Deidara didn't mind raising the tiny Four-Tails. He neatly formed the contract seal, but unfortunately, the Four-Tails, weakened from losing so much chakra, instantly drained most of Deidara's chakra the moment the seal was completed. The normally energetic man collapsed to the ground, though his body was unharmed and would recover after a few days of rest.
Itachi learned the full story and, truthfully, couldn't help but admire Haruno Sakura's courage. To betray Konoha for the sake of a patient, leaving her parents behind—this took serious guts. Her first impression had been that of a bright, lively girl; seeing her again, he only felt a sense of awe at her sheer determination.
When Zaraki Kita's poison flared, she was immediately moved to Orochimaru's base. Sakura didn't question Orochimaru's presence—after seeing so many "terrorists" in recent days, he was no different. She had witnessed extreme treatment methods and advanced medical equipment before, but this trip wasn't for experience—it was to save someone whose life hung in the balance.
The stabilizers injected into Kita's body barely worked. This was poison that could not be neutralized by medicine. If it cannot be undone, why bother trying? Remove it directly.
The dark spots revealed by the scanning instruments were poison, scattered throughout her body.
"Since there's no cure, we won't cure it. We'll directly extract the poison," Sakura said, her green eyes unwavering.
Orochimaru initially couldn't understand the girl's reasoning. In their past studies, every attempt to neutralize this poison had failed. What was she trying to do?
It's a last-ditch effort, she thought. If I hesitate now, she could die anyway. I can't ignore this.
"Better to take a risk than watch her deteriorate. Continuing conventional treatment only worsens things. I'll forcibly extract the poison. Success is uncertain, but it's stronger than doing nothing," she continued, tying back her mid-length hair with the elastic loop on her wrist. Her words were strong, even harsh, which irritated Nagato slightly.
"Little girl, watch your behavior," he warned.
Even without being explicit, Sakura understood. This red-haired man with the Rinnegan was the leader of the Akatsuki—a criminal of the gravest magnitude. Angering him could mean instant death. Yet, at this moment, compared to all that, her concern was for Zaraki Kita.
"I am her attending physician. Zaraki Kita is my patient. I am responsible for her. No outsider has the right to interfere. If you don't want to see her tortured to death, do as I say."
Her words struck like thunder, firm and resolute. Her green eyes met the Rinnegan without flinching.
No cure meant taking a gamble. That had been Kita's state earlier. Choosing to trust the little pink-haired girl at this moment, another medical ninja, he silently nodded at Pain—a gesture of trust.
"Prepare the solvent. This surgery is extremely precise. Sir, I'll need your help," Sakura said calmly, her tone steady, inspiring confidence in her abilities as a medical ninja.
Preparations proceeded methodically. As the second stage of internal organ decay began in Zaraki Kita, everything was ready. The screen of the scanning equipment faced Sakura. She sealed her hands into hand signs, inhaled deeply, and steeled herself.
Success was uncertain, but it was all she could do.
Her palms hovered over a basin of solvent. In an instant, the liquid formed a sphere, entirely absorbed into her hands.
"Begin. Hold her steady for me."
She focused her chakra. The solvent penetrated the clothing and into the body. The moment it touched, Zaraki Kita struggled violently, screaming hoarsely. The pain was excruciating, unbearable. Itachi had to increase his strength to restrain her, but it did not shake Sakura's calm focus.
The solvent drew out the decayed internal organs and the poisonous substances corroding them. Even a small amount filled the sterile room with a foul stench. How much damage had the poison already done inside her?
The medical ninjutsu worked to simultaneously repair the organs while removing the toxins. Kita's breath remained weak but steady.
Through the scanner, Sakura watched as the extracted organs were repaired almost instantly, only to be threatened by the same toxins trying to invade the new tissue.
This method works, she thought.
"Next," she commanded.
The process repeated. Orochimaru had lost track of how many batches of solvent were used, but in the end, the newly repaired organs were no longer decaying. Zaraki Kita's struggles ceased, and she finally slept peacefully.
Sakura, drenched in sweat from the prolonged concentration and precision required, collapsed from exhaustion, her legs giving way and a small amount of blood spilling from her mouth.
Itachi, being from Konoha, helped her.
"You alright?" he asked.
"B-breathing… now she's temporarily stable… no immediate life danger… stop… stopping the medicine is key… I…"
She could not finish. Overcome by fatigue, she fainted. He bent down, gently shaking her.
"It's alright. You're just tired. Rest a moment," he said calmly.
"Tsunade's student indeed," Orochimaru remarked. He had considered many ways to handle the poison but never thought to bypass detoxification entirely. She had been unconsciously restrained by conventional methods. This was what concern could do.
"You mean… this method works?"
Nagato asked Orochimaru.
Orochimaru nodded. "Not guaranteed, but compared to before, there's improvement. Judging by Kita's condition, it is effective."
"That's good. Itachi, take care of Sakura. Don't let her die," Nagato said. He paused, thinking of her resolve before the procedure, and added,
"She's an exceptional medical ninja."
No further words were needed. Everyone understood what to do next.
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