The next morning, sunlight slipped through the gap in the curtains, scattering golden patches across the floor.
Naruto's room, however, was another story. He was still lost in a dream, a contented smile on his lips, as if he were having a wonderful dream.
"Naruto, stop lazing around, or Big Sis Liuli will flick you on the forehead!" Liuli's voice came from the kitchen, teasing and affectionate.
She was busy preparing breakfast, her hands moving with practiced speed. Though she threatened to flick Naruto on the forehead, deep down she cared for and cherished him.
Hearing Liuli, Sasuke sighed helplessly. He turned to look toward Naruto's room, his brows furrowing slightly.
He got along well with Naruto, but waking someone who was fast asleep—especially someone with a sleeping posture as awful as Naruto's—was no easy task.
"Sasuke, go wake Naruto," Liuli called again, urging him on.
Sasuke pursed his lips and got up, heading for Naruto's room. He knocked lightly, but got no response. When he pushed the door open, a lazy air washed over him.
He walked to the bedside and looked at Naruto's completely undignified sleeping posture. He couldn't help rubbing his forehead.
I've been awake since five-thirty, and this guy's still sleeping past seven? Sasuke grumbled to himself. He shook Naruto, but Naruto only rolled over groggily and kept snoring.
Sasuke shook his head helplessly and decided to be more direct. He slapped Naruto's blanket hard and shouted, "Naruto, wake up! You're really going to be late!"
His shout finally worked. Naruto blearily opened his eyes and stared at Sasuke in confusion. "What is it? What happened?"
"You lazy pig, and you're asking what happened? The sun's already shining on your butt. Get up!" Sasuke said irritably.
Only then did Naruto realize he was still in bed and that it was already late.
He scrambled out of bed and hurriedly started getting dressed.
"Sorry, sorry, I overslept," Naruto apologized as he got dressed. "Big Sis Liuli, Sasuke, you're not mad, are you?"
"I'm not mad. I was just worried you'd be late." Liuli carried breakfast into the room and couldn't help laughing at Naruto's frantic state. "Come eat breakfast, or you really won't have time."
Naruto quickly washed up, then sat at the table and began eating. Liuli's breakfast looked and smelled delicious, and Naruto devoured it happily.
Sasuke sat to one side, watching Naruto wolf down his food, and shook his head helplessly.
After breakfast, Naruto and Sasuke left the house together. Sunlight fell warmly and brightly on them. Just as they were about to set off for school, Liuli called from behind, "Wait!"
Naruto and Sasuke turned around. Liuli came over with two glittering rings in her hands, a gentle smile on her face, and handed one to each of them.
"These are Space Rings. I put some snacks, money, manga, and instant noodles inside," Liuli explained. "Naruto, I also put in some furniture for you. You'll need to fix up your place later."
Liuli had bought them all with points. In the System Store, items unrelated to the supernatural cost next to nothing, so she didn't have to worry about spending points. They'd only cost ten points.
System: This garbage? Get lost!
Naruto and Sasuke stared at the rings in their hands in surprise. They had never seen anything so miraculous. Sasuke asked curiously, "How do you use them?"
Liuli smiled. "It's simple. Just channel chakra into the ring, and you can summon the items inside. There's lots of space in the rings, so you can pick whatever you need."
Excitedly fiddling with his ring, Naruto tried channeling some chakra into it.
Sure enough, a bag of snacks suddenly appeared in his hand. He cried out in surprise, "Whoa, it really works! This is awesome!"
Sasuke tried it too and successfully summoned a manga volume. He flipped through the pages and nodded in satisfaction.
Liuli was happy to see how excited they were. She added, "There's lunch in the rings too, so don't go hungry at school."
Naruto looked at Liuli gratefully. "Big Sis Liuli, you're the best! You're always looking out for us. I really don't know how to thank you."
Liuli gazed at Naruto, her eyes full of affection and tenderness. She gently ruffled his hair and smiled. "As the big sister to you two, of course I have to look after you. If you get bored in class, you can try using Shadow Clones to skip class. That way, the teacher won't catch you, and you can enjoy some leisure time."
At that, Naruto jumped up excitedly and shouted, "All right! Skipping class!"
Sasuke nodded beside him, agreeing.
Liuli watched the two energetic boys, her heart full of contentment.
She knew they each had their own personalities and dreams, and understood that sometimes they wanted to escape the confines of the classroom and find some fun of their own.
But she also believed they knew their limits and wouldn't let themselves get carried away.
"All right, hurry along," Liuli said with a smile, watching Naruto and Sasuke leave the house and set off for school.
Yugakure had once been a prosperous village, but now it lay in ruins, battered and broken.
Liuli had once devastated the village, leaving it almost completely razed to the ground. Under Pain's leadership, however, the villagers had begun working hard to restore the land they loved. They had repaired only a small portion, but their resolve and perseverance were deeply admirable.
The mysterious Six Paths Level powerhouse had left everyone stunned by her strength.
The Susanoo she unleashed was like a divine beast capable of destroying heaven and earth, easily demolishing a vast swath of the village.
Whenever she unleashed a technique, the whole village seemed to tremble. Life appeared so fragile before her power.
The cost of repairs was now a trivial expense for Konan, but she understood the true meaning of restoring the village.
She hoped Yugakure could return to its former state, giving the villagers a safe, peaceful home once more. She also hoped that rebuilding the village would strengthen the villagers' faith in it, uniting them to face the challenges ahead.
Yet rebuilding the village was no easy task. Beyond the material damage, the wounds in the villagers' hearts would take time to heal. Some had quietly fled, frightened by the enemy's strength. They had lost their faith in the village and no longer felt they belonged.
Konan understood that if the village was to truly come back to life, its people had to rediscover their roots and their spirit.
In the days that followed, Konan made an important decision. She temporarily left Yugakure and returned to the Akatsuki base.
She believed that while repairing Yugakure was important, the future and ambitions of the Akatsuki were a responsibility she could not ignore.
After all, Yugakure was only one part of her life, while the Akatsuki was where she had invested countless hours and emotions.
As soon as she returned to the base, Konan sensed the unrest and turmoil within the organization.
She knew the Akatsuki had always been a group full of conflicts and discord, but this time the situation seemed more serious than ever.
Juzo's death had dealt the organization a heavy blow, and Orochimaru's defection had plunged it into an unprecedented crisis.
She couldn't forget the difficult times they had endured together, nor could she accept the fact that one of their team had left.
Orochimaru's defection had thrown the Akatsuki into even greater chaos.
As one of the organization's core members, Orochimaru had taken a great deal of resources and intelligence with him when he left. His departure had also made the other members question the organization's future and direction.
For a while, the base was filled with doubt and unease. Many of the outside members were questioning the organization's purpose.
Yes.
Orochimaru, the man who had always lurked in the shadows, had finally bared his fangs when he returned.
He chose to attack Itachi Uchiha, trying to subdue this equally powerful opponent before he could react.
But he hadn't expected Itachi Uchiha's skill in genjutsu to have reached such heights.
In an instant, Orochimaru's vision blurred, and it felt as if the whole world had been turned upside down.
He tried to steady himself, but it was already too late. Itachi Uchiha's genjutsu had burrowed deep into his soul, trapping him in an endless illusion.
Orochimaru struggled and roared inside the illusion, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't escape its grip.
In the end, Orochimaru was defeated by a single glance from Itachi Uchiha and collapsed to the ground. His eyes were filled with fear and disbelief. He couldn't believe he had lost to someone so young.
Itachi Uchiha looked down at him coldly, as if he were nothing but a worthless loser.
Perhaps afraid that the Akatsuki would settle accounts with him, Orochimaru chose not to stay after his defeat. Instead, he defected immediately.
He knew he had lost his position and influence within the Akatsuki. Staying would only bring him further humiliation.
So he left the base without hesitation and disappeared into the vast crowd.
Although Itachi Uchiha had defeated Orochimaru, he didn't feel any lighter inside.
He knew Orochimaru's defection was only the beginning, and that more challenges and difficulties might lie ahead. The incident had also brought about a subtle change in him.
After Itachi returned to the Akatsuki, the Six Paths Sasuke portrayed by Liuli used genjutsu to alter some aspects of his personality.
Under the influence of Liuli's genjutsu, Itachi, who had once been calm and composed, became more reserved and inscrutable. He seemed to care much more about Sasuke's growth.
His eyes seemed to hide endless secrets, making it impossible to see into the depths of his heart.
Zetsu, another important member of the Akatsuki, noticed the change in Itachi.
He guessed that Itachi had changed because he had learned some bad news.
Perhaps it was about Orochimaru's defection, or perhaps it was some other secret concerning the Akatsuki.
After Itachi's personality changed, he acted even more cautiously and kept an even lower profile within the Akatsuki.
Konan returned to Amegakure with a group of construction workers. The scars left by years of war had yet to heal completely, but with the workers' arrival, the village had at least taken a solid step toward rebuilding.
She looked somewhat tired, but her eyes were unusually resolute. She knew her responsibilities were great: she wasn't just rebuilding Amegakure, but also protecting its innocent villagers and giving them a peaceful home.
Meanwhile, the remaining members had gathered at the Akatsuki base to discuss hunting down Orochimaru and recruiting new members.
Orochimaru's defection had shaken the organization, and how to fill the vacancy he had left had become a pressing concern.
"Konan, you're back." Pain's voice broke the silence in the base. He glanced at Konan, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes.
Konan nodded. She knew that what Pain was about to say would be closely tied to the organization's future.
"We were discussing recruiting new members for the organization," Pain said steadily. "Zetsu has found two suitable candidates to pair with Kakuzu and Itachi Uchiha. We need to send people to recruit them."
Konan furrowed her brows. She knew that meant she might have to set out on another journey.
But she didn't hesitate. She simply nodded, showing she understood Pain's meaning.
"The first is a member of the Jashin Cult from Yugakure, named Hidan." Pain began explaining the first target. "They say he's immortal. That ability would be a huge asset to our operations, so I've decided to pair him with Kakuzu."
As Konan listened, she couldn't help feeling a stir of emotion. The abilities of Jashin Cult followers often came with great risks, but if Hidan really was immortal, he was certainly worth recruiting.
"Konan, take Itachi Uchiha and Kakuzu with you to recruit Hidan."
Pain's words surprised Konan, but she didn't ask questions. She simply accepted the mission in silence.
"Yes," Konan replied firmly. She knew she was about to embark on a journey full of unknowns and challenges.
But she didn't back down. She believed that as long as it was for the future of the Akatsuki, she would press forward no matter how many obstacles lay ahead.
"Zetsu, tell us about the next candidate!" As soon as Pain finished speaking, Zetsu picked up where he left off and began introducing the second target.
Konan listened quietly, her mind already turning to how she would complete the next mission.
She knew that every new member would bring new strength and hope to the Akatsuki.
As one of its members, she would give everything she had for that shared goal.
"The second one is named Uchiha Hanabi." At Zetsu's words, the atmosphere in the base seemed to freeze instantly.
Everyone turned to look at him, their expressions varied: some were surprised, some curious, and others expectant.
Zetsu seemed pleased with their reaction. He gave a soft chuckle, his hoarse voice carrying an air of mystery. "This Uchiha Hanabi is a member of the Uchiha Clan that was left behind in the same village Hidan is from. You might not know this, but although that village is peaceful now, it used to be a war-torn village in the Ninja World. The Uchiha Clan no longer exists there. And this Uchiha Hanabi, unexpectedly, is in some unfamiliar village."
At this point, Zetsu deliberately paused, seeming to leave everyone in suspense.
He looked around. Seeing that everyone was captivated by his words, he continued, "Even more interestingly, Uchiha Hanabi is a little girl with twin tails. Just think about it: a girl so young already has a Mangekyō Sharingan. She's a genius among geniuses!"
Zetsu's words shocked everyone present. The Mangekyō Sharingan was one of the Uchiha Clan's most mysterious and powerful Kekkei Genkai, granting its wielder immense power and unique abilities. A young girl with a Mangekyō Sharingan was undoubtedly a great treasure.
"Just like Itachi, she has a Mangekyō Sharingan," Zetsu said with a hint of teasing. "Our Akatsuki certainly keeps getting more interesting. One Itachi Uchiha was already enough to give us a headache, and now we have another Uchiha Hanabi. But that's exactly what makes the Akatsuki so fascinating, isn't it?"
The Mysterious Masked Man hadn't said a word. He listened quietly to Zetsu's introduction, showing no expression.
But Konan noticed a strange glimmer deep in his eyes.
"It's surprising that someone like her is in a peaceful village," Zetsu concluded. "I think we should recruit her. After all, a member of the Uchiha Clan with a Mangekyō Sharingan is a rare talent for the Akatsuki."
Konan nodded in agreement. Though Uchiha Hanabi was a little girl, her ability and potential were not to be underestimated.
Besides, if they could successfully recruit her into the Akatsuki, the organization's strength would increase further.
"Then you can handle this mission," Pain's voice suddenly sounded, breaking the silence in the base. "Konan, the three of you should go together again. Remember, whatever it takes, bring Uchiha Hanabi over to our side."
Konan paused, surprised that Pain had assigned the mission to her. But she didn't hesitate. She simply nodded silently, accepting the task.
"Yes," Konan replied firmly.
"Hanabi, the little girl left from the Uchiha Clan, was my discovery!" The Mysterious Masked Man suddenly interjected, waving both hands, his eyes shining with determination and confidence, as if he could already see himself successfully recruiting Hanabi.
His voice echoed through the quiet conference room, causing a small stir.
Everyone turned to look at him. Some were curious, some surprised, and some wore a hint of amusement.
Zetsu chuckled softly, seemingly unsurprised by the Mysterious Masked Man volunteering.
The masked man was, of course, Obito Uchiha. Pain and Konan knew that Madara had joined them, so they had quickly accelerated the entire plan.
"Oh? You mean you want to recruit her yourself?" Pain asked in a calm, deep voice. He lifted his head slightly to look at the Mysterious Masked Man, as if considering whether the suggestion was feasible.
The Mysterious Masked Man nodded, a smug smile appearing on his face. "That's right. I want to meet this little Uchiha girl in person. Besides, I think she could be Itachi's partner. If they worked together, they'd surely be able to bring out even greater strength."
His words sparked a round of discussion among those present. Itachi was one of the Akatsuki's finest, and his strength was unfathomable. Finding him a suitable partner would certainly improve the efficiency of their missions.
As the last surviving member of the Uchiha Clan, Uchiha Hanabi not only possessed the powerful Kekkei Genkai of the Mangekyō Sharingan, but also had considerable strength and potential. Her joining would undoubtedly give the Akatsuki a new source of strength.
"Mm." Pain's voice sounded again, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes. "Fine. Then go with Konan."
"No problem," the Mysterious Masked Man said.
Before you continue