Beyond Time

After hearing Pain out, Konan's worries had not entirely faded. "But Obito Uchiha and Black Zetsu can't be trusted. Not a word they say."

Pain's voice remained cold and confident. "They've woven plenty of lies, but there must be some truth mixed in."

"Take the legend of the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki, for example."

A sharp glint flashed in his eyes. "If I become the Ten-Tails' Jinchuriki the moment all the Tailed Beasts have been captured, what good will their schemes do them?"

"Before the absolute power of a god, every plot and trick will crumble."

Konan fell silent for a moment, then slowly nodded. "I understand."

Dusk draped the rugged mountains of the Land of Earth in warm gold.

Kurotsuchi stood atop a towering stone pillar at the Village Gate, her hands clasped tightly to her chest. She craned her neck like a young sprout thirsting for rain, gazing eagerly toward the last sliver of light on the distant horizon.

Her eyes shone with anticipation and anxiety.

Whoosh. A faint rush of air sounded as a short but imposing figure floated up beside her using the Light-Weight Rock Technique.

Ōnoki stroked his beard. One look at his granddaughter's longing expression told him everything, but he put on a stern face and snorted. "Still waiting for that brat Deidara?"

Kurotsuchi spun around at his voice, caught his arm, and gave it a gentle shake. "Grandpa! Deidara sent word that he'd definitely be back today!"

"Hmph!" Ōnoki snorted again, his face full of exasperation. "That brat never takes anything seriously! All he does is fool around with that ridiculous explosive art of his!"

"Even if he becomes Tsuchikage one day, I doubt he'll ever lose that carefree attitude!"

Yet deep in his stern eyes lay a barely perceptible hope that his student would