After a while, Konan came out.
She stood next to Senju Chen, looking at the rain curtain in silence.
"What do you want to see me for?" Her voice was very soft.
"It's nothing serious." Senju Chen smiled, "I just want to chat with you."
"What are you talking about?"
"Talk about the development of your 'Xiao' organization." Senju Chen turned his head and looked at her, "And... you."
Konan's cheeks were slightly red.
"I... I have something to talk about..."
"Yes." A playful smile appeared on Senju Chen's lips, "For example, why do you keep wearing that paper rose?"
Konan's face instantly turned red.
"I-I just... just feel..."
"Do you think it's a pity to throw it away?" Senju Chen took over the conversation with a smile.
"That's not true!" Konan defended in a panic, "I just... just..."
"Just what?" Senju Chen came closer, with a hint of teasing in his eyes.
Konan's breathing became rapid.
She could feel the temperature coming from Senju Chen's body, as well as the faint breath that made her heart beat faster.
"I..."
She opened her mouth, but found that she could not speak.
Senju Chen Looking at her appearance, I couldn't help but want to tease her.
"Okay, I won't tease you anymore." Senju Chen smiled and backed away some distance, "Let's get down to business."
Konan breathed a sigh of relief, but felt a little disappointed for no reason.
"Although the current development of your 'Xiao' organization looks good, there are great hidden dangers." Senju Chen's voice became serious, "Your expansion speed is too fast, and... it is too high-profile."
"High-profile?" Konan was stunned for a moment.
"That's right." Senju Chen nodded, "It's okay for you to establish strongholds in those villages and help the villagers. But it's still too obvious. Have you ever thought that doing so will make Hanzō feel that you are challenging his authority?"
Konan was silent.
"And..." Senju Chen continued, "Your current organizational structure is too loose."
"Although there are more than two hundred people, most of them are ordinary villagers. There are no more than twenty who are truly capable of fighting."
"If Hanzō really attacks you, you can't stop him at all."
Konan's face became solemn.
"Then... what should we do?"
"First, shrink the front." Senju Chen said slowly, "The current scale is already saturated for you, so don't continue to expand. Focus on consolidating the existing stronghold."
"Secondly, cultivate core members."
"You need a truly capable team, not a ragtag group of people."
"Finally..."
Senju Chen's eyes flashed with deep meaning.
"Be prepared for the worst."
"If Hanzo of the Salamander really wants to attack you, you must have a plan to deal with it."
"Whether you want to run away or fight, you have to think about it in advance."
Konan nodded silently.
"I will discuss it with Yahiko and the others."
"Yeah." Senju Chen patted her shoulder, "Do a good job. I'm optimistic about you."
Konan raised his head and looked at Senju Chen.
There were some complicated emotions flashing in those orange eyes.
"Senju Chen..."
"Huh?"
"You... will you always help us?"
Senju Chen was stunned for a moment, then smiled.
"Yes." His voice was gentle, "I'll be here anytime you need me."
Konan's eye sockets were slightly red.
"Thank you..."
"Silly girl." Senju Chen ruffled her hair, "Thank you for everything."
The rain is still falling.
But in Konan's heart, he suddenly felt that the world didn't seem so cold anymore.
The next day Senju Chen stood at the door of the factory and looked at the three young people in front of him.
"Okay, it's time for me to go."
"So soon?" Yahiko was stunned for a moment, "Why don't you stay a few more days?"
"No." Senju Chen shook his head, "I still have things to do."
He turned around, looked at Konan, and took out a special Kunai from his ninja bag.
The Kunai was completely black, with complex magic patterns engraved on the handle. It glowed with a faint luster under the wash of rain.
"This... is for you."
Konan was stunned.
She subconsciously took the Kunai, her fingertips touched the cold metal surface, and her heartbeat inexplicably accelerated a bit.
"This is..."
Senju Chen said calmly, "I made it myself, just keep it as a souvenir."
Konan's face instantly turned red.
Yahiko and Nagato looked at each other with a strange look in their eyes.
The atmosphere between these two people... why does it feel like something is wrong?
"Ahem." Yahiko coughed twice, "Well...Senju Chen, where are you going?"
"Land of Birds." Senju Chen looked away, "Go find someone."
"Who are you looking for?"
"A very interesting guy." A playful smile appeared on Senju Chen's lips, "An old monster who has lived for more than ninety years."
"By the way. Senior brother Yahiko, remember what I said."
"Either avoid the edge temporarily, or strike first to gain the upper hand."
"Don't let down those who believe in you."
As soon as he finished speaking, his figure disappeared into the rain.
Only three young people were left standing there, silent for a long time.
Konan looked down at Kunai in his hand.
The complex magic lines on the black blade glowed faintly under the wash of rain.
"Konan."
The voice of Yahiko suddenly sounded.
"Huh?"
"Do you... like him?"
Konan's body stiffened suddenly.
"I, I didn't..." she defended in panic, "I just... just..."
"You just think he's nice?" Nagato answered calmly from the side.
"Yes! That's it!" Konan nodded repeatedly as if grasping a life-saving straw.
Yahiko and Nagato looked at each other and said nothing.
But they all know it in their hearts.
Konan's reaction said it all.
"Forget it, let's not talk about it." Yahiko took a deep breath, "Let's discuss what Senju Chen said first."
"About Hanzo of the Salamander..."
Nagato nodded, a trace of solemnity flashed in his eyes.
"He is right. Our current development speed is indeed too fast."
"And..." Nagato paused, "Based on the changes in the number of people monitoring us, Hanzo of the Salamander may have regarded us as a threat."
Yahiko was silent.
He knew that what Senju Chen said was right.
But he still didn't want to believe that the man called "Demigod" would attack young people like them who just wanted to make Land of Rain better.
"Are we... really ready to go to war with him?" Yahiko's voice was bitter.
"It's not about starting a war." Nagato shook his head, "It's about self-protection."
"If he really wants to attack us, we can't just sit back and wait."
Konan also nodded.
"Senju Chen is right. We can adhere to the concept of peace, but we cannot be so naive that we even risk our own lives."
Yahiko Looking at the two companions in front of him, an indescribable feeling suddenly surged in his heart.
They... have all changed.
Become more mature and more sensible.
And he...
Are you still stuck in that innocent dream?
"I understand." Yahiko took a deep breath and his eyes became firm, "From today on, we will shrink the front and consolidate the existing strongholds."
"At the same time, strengthen the training of core members."
"If "Demigod" really wants to attack us..."
He paused and his voice became deeper.
"Then let's let him know that the 'Xiao' organization is not that easy to bully."
Nagato and Konan looked at each other and nodded.
The rain is still falling.
But some kind of flame called "enlightenment" has been ignited in the eyes of these three young people.