"Konan, tell me honestly. Have you been hiding the fact that you've been doing things to hurt yourself?"
Faced with Nagato's question, Konan's eyes flickered as she avoided his gaze.
To ease the physical and mental exhaustion caused by staying up late, whenever the dead of night arrived, Konan would rely on the Black Rods, allowing Nagato's chakra to flow into her and drawing stimulation from it.
Tonight, she had slipped in the women's bath, and Pain Rin had discovered the puncture marks on her arm. That was how the matter had been exposed.
"I'm sorry. I... really didn't want to cause you trouble..."
"No, Konan. I'm the one who should be apologizing."
Nagato blamed himself deeply for not discovering it sooner. Otherwise, he never would have allowed Konan to do something like this.
"That forbidden technique, Night Netherworld Spider Lily... can we stop learning it?"
"There are many ways to become stronger. There's really no need to practice a technique that tortures yourself like this."
"If I'd known it would turn out this way, I would rather have burned that page of the Scroll of Seals than let you see it."
"Really... I can't bear to see you like this."
An inexplicable smile appeared at the corner of Konan's lips. "Nagato, you finally said what was in your heart."
Yes, Nagato knew perfectly well that, given Konan's resolve, she would never allow herself to retreat in the face of difficulty. Yet he still could not control his feelings and said things he knew would only backfire.
"Then promise me you won't stab yourself with Black Rods anymore."
"What if I get sleepy and fall asleep if I don't?"
"Then sleep! No matter what, you're not allowed to stab yourself!"
"Okay, okay. I won't stab myself. I didn't expect you