According to Konan, the liquid encasing everyone had the ability to repair injuries. After the apocalyptic strike, all those with human bodies had suffered severe damage. Only Konan, whose body had been strengthened earlier by Shibai, was able to withstand the attack and immediately counterattack.
As for the rest, the liquid continued to rebuild them. Kita had not awakened because her body, along with the poison inside it, was still being repaired. The same applied to others, even Kakuzu, whose body had been modified into a puppet-like structure, was undergoing a full biological reconstruction.
Everyone benefited from the process. It was, objectively, a transformation. But not everyone was happy.
The most dissatisfied group was the so-called Immortal Duo. When Kakuzu was submerged, his five hearts fused into one. The result was stronger, far stronger, but also "normalized" by the liquid's standards. It judged him as defective.
His unnatural vascular system, his modified body, everything that made him Kakuzu, was "corrected." What he got instead was stability. What he lost was immortality. And that made him furious. But he was still not the angriest.
Hidan's body was also "repaired." But his immortality was not a blessing, it was a biological anomaly created through experimentation, not divine power. The liquid erased that anomaly. He could still use the Death Controlling Possessed Blood, but he was no longer immortal. And he found that out in the most painful way possible.
He tested it. On himself. "Let's see if I'm still fine." He pulled out his weapon and stabbed himself in the abdomen.
BOOM! The weapon shattered instantly. Hidan froze. "...Eh?"
Then panic exploded. "No way, NO WAY! IT BROKE?!" He clutched the broken pieces like a mourning lover. "This is impossible! You survived gods and monsters and you broke NOW?!"
The room went silent. Uchiha Itachi, Deidara, and others stared. Is this what "upgrading the body" means? This is just nerfing immortality.
Thirty minutes later, Hidan tried again with full force. This time he succeeded in stabbing himself. But there was no pleasure in it, only pain, too much pain. He curled up, trembling. The Immortal Duo was gone.
Konan tried to reassure them. "There's no need to panic. Even without immortality, your strength has increased significantly." She paused. "Hidan, for example, your combat ability has probably increased tenfold."
Silence. Hidan blinked. "So I went from immortal to just very strong?"
"Exactly."
He thought about it. "That actually sounds kinda good."
Deidara muttered, "Someone fix his brain while you're at it."
BOOM! Hidan chased him instantly. "YOU WANT TO GET SACRIFICED?!" Chaos returned.
Kakuzu glanced over. "You never told him immortality was fake?"
Deidara raised an eyebrow. "Why would I ruin his happiness?"
Itachi replied calmly, "That's deception."
Kakuzu shrugged. "And? Let him enjoy it."
"That's unethical."
"Do you think he understands ethics?"
A pause. No one answered.
Days blurred. There was no sun. No night. Only blue stillness.
Deidara eventually approached Konan. "Hey, when will that old man wake up?" He meant Kita.
Konan stood, guided gently by Deidara. She reached toward the shrinking liquid sphere. "It's getting smaller," Deidara said softly. "He's healing."
Konan smiled faintly. "I know." She wasn't concerned. Not really. Because she believed in them.
Then it happened. Kita woke up first. The moment she opened her eyes, she saw Konan. And immediately thought, this must be a dream. She stood up unsteadily, ignoring weakness, and rushed forward.
BOOM! She hugged Konan tightly from behind. Caught off guard, Konan froze. Then relaxed. Because she realized, she can't see my face. And that made it easier.
"K-Konan." The voice trembled.
Konan smiled lightly. "What's wrong with you?"
"I'm sorry." Tears fell instantly. Hot. Real.
Konan didn't turn around. Instead, she sighed. "You cry too much."
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I thought I lost you."
Konan's expression softened. For once, she didn't joke. "Idiot." But her voice was warm. "I'm still here."
Kita held her tighter, as if afraid she would vanish.
Konan finally spoke softly, "I might be a little different now."
Silence. Then, "I lost my sight."
Kita froze. Then pulled back slightly. Her hands trembled. And instead of fear, she smiled. Because Konan was still alive. That was enough. She hugged her again, even tighter.
"Then I'll be your eyes."
Konan blinked. "What?"
"I'll describe everything to you. I'll protect you. We'll go home together."
A pause. Then Konan smiled faintly. "That's a lot of responsibility."
"Then I'll take it."
Konan closed her eyes. For once, she didn't think about war. Or death. Or consequences. Only this: she's here. And that was enough.