After Naruto took Konan away, she saw firsthand the contrast between Amegakure and Kusagakure.
Under the Akatsuki's rule, Amegakure had been peaceful most of the time, but the conflict between smoke and rain had left it without much vitality.
Meanwhile, the quality of life in Kusagakure had not declined after Konoha conquered it.
Konoha's ninja registered Kusagakure's villagers, distributed food to elderly people unable to work, and provided jobs for the villagers as they rebuilt the village.
The entire village was flourishing.
Most of those Konoha ninja were like the Jiraiya she had known as a child, with warm, honest smiles and a willingness to help others.
Even now, that scene of vibrant life, of everything thriving, remained vivid in Konan's mind.
Orochimaru's laboratory.
Naruto paused, leaned toward the crack in the door, and peered inside.
Inside the room, Kabuto Yakushi stood at a workbench with his back to the door, apparently holding something in his arms.
Tayuya sat on a chair in the corner, carefully maintaining and tuning a bone flute. She did not seem particularly interested in what Kabuto was doing.
Just then, Kabuto seemed to hear the faint noise at the door and abruptly turned his head.
The instant his gaze met Naruto's calm yet piercing eyes through the crack in the door, a look of utter panic flashed across his face.
Upon seeing Naruto, Kabuto Yakushi hurriedly put what he was holding into a box beneath the workbench.
Only after doing that did Kabuto turn around, forcing himself to look composed. He managed a stiff smile, but a fine layer of cold sweat had already formed on his forehead.
"Lord Hokage, what brings you here? Are you looking for Lord Orochimaru? He just went out, so you may have to wait a little..."
Kabuto's voice trembled