Meeting Konan

"Yes, yes!!"

Kou suppressed a smile, pulled a pen he had prepared beforehand from his sleeve, and eagerly placed it in Deidara's hand. Then, in an earnest tone, he gave him a final push:

"What are you waiting for? Sign it now, Deidara."

The future of art awaits you to forge it with your own hands!

Deidara's head was buzzing from Koko's sincere words. Amid Koko's repeated urging to "sign quickly," he unconsciously gripped the pen and signed his name at the very end of the plan.

"Done!"

He glanced at the signed names on the schedule and a wicked smile crept across his lips.

Plans in place!

After signing the document, Deidara scratched the back of his head and looked at Kotobukuri, saying with a half-understanding expression:

"Although I don't quite understand it yet, thank you anyway, Brother Kou."

"What are you saying? We're all buddies, no need to thank me!!"

Kou patted him affectionately on the shoulder, his smile instantly vanishing, and solemnly said to Deidara:

"The great mission of spreading art throughout the entire Ninja World is now officially entrusted to you, Deidara!"

Deidara looked back at Koko with unwavering eyes, as if he truly saw that bright future reflected in Koko's eyes, and nodded vigorously.

"Ouch!!"

The Land of Rice, Training Ground.

"Haven't you guys eaten? Huh? Give it your all! Faster! Fry it even harder!!"

Deidara stood with his hands on his hips on a newly erected platform at the edge of the Training Ground, shouting loudly at the group of young ninjas below who were already exhausted and staggering, yet still desperately pouring Chakra into the clay:

Listen up! Art is not something you can easily get started with!

To become a qualified artist, one must be prepared to sacrifice one's life for art at any time!

If you can't even endure this little bit of hardship, then you only deserve to be the most insignificant speck of dust beneath the feet of art! Do you understand?!

"Understood, Deidara- Teacher!"

"Speak louder! I can't hear you!"

"Understood, Deidara- Teacher!!"

"Great! Very energetic!!"

Deidara looked down with satisfaction at the faces below, blasted to a pulp like those of the Land of Lightning's bastards, and then swung his arm forward with a triumphant air:

"Now, get back to practicing!!"

Before the words were even finished, another thunderous roar erupted on the Training Ground.

Screams, explosions, and Deidara's high-pitched shouts of "Art" blended together harmoniously, creating a lively and chaotic scene.

Training Ground, on a rooftop some distance away from them.

Looking out at the Training Ground a mushroom cloud rose every few breaths, he sighed with satisfaction:

"It's really lively."

"No, this is clearly not something that can be easily dismissed with the word 'lively'!"

Mei Terumi stood beside him, speechless as she looked at the students who had just been blasted away in the distance, her lips twitching involuntarily.

"Isn't this teaching style a bit too much? Won't it cause any problems?"

"Don't worry, don't really think of Deidara as some kind of idiot who only knows how to explode and doesn't understand anything else."

Kou smiled confidently and explained to Mei Terumi beside him:

"Although this kid becomes both crazy and silly when it comes to art-related things."

But in essence, he was still an absolute genius and a remarkably skilled ninja.

The reason he agreed to help me lead this group was largely because he genuinely agreed with what I had told him.

But there's still a small portion...

Kou paused, then gave Mei Terumi a meaningful smile:

"It's because he is very clear about his current situation."

"If a captured missing-nin, still labeled a dangerous element, doesn't quickly prove his worth, how can he possibly regain his freedom?"

"... Yeah."

Mei Terumi glanced at him noncommittally, her suspicion almost tangible:

"But I feel like you're overthinking it. That child was just fooled by your sweet talk."

Kou smiled and did not deny it.

Mei Terumi shook her head helplessly and muttered to herself:

"You recruited such a formidable general with just a few words; is that really your style?"

As she spoke, she took an envelope from her bosom and handed it to Kou.

"Here, this is a secret letter that Karin asked me to bring to you. She said it just arrived and was sent urgently from Konoha."

It must be something very important; you should open it and take a look now.

"An urgent, confidential letter from Konoha?"

He frowned slightly, reached out and took the envelope, quickly unfolded the letter inside, and read it carefully.

A moment later, the relaxed smile on his face vanished instantly.

Mei Terumi, observing Kokoro's sudden change in expression, asked softly:

"Is it something important?"

"... ah."

He responded with a heavy knock, then tucked the secret letter inside his robe and said to Mei Terumi in a deep voice:

"It is indeed a very important matter. I am about to leave the Land of Rice."

Just in case, I'll leave a Shadow Clone here to handle the public affairs for me.

"Don't mention my absence to anyone except Karin."

Mei Terumi nodded seriously.

She didn't ask him where he was going, nor what was written in the letter; she simply met his gaze firmly and answered earnestly:

"I understand. Don't worry, leave this to me."

"... Um."

Kou gazed deeply at her, his eyes filled with weariness, trust, and a subtle sense of peace that only they understood.

"As reliable as ever... just like before."

"Then, let's say goodbye as before."

Mei Terumi smiled brightly and naturally raised the fist that had gently touched him countless times in the Mizukage Aide's office.

Have a safe journey. (Knock)

"Ah."

Kō replied familiarly, then raised his hand and placed it against the fist that Mei Terumi had extended.

The instant their joints touched, their eyes simultaneously curved into crescent moons.

Just like before, nothing has changed.

In the basement of an abandoned house in the Land of Birds.

In the cramped basement, Konan sat against the innermost wall, with Jiraiya standing half a step away to her side.

The basement wasn't very big, and it already felt a bit cramped with just the two of them standing there.

Standing at the top of the stairs, looking at Konan's aloof face, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.

Compared to the last time we met, Konan looked noticeably paler and more tired.

"That's quite a surprise. I never expected you to hide here in Kakuzu. No wonder we couldn't find you anywhere."

Kou Ji slowly straightened up and spoke to Konan in a deep voice:

"Since you're the only one here right now, that means... Nagato... he's probably already met with some misfortune."

Jiraiya couldn't bear to look at Konan's visibly dimmed eyes, and whispered to Koko:

"Hey, Koko, don't be so sure. Nagato's situation isn't certain yet."

"You don't need to comfort me, Jiraiya- Teacher."

Konan forced a smile at Jiraiya said softly in a calm tone:

"I was mentally prepared for what would happen with Nagato."

Jiraiya looked at Konan's profile, opened his mouth as if to say something, but in the end he said nothing, only sighed deeply.

How did things escalate to this point...?

Looking into Konan's somewhat dazed eyes, he couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy, but he quickly suppressed that emotion and slowly said:

"Let's get down to business, Konan."

"You specifically called me here, what exactly do you want to say to me?"

Hearing Kou's words, Konan's expression became noticeably serious. She met Kou's eyes solemnly and said in a deep voice:

I asked you to come here because I hope you can answer a question for me.

"Besides you, is there another powerful figure by Madara's side... whom we don't know about?"