"I never imagined... that the person who would ultimately revive Akatsuki would have a connection to Kisame Hoshigaki, whom the Masked Man recruited."
"I've always been wary of him. Now, perhaps I should get to know him better," Konan said with a sigh.
After Akatsuki fell apart and everyone else had left the stage, he alone had preserved its last spark, raising Itachi's child and carrying on Akatsuki's will.
Nagato's expression was conflicted as he murmured.
"Itachi is already on his way back to Konoha. That makes him a deserter."
"The Sarada who was supposed to be born in the future... probably won't exist anymore."
Konan fell silent for a moment, then gently shook her head, a hint of tender hope in her eyes.
"If the Sky Screen can see the future, that means its course exists."
"Perhaps, however long and winding the road ahead, she'll still arrive in the future meant for her, right on time."
At that, Nagato gave a rare, faint smile and nodded in acceptance.
"That would be nice."
"I really would like to meet this child."
"She sees things more clearly than any of us."
"Better to rely on yourself than on others. Placing your hopes in outside forces leads to nothing."
"That lesson cost both our first and second generations of Akatsuki a lifetime of blood and tears."
"I hope her third generation of Akatsuki can bring the Land of Rain a different future."
The entire Shinobi World was still immersed in the sorrow of the Land of Rain's future and Sarada's clear-eyed resolve.
Konoha, meanwhile, had already erupted.
The brothers, Uchiha Itachi and Sasuke Uchiha, were utterly dumbfounded.
On the Sky Screen, young Sarada stood quietly in the Land of Rain's cold downpour. Her eyes, brows, nose, and lips bore a seventy- to