A small town somewhere in the Land of Fire.
The setting sun washed the town in gold, and children chased one another through the streets.
Genya and Konan walked side by side along the stone-paved road, drawing glances from passersby.
A boy dressed in black and a beautiful blue-haired woman-neither looked remotely ordinary.
"How about this place?"
Genya pointed to a noodle shop that looked as though it had been around for years.
"It smells wonderful."
Konan glanced at it and nodded.
They lifted the doorway curtain, stepped inside, and sat down in a corner.
While they waited for their noodles, Konan suddenly spoke.
"That little lead singer of yours-what was her name again?"
"Chinatsu."
Genya answered.
"Right, Chinatsu."
Konan nodded.
"She likes you."
Genya nearly choked on his tea.
"Cough, cough... what?!"
Konan looked at him calmly.
"You hadn't noticed?"
Genya firmly denied it.
"She just... admires me! That's right, admires me! I founded the Girl Group, after all. Lots of Uchiha like me!"
Konan let the subject drop, merely lifting her teacup and taking a small sip.
"It must be nice to be young."
Her voice was quiet.
Genya looked at her, then suddenly asked.
"What about you, Konan? Is there anyone you like?"
Konan's hand paused around her teacup.
A moment later, she set it down and looked out the window at the darkening sky.
"...There was."
Genya didn't press her. He simply listened.
"It was a long time ago."
Konan spoke softly.
"His name was Yahiko. He founded the Akatsuki together with Nagato and me. He wanted to change this world through peaceful means, so Amegakure and all the small nations could live in the sunlight."
She paused.
"Then he died. At the hands of the comrades we once wanted to protect."
Genya fell silent.
Konan