Even after all these years, Zaraki Kita still remembered Konan's habits: what she liked to eat, where she liked to eat it, and even the little quirks she had while eating. For example, when having grilled eel over rice, Konan preferred a squeeze of lime, and for tuna rice bowls, lemon juice had to be drizzled on top. Zaraki Kita thought carefully and chose the grilled eel rice, naturally buying a chilled lime drink to go with it.
It was midday. Zaraki Kita couldn't understand why the ANBU in the village had time to monitor her, yet no one was available to run errands for Konan…
But… this is fine.
Her lips curved slightly. Extreme joy, as they say, often precedes trouble. After only a few steps, a wave of dizziness hit her. Thankfully, she still had medicine left. After swallowing a pill, the pale color returned to her cheeks, and the dizziness vanished. She pressed onward, striding quickly toward the village's administrative center.
Grilled eel rice with lime juice—just as she preferred.
Konan, savoring the dish, took a bite and then set down her chopsticks, her tone calm.
"I don't want to eat anymore."
Zaraki Kita blinked. "…Then what do you want to eat?"
Konan bit her straw, watching Zaraki Kita consider whether to offer a suggestion.
"Gr-grilled fish rice ball… okay?"
So timid—Konan found it almost unbearable.
Fine, forget it, she thought, stopping her sip of lime juice. "I won't eat. You finish this. Don't waste it." There was no irritation in her voice; it sounded genuinely like she didn't want it. Zaraki Kita pondered why Konan refused the food, sighed lightly, and accepted her fate, taking the leftover grilled eel rice and heading outside.
"Where are you going?" Konan asked.
Zaraki Kita paused, pointed outside, and then gestured toward the simple lunchbox in her hands—I'm going to eat out here. Such basic gestures, barely even hand signals, were confusing to most. As soon as she finished, she regretted it slightly—it was meant to be a private exchange with Konan. Just as she was about to explain, Konan's voice stopped her.
"Eat here."
Uh… should she be surprised Konan understood, or that she wanted to eat here?
"Th-this… isn't… suitable, right?"
"As my subordinate, why are there so many questions? Do you think you're special? I give you an order, and you waste words like this?"
Impatience radiated from her voice. Zaraki Kita nodded, apologetic. "S-sorry, Konan-sama."
Konan ignored her, sipping lime juice while flipping through the documents Shigure had submitted.
Even a barely adult-sized portion of grilled eel rice was too much for Zaraki Kita to finish. With her weakened digestive system, heavier foods were hard to handle; only soups or light foods were tolerable. After a few bites, she was full. Seeing half the food left, she decided it wasn't worth pushing herself. Closing the lunchbox, she knew Konan had noticed.
During the previous days, Konan had seen her eat very little. Zaraki Kita wasn't the type to be shy about eating in front of others. If anything, she could be considered a foodie—her small appetite aside, she could consume far more. Something seemed off…
"How old were you when you became a ninja?"
Konan asked an unrelated but probing question.
Zaraki Kita paused, wiped her mouth, and carefully considered what Konan's question implied. Even if Konan's memory of her had been altered, her closeness with Akatsuki would reveal inconsistencies. A safe response: during Hanzo's tenure, she left the village, met Shurei, and had stayed with them ever since. Recognition by the villagers? She had been somewhat well-known back then.
"Ten… eleven years old."
Lying convincingly.
Konan didn't press further and moved on.
"You were promoted to jonin in just one year? That's impressive."
Zaraki Kita waved her hands, starting to explain.
"N-no, chunin… mistake…"
She truly was only a chunin-level ninja.
Ranks didn't matter to Konan; she pretended ignorance. "Your strength is at jonin level. Akatsuki doesn't care, but as an external member, being labeled a chunin is… underwhelming."
Zaraki Kita: "…."
Konan continued. "Pain said you're strong. I haven't seen it firsthand, but I trust Pain. Lately, I need a bodyguard. I know ANBU are around, but honestly, I don't know who protects whom if danger arises."
The hidden ANBU whimpered softly.
"Even if you're non-human, if Pain trusts you, then I will too. Serving tea or pouring water goes without saying. You know how to protect, right?"
Zaraki Kita was momentarily unsure.
Konan shrugged. "I'm not cruel. I don't expect you to stay in front of me 24/7, but when I call, appear immediately. I don't like repeating myself. You follow instructions—remember this. Whether in the village or Akatsuki, you are my subordinate. Following orders is a ninja's duty. Understand?"
Zaraki Kita nodded sheepishly.
Konan focused, her tone stern. "When I ask a question, I want an answer. Not a nod. So… understand or not?"
"…Understand."
Satisfied, Konan got up and walked to the bookshelf. "Make tea."
Zaraki Kita wanted to ask why, but she obeyed. Serving tea was part of her bodyguard duties.
"Plop."
An old-looking illustrated novel landed on the table. Zaraki Kita paused, glancing at the book.
Resist the urge…
The so-called failed work of Jiraiya, one of the legendary Sannin.
"Read."
Konan sat on the sofa. During this midday break, Zaraki Kita had heard from Obito that Konan liked tea, but never about listening to books being read aloud. Unsure whether to continue making tea or follow this new command, Zaraki Kita noted that Konan had already started washing the tea set herself.
Alright… reading it is.
She picked up the novel, remembering Konan's warning, and stammered:
"R-read…"
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