As Kita emerged from the Sea of Consciousness, a thin layer of cold sweat had already formed on Orochimaru's skin. What just happened? Why was it her consciousness, and most importantly, why did she have no chakra? What exactly was Zetsu?
"Orochimaru, what's wrong?!" Obito asked anxiously. He couldn't be blamed for his worry—Orochimaru's face was pale as paper, a sight he had never seen before. "What happened to Kita? What on earth happened?!"
No, forget what Zetsu is for now. Kita wouldn't last long there. The priority was to get her back—quickly. Just then, a black, undefined form began to rise from Kita's face. Orochimaru slapped her body sharply, injecting chakra swiftly and steadily, his voice urgent.
"You need to enter Kita's consciousness immediately. No matter what, bring her out. She can't hold on much longer. Only your Sharingan can do this. Touch her and awaken her! Hurry, there's no time!"
"I-I understand!"
Obito panicked, sitting cross-legged and placing his hands on Kita's forehead, activating his ocular powers. His consciousness silently entered her mind. Orochimaru, seeing the spreading black aura, did not dare delay, pressing his hands to the untouched parts of her body to pour in more chakra.
Obito expected to face Black Zetsu in combat within Kita, but he saw nothing. Searching around, he realized he couldn't move at all.
Fog. Water. Sound.
The surroundings were a white haze, faint hints of green visible. Water flowed nearby—not a river, but seawater. He looked around, bewildered, unable to retract his oddly extended arms. His brain commanded motion, but his hands felt bound.
Damn it, where am I? I need to find Kita!
"Woof! Woof! Woof!"
"Woof! Woof! Woof!"
The chaotic barking brought a sudden sense of fear. The sounds emerged from the mist—laughter, shouting—indecipherable.
Right. Space-time ninjutsu.
Opening his Sharingan, Obito tried to activate it. No chakra flow, no distortions, no response from his body—only fear.
What do I do? What's happening?
"Woof! Woof! Woof!"
"Ha ha ha!"
Stop barking. Stop laughing. And stay away! Don't come near!
For the first time in his life, he felt such terror. Not under the Kamui bridge, not when he pushed Kakashi from the boulder, not even when he lost half his body's sensation had he ever felt this powerless.
Shadows flickered. Obito wanted to scream, but fear blocked his breath. His mouth opened wide, letting out shrill sounds that weren't entirely his own. Where is this place? Why can't I escape? Why am I here? Why…
"Come on, come on, let's start!"
"This is ten meters! I'll go first!"
"Hey, so sneaky! I'll go too!"
The voices were close, just ten meters away. But in the fog, Obito couldn't see who they were. Impossible—he had the Sharingan. Why couldn't he see? Where is this place?
"Snap!"
The crisp sound didn't hurt, but he saw a small stone on the ground—and a figure bound to a cross, or rather, something non-human.
Silver-white hair, half-naked, scarred all over, a tight collar around the neck.
Kita.
The damp grass dripped blood, stones falling, blood dripping continuously.
This is… Kita's memory…
Non-human…
Right. Memory.
Obito regained his consciousness. The fear caused by Kita's trauma was suppressed under his rational mind. Being pelted with stones was cruel. He carefully analyzed the situation: Orochimaru had asked him to enter Kita's mind to bring her back. But his luck was terrible—he had immediately collided with her memories while she was restrained. He would be able to act only once she was released. In these memories, time flowed differently, sometimes slower or at a 1:1 ratio with the real world depending on the intensity of the memory.
He was at a disadvantage. Suppressing the fear and trembling he felt from Kita's influence, Obito analyzed Orochimaru's behavior. Orochimaru seemed intent on saving Kita, but what exactly did he want in return?
"Woof! Woof! Woof!"
The barking drowned out all thought. The suppressed fear surged uncontrollably. Obito's heart raced, his body tried to retreat, but he could not control it. Closing his eyes, hiding in darkness, he saw the gaping, bloodthirsty mouth of a wolf dog.
No. Uchiha Obito, this isn't real. This is Kita's memory. You're only influenced by her emotions. Don't be afraid. Your goal is to find her consciousness, not to be consumed by the memory.
He repeated this to himself, but it was no use. The terror was paralyzing, as if opening his eyes would reveal the most horrific thing in the world. This fear was not his—it was Kita's.
Faint screams echoed. Obito could not feel pain. The bound figure's suffering, the childlike voice of Kita, sounded as if right next to him.
Blood everywhere. Two dogs tearing violently.
No! No! No!
Obito shouted with all his might, but no sound came out. He had forgotten why he was there, why he was bound, why any of this had happened. All he knew was: he had to escape—now, as fast as possible. He struggled with all his strength, but nothing worked.
He saw clothing vanish, ferocious, beast-like animals sniffing, silver hair writhing under constraints. Eyes like wolves and tigers gazed with desire.
No! No! No! Someone save me! No! No! No!
"—!"
Everything shattered into dust. Obito finally opened his eyes, seeing Kita's icy blue eyes bloodshot, filled with murderous intent. Her long blade pressed against his throat, her body pinning him down.
He saw everything Kita saw—but he didn't see himself: tear-streaked, desperate, helpless, like a frightened child.
I'm sorry, Kita. I didn't mean to. I swear I won't speak of it. Forgive me… I didn't mean to… I really didn't…
…
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