Amegakure.
To ease the exhaustion of days of fierce fighting, Naruto took Konan's advice and visited the hot spring at a guesthouse in Amegakure.
Because it rained year-round in Amegakure, all its hot springs were indoors.
Everyone was busy at this hour, leaving the enormous hot spring pool deserted.
Naruto leaned against a rock, a towel draped over his face, enjoying the soothing warmth.
"How long has it been since I last relaxed like this, body and mind...?"
"Don't push yourself too hard. We still have plenty of time."
Her gentle words came from the other side of the rock, where Konan was washing herself. Through the rising steam, her pale purple eyeshadow flickered in and out of view.
Notably, she wore her paper flower even in the hot spring. It was made from a special paper that neither lost its shape nor faded when wet.
On the other side of the rock, Naruto asked, "By the way, Konan, there's something I've always wanted to ask you."
Splash!
Konan lifted a pale, slender leg out of the water and cupped water in her hands, gently washing it. Her lovely eyes glimmered. "What is it? Go ahead."
Naruto asked, "Why do you like origami?"
"..." Konan's expression briefly faltered, then softened.
"I was born during Amegakure's years of war. Supplies were scarce, and folding paper let me bring my imagination to life..."
"Of course, that's the deeper answer. To put it simply, it's just a girl's hobby..."
"Ah, just like how I love ramen because it tastes good, with no other reason. Still, Konan, I really admire how you managed to combine your hobby with ninjutsu."
At that, Naruto joked, "I couldn't combine ramen with ninjutsu and invent something like 'Noodle Style,' believe it!"
Konan smiled. "It wasn't anything that grand.