Do you believe fate brought us together?

"Lady Tsunade, I'm really all better now."

Inside a reasonably clean and tidy room, Uchiha Sōgetsu, who was wrapped up like a zongzi, looked utterly helpless.

"No way, I'm the doctor, are you the doctor?" Tsunade lay beside him without any grace, wearing a loose, tea-green kimono. Her fair, white breasts squeezed out a deep cleavage, exuding an alluring mature charm.

At the hem of the kimono, two full, round, slender legs were casually crossed and stretched out, her pink toes lightly tapping, perfect like white jade.

This woman. Shameless!

Uchiha Sōgetsu covered his eyes and sighed, "Lady Tsunade, I've told you many times, please be mindful, okay?"

"Aiya, what are you afraid of~"

Tsunade licked her lips and gave him a seductive look. "Brat, you're not thinking of anything improper, are you?"

"Sorry, I don't like women older than me."

Uchiha Sōgetsu retorted forcefully.

"Tch~" Tsunade pouted and waved her hand. "Stop being so narcissistic. I don't like you either, you stinky brat!"

The atmosphere became a little cold, and the tension suddenly froze.

"By the way, where did Little Hikari go?" Uchiha Sōgetsu, unable to stand Tsunade's occasional resentful gaze, cleared his throat and asked.

"Tsk, you little pervert," Tsunade pouted, rolling her eyes. "Don't worry, I sent Little Hikari to buy some things. It's a bit of a distance from Amegakure, so it's safe."

"Oh."

Uchiha Sōgetsu said no more.

"Hey, tell me honestly, do you like Little Hikari?" Tsunade suddenly leaned closer, teasingly.

Uchiha Sōgetsu froze, not expecting Tsunade to suddenly squeeze over. He smelled the refreshing fragrance between his nostrils. If he lowered his head slightly, he could see the woman's 'broad' chest. His mind stirred, almost forcing him out of his 'Spectator' state.

"No, you've misunderstood."

Uchiha Sōgetsu pushed up his glasses and said calmly, "I don't like her. It's just concern for a comrade."

"Tch~ A man who says one thing and means another."

Tsunade seemed convinced he liked Little Hikari and mumbled, "Dishonest brat, don't come crying to me later!"

Uchiha Sōgetsu shook his head and didn't pick up her words.

Like?

No. He wouldn't like anyone.

From the moment he consumed the 'Spectator' Pathway Potion, any superfluous emotion was a luxury to him.

As the atmosphere in the room remained stiff, Little Hikari pushed the door open. "Lady Tsunade, I'm back."

"Ah, good job, Little Hikari~" Tsunade lay lazily on the bed, like a useless person, her eyes half-closed in comfort.

Uchiha Sōgetsu glanced over. What Tsunade had asked for were mostly beer and boxed meals. He covered his face helplessly. "Lady Tsunade, didn't you say you weren't going to drink anymore?"

"Huh? Did I say that?" Tsunade rolled her eyes, a flash of inspiration striking her. "Haha, I think I did say that, but the mission is over, so a little drink won't hurt~"

Before long, she had drunk herself into a stupor and was snoring loudly.

Bad at drinking but loves it. Is this what they call 'low skill, high addiction'?

Uchiha Sōgetsu shook his head and turned to Little Hikari. "Little Hikari, I need to go out. It'll take about two days. During that time, I'll trouble you to forge and implant a false memory for me regarding her. Please."

"No problem."

Little Hikari nodded obediently, biting her lip and fiddling with her fingers. She asked cautiously, "Um. Can I go with you?"

"No need, I'll go alone." Uchiha Sōgetsu ruffled the girl's hair and chuckled, "Besides, I think your help here will be more significant."

"Yes, I won't let her affect you."

Little Hikari's mood inevitably dipped a little, but she still cheered up and gave him her assurance.

"So reliable."

Uchiha Sōgetsu changed his clothes, put on a straw hat, and pressed down the brim with his hand. Then, he opened the window. "Well then, I'll be counting on you, Little Hikari."

Taking advantage of the dark night, he leaped out.

Swish!

With a few leaps, he disappeared into the night like a phantom.

Amegakure.

Still the same hateful, gloomy weather, with a drizzle falling.

Pedestrians hurried along, shops were open as usual, and of course, the most popular spots were the roadside taverns.

Everything seemed as it always was, with no apparent changes.

"As I suspected, they've hidden the news of Hanzo's death."

Konan, wearing a black hood and holding a paper umbrella, silently observed the familiar village, her heart filled with sorrow. "It's a pity that this brief peace will soon be shattered."

In just two days, her life had undergone earth-shattering changes.

Yahiko's tragic death left the Akatsuki leaderless. Nagato, the only one who could stabilize the situation, had used that forbidden Summoning Jutsu, causing an excessive drain of his Chakra. He became emaciated, and even standing was now a problem.

The only good news so far was that Amegakure seemed to have identified Lady Tsunade, one of Konoha's Legendary Sannin, as the culprit.

This gave the already chaotic Akatsuki a rare moment to catch its breath.

"Yahiko... can you tell me what I should do now?"

Konan, lost and confused, wandered through the rain, holding a paper umbrella. Her small, lonely figure seemed isolated from the rest of the world.

For some reason, she found herself walking in circles until she reached a humble stall.

The stall was set up at a secluded intersection with hardly any pedestrians. It was barely sheltered by the eaves of the building above, occupying a cramped space of less than three square meters.

A middle-aged man, dressed in a simple white robe with a cross pendant on his chest, was flipping through a black book in his hands. His demeanor was simple and gentle.

What a strange person, was Konan's first impression of him.

The noisy surroundings seemed to have no effect on him. He exuded a captivating aura of tranquility, drawing her closer unconsciously.

Perhaps it was this "sense of security" that attracted her.

"A lost lamb..."

The man put down the book he was holding and slowly raised his head. His gentle voice was like a ray of sunshine. "Do you believe fate brought us here?"

"What are you talking about?"

Konan, who had been troubled by her confusion, felt as if this sentence had struck her heart.

She stared blankly at him. His dark eyes were as clear and pure as a baby's, seeming to reflect the turmoil and unease within her.

"I can see that your eyes are filled with confusion."

The middle-aged man clasped his hands on his stomach, crossed one leg over the other, and said softly, "If you don't mind, you can confide in me. Perhaps... I can share some of your burden."

"N-no, thank you."

Konan snapped back to reality and shook her head bitterly. "No one can help me. Thank you."

She turned to leave. After all, she had only come out to buy supplies today, and she had been gone long enough. It was time to go back.

However, after she had taken only a couple of steps, the voice suddenly called out again.

"Fate... is cruel, isn't it?"

Konan's eyes widened abruptly. Upon hearing this, her expression changed drastically. She turned and stared intently at the man.

"All the gifts bestowed by fate have been secretly marked with a price."

The man's eyes were pure and clear, with countless swirling vortexes deep within. He said meaningfully, "It's just that, I wonder if you are satisfied with this 'price'?"