After the dust of the fierce battle settled, Hanabi and her two companions joined the Akatsuki.
As the representative of the Akatsuki, Konan witnessed their agreement and naturally withdrew her sharp offensive.
She understood that the purpose of this mission was to bolster the strength of the Akatsuki, not to incite unnecessary conflict.
"Since you have made the decision to join the Akatsuki, there are no longer any obstacles blocking our path," Konan turned to Kakuzu, the man who possessed five hearts and an immortal life, and said calmly, "You have seen Hidan's physical condition; you should proceed with the stitching as soon as possible."
At this moment, Hidan was lying on the ground, his body shredded to pieces by Kakuzu's ninjutsu, his limbs separated from his torso. Yet, his vitality was astonishingly tenacious; even in such a state, he remained as stubborn as iron, retorting to Kakuzu without showing any weakness.
Kakuzu's gaze swept over Hidan, and he slowly crouched down to begin the stitching treatment.
Facing Hidan's provocation, Kakuzu showed no anger, responding only in an unruffled tone: "Kid, your luck is indeed good; otherwise, I wouldn't show mercy next time."
Upon hearing this, Hidan curled his lips into a stubborn and confident smile, as if he didn't care about Kakuzu's words at all, viewing it instead as a unique form of communication between the strong.
Though Hidan was in pain, he did not shrink back, instead responding to Kakuzu with a mocking tone: "Oh, brother Kakuzu, it seems you really did go easy on me. If it were any other time, wouldn't I have been drained of my last drop of blood by you in this state?"
Kakuzu glanced at him and let out a cold snort, his face expressionless but tinged with a hint of ridicule: "Hidan, your vitality is truly tenacious. If it were anyone else, they would have long since perished under this level of injury. However, don't think I will keep cleaning up your messes forever. Your immortality isn't omnipotent; keep acting recklessly, and be careful that one day I don't truly lose my patience and dismantle you completely."
Hearing this, Hidan did not restrain himself; instead, he laughed even more arrogantly: "Haha, Kakuzu, you're right, but my Lord Jashin has granted me infinite vitality! As long as my faith remains, I will never die! Besides, with you by my side as my mobile blood bank, I naturally have more confidence to act recklessly, don't I?"
Kakuzu glared at him, annoyed yet helpless. He replied in the same mocking tone: "Enjoy your immortality curse to the fullest, Hidan. But remember, if you ever truly push me too far, I won't mind letting you experience what 'endless pain' really feels like."
Hearing Kakuzu's words, Hidan laughed and responded: "Likewise, Kakuzu. Isn't your greed and persistence also our way of survival? In this world full of strife, isn't our partnership the best proof of that?"
Afterward, Kakuzu acted quickly, using his unique secret techniques to stitch Hidan's severed limbs back into place one by one. As flesh and blood intertwined, Hidan's body miraculously recovered as if nothing had happened.
With Kakuzu's precise and efficient stitching technique completed, Hidan's once-shattered body was instantly restored. He flexed his hands and feet, feeling that his strength was no different from before; if anything, due to this brush with death, he seemed to have a deeper understanding and control over his own immortality.
He stood up, patted the dust off his clothes, and with a smug and mischievous smile on his face, he said to Kakuzu with a joking sense of gratitude: "I won't pay the surgery fee, thanks, brother."
Facing Hidan's banter, Kakuzu did not show much emotional fluctuation, merely letting out a disdainful snort—"Hmph"—before turning his head away, deliberately avoiding eye contact with Hidan. His expression remained as gloomy as ever, as if forever shrouded in a layer of frost, making it difficult to fathom his true thoughts.
Seeing this, Hidan did not restrain himself but instead teased even more wantonly: "Yo, getting all tsundere now, Kakuzu? It's rare to see such a childish side of you."
Hearing this, Kakuzu's back stiffened slightly, but he did not turn around, responding only in a low, powerful voice: "Hidan, don't forget, if I hadn't stitched your body at the critical moment, you might still be crawling on the ground. Stop grinning and do your job."
Upon hearing this, the curve of Hidan's mouth widened further, and he replied gleefully: "Oh, Kakuzu, if we're going to be partners, shouldn't we understand each other? I'm just expressing my gratitude, just in a different way. Don't worry, I definitely won't drop the ball when we're on a mission."
After the fierce battle, the six of them—Kakuzu, Hidan, Konan, and the newly joined Uchiha Hanabi, Gojo Rin, and Gojo Satoru—arrived at a hot spring resort in Yugakure.
Yugakure was famous for its abundant hot spring resources. At this moment, they were enjoying the comfort and tranquility brought by the spring water, attempting to wash away their exhaustion and the scent of gunpowder from the battlefield.
But the previous harmonious atmosphere was broken by an urgent piece of news—several innocent villagers had been killed by Hidan.
Regarding this, Kakuzu showed his wealth; with a wave of his hand, he handled the matter with lightning speed and used economic means to buy out the entire village's hot spring industry, ensuring the group's bathing time.
In the women's bath, the curling steam was filled with a faint scent of sulfur. Konan, Uchiha Hanabi, and Gojo Rin were soaking in the warm spring water, their conversation light yet cautious.
Konan looked at Hanabi with interest, her eyes flickering with curiosity: "Hanabi, I've always been curious, how did you find out about the Akatsuki and choose to join us?"
Hanabi put on a playful expression and teased: "Oh, Sister Konan, I heard about it from the villagers chatting in the village. They said the Akatsuki is a great organization dedicated to maintaining world peace. In the mouths of the villagers here, your image is quite positive; they speak of you very kindly."
Gojo Rin, who was on the side, immediately chimed in, also pretending to be serious: "That's right, I heard the same thing, so we both thought that being able to join an organization that pursues peace and justice is an incredibly honorable thing. That is also an important reason why we sisters decided to join the Akatsuki."
In the steaming mist of the hot water, Hanabi's gaze inadvertently fell upon Konan's full and upright chest, and she couldn't help but admire the charm and resilience of this female leader of the Akatsuki.
As a core figure in the organization, Konan's temperament and strength made Hanabi feel admiration, and that inadvertent glance made Hanabi take a keen interest in Konan's life experiences.
The sensitive Konan quickly caught Hanabi's probing gaze, but she did not blame her or feel embarrassed, instead shifting the topic in a peaceful and concerned tone: "I heard you are an orphan of the Uchiha Clan, a girl from Konoha. How exactly did you end up joining this peaceful village?"
After hearing this, Hanabi immediately adjusted her state, her face revealing just the right amount of sadness and determination as she began a brilliant performance: "That's right, I am indeed an orphan of the Uchiha Clan, having lost my parents at a young age and growing up alone in Konoha. Later, the Uchiha Clan looked down on me, so I came here alone. When the villagers saw me, perhaps because of my special status or my tragic encounter, they treated me with extra kindness and sympathy. I chose to join here because I was homeless and no one treated me well, because I am an orphan. Wuwuwuwu."
Gojo Rin joined the conversation at the right time, following Hanabi's rhythm and cooperating with the narrative: "Yes, Sister Hanabi's experience is indeed very bumpy. Although she was highly visible in Konoha, she always felt a sense of loneliness deep inside that she couldn't integrate into. We sisters only came here after a chance encounter."
Upon hearing Hanabi recount her background and inner journey, a deep sense of sympathy and understanding welled up in Konan's heart.
She herself had also been an orphan left behind by war, knowing the pain and helplessness of losing loved ones and facing the world alone.
The memory was still fresh. Looking at these two young girls who had also experienced hardships, especially the sorrow and strength revealed in Hanabi's bright eyes.
As a woman who had experienced similar tribulations, the tenderness in Konan's heart was deeply touched.
Konan sighed softly: "Poor children, your experiences remind me of my own days—equally lonely and helpless, groping forward in the abyss of life. I can understand your feelings, and I can feel your courage and determination."
Hearing Konan's words, Hanabi's eyes turned red. She slowly moved closer to Konan and leaned gently into her arms, as if she had found a long-lost reliance.
She raised her moist eyes, looked at Konan, and said half-jokingly and half-seriously: "Sister Konan, look at how pitiful I am, no one cares for me, no one loves me, only Rin and I support each other to make it to this day."
Konan's heart tightened, her pity overflowing. She gently stroked Hanabi's hair, her voice as soft as a spring breeze: "Don't cry, don't cry, Hanabi, you are not alone. Now you have the Akatsuki as your family, and we are each other's kin. Here with me and my companions, you will receive love and support. The pain of the past cannot be erased, but we can create a future together where children no longer suffer."
Gojo Rin stood to the side, completely stunned by Hanabi's superb acting skills. Every word and every movement of Hanabi's seemed so genuine, as if she really were that helpless orphan longing to be cherished.
Rin sighed inwardly, thinking that Hanabi was truly a born actress, capable of performing a scene so meticulously. She was worthy of being called the "Joyful Prankster"; even when acting, she could be as invested as if it were real, striking straight at the heart.
This must be the work of Konoha!
Just as Rin was completely immersed in the dramatic tension brought by Hanabi's superb acting, Hanabi suddenly made a surprising move, leaning toward Konan with a movement that was extremely natural yet highly provocative.
She nimbly took advantage of the swaying water to brush against Konan's full, rounded chest, seemingly intentionally or unintentionally, and then hugged Konan without hesitation, her hands tightly wrapping around that slender yet resilient body.
Facing this sudden intimate contact, Konan's body stiffened noticeably. A sensation like an electric current spread throughout her body, causing her heart to race and a intoxicating flush to appear on her face.
Just as Rin was still struggling to digest the scene before her, Hanabi became even bolder. Not only did she press tightly against Konan's chest, but she also slid her hands toward Konan's waist. Where her fingertips touched, it was like plucking a zither string, causing ripples to spread.
Konan's already curvaceous figure seemed even more alluring under Hanabi's touch, her delicate skin glowing with an enticing luster against the backdrop of the hot spring water.
Konan's reaction was clearly more shy; she had never imagined that Hanabi would express her emotions so boldly and directly. An unprecedented, strange feeling came from her chest and waist, making her heart beat faster and her breathing become rapid.
She tried to steady her mind, yet a shy blush had already spread to her neck—an emotion mixed with embarrassment, shyness, and being moved, as delicate as cherry blossoms blooming in spring.
Hanabi's actions undoubtedly broke conventional boundaries, yet they also successfully created a powerful visual impact and emotional resonance.
Her tears, appearing both real and feigned, hung upon her delicate face, reflecting the faint glimmer of the hot spring and leaving everyone present unable to help but be moved.
"Sister Konan, I'm so miserable, and I'm even a fan of the Akatsuki!" Hanabi said.
Although Konan was caught off guard by Hanabi's sudden assault, seeing the girl's tear-streaked face stirred feelings of pity and affection within her, and she instinctively stroked Hanabi's back to offer silent comfort.
In a corner of the hot spring, Gojo Satoru (set here as a white-haired woman after a complete gender swap) stared dumbfounded at Hanabi's bold yet tender display.
Her azure eyes shimmered with surprise and confusion; clearly, she was shocked by such a direct and passionate expression of emotion from Hanabi.
At the same time, she quickly pulled out her system device, silently snapped a photo of the scene, and sent it to the exclusive System Chat Group of the Akatsuki.
Meanwhile, in the distant Konoha, inside Sasuke's living room, Sasuke and Naruto were engaged in an intense gaming duel.
While manipulating the controller in his hands, Naruto didn't forget to tease the Sasuke beside him: "Sasuke, what's wrong with you? You can't even beat me at a game, and you haven't won against me many times in actual combat either. You're really trash!"
Sasuke wore a look of disdain, a faint smile curling at the corner of his lips: "Tch, who knows who stayed up late practicing until dawn last night? Calling it training only makes you more exhausted."
His words betrayed his concern for Naruto's overexertion.
Upon hearing this, Naruto grew anxious, his eyes widening as he retorted: "What are you saying? This master is striving for perfection and constantly improving his skills, get it?"
As soon as he finished speaking, the two plunged into another round of gaming competition.
At this moment, Uchiha Ruri, who was busy preparing dinner in the kitchen, caught a glimpse of the photo just uploaded to the System Chat Group out of the corner of her eye.
In the image, Hanabi was tightly embracing Konan; Konan's face was flushed with embarrassment, while Hanabi was teary-eyed, making the two look like a pair of affectionate mother and child.
Seeing this, the kitchen knife in Uchiha Ruri's hand stopped mid-motion, and she couldn't help but blurt out: "Holy crap! These two are way too insane!"
Before you go
Like what you read?
Request the full translation to continue reading beyond the preview chapters.