Indeed, it had been a long night. By the time the explanation was finished, dawn had already broken. Zaraki Kita took a sip of the cold tea left overnight, finally relieving the dryness in her mouth and throat. Terumi Mizukage's expression was far from pleasant. After learning the full extent of events, anyone's face would show signs of strain.
The screen still displayed the massive spatial rift, and all Mizukage could do was reluctantly accept it. Whether it was the matter of Uchiha Madara being deceived or the existence of a powerful threat beyond their world, she wasn't eager to dwell on it. Perhaps now she could retract her earlier questions.
After a long silence, Mizukage asked a question entirely unrelated to the explanations before.
"You and the Akatsuki… your relationship is… close, isn't it?"
Kita had expected questions about things like the events on the moon with Toneri, but not this. During her explanation, she had carefully avoided mentioning Akatsuki. She had focused solely on uncovering the chain of events surrounding Uchiha Madara. When something seemed impossible to explain, she had relied on coincidence to summarize.
"The destruction of False Valley greatly boosted Akatsuki's reputation. Over the years, I've also been investigating Madara. Kisame Hoshigaki, one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, defected from the Mist under Madara's control and joined Akatsuki. Rumor says Madara founded Akatsuki himself. Though likely hearsay, there must be some connection. You've been tracking Madara so long; you shouldn't be unaware of Akatsuki. Yet after you killed him, you abandoned interest in the organization. That's not your style. If I'm right, you were… a member of Akatsuki, weren't you?"
Mizukage fixed her gaze steadily on Kita.
Kita had to admit, Mizukage didn't become the Fifth by accident. The Fourth Mizukage's choice of her as successor was truly visionary.
After a moment, Kita said, "I… I'm not… a member of Akatsuki."
"So… the origin of Akatsuki is in the Mist," Mizukage said, pointing to the rogue-ninja forehead protector hanging at Kita's waist. She spoke with certainty. Kita smiled faintly, eyes narrowing with hidden intent—a killing intent Mizukage could sense. No surprise: she was the Fifth Mizukage. The presence of that intent confirmed it. Kita's ties to Akatsuki were deep, undeniable.
"Put that aside. I have no interest in Akatsuki, nor much in the Mist Village. Instead of debating trivial matters, I'd rather focus on how to deal with the Ōtsutsuki clan."
Mizukage softened her stance. Kita remained unmoved. When she looked at Mizukage, her smile vanished, replaced with icy clarity. "Reason?"
"Why would I destroy the illegal organization that took down False Valley for me?"
Kita narrowed her eyes.
Mizukage shrugged.
"Who do you think commissioned the Akatsuki to destroy False Valley?"
"You?"
"I've been short on money lately."
Mizukage spoke honestly. By using Akatsuki for cheap bounties to eliminate wanted criminals in False Valley, Mist Village could exchange heads for cash with the government—saving resources while earning funds. Though morally dubious, it solved immediate problems.
Despicable. Shameless. Low.
Kita thought.
"Try to understand a Kage's difficulties," Mizukage said gently. Kita closed her eyes, letting it go. Then she quietly said, "They… they… don't know… I… I'm alive."
That simple statement revealed enough. Mizukage recalled something Kita had said before:
—The leader was genuine.
Though unaware of every detail, Mizukage could infer much. Patting Kita's shoulder, she moved past the tense subject and returned to the overwhelming information they had just reviewed.
"If destroying a temple can help Ōtsutsuki Toneri, the Mist will fully assist—but this information must remain confidential. Kita, Akatsuki knows nothing of this, right?"
Kita nodded.
"If you were to commission Akatsuki to destroy a temple—"
"I'm… telling you, this… is just for you. Akatsuki… to me… is the same as the Mist… to you. Understand?"
Mizukage fell silent, staring at Kita for a long moment.
"An organization composed of S-rank rogue ninjas would never gather to do good, right?"
Kita said nothing.
"You don't need to wonder about their purpose; it's clearly never positive. Kita, in your eyes, the world is no match for a rogue S-rank organization, isn't it?"
Kita nodded.
After a long pause, Mizukage sighed heavily.
"I understand. I won't act until it threatens the Mist."
Before commissioning Akatsuki to destroy False Valley, this would have been unreliable. Now, it was believable. In peacetime, the Five Great Nations had reduced military power. A cheap mercenary organization satisfied many desires. Though Kita never participated in Akatsuki missions, she knew clearly that she wasn't the only one to hire them. Despite their rising fame, they remained safe.
"So how do you need me to help?"
"Evacuate… the temple guards… I… I want… a… massacre."
At those words, Mizukage trusted this non-human. With Kita's strength, she could infiltrate and destroy the temple silently, but notifying Mizukage beforehand showed genuine concern for the Mist ninja stationed there. Whether for protecting the world or acknowledging her power, those guards' lives were insignificant. Her request to relocate them reflected respect and their bond.
"I won't stop you, but I won't assist either. After all, I'm still a Kage. Understand?"
Exactly because I understand, I told you.
Kita thought, nodding slightly.
"Give me three days."
Kita nodded again, rising to stretch her stiff body. She looked at Mizukage seriously.
"I… I don't want… to destroy our… friendship, so… I'm telling you this… understand?"
"I understand."
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