you revived him. Truly the student of one of the Legendary Three Shinobi!"
Sakura muttered, Why do I feel like hitting him for saying that?
"Hmm~ Now I feel relieved~"
Sakura was utterly confused. She didn't think Mizuki had ties to Karin. If it was because of Karin… that would be too much.
"Kita carries the Mizukage Token. Mizuki hails from Kirigakure, naturally concerned."
Sakura felt immense pressure.
The topic continued.
By the time everyone returned, Sakura had countless questions, but her first was about Naruto.
"Are you saying Naruto participated in that battle?"
"The Nine-Tails, yes. Karin said so," Mizuki said quickly, then added, "Eh, don't mention the Nine-Tails in front of Karin, or she might beat you up~"
"Ah? Why?"
"Why? Naruto insulted Kita. He realized Kita wasn't human and said unpleasant things. Karin said he angered everyone in Akatsuki. If not for Jiraiya protecting him, he'd be dead on the spot."
"Naruto? Impossible!!" Sakura clearly didn't believe it.
Mizuki shrugged, drinking more water, unconcerned. "Believe it or not, it doesn't matter. Didn't expect you to understand anyway."
Sakura was irritated. "What do you mean 'didn't expect me to understand'?"
It was a subtle question. Mizuki didn't know how to answer. He distanced himself slightly, confused, and said, "Isn't this how everyone in Konoha acts?"
Sakura's patience snapped.
"Who said everyone in Konoha is like that?! How dare you speak nonsense?!"
Mizuki couldn't sit still, stood up, keeping distance.
"Hey hey, I'm not telling you anymore. Don't be mad, I apologize, it's my fault. Alright? You can't ignore Kita's treatment because of this!"
"Damn it! You think I'm that kind of rude person?!"
Sakura exploded.
Mizuki sulked and left, muttering, "I can avoid you, can't I? Really, women, be more reasonable!"
"You!!"
Sakura was a ticking time bomb. Kabuto laughed, serving as peacemaker.
"Mizuki isn't a medical ninja. His words are thoughtless."
"No, look at that smug face… it's infuriating!"
Sakura fumed. Kabuto remained calm, brewing tea, saying,
"Are you angry he said Konoha is like that, or that you wouldn't understand?"
"Does it matter?"
"Does it not?"
Kabuto's counterquestion left Sakura speechless. She couldn't tell if there was a difference. Another question immediately arose.
"Then… Kabuto?"
"Hm?"
"If what you said is true, why did Akatsuki publicize these matters?" Sakura's emerald eyes sparkled.
"If true, wouldn't that save the world? Protect people from the Otsutsuki clan's hands? After all… even the Sage of Six Paths couldn't defeat Kaguya Otsutsuki alone. Everyone…"
"You think Akatsuki does things for gratitude?"
Sakura froze.
Kabuto sipped his tea.
"They act because they see a fissure. They don't intend to save the world. Standing there, they just know they have to act."
"Not afraid?"
"Afraid of what?"
"Collecting tailed beasts, becoming world enemies, risking life against enemies that even the Sage of Six Paths needed help to defeat."
"Even if that didn't happen, do you think Akatsuki wouldn't collect tailed beasts? Afraid? In my worldview, Akatsuki could just as well be called 'trouble,' which is why Orochimaru left."
Kabuto's words were casual, making Sakura completely detached from reality.
"Wasn't he driven away by Itachi?"
Kabuto, "…."
Honestly, that one sentence wiped out all the goodwill she had built over the past few days.
"Forget it, whatever."
Kabuto gave up and started to leave.
"Um…"
As Kabuto nearly exited, Sakura stammered, staring at the floor. He turned, seeing Sakura like this for the first time. Slight surprise, but little curiosity.
"What is it?"
"Orochimaru… why did he help Akatsuki do this?"
"You mean exiling the tailed beasts or helping treat Kita?"
"Both."
Why?
Kabuto thought. Originally, Orochimaru never intended to help exile the tailed beasts—he merely erased Black Zetsu from Kita and extended her life. Then Kabuto remembered a few years ago, a hot springs trip, Orochimaru's face covered with a warm towel, speaking words that sounded oddly gentle.
After a long pause, Kabuto said softly,
"Probably… because Orochimaru is human too."
Followed him, resented him, hated him… but never regretted it.
Sakura was speechless. Orochimaru… is human too?
The one who killed the Third Hokage, who harmed Konoha… also human?