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Sasuke's impression of Kimimaro wasn't good, because Kimimaro was deeply devoted to Orochimaru and often acted unfriendly towards him.
It wasn't through overt means that caused him physical pain, but rather through harsh words or intimidating glares, as if Sasuke had stolen the most important thing from Kimimaro.
But in recent months, he had seen Kimimaro less and less frequently, and he hadn't seen him at all in the last month.
"What's wrong?" Karin looked at Sasuke. "Do you know him?"
"Not well," Sasuke shook his head. "How is he? Is he about to die?"
"I'm not sure, but I know he... and his companions are all waiting for Orochimaru. The others besides Kimimaro are very anxious; they want to cure Kimimaro's illness, but I know it's beyond their capabilities."
"How do you know?"
Karin clicked her tongue. "If you were bitten often by injured people like this, you'd understand the reason too."
Karin rolled up her sleeve again, revealing layer upon layer of bite marks. "When an unverified 'possibility' circulates, everyone pins their hopes on this elusive 'maybe,' treating it as a lifeline... I've seen too many people who are terminally ill. Kimimaro is a lot like them. He won't die quickly, but I see a sense of resignation in his eyes—he isn't anxious about his illness. Because no matter what efforts are made, this disease is very difficult to cure. He has already accepted death."
Sasuke was stunned. "Wait, are you saying... it's incurable?"
"Of course. There are too many incurable diseases in the world; it's nothing strange," Karin said calmly. "However, there is one possibility."
"Huh?"
"Some individuals possess highly advanced ninjutsu and might be able to attempt a cure. Don't look at me; my proficiency in medical ninjutsu isn't deep. Just consider me talking nonsense," Karin said without a trace of shame. "By the way, why are you so determined to escape?"
"I need to go back! I still have family, and I need to spar with my brother using ninjutsu. They must be going crazy looking for me..." Sasuke's voice trailed off, then he shook his head. "No, perhaps my father wouldn't look for me, but my brother must be very worried."
Sasuke's words were incoherent, but his dejected tone revealed a sliver of expectation.
"You and your brother have a good relationship?"
Sasuke hesitated for a moment but ultimately nodded. "What about you? Don't you miss home?"
"I don't have a home. I... don't have a clan either. I'm the only one left," Karin sighed heavily, curling up in the corner.
"That... if I can get out, I'll recommend you join Konoha. But, don't get your hopes up too much. I can't escape at all, and the Hokage has many things to consider..." As soon as the words left his mouth, Sasuke regretted them.
He couldn't decide anything.
"No, if I meet the Hokage, I'll make him accept me." Karin adjusted her glasses. "The most important thing right now is to escape."
"Can we?"
"I know there's a 'big guy' here. If he can help, it shouldn't be a problem," Karin said.
"Where is he?" Sasuke asked, puzzled.
"He's right here," Karin repeated.
"I mean, 'his specific location'," Sasuke pressed.
Karin shook her head. "Before we find him, we have a lot of other things to do, right?"
"Huh?"
Karin pointed at the sealing jutsu outside the cell. "If we don't destroy that thing, you can't get out either, right? But we only have one chance. If we don't succeed this time, escaping from here later will be basically impossible."
Sasuke took a deep breath and nodded heavily.
...
"Cough, cough, cough..."
"Be careful!" A red-haired girl hurried to the bedside, looking at the young man lying there.
A few months ago, he was full of vitality, but now his condition was deteriorating daily, and his spirit showed clear signs of exhaustion.
Patients, especially those who are seriously ill, rely entirely on sheer will to keep going.
The young man wasn't at the point of drawing his last breath the next second, but if things dragged on, that day likely wouldn't be too far away.
"Tayuya, has... has Lord... Lord Orochimaru... returned?" the young man asked.
Tayuya's mouth opened slightly, but no sound came out.
Orochimaru had been gone for a long time, yet there had been no news, which was quite unusual.
The young man seemed to guess the answer, his expression slightly downcast. "It must be a major mission this time. I hope Lord Orochimaru is safe and well."
"Even if it's a major mission, he shouldn't just disappear without a trace like this. He simply doesn't care about you, Kimimaro..."
"Shut up!" Kimimaro angrily interrupted Tayuya. Sitting up, the fire in his eyes intensified. "Do not speak of Lord Orochimaru that way!"
Tayuya turned her head away. She didn't want to doubt Orochimaru either; the words had just slipped out.
"Cough, cough, cough..." Kimimaro quickly covered his mouth, his face flushing red.
"I'll go get Karin," Tayuya said, turning to leave, but Kimimaro grabbed her arm.
"It's useless," Kimimaro shook his head. "We've tried so many times already. If it were effective, I would have been cured long ago."
Tayuya looked around helplessly.
All the instruments, equipment, and even the medications used here were left behind before Orochimaru departed.
Now, it had been two or three months since Orochimaru left. Kimimaro's condition was progressing, but the treatment methods weren't keeping up.
Although Orochimaru had specifically brought Karin from Kusagakure as an extra precaution, her effectiveness against Kimimaro's illness was very limited.
"By the way, where are Jirōbō and the others?"
"Jirōbō stayed behind to protect the base. Sakon and Ukon, and Kidōmaru went out to find medical-nin. Don't worry, those medical-nin will definitely cure you. Otherwise, I'll kill them." Tayuya forced a smile.
Kimimaro sighed.
Since it was a terminal illness, it meant ordinary medical-nin would find it very difficult to cure, perhaps even lacking any idea of how to treat it.
Therefore, he didn't believe those medical-nin could accomplish much.
Tayuya clenched her fists, remaining silent. She waited quietly until Kimimaro fell asleep, then left the room and headed straight for the base entrance, only to be stopped by Jirōbō.
"What are you doing?"
"Looking for medical-nin," Tayuya said.
"Sakon and Ukon, Kidōmaru... they've all gone..."
"Having one more person can't hurt, right?"
Jirōbō shook his head; he didn't think it would help. "Unless it's Tsunade, the chances aren't great. But Tsunade wouldn't treat him either, right?"
"I know the chances are slim, but I... I really can't just sit still."
There was another thought Tayuya didn't voice.
Staying by Kimimaro's side constantly felt like a mountain was pressing on her chest, making it hard to breathe.
She wanted to go out, to alleviate the inner pressure.
*****
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