From the beginning—sealing Black Zetsu, discovering his identity, his death, Kaguya's relics, the Moon's retainers, collecting the Tailed Beasts, the encounter on the Moon, to the exile of the Tailed Beasts—
Nagato had expected to see Konan cry, just like she had called out to him in tears only hours earlier. But when all was settled, Konan didn't shed a single tear, as if they had already been drained beforehand. She simply listened to Nagato's explanations, occasionally taking a sip from the water set at the table. When he finished, she asked only one question.
"How much time does she have left?"
Nagato was silent for a long moment before giving an uncertain answer.
"Orochimaru doesn't know. Perhaps she won't wake up after this, perhaps the next time."
After a long pause, Konan rose from the low platform where she had been resting. Her steps were steady, showing no signs of weakness or shock at the grim news.
"I'll go see her."
"Konan… you'd better not," Nagato warned. Kita's current state—so frail, so battered—was not something Konan needed to see in full.
"Why not?"
Nagato hesitated to answer, but then heard Konan's rhetorical reply.
Do you think I'll pity her? I won't. She brought this upon herself. She didn't trust me enough, just like that "farewell letter." I don't accept it.
Konan's words left Nagato sighing. No wonder she had always been the calmest and most rational among the three of them. Beneath her fiery exterior lay a heart cold as frost. Not that she didn't feel pain—she did—but she endured, facing even the most desperate "adversity." Nagato sometimes wished she would be less strong, less steadfast. As a woman, it was exhausting. He would rather see her cry, to seek guidance helplessly—but she never did. She never allowed herself that fragility, not even in the face of Yahiko's departure or Kita's disappearance.
The laboratory door opened and closed, and Konan stepped in, her expression composed and unreadable.
Orochimaru suddenly felt his actions were redundant, but then he remembered Kita's description of Konan years ago:
She is a persistent person.
The muffled cries in the sterile chamber continued. The one-way glass allowed outsiders to see inside, but those inside could not see out. Konan stood silently before the glass, observing Kita restrained on the table, witnessing her wails without uttering a word. Her gaze was calm, as if a tear had slid from her eye—not in sobs or gasps, just one tear, tracing down her cheek.
Orochimaru saw that single tear and recalled words Kita had once said years ago:
Having never had something and losing it after having it are not the same.
Was this a good thing? Obito had once asked this difficult question, thinking it might be. But now… Orochimaru wasn't sure. Was it good or bad? He couldn't tell.
Kita's internal organs were entering the fifth cycle of regeneration. She no longer begged for someone to end her suffering. Perhaps the painkillers were finally working—her breathing began to fall into a rhythm.
O-Orochimaru… these past few days… I… I've been really happy…
Obito's eyes welled with tears.
Nagato turned away, unable to watch the one inside the chamber.
He exhaled silently, facing away from the observation room. Even knowing Kita couldn't see him, he instinctively turned his back.
Only Konan remained, staring at the restrained figure on the table, watching her twisted cries. She didn't want to cry—she saw no reason—but the tears fell regardless. She pressed her hand to her mouth, swallowing each sob, biting her fists until the nails drew blood.
Orochimaru sighed and pressed a hand to the amplifier, his voice calm yet serpentine.
"Why push yourself so hard, Kita? It's time you learn to enjoy a little, isn't it?"
Enjoy… enjoy? This time… will I wake up?
"I believe you will. Don't you still have words to say to her? At least apologize—for all that has happened."
Ah… yes… I should apologize…
Whispered words, and then silence.
━━━━ ❖ ━━━
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