The flames flared to life once more, illuminating the entire dungeon. The sudden brilliance shone in Kakuzu's eyes, making him squint at the figure emerging from the darkness.
The black Tomoe in his ruby-red eyes turned slowly. The familiar scroll on the boy's back told him who had arrived.
Uchiha Rikusei.
Before Kakuzu could speak, the boy's muttering made him swallow every word.
"I wonder. This is the first time I've met a ninja who dares to look a Sharingan in the eye."
Kakuzu tugged at the corners of his mouth. He shifted his gaze away from the boy walking toward him and stared straight past him, trying to find the man's figure in the darkness.
"Don't bother looking. Teacher isn't here." Rikusei drew closer and examined Kakuzu's blocked meridians, then glanced at the old man lying unconscious on the ground. "That old man sure had a lot to say earlier. Hmm... I guess he's proof that villains die from talking too much."
Rikusei rummaged through the old man's pocket, found a set of keys, and tossed them to Kakuzu. "Unlock the chains yourself."
With a click, the chains clattered loudly through the dungeon. Kakuzu tried to lift his arm, but the drug's effects hadn't worn off yet. He could only remain seated on the cold floor, staring blankly at Elder Keigo, who had been swaggering around just moments ago.
Rikusei, surveying the dungeon nearby, could tell what Kakuzu was thinking. He pulled a kunai from his pocket and held it out to him. "If you think his is too dirty, use mine."
With that, he turned and walked toward the staircase hidden in the darkness, heading for the world outside.
Kakuzu took the kunai and gripped it tightly in his palm. Lowering his eyes, he let shadows fall across