Hayato Gorge, Land of Rivers.
Konan sat against the cliff, gazing at the cold moonlight. Pain Rin stood quietly beside her, her hands clasped behind her back.
"Will he come?" Konan asked.
"Who knew? But we've done everything we could. Now, we just wait quietly for the result."
"What if he doesn't come?"
"Then we'll think of something else."
"Rustle, rustle, rustle!" White figures emerged behind them.
Konan immediately rose to her feet and raised a hand.
The White Zetsu hurriedly raised both hands. "Lady Konan, don't attack! I'm an ally!!!"
Konan asked, "What is your designation number?"
The White Zetsu said, "I'm Number 47!"
Number 47?
Pain Rin and Konan exchanged glances, both sighing inwardly. Number 0 really was capable...
"Is something wrong?"
Number 47 said, "One of our clones spotted the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi. He left Konoha at noon and rushed in this direction... Since both of you happened to be here, I came to report this to you!"
What a sweetheart. You really came at just the right time!
Pain Rin asked, "The Third Hokage came alone, right?"
Number 47 replied, "Yes. He'll be here in less than half an hour!"
Pain Rin nodded. "Thanks for the effort! Also, tell Number 0 to be careful in the nest. Don't get greedy and rush things! And all of you should be careful too—don't let anything slip!"
"Thank you for your concern, Lady Nagato's female form. Then I'll take my leave first!"
"Go on!"
Number 47 sank into the ground.
"My, my, is our pleasant time together as girls about to end~?" Pain Rin said, driving a Flying Thunder God Kunai into the ground beside her feet.
Then she vanished amid a cloud of white smoke.
Nagato summoned her back to Amegakure.
"Whoosh!" Thirty seconds later, Nagato appeared