Konan paused. Remembering Hidan's bizarre immortal body and his frenzied worship of pain, she added:
"As for why he chose Hidan as his spokesman, that isn't strange."
"Across the entire Shinobi World, I doubt you could find anyone more 'devout,' more thorough, or less restrained in believing in and carrying out those Evil God rituals."
"For such a being, strength might not be the first consideration. Absolute 'faith' and 'compatibility' may be what matter."
Pain listened in silence, the light in his Rinnegan flickering faintly.
Konan's analysis peeled back layer after layer, pointing toward a vast, dark unknown casting its shadow over the entire Shinobi World.
He drew his gaze back from the window and looked down at Amegakure's buildings, blurred and dilapidated in the rain beneath the Tower.
"Then, Konan," he asked, his voice sinking low with a barely perceptible emptiness, "what do you think Amegakure will become after we die?"
Konan stepped beside him and looked out at the village. The cold rain seemed to fall into her eyes as well.
"I'm afraid it won't fare well." Her voice was soft, but the reality she described cut like a blade. "The Land of Rain and Amegakure lie between three great nations. That geographical disadvantage will never change."
"And in the future, Obito Uchiha will start the Fourth Shinobi World War. After it ends, the wounds of war and years of accumulated hatred will need an outlet."
"The Five Great Nations may find a new balance under Naruto Uzumaki's strength and will, but the factions, remnants, and marauders who don't dare—or can't—take revenge on Konoha directly..."
She paused, a trace of bitterness entering her voice. "Amegakure was once controlled by the Akatsuki, had an uncertain position during the war, and is relatively weak. It could easily become their preferred