klisemfg Chapter 663 No... Lord Zhang Hai
Chapter 663 No... Lord Zhang Hai
“No… Lord Zhang Hai.” Konan’s voice became low and hoarse, carrying an unprecedented vulnerability and pleading. “I don’t need Orochimaru.” She raised her head, her eyes filled with complex emotions: dependence, trust, and a tenderness that had quietly sprouted and remained hidden deep within her heart. At that moment, her feelings seemed to find an outlet, breaking through all hesitation and concerns, and frankly presenting themselves to Zhang Hai.
"I like you."
Xiao Nan's confession was like a gentle breeze across the starry sky of the spiritual world, bathing the originally deep and vast universe in a soft and warm glow. Zhang Hai's illusory image froze slightly, and a barely perceptible fluctuation flickered in his eyes, which seemed to see through everything. This straightforward and ardent emotion exceeded all his preconceived notions.
After a long silence, Zhang Hai finally spoke. His voice remained steady, but it had lost some of its previous aloofness and gained a subtle tenderness: "I feel your feelings, Xiao Nan." He didn't directly respond to that "like," but instead chose a more inclusive and guiding approach. "Your loyalty, your desire for strength, your... dependence, are all deeply imprinted in my heart. But, Xiao Nan, true strength isn't about constantly avoiding what you don't want to touch. As you said, Yahiko and Nagato need you, and you need even more strength to protect their ideals."
Xiao Nan's eyelashes fluttered; she understood the deeper meaning in Zhang Hai's words. The resistance and confusion in her heart gradually dissipated with Zhang Hai's words. "I...I'm sorry, Lord Zhang Hai," she apologized softly, her voice tinged with shyness and remorse for her previous "childish remarks." She realized that her reaction just now was indeed not calm enough and had not considered the bigger picture. "I shouldn't have resisted the path you arranged for me because of my personal likes and dislikes."
Zhang Hai's illusory figure stepped forward, seemingly reaching out to gently stroke Konan's head—an invisible yet undeniably real comfort. "It's alright. Your heart is pure, a rare and precious quality. However, the path to supreme power is often accompanied by hardship and difficult choices. Orochimaru is indeed a worthy mentor, especially in exploring the nature of life sciences and ninjutsu. His knowledge can open up new realms for you, allowing your Paper Release technique to reach unprecedented heights."
He continued, his tone regaining its usual calm and authority, and began to guide her through the next task. "Orochimaru is currently hiding in a place called 'Otogakure,' specifically in a secret underground base on the border of the Land of Fire. You need to infiltrate in disguise, remembering to be extremely careful and not reveal your identity. Once inside the base, he will naturally sense you using your aura and the tracking slip."
Zhang Hai paused slightly before clearly conveying the message he needed Konan to deliver to Orochimaru: "When you see him, tell him: 'The truth he seeks exists in a higher dimension.' He will understand what I mean. Then, tell him: 'Your desires can be fulfilled, but at a real price.' He is a smart man and will know how to weigh the options."
Xiao Nan carefully memorized every word Zhang Hai said, her inner turmoil temporarily suppressed by a sense of mission. She knew this was a test she had to undergo to become stronger. As Zhang Hai's voice gradually faded, seemingly preparing to leave her mental world, Xiao Nan suddenly remembered something.
"Lord Zhang Hai, please wait!" she called urgently. "Before I came here, I saw Bai. He... he seemed unwell, his face was very pale, and he kept coughing. Is he sick?" Her tone was full of worry. Bai was one of the few friends she cared about, besides Nagato and Yahiko.
As Xiao Nan finished speaking, Zhang Hai's illusory figure trembled violently in the spiritual world, a rare hint of panic flashing in his deep eyes. Bai was ill? This news struck like a bolt from the blue, instantly shattering his usual composure and detachment. Bai was an individual he had personally guided, the only source of warmth and responsibility he felt in the cold world of Kirigakure. Illness was a distant and unfamiliar concept to his soul form, while Bai, as a human, was vulnerable.
However, this panic lasted only a very short time before being forcefully suppressed by his strong will. He quickly searched his mind for all relevant information. Tsunade! The pinnacle of medical ninjutsu! He had had brief contact with Tsunade in the past and knew that her medical skills were capable of bringing the dead back to life.
“Don’t worry, Konan.” Zhang Hai’s voice returned to calm, though there was a hint of urgency in it. “I’ll go see him. Tsunade is in Konoha now; her medical skills are more than enough to handle any illness. I’ll make the arrangements.” He promised Konan, already having made his decision. Haku held a far greater place in his heart than he had imagined. He had to personally check on Haku’s condition.
Before she finished speaking, Zhang Hai's illusory image vanished from Konan's mental world. Konan felt a powerful chakra fluctuation instantly disappear, knowing that Zhang Hai had already gone. She took a deep breath, gathering all her thoughts and refocusing her attention on reality. Orochimaru… she would embark on this unknown journey carrying Zhang Hai's entrustment.
At the same time, Zhang Hai's soul traversed space at near-instantaneous speed. His perception extended infinitely, quickly locking onto Bai's location within the Akatsuki's secret base. Without the slightest hesitation, he directly mobilized his soul power, tearing apart the spatial barrier and forcibly entering the depths of Bai's consciousness.
Bai's spiritual world was completely different from Xiao Nan's vast starry sky. It was a pristine, snow-covered realm, where crystal-clear ice crystals formed continuous mountain ranges, and snowflakes fell silently from the air. Everything appeared pure and tranquil, yet carried a hint of cold detachment. In the center of the snowfield, a young boy in a kimono was huddled up, his face pale, and his brows furrowed with the weariness of illness.
Suddenly, a deep crack appeared silently in the pure white sky, from which purple light poured down. Then, Zhang Hai's figure slowly emerged from it, like a god descending.
Bai suddenly looked up, his eyes, which had been dimmed by illness, suddenly burst forth with an unprecedented light the moment he saw Zhang Hai. He was so shocked that he forgot to breathe, his body stiffening on the spot as if frozen in ice and snow. Zhang Hai? He… how could he be here? Was this a hallucination? Was it a delusion caused by his illness?