The dungeon's lighting was poor; sunlight couldn't reach this far below. Illumination relied almost entirely on candles. As for why there were no electric lights, it was mostly because the dungeon's master, though not opposed to them in the lab, often preferred the flicker of real flames.
The room was made of stone and clay. Besides a simple bed, there was a desk, chairs, and a wardrobe. Everything was plain, yet functional. What should exist, did; what shouldn't, wasn't in excess.
When the wooden door opened, a girl of around ten tiptoed in. In a few steps, she reached the modest bed, where lay a person of striking beauty.
Eyes closed, a sharp, thin chin, facial features not perfect individually but harmonious together, extremely comforting to behold. Pale skin, white hair—but beautiful. A thin blanket covered her, leaving only her hand exposed, with an IV line inserted and a bag of green medicine hanging beside her.
When Karin entered, the dark green liquid was nearly gone. She skillfully removed the IV clip and took the needle from the woman's hand, cleaning it with alcohol on a cotton swab and sealing it with medical tape. The IV stand was set aside. After finishing, she leaned on the bed slightly, gazing intently at the person lying there.
Not long after, the closed eyes slowly opened. The blue irises glistened with moisture, a color that made Karin think of a sunlit sea with a layer of golden light.
Red against blue, from initial confusion to gradually focused attention, Kita recollected the events that had occurred earlier. A twinge of irritation flashed across her gaze.
Fainted again…
A small, soft hand pressed against her head, and a gentle, childlike voice, barely more than a whisper, spoke.
"Does it hurt, Big Sister Kita?"
Hehe… Karin, swirling red hair…
Kita shook her head slightly, catching the small hand that was messing with her hair. She smiled faintly, shaking her head as she ruffled the girl's hair. Moving her stiffened body, she found her strength somewhat lacking. Noticing Kita's struggle, Karin offered her support, helping her sit upright. Once Kita was seated, Karin ran to the wardrobe, opened it, and retrieved a neatly folded white yukata adorned with wave patterns. She chose a light blue sash and returned, laying the sash aside. The yukata was draped over Kita and carefully adjusted over her weakened body. For the exposed scars, Karin showed no surprise.
Though her arms were weak, her legs could still support her. The sensation was familiar—over the years, she had grown accustomed to it—but familiarity did not mean ease. She leaned on the desk for balance while Karin tied the sash around her waist.
With Karin's assistance, Kita finally settled into a soft chair. A silver-white scarf was draped around her neck. Karin gently let Kita's long silver hair flow like a waterfall, thick, smooth, and reaching her hips.
"Big Sister Kita, your hair is so beautiful."
The envy of a girl, Karin repeated this several times. Kita smiled faintly, neither confirming nor denying, then carefully retrieved her scratched forehead protector and tied it at her waist. Soon, her long hair was gathered into a low ponytail with a dark red ribbon.
"Good. Done."
With Karin's help, washing and grooming were completed. Finally, Kita, leaning on the long sword that used to hang at her waist, walked steadily toward the door.
Outside the stone room, a long corridor stretched before her. Candlelight bathed the dungeon in a soft glow, hardly casting shadows. At this moment, Kita no longer needed Karin's support. She held her sword, walking forward at a measured pace without touching the walls. After about ten meters, a corner appeared, beyond which was a brightly lit corridor. The white light from the incandescent bulbs contrasted with the warm candlelight, appearing colder despite being brighter.
The surrounding rooms were no longer enclosed, with numerous glass windows revealing shelves of experimental apparatus and jars of all shapes and sizes. Soon, at the far end, a boy wearing glasses appeared, looking to be around eighteen or nineteen, with a Konoha forehead protector on his head.
"Ah, you're here. Kita-sama, are you feeling better?"
Warm and gentle, seemingly harmless.
Kita nodded, acknowledging the greeting. Her gaze lingered slightly on his forehead protector before moving forward again. Kabuto bowed lightly in the direction she was leaving, then turned with a smile toward Karin, who followed behind Kita.
"You little rascal." Karin teased, sticking her tongue out, and ran to catch up with the already somewhat distant Kita.
The lab contained all sorts of apparatus, intimidating to most. Faceless humanoid-like objects were displayed in glass containers like specimens. Various organs floated in medicinal fluids—perhaps a brain, perhaps an eye—countless in number. Kabuto, clad in a white coat, focused intently on a microscope.
Apart from appearing young, around twenty, Kabuto had changed little over the years.
Kita knocked lightly on the table to announce her presence. Only then did Kabuto lift his head from the microscope, golden eyes streaked with red veins, clearly showing fatigue.
"She's awake. I changed your medicine. How do you feel?"
Kita nodded faintly.
"Lie down," Kabuto said, pointing to a nearby lab table. Karin helped Kita lie down, after which Kabuto's hands glowed with jade-green chakra, covering her entire body. Despite the healing energy, his handsome expression remained unchanged.
—How is it?
"Nothing, the new medicine failed."
As expected. Kita nodded without showing much disappointment. Kabuto withdrew his hands, leaning against a table, and said, "Sorry. I thought this new medicine would work."
Kita shook her head and sat up, smiling at Kabuto.
—Don't worry. Just delay it as long as possible. You're going to Konoha this time for Itachi's brother, right?
Kabuto blinked, seemingly caught off guard, but quickly realized and waved dismissively. "I'm no longer interested in the Sharingan. Just teasing the old man, personal amusement."
A faint smile played across his lips. This young Kabuto looked harmless, like the kind of neighborly older brother one could trust—if he weren't plotting to attack Konoha.
—Really? I thought you'd still obsess over the Sharingan.
"Hehe, I already have this. Why need the Sharingan?" He pointed to a faceless figure in a container, ignoring her remark. "By the way, I increased the dosage. Take it carefully—there are side effects. Got it?" He handed Kita a small bottle of pills.
Kita nodded, taking it.
—I have other matters. Don't die in Konoha.
"Still going?" Kabuto asked.
Kita nodded.
—I can't leave anything to chance. There are too many Kaguya relics. I'll return in time this time, and won't relapse outside like last time.
Kabuto exhaled softly.
"Your condition requires rest to delay the onset. Pushing yourself will only hasten it."
—Living is all about handling this matter anyway.
Indeed. Every measure was to buy time for this mission; without it, survival was uncertain.
"Take Obito with you. With him by your side, you won't be caught off guard." Kabuto spoke gently, almost persuasive. Kita recalled the consequences of not returning in time last time and nodded.
—Yes, I'll take him.
"When do you leave?"
—Soon.
She didn't speak of lingering. Kabuto watched as Kita opened the bottle, swallowed a pill, and within breaths, her pale face regained color, exuding vitality.
—This medicine works better than last time.
"I increased the dosage. Kita, your body is building resistance, understand?"
Kita nodded, descending from the lab table, standing steadily, re-holstering her sword. She gently patted Karin's head and said to Kabuto:
—Take care of this child. Don't take her to Konoha.
"I understand. Karin, go contact Obito."
Karin nodded and ran out. Kita pocketed another bottle of medicine, smiling faintly.
—Seriously, don't die in Konoha.
Kabuto smiled back, teasingly, "If I die, no one will bury you."
—True. Let's go.
Kita waved and strode out.
The base housed few people, mainly a handful of capable children Kabuto referred to as the "Five." At the head was a boy from the Kaguya clan, followed by Kabuto, Karin, a boy named Suigetsu, and a few servants handling chores—not ninja, just regular staff.
Kita hadn't walked far before she saw Karin returning, having completed her task. Seeing Kita moving unassisted and armed, Karin ran up and leapt into her arms.
"Big Sister Kita, do you want something to eat?"
Soft, childlike, yet insistent.
Kita recalled first meeting Karin in a remote alley, wearing a Grass Village forehead protector, captured by traffickers. Her bright red Uzumaki hair could fetch a high price on the black market. Memories of Nagato in Amegakure came to mind—if he weren't skilled, she'd have been an easy target. Compassion had sparked then, the traffickers disciplined, and Karin saved. She had refused to go to Amegakure, eventually staying close.
Kita nodded, ruffling Karin's hair and taking her hand, heading to the base's dining hall.
Meals weren't constant, but the resident chef was available during the day, able to prepare anything requested. With few people, serving them was manageable.
Simple meals now—broth, light fare. Previously, she liked meat, but recently, lighter foods were preferable. Alcohol was avoided; beer and barbecue were no longer tolerable. Fish and seafood were okay but not in excess.
"When will you return?"
—Why? Scared to be alone?
Karin shook her head. "Where are you going? Can you take me?"
"Yes." A voice cut in, and Obito, clad in black and red clouds, appeared beside her, startling Karin. Realizing it was him, she tapped his shoulder, switching from her usual gentle demeanor with Kita to a bratty, demanding one.
"You're crazy! You scared me!"
Obito braced but the hit landed, and his shoulder actually hurt.
"Ouch! Easy, little girl! Why so strong?"
"Who are you calling little girl? Big Sister Kita, he keeps bullying me!" Her complaints and anger mixed in childlike fury. Kita smiled, gesturing to Karin's plate of pork cutlet rice, then to Obito.
—Everything okay?
"What could go wrong? I'm not on missions with them," Obito said, glancing at Kita's bland meal. Previously she never ate such things; now this had become her staple.
"Just woke up?"
Kita nodded. Obito, resting his head, asked, "Rest today. Leave tomorrow, okay?"
—Not much time. Better finish quickly. Maybe even return in time to help Kabuto.
"Help him with what?"
—Fight the Third Hokage.
"Let him handle it himself," Obito shrugged.
Kita smiled, finishing her small meal.
—Are they okay?
"Yes. That brat Deidara caused a ruckus. I've been cleaning up after him. Kakuzu's slacking. Tasks ignored. Everywhere with Hidan for work. He told our boss, aside from the Bijuu quota, he won't take extra assignments. Boss was furious. Kakuzu's obedience is failing."
Kita's eyes narrowed, amused.
—Kakuzu still loves money, huh? Hidan must be frustrated.
"Nope. Hidan's weird. Obeys Kakuzu, but argues with everyone else. Itachi and Kisame are quiet. Though Itachi got sick recently."
—What illness? Serious?
"Not sure, just overexertion. Plus Susanoo, body couldn't handle it, sick for a while."
—Recovered now?
"Yes. Medicine given. All good now."
—Good. Illness must be treated, can't push through.
"Yes. Itachi stubborn; wouldn't get medicine if Pain hadn't told him off."
—Young and reckless. Watch him. He tries to handle everything alone. Tiring.
"Yes, I know. Don't worry."
—How's Konan?
"Boss says she's been in a bad mood. Shigure mentioned issues in the village. Kusagakure, some daimyo problems. Don't know much."
—Have her rest more. Don't overwork. You check on Kusagakure if you can; I'll go when free.
Obito nodded. "Okay, I'll ask later. So, where are you headed this time?"
—The Land of Water.
━━━━ ❖ ━━━
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