Chapter 30 His fingers are still hooked around your little...
You smiled and said, "I knew this would happen."
Zabuza said, "You expected this all along?"
Well... at first you were just skeptical, since he didn't seem that stubborn, but as it turns out, your intuition was quite accurate.
Fragments of the locator slipped from Zabuza's fingers. He said, "As expected, the Uchiha clan is no good."
You remain noncommittal about this. You feel that the most urgent thing is to return to your residence, analyze the ins and outs of this matter, and find out who is behind it.
Because you have so many enemies, it won't be easy to find the mastermind in a short time. But you're not too worried. You said, "When you get back, clean yourself up first. The smell of blood on you is suffocating me."
"Really? Then why did you hug me just now?"
"That was just now, and this is now. They are two different things." You were indeed very happy to see Zabuza just now. After all, he is a very qualified employee of yours. Losing such an obedient and efficient employee would be a pity for anyone, right?
However, Zabuza interpreted your actions in a different light, saying, "You are as unpredictable as ever."
"Yes, the only thing that hasn't changed is my cunning and treacherous nature." You nodded.
For the first time, Zabuza had ever seen someone describe themselves as treacherous and cunning. He recalled his feelings when he realized you had disappeared—the unease, anger, and fear within him. He suddenly realized that it seemed he was the one who couldn't live without you.
Irritable.
He doesn't want to be your dog. What's the point of being your dog? All you get are a few compliments, what else?
Troublesome, really troublesome.
"Aren't you going to tell me how you dealt with those opponents later?" you brought up the topic.
"It was solved with weapons." They pierced their chests with sharp blades, severing their arteries, and then blood splattered everywhere, staining their bodies with blood.
Exciting battles are rare; most are bloody, cruel, and cold massacres. Why would you be interested in that?
“Hey—you really aren’t good at storytelling.” You shrug. “Being able to make something sound boring is a kind of talent, I guess.”
Zabuza scoffed, "Do you think everyone can talk as eloquently as you? You exaggerate the truth of something that's only two or three points into ten."
"That's the cunning of merchants," you say, shrugging.
It's not just in business; it extends to relationships as well. He can exaggerate one point of affection into five or six, completely deceiving others. There are quite a few fools who have been fooled in this way. As far as he knows, there are two members of the Akatsuki organization who have been deceived.
Are you really not afraid of retribution?
Once you get back to your lodgings, you can start analyzing the information you have to figure out who orchestrated the attack. Zabuza is sent to take a shower in the bathroom.
Wash him at least three times. Before locking him in the bathroom, hold up three fingers to him and say, "Come see me again after you've washed yourself thoroughly."
Listening to the sound of running water coming from the bathroom, you looked down at the documents, your eyes starting to hurt from looking at them for so long, and you rubbed your temples.
It seems to have been done by an arms dealer with whom you've had a few dealings before. He's probably worried you'll steal his business. You had considered cooperating with him before, but now it seems there's no need for that anymore.
You open the system panel, find the communication module, and send messages to your mercenaries stationed around the world.
The advantage of using system communication is that you don't have to worry about the message being intercepted en route.
With a click, the bathroom door opened.
You didn't turn around. Zabuza walked up behind you, his hair still dripping wet. He said, "What are you looking at?"
"We were playing a deduction game, but the game is over now." You pointed to the name on the draft paper and said, "This is my answer."
"He seems to be an arms dealer too?" Zabuza has accumulated some experience from doing so many things for you, and he has developed a conditioned reflex when he sees certain names.
"You have a good memory, it's him."
"Do you need me to do it?"
You shook your head. "No need. I've already sent another group of mercenaries to handle it. If they can't complete the mission, I'll probably have to trouble you."
Zabuza wants to ask, do you also find this troublesome? Aren't you usually the one who likes to bother people the most?
As you spoke, you picked up the towel next to you and covered his head with it, saying, "Dry your hair, or you'll look like a drowned rat."
Silently, he wiped his hair with a towel, the wet strands hanging down his forehead, partially obscuring his vision. Through the gap, he saw the bruise on your forearm. Because your skin was fair, the bruise looked particularly noticeable, so abrupt and so pitiful.
He dried his hair, found some medicated oil, poured some into his palm, rubbed his palm to spread the oil, and then applied it to your forearm, covering the bruise.
Bruising is something that can be easily overlooked if you don't look closely, but once you notice it, pain will follow.
The problem is that he applied the medicated oil with considerable force, and you couldn't help but say, "Hey, are you deliberately getting back at me for this?"
Without raising his head, he said, "If I really wanted to take revenge on you, I wouldn't have applied ointment and rubbed your bruises."
Too.
You watched quietly as he rubbed the bruise away, then stopped, but didn't let go. Instead, he gripped your wrist. You looked at him questioningly, and he said, "This time it was my fault."
So he felt guilty. Did he feel guilty?
Yes, he is human too, and he has feelings. Put away that carefree attitude and say, "I don't blame you."
As if worried that he couldn't hear you, you moved closer to him, the distance between you narrowed, until finally your noses were touching, and you said, "I don't blame you, so don't feel guilty, don't feel guilty about the past."
Is this really all you're talking about? Or...?
“The graduation system for the Hidden Mist Village Ninja Academy has changed. The tragedies of the past will not happen again, and you should not be trapped in the past.” You cupped his face in your hands, and his eyes held a devotion he himself was unaware of when he looked at you.
Warm liquid slid between your fingers, and you laughed, "Crying?"
"Cry, cry." You patted his shoulder and tried to stand up straight, but he suddenly hugged you, his head pressed against your waist and abdomen. "Don't get my clothes dirty."
"Wordy."
Your hand gently stroked his hair, and he continued to silently shed tears until you said, "How about this, are you interested in becoming the Water Shadow?"
Zabuza, who had just been crying, looked up in confusion. "Look, isn't this great? You can become the Mizukage, build up your hometown, and help other young ninjas."
Honestly, whether you think being the Mizukage or the Hokage is the same as being a village official, it's all about building up your hometown.
"Are you so eager to get rid of me?"
"No, that's not it." You wouldn't want to throw away such a useful employee, would you? Only a fool would do that. You added, "You can become my informant in Kirigakure. How about it? Interested? Think about it."
Zabuza really started to seriously consider it. After a while, you pulled his hand away and said you were going to take a shower. You should be able to get his answer after you finish showering.
You did receive a reply. He said that this matter needed to be considered carefully, since the selection of the Mizukage required the approval of the entire village.
You patiently explained the relationship between the so-called ninja village and the noble daimyo to him, and finally concluded that you could just say hello to the daimyo and have him parachuted in. You said with a smile, "How about that, going through the back door is quite convenient, isn't it?"
Anyway, you think this arrangement is great. Zabuza's thoughts are secondary. What matters is what you think.
Since you may have other things to trouble him with later, you should put this arrangement on hold for now and there's no need to rush.
Now you should also deal with the epidemic in the slums of that small country. At this time, you will think of your medical advisor, Orochimaru. It seems that you haven't seen him for a while. So you write a letter to Orochimaru. On the surface, it is a greeting, but in fact you are asking him about the progress of the work.
Orochimaru opened the letter and, after reading only the second paragraph, realized Orochimaru's true purpose. He smiled silently at the letter. At that moment, Kabuto Yakushi appeared at the office door and asked, "Lord Orochimaru?"
"Um?"
"Who... sent this letter?" Yakushi Kabuto asked.
"You already guessed it, didn't you?" Orochimaru asked with interest.
"That's just a guess; we can't be sure if it's true or not."
“Alright, so this is the letter from Aki, asking how we’ve been lately.” Orochimaru handed the letter to Kabuto, who said, “It’s rare to see her take the initiative to care about us.”
Something unusual must be going on. Kabuto Yakushi realized why Orochimaru was laughing after seeing what happened next. He said helplessly, "In the end, she still wants us to do things for her."
"Otherwise what? She wouldn't do something meaningless for no reason. It's just that this time she's going to help a slum. All this sympathy is really meaningless."
You ask them to do things and you give them appropriate compensation, so they don't work for free. But Orochimaru will still feel that your kindness is out of place in this world.
Can people truly loathe beautiful things and people? Can they truly loathe the quality of kindness? Even becoming a rogue ninja, one cannot completely loathe or hate such a quality, can one?
“She’ll probably come back here again in a while,” Yakushi Kabuto said.
"Isn't this good news for you too?" Orochimaru said meaningfully, "After all, you've always been looking forward to seeing her again, haven't you?"
When Orochimaru laid bare his innermost thoughts, Kabuto adjusted his glasses and said, "You're exaggerating."
"But no matter how proactive you are, it seems you can't win her heart."
Orochimaru's casual remark caused Kabuto Yakushi's expression to change drastically: "However, you can only know if something will work after you've tried it, just like doing an experiment."
So was he saying this to encourage himself? Kabuto Yakushi was having some trouble figuring out what Orochimaru really meant.
Orochimaru said, "Hmm... treatments for infectious diseases, and vaccines, she's really asking for an exorbitant amount. Looks like we'll be busy."
On the day you officially arrived at the experimental building, Orochimaru had already prepared everything you needed in a hurry and delivered it to your destination after confirmation. His efficiency was incredibly high, and you were very satisfied with it. You even spoke to Orochimaru and Kabuto Yakushi in a very friendly manner.
"Thank you so much." You happily grasped Orochimaru's hand. His body temperature was below normal, and touching his hands felt like touching some cold-blooded animal, so you only held his hand briefly before letting go. You couldn't help but ask, "Orochimaru, don't you really need a hand warmer?"
"Are my hands too cold?"
"It feels exactly like the touch of a cold-blooded animal."
Your honest answer drew laughter from Orochimaru. "Hahaha—you have guts to say that to my face."
No, you really think Orochimaru needs a hand warmer.
Kabuto, standing next to Orochimaru, extends his hand to you and says, "I also deserve some credit for the fact that those vaccines were produced so quickly, so, Aki, don't be biased towards one over the other."
Is this how the phrase "favoring one over the other" is used?
But since you're in a good mood right now, you unusually agree to hold his hand. The difference between him and Orochimaru is that his palms have a normal temperature, and they're even a bit warmer than yours. You feel the scar on his palm and look at it strangely. Just one glance, and he takes the initiative to explain, "This is just a small wound, don't worry about it."
Actually, you hadn't paid any attention to it in the first place, but it felt like he was making a scene. You said "Oh," and added, "I really didn't pay any attention."
Zabuza accompanied you to the experimental building this time. He noticed that your bodyguard had changed. Some gossipy people will ask, and yes, the gossipy people you're referring to are Kabuto Yakushi. He asked, "Where's your original bodyguard? I remember his name was Haku, right?"
His expression was as if he wished Bai were dead. After all, Bai was a major obstacle for him to get close to you. You rarely came to the experimental building, and every time he tried to approach you, that guy would stand not far away and quietly watch him, as if giving a silent warning. And you, you trusted Bai so much.
Undeniably, the mutual trust between you and Bai is truly enviable. But if you ask him, he could completely replace Bai's position, and even do a better job. It's just a pity that you don't realize this at all, and you always feel that he has ulterior motives towards you.
Why look at him with such suspicion? Is he really that bad in your eyes?
"He's away on business, but he's not dead. He'll be back with me in a while," you said. "I guess you're disappointed, aren't you?"
"You can't say that. I'm just a little worried about him. After all, he's a very important bodyguard to you, isn't he? If he really dies, it would be a great loss to you."
Zabuza didn't mince words; he said bluntly, "Even if he really dies, you can't take his place."
He hadn't uttered a word since earlier, but once he did, his words were astonishing.
You withdrew your hand, smiled at Kabuto Yakushi without much apology, and said, "Sorry, he's just a bit direct. I hope you don't mind."
This isn't a matter of whether you mind or not; how could Kabuto not sense the other party's malice?
The malice was practically overflowing from his words. Tsk, what a vicious dog.
You talked to Orochimaru for a while, mainly asking him about his work situation while holding the report. You didn't only talk about work; you also mentioned other things, such as, "The sniper rifle you gave me last time was very useful. I even shot a member of the Akatsuki!"
Orochimaru spoke with a boastful tone, slightly surprised, "You do have a talent for business, but you know nothing about cultivation. You have the typical physique of an ordinary person. Yet, you were able to take down members of the Akatsuki with the sniper rifle he gave you."
Orochimaru said, clearly not joking, "It seems I underestimated you."
Orochimaru glanced at the time and said, "I have other matters to attend to, so I'm afraid I must excuse myself for a moment. You can ask Kabuto about other questions; he will tell you anything he knows."
You were intrigued by the fact that Orochimaru had personally gone to investigate, so you said, "What is it? Maybe I can help?"
"If you're just curious, just say so. As for helping out... let's skip that."
Have I been seen through?
You laugh and say, "Okay, I'm just curious what made you go and check it out yourself. Is it a new experimental subject? Does it have any special abilities?"
"All special abilities are ninjutsu." The meticulous Orochimaru corrects your statement, but in your eyes they are all the same. These ninjas who can fly over walls are just like superpowered people, only in a different way.
"Alright, then it's ninjutsu."
Seeing that Orochimaru didn't stop you, but instead took the first step, you quickly followed him. Then you met Kimimaro in the treatment room. He had silver hair and blue eyes and was as beautiful as a doll. He smiled when he saw Orochimaru, but frowned when he saw you following behind Orochimaru. His likes and dislikes were very clear.
"Isn't this your subordinate? Why is he lying in a hospital bed?"
"You overexerted yourself while carrying out the mission for me, so you need to recuperate for a while. I heard you even opened a sanatorium?"
"Yes, it's specifically used to swindle money from those powerful and wealthy people," you said bluntly.
"But living in a sanatorium can also help with physical and mental recovery."
Kimimaro, who had been lying on the hospital bed, suddenly struggled to sit up. You could even see the needles sticking out of the skin on the back of his hand and forearm, but he didn't care about any of that. He only cared about Orochimaru's decision. "Lord Orochimaru—please don't abandon me!"
Hey, that sounds familiar. Zabuza seems to have said that to you. You glanced at Zabuza with amusement, and then he glared at you.
Why are you being so petty? You just think this scene looks familiar, don't you?
"Kimimaro, you've misunderstood me. I just hope you can go to a sanatorium to recuperate for a while."
Looking at it this way, Orochimaru really is a qualified boss. He is so considerate of his subordinates, and he even arranges for subordinates who are not feeling well to recuperate. In your previous life, this was the kind of treatment that only people who worked for the government received. You can't help but change your opinion of Orochimaru a little, but only a little.
Because he didn't consult Kimimaro's opinion, he simply informed him to go to the sanatorium. With just a few words from Orochimaru, Kimimaro willingly went to the sanatorium with him.
Well, actually, he wasn't entirely willing. When Orochimaru was around, he would at least try to control his expression a little, but once Orochimaru left, he wouldn't even bother acting anymore. He would just put on a straight face and say, "Then I'll have to trouble you."
Although his expression was cold, he spoke politely and was also good-looking. So you nodded to him in return and said, "No trouble at all, as long as you don't cause me any trouble."
Because this was Orochimaru's arrangement, Kimimaro cooperated throughout the entire process. Even when you were looking at his medical records, he would answer your questions one by one. Sometimes, when he thought your questions were too long-winded, he would not say it outright, but would just look at you with his emerald green eyes, as if silently asking: You have to ask this too?
"Of course I'll ask that. What if you were perfectly healthy and active before you moved into my sanatorium, but you left feeling sick and weak? Wouldn't Orochimaru come after me? I wouldn't dare offend him."
As you closed your medical record, Kimimaro smiled briefly as you looked down. The smile was fleeting, as light as a dragonfly skimming the water, and you didn't see it because when you looked up, he had returned to his expressionless state.
"Do you have any luggage to pack? You can start packing now, we're leaving tomorrow."
Kimimaro, who had little concept of luggage, said, "No."
"You don't have any luggage?" you asked.
This time, Kimimaro thought about it seriously and answered again, "No."
Okay, don't ask any more questions. Anyway, the nursing home has everything you need. You can just notify the caregiver if you need anything, so there shouldn't be any major problems. Just say, "Okay, wait for us to leave together tomorrow."
That sounds like human trafficking. You're saying, "Don't worry, you'll be back once you've recovered."
This statement makes it sound even more like human trafficking.
Kimimaro's response was indifferent: "I know."
"What a cool guy," you think to yourself, then lead Zabuza out of the treatment room. After walking a short distance, Zabuza says, "Why did you suddenly decide to do a good deed?"
"Haven't I been doing good deeds all along?"
"I didn't realize that."
"Please, if it weren't for me, you'd still be very confused right now, right? You should thank me; I showed you the right path."
Isn't this really leading him astray?
But seeing your radiant appearance, he didn't refute it. He had to admit that he had indeed found what he truly wanted, if he really had to say.
That's probably your true feeling.
According to the plan, you will be leaving this experimental building after spending one night. There are still many things waiting for you to handle. That's life. Once you're done with this period, you can start working on the next one.
The biggest advantage compared to his previous life is that he doesn't have to put up with so much mistreatment when he's his own boss. At least the people around him are quite perceptive. Of course, this doesn't include Kimimaro. It's reasonable to suspect that Orochimaru didn't teach him how to socialize while he was with him, which makes it difficult to assess his level of socialization.
"What do you usually do when you're with Orochimaru?" You broke the silence and asked him this question on the way to the sanatorium, intending to break the ice, but you almost made him suspect that you were trying to trick him into revealing information.
"This is a secret related to Lord Orochimaru, and I cannot tell you."
Okay, just assume he's cautious by nature. That's understandable, since he probably does a lot of shady things for Orochimaru, given how dark this world is.
If all else fails, we can change the subject: "Besides working for Orochimaru, what else do you do in your spare time?"
"Cultivation".
Is it because entertainment options in this world are so limited? Well, back in Konoha, when you watched TV, you felt that the dramas, movies, and variety shows were all a bit outdated. The memories of movies and variety shows you brought from your previous life are enough for you to create many popular works of art.
However, your current way of creating programs and films is to cooperate with existing TV stations. When you have time in the future, you might as well create your own TV station and film and television company, taking care of everything from the source to the downstream.
My thoughts seem to have wandered off. Cough cough, what you're trying to say is that his life sounds incredibly boring, and it's hard to imagine how he managed to get through it.
You said, "Don't you get bored?"
"Won't."
Alright, the topic's dead. You purse your lips, thinking to yourself that Zabuza is better at chatting than you are. Fine, you should just chat with Zabuza instead.
Zabuza bluntly asked, "What, you ran into a wall with him and came to me?"
That's true, but the tone was a bit strange, as if he was complaining about you. You couldn't help but laugh and say, "Okay, then I won't say anything."
After a few seconds, Zabuza tentatively asked, "What exactly were you trying to say to me?"
This time, he asked out of curiosity himself; you didn't force him. You said, "What do you usually do? It can't be just cultivation, right?"
"Yes, I also have to take care of your three meals a day, some of your clothes can't be machine washed and have to be hand washed, and they can't be exposed to direct sunlight. Do you know how much trouble you cause?"
While you and Zabuza are chatting, Kimimaro observes your interaction in silence.
It's hard not to be curious: is your relationship with Zabuza like his with Orochimaru? But... he doesn't see the utmost respect for you in Zabuza; he even complains that you're troublesome.
"Hey—kid, what are you looking at?" Zabuza asked irritably. Although you were friendly to Kimimaro, he didn't have any good feelings towards Orochimaru's subordinates, especially since they had just ignored you. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that he was venting his anger.
Now, as you cross the small bridge through the mountains, you'll find the sanatorium you chose nestled in a secluded valley. The air is fresh and free of pollution, and there are even natural hot springs. The sanatorium is equipped with a dedicated medical team, so you don't need to worry about medical care. It's an ideal place to retire.
In addition to the money you spend on advertising, many people come here by word of mouth, and even the admission fee for the hospital has risen sharply. Money is pouring in like snowflakes.
You pat Zabuza's arm and say with a smile, "Don't be so rude."
Even more confused, are you really in a superior-subordinate relationship? Kimimaro narrowed his eyes slightly, still remaining silent. Zabuza said, "You're quite lenient with this brat. What, just because he's handsome?"
Are you such a shallow person? You have to admit that part of the reason is that he is good-looking, and another part of the reason is, of course, because his master is Orochimaru.
As for Orochimaru... you cooperated with him because you valued his research spirit, but he's not the type to be easily manipulated. The reason you can get along so well now is only because everyone benefits. The day your interests diverge, that's when things will fall apart.
Since you still need him to work for you, you can't afford to break off relations just yet.
Upon hearing Zabuza's words, Kimimaro finally spoke up, "What do you mean, 'beautiful'? Are you provoking me?"
He took Zabuza's words as a provocation. You said, "No, it's because Kimimaro, you really are very beautiful. He was just complimenting you."
Kimimaro, who had almost never heard praise from anyone other than Lord Orochimaru, paused for a moment, as if his processor had frozen. What you are saying and your expression are clearly beyond his comprehension.
...Was that really a compliment? He couldn't help but wonder.
"This is ridiculous!" After saying this, Kimimaro ignored you and Zabuza, and didn't react to anything you said.
It seems he's really angry.
Seeing him angry, you find it funny, thinking he's just a child who can get angry over something like this.
"It seems that you, Zabuza, are more mature and composed."
Zabuza scoffed, "I think you're trying to say that I'm older, aren't you?"
Haha, he actually figured it out? Aren't you ashamed? You turn to look at the corner of the sanatorium that is faintly visible in the valley. We're almost there.
Although it's called a sanatorium, its architecture makes it look more like a huge estate, consisting of several buildings. Behind the buildings is a large lawn where many horses are kept. Some nobles would ride on horseback to see different scenery when they felt like it. Of course, only nobles with good horsemanship would try it. Nobles who were not so skilled would generally keep their distance from this sport.
At the end of the meadow is a small lake with clear water. After being transformed into a swimming pool, it connects to a small farm, thus achieving a self-sufficient lifestyle.
There aren't many people living in the nursing home right now, mainly because you set very high entry requirements, so a large number of applicants were screened out when the list was being drafted. Now, those who are able to stay here are people in high positions of power, or people who were once in high positions of power.
"This is my sanatorium. Please make yourself at home." You gestured to Kimimaro, who was not good at dealing with other people's kindness. He said with some resistance and a little awkwardness, "I know where to go. You don't need to give me directions."
"Are you sure? This sanatorium is quite large. Here, this is a map. If you get lost, you can ask the staff for directions." After saying this, you walk past him. "As for the other procedures, the staff will come and handle them for you."
Kimimaro stood in the entrance hall, where the floor was covered with polished marble. Everything around him was exquisite and luxurious. Soon, an employee in a black uniform came up to him and asked, "Are you Mr. Kimimaro? Please follow me this way. We need to complete some procedures before you can officially check in."
As she spoke, she led Kimimaro to the front desk, had him sign several documents, then had his fingerprints recorded, and finally generated a personalized card. She presented the card with both hands, saying, "You can use this card to enter most areas of the sanatorium."
Most of the area? He understood the key point of that sentence: there was still a small area he was not qualified to enter. He recalled the night before he left, when Orochimaru said to him earnestly, "She is an ambitious person. I don't dislike her ambition, but out of caution, I must protect myself."
Orochimaru initially thought his assistant Kabuto could get close to you, but unfortunately, he failed. Now he has to find another candidate. When he saw the way you were observing Kimimaro, he knew that you were interested in one of his subordinates. This is a good thing for him, as it allows him to use Kimimaro to uncover your secrets.
"So should I try to please her?" Kimimaro asked after hearing Orochimaru's words.
"No, trying too hard to get close and flatter will only backfire, so just stay true to yourself. Hmm... just think of it as a relaxing trip. Gathering information isn't that important." Orochimaru drew lessons from Kabuto Yakushi's failure and concluded that once you realize someone's true feelings, you'll actually distance yourself from them.
"So—Kimimaro, you don't need to put too much pressure on yourself."
That's what they say, but Kimimaro, who takes Orochimaru's words as gospel and Orochimaru's will as the guide for his actions, seems to find it hard to relax completely. He hopes to be able to help Lord Orochimaru, and even more so, he hopes to become the sharpest tool in Orochimaru's hands.
Therefore, he was trying to extract useful information from you, but he seemed to have acted too coldly just now, so you simply left him behind.
Perhaps I shouldn't be so cold when we meet next time?
This was Kimimaro's first time carrying out such a mission. Usually, the missions he took on were assassination missions, which were easy for him.
Killing someone is the simplest thing in the world. A comparison will show you how difficult it is to get close to you, win your favor, and then extract useful information from you.
However, he couldn't disappoint Lord Orochimaru. Holding the card, he followed the signs to his room. The sanatorium rooms were also divided into different levels, with the top-level being the presidential suite. Since he had instructed the sanatorium staff in advance, he was staying in the top-level suite.
You lived next door. When Kimimaro was observing the interior of the room, he caught a glimpse of you walking past the door without stopping. It was as if your task was completed after bringing him here, and you would never have any further contact with each other.
No, this can't go on. Kimimaro called out to you. He remembered your name. It was easy to remember, just like the unforgettable feeling you gave people.
"Mingxi?"
You, who had already taken a few steps, turned back, tilted your head at Kimimaro, and silently asked: What are you doing?
He had to say something; he couldn't just betray Lord Orochimaru's trust. So, he braced himself and asked, "You live next door?"
"yes."
The conversation stalled. Kimimaro rarely talked to people when he was alone. Before, when he was imprisoned by the Kaguya clan, no one talked to him. After he was released, he actively refused to talk to others. Now, he has to rack his brains to talk to you.
Kimimaro kept a cold expression on his face, and finally managed to utter only, "Thank you."
Your laughter reached his ears, and you said, "You're welcome," before walking away briskly.
"Just like that, you left?" He lowered his head, slightly disappointed. Just as he was wondering if he had done something wrong, you said, "There's a dance tonight. Do you want to go? If you do, you'd better change your clothes, um... after all, it's a regular dance, not a costume party." You were being tactful enough; he should understand what you meant, right?
Back in your suite, the first thing you see is Shiro standing on the balcony. You excitedly call out his name in a low voice, "Shiro—you're back? How's it going in the Land of Waves? Ah, never mind, let's not talk about work since we haven't seen each other for so long."
Bai Hui hugged you, "Everything went smoothly. The work in the Land of Waves went very well. The only thing that bothers me is my longing for you, Mingxi."
"Hahaha—that's a bit too cheesy, isn't it? Of course, I miss you too."
Zabuza, standing to the side, watched you and Haku interact and felt somewhat out of place. He crossed his arms, looking displeased, but didn't say a word, standing there quietly like a statue.
The hug could last a very long time, so long that Zabuza couldn't stand it anymore and asked, "How long are you going to hug like this?"
You let go of Zabuza's hand, open your arms to him, and say generously, "Perhaps you need a hug too?"
Zabuza didn't refuse, and the lack of a clear refusal meant he agreed. This was a lesson you learned from your interactions with him. You beckoned to him, and he reluctantly came over, bending down slightly to hug you. You gently patted his back, saying, "Good boy."
"Stop insulting me."
“That’s a compliment,” you said.
Zabuza looked away. He should have pushed you away right now, but he didn't. Instead, he pressed his forehead against yours and said fiercely, "What kind of compliment is that?"
Say something that has no real threat, even if it sounds very fierce.
Bai said, "Mingxi, how have you been these days? I heard that the charity gala you attended was attacked. Were the attackers targeting you?"
"Yeah, but now... well, the mastermind probably only has two hands left," you said, half-jokingly.
"When I went to the Land of Waves, those two Konoha ninjas had already left, but... when I went to clean the villa, I found that someone seemed to have been in your room." The fact that someone was leaning against your bed really annoyed Haku. What kind of presumptuous person would dare to do something like this?
"It's okay, it's not a big deal." You waved your hand at Bai, indicating that he didn't need to take it to heart.
How could I not care? "Aki, will you be returning to the Land of Waves?"
"We'll see," you said.
“But now that your address has been exposed, I think… they might come looking for you again later.” Bai acted as if you, as the person involved, were more anxious. You patted his shoulder reassuringly and said, “But I can’t hide from them forever, can I?” Before, you were developing your own power, but now that your power is gradually growing, you don’t need to care about these small issues anymore.
And even if they do come looking for you, so what? You have a clear conscience, you haven't done anything wrong, so why be afraid?
Zabuza said, "You're really bold. Don't you know that ninjas can use many extreme methods?" Although you live in Konoha, you obviously don't know much about training a ninja. Rather, you're not interested in it at all. Even though you live among ninjas, you know very little about it.
Especially the Uchiha, how much do you know about their eye techniques? Do you know how terrifying the Mangekyou Sharingan is? In his opinion, the reason you've been safe and sound so far is only because you're lucky, and also because none of them ever intended to harm you.
When Zabuza said that, you just shrugged. "I know, but does that mean I have to be so afraid that I can't sleep? Besides, I have you guys by my side. I believe you can protect me."
This trust was a heavy burden for Zabuza, weighing on his heart, but he didn't feel oppressed; instead, he felt a little smug. He accepted the trust with both hands, carefully put it away, and pretended to be indifferent, saying, "This is simply my duty."
You quickly skipped over that topic and moved on to the next one, because Bai asked who you brought to the sanatorium. You replied that it was Orochimaru's subordinate, the boy with silver hair and beautiful blue eyes. Bai was silent for a few seconds after hearing your description, because your words had already revealed your interest in him.
Yes, Bai could sense your curiosity about Kimimaro from your words. He glanced at Zabuza, who shook his head, seemingly unable to do anything about it either.
Indeed, no one can stop you from doing what you want to do, not even him. So he said, "So that's why Mingxi arranged for him to stay in the suite next door, right? To make it easier for you two to meet?"
"You can't say that. He's Orochimaru's subordinate, and he was the one who arranged for him to come. It's impossible for him to stay in a regular room, is it?"
How is that impossible? He's not some rich young master. If he can be Orochimaru's subordinate, sleeping in a basement wouldn't be a problem, right? How come he's become a fragile glass doll in your mouth?
Bai didn't refute, but he already felt a strong sense of hostility and disgust towards this boy named Kimimaro. He said, "Is that so? Then, Aki, would you like to rest for a while? I'll go prepare afternoon tea?"
You said you didn't need afternoon tea for now, "because I plan to go to a dance tonight."
"Really? I remember you didn't really like going to dances before, Mingxi, why are you here today—" Bai suddenly realized something halfway through his sentence, and his gentle smile froze on his lips. He had already figured out the answer, which was related to the boy in the suite next door.
Ah...is that why you want to go to the ball? Bai composed herself and said, "Well, Mingxi, have you decided what to wear?"
If you're going to a ball, then you'll have to reluctantly wear a dress, preferably the most comfortable one. Fishtail dresses, which are too restrictive, are ruled out without a second thought. In the end, you choose a red square-neck long dress with an A-line skirt that won't hinder your movement at all.
After you've chosen your dress for the ball that evening, you say to Bai, "Bai, pick one too."
This wasn't the first time Haku had dressed as a woman. He was dressed as a woman when he helped you escape from Konoha. Along the way, many people mistook him for your sister. You often talked about this, mentioning how someone tried to flirt with you but failed, so they tried to flirt with Haku in front of you, but failed again. In a fit of anger, they tried to attack you, but Haku punched them to the ground, and they ran away in a flash.
Bai himself does not object to wearing women's clothing. In his view, clothing has no gender distinction. Clothing is just clothing. Wearing a skirt will not make him less of a man. These are all artificially created concepts.
"If I wear red, then Bai should wear a white dress. Hmm, it suits your name very well." As you said this, you picked out a white long dress from the closet. A white off-the-shoulder long dress caught your eye. The moment you saw it, you knew that this dress would suit Bai perfectly. You picked up a hanger, held the dress up next to Bai, and nodded, as if confirming your own taste.
You said, "Let's take this one, this outfit really suits you."
Watching your interaction, Zabuza suddenly asked you, "Would you like to give it a try too?"
Zabuza walked away silently, pretending that nothing had happened.
You scoff. Seriously, can't I even crack a joke? Honestly, if Zabuza really wanted to dress up, do you think a leather jacket and a rock-and-roll style would suit him better than an evening gown?
"Stop looking at me, I won't agree." Feeling your gaze lingering on him, Zabuza couldn't help but refuse.
You shrug, "I just glanced at it."
Bai took your hand and asked, "Would you like to try on the dress first? This is a fishtail skirt, and there are so many ribbons at the back, I'll have to trouble you." His voice was gentle, and you said understandingly, "The fitting room is over there."
You pointed towards the fitting room and followed Bai to the door. You thought you would have to wait outside for a while, but his finger was still hooked around your little finger. He said, "Mingxi, aren't you coming in?"
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