Itachi doesn't seem to be on our side.
"In the end, he was an outsider. Even though his entire clan was forced to perish by Konoha, he still loved that village. He was never one of us."
Are you confident you can handle him?
"If anyone dares to try and stop me, I'll have my ways of dealing with them."
Aoki Tsuki walked up to Killer B and took out a scroll.
Inside was the remaining half of the octopus tail from when Gyuki used the Tail Severing Jutsu. He transferred the Chakra within it to Killer B, keeping him barely alive.
Konan asked curiously, "What are you doing?"
" The Fourth Raikage values his younger brother highly. Once war breaks out, the village will likely be exposed to the Five Great Nations. If we fail, it will be difficult for us to survive."
We need to leave a way out for the villagers; even if the Five Great Nations are incomplete, the village can't handle them."
The so-called martial arts world is all about human relationships and social interactions, and the Shinobi World is no different. As long as things don't go too far, everything will be fine in the end.
Konan remained silent; she hadn't thought that far ahead.
Yahiko and Nagato were everything to her, and now that Aoki Tsuki has joined the family, she doesn't care about anything else.
In the cruel ninja world, everyone is struggling to make ends meet, so who has the time to care about others? Nagato and she only cared about the village to fulfill Yahiko's last wish.
Looking at the man before me again, I felt a strange sense of unease, as if I had never truly known him.
Perhaps he is the one who truly loves the village and the Land of Rain.
She originally wanted to settle accounts with Yue for stealing from her, but oh well, this guy is someone she both loves and hates, and there's nothing she can do about it.
'Hmph, I guess I owed you something in my past life.'
After settling Killer B in at the base, Aoki Tsuki said, "Let's go, let's go back."
"Why."
Flying through the sea of clouds, no matter how many times you experience it, you will always be deeply attracted by its richness and ever-changing nature; the wind is unpredictable, and the clouds are ever-changing.
Sometimes, Aoki Tsuki would get lost in thought while looking at the clouds.
When he came to his senses, he found that Konan had hugged him from behind without him noticing, pressing her face against his back, seemingly lost in thought.
"Moon, don't look back, this is fine."
'Haha... you must have been captivated by my charm, no, it's also possible that you mistook me for Yahiko, and are letting it go because you're carrying a weapon.'
The persistent sexual harassment was indeed effective; it was all the result of his efforts.
Aoki Tsuki secretly gloated: 'It's time to unleash the ultimate trump card!'
"Ahem... You've hugged me so many times, but I've never hugged you. Can I have a chance to do it?"
No way.
"I think..."
"Don't even think about it," Konan firmly refused.
She knew very well that if she dared to loosen her grip even slightly, this man might just take advantage of her on the spot, right here above the sea of clouds—it wasn't impossible.
"Alright then, I was originally planning to give you a surprise."
Konan immediately perked up; whenever Aoki Tsuki mentioned a surprise, it always made her happy.
"What?"
"Let me give you a good hug, and then I'll tell you that I've been preparing this surprise for a long time, but I just hadn't found the right time."
If I don't tell you now, I'm afraid I'll really never have another chance.
Aoki Tsuki's words were sincere and genuine, not feigned.
"Okay, I believe you."
As soon as Konan finished speaking, she found herself being pulled into a pair of strong, powerful arms, and instinctively gasped in surprise.
"Hmm..."
Before she could utter a sound, her mouth was filled with a soft tongue.
'We really can't give in.'
After a long while, Aoki Tsuki reluctantly withdrew his 'tongue,' worried that he might suffocate his newly acquired girlfriend, which would be a huge loss.
It seemed even the heavens didn't want the two to be separated; a transparent thread connected their mouths, reflecting iridescent colors in the sunlight—how embarrassing!
Snap!
The waterline broke.
Konan's cheeks flushed red, and she quickly buried her head in Aoki Tsuki's arms, not daring to look at anyone.
Aoki Tsuki, that old pervert, had probably experienced similar scenes countless times. He casually reached out and touched it, smacked his lips, as if savoring it.
"It tastes really good."
"What a scoundrel!"
Konan immediately got goosebumps. This was the boldest thing she had ever done in her life. The last time was when she gave Yahiko a light, dry kiss.
Looking back, it was more than a decade ago.
"Can we talk now?"
Unexpectedly, Aoki Tsuki shook his head and said seriously, "Not yet. It's a very serious matter. We have to wait until we get back to the village."
"Moon, even if you're lying to me, it doesn't matter."
Having been scammed so many times, Konan Nan automatically lowered her expectations to the minimum; without expectations, there would be no disappointment.
Why would I lie to you? I always keep my word and never lie to women.
When it's time to show off, there's no holding back.
"Okay, let's talk about it when we get back to the village."
Aoki Tsuki issued a warning as they entered the highway. "We're about to speed up, hold on tight!"
"Honestly, not again. Spare me." Konan complained, but her hands didn't slow down at all, quickly hugging Aoki Tsuki's waist from behind.
Other couples find a secluded spot to be lovey-dovey, but these two are always in the air.
The Land of Grass and the Land of Rain are near each other; they will arrive soon.
As usual Konan first went to report the situation to Pain, and then dealt with her work. Aoki Tsuki returned home, took a walk around, and then left the village again, not returning until evening.
In the evening, after finishing my work, I stood at the door for a moment before turning around and walking home.
"Is it Tower 1 again? What could it be this time...? It feels like it's something important."
I got home, took a shower, changed my clothes, and did my hair and makeup before setting off.
In the dim candlelight, Aoki Tsuki was engrossed in reading the contents of the scroll. When she saw Konan enter, she smiled slightly and said, "You've arrived."
"Hmm, what are you looking at?"
"I'll show you the path you took to get here, and help you rediscover the regrets of the past. Please call me the Dream Fulfillment Master."
"What's going on now? You're making such a fuss that it's making me a little nervous. What is it?"
Aoki Tsuki decided to cut to the chase and said, "After the First Hokage died, Konoha faced a siege. In order to reduce casualties, the Second Hokage developed a Kinjutsu."
The spirits of the dead are summoned from the Pure Land World to participate in the battle. They possess all the memories of their previous lives, can use the Ninjutsu they used in life, and can also communicate with the dead.
Do you understand now?
Thump thump... thump thump...
Upon hearing this, Konan's heart began to pound uncontrollably, and her voice trembled as she said, "You... you mean..."
"Although we're not very familiar with each other yet, it shouldn't be a problem to call them over for a chat."
He handed the scroll to Konan before explaining, "As you know, I have a deal with Orochimaru. This is a gift for you; I hope you don't think I'm being presumptuous."
"Thank you, Yue, thank you for everything you've done for me."
Konan's eyes were wet with tears. What happened that day was too sudden; she didn't even have time to say goodbye, which she still couldn't let go of.
"Chief Yahiko is truly remarkable, and I greatly admire him. I bet you have a lot to say to him. This technique requires a bit of the target's flesh and blood as a medium to be cast."
I've prepared the offerings. Go back and discuss it with Chief Pain.
"Um."
Konan hurriedly left with the scroll. On her way back, even the rainwater tasted exceptionally sweet, and the people in her memory, who had been blurry, suddenly became clear.
He glanced briefly at Deva Path Pain, before turning and walking into the dark room.
"What happened?"
Konan's movements in the village could not escape Nagato's notice. She secretly went on a date with Aoki Tsuki, and then hurriedly ran back.
" Nagato, I... I miss Yahiko."
Nagato looked at Konan with a puzzled expression, noticing the scroll in her hand. "This is..."
" The Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu can summon the soul of the dead from the Pure Land World. I wish to see Yahiko one more time."
"There's actually such a technique!"
Nagato was taken aback. "I really didn't expect to see that naive guy again, Konan."
"Why."
"I don't want him to see me like this. Let's find another place to perform the spell."
"Hmm." Konan turned and ran.
Seeing Konan's hurried appearance, Nagato smiled and said, "This guy Yue is really good at chasing girls; even someone like Konan can't resist him."
First, he Danzo, who had killed Yahiko, and then he summoned Yahiko using a magic spell. These two moves are enough for him and Yahiko to learn for a lifetime.
Straight men don't even think about this kind of thing; men who aren't serious about their careers are often more attractive to women.
A moment later, Aoki Tsuki followed Konan to a tower next to the main tower, Deva Path Pain was already waiting.
"This is where Akatsuki started, but it was later abandoned," Konan explained.
"Really? You guys are incredibly bold, daring to hide Hanzō's nose. Aren't you afraid?"
"Back then, we thought Hanzō was a good person."
"Alright, by the way, Hanzō's body should be handed over to Sasori."
"Um."
Konan finally agreed to hand over Hanzō's body, mainly because they probably wouldn't need it in the future.
Bang!
He threw the offerings he was carrying on the ground; they were from a rogue ninja he had captured during the day.
Seeing this Deva Path Pain stepped forward, took a small piece of flesh from his own body, and placed it on the offering. "Is that enough?"
"Alright, Chief. I apologize for being so blunt, but I always felt you were someone who easily softened at crucial moments. This time, seeing old friends, you can't give up halfway," Aoki Tsuki reminded her.
In your eyes, am I someone who likes to give up?
"Of course not, you're a man who can uphold his own Ninja Way, possessing immense willpower..."
Konan frowned and urged, "Stop rambling, Yue, let's get started."
Being a chatterbox is Aoki Tsuki's second problem.
"Sorry, I've gotten a bit off-topic. Let's begin." Aoki Tsuki Hand Seals and gently pressed them onto the ground. " Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu."
Buzz...
Black runes spread across the ground, enveloping the offerings, while white light descended, drawing in the surrounding dust.
"Ah..."
A mournful wail came from the sacrificial offering, its entire body covered in dust, and a man with short orange hair appeared in the spot.
The man looked around blankly, but when he saw that familiar figure, his consciousness stirred, and he finally showed a hint of human emotion. " Konan, is that you?"
" Yahiko!!"
After confirming it was Yahiko's voice, Konan could no longer hold back. She rushed into Yahiko's arms, hugged him tightly, and burst into tears.
Yahiko stretched out his slightly stiff arm and gently patted Konan's back, comforting her:
"I never thought we'd meet again. I'm so glad you're still alive. By the way, what about Nagato?"
"I'm here."
Yahiko turned around and was immediately stunned, his mouth agape. "How is this possible? You... I..."
He saw himself, and it was himself with the Rinnegan.
"What exactly happened? What occurred after that day?"
"There are many things I want to tell you slowly," Pain said.
When he summoned Yahiko, Aoki Tsuki quietly left, leaving the space to the three of them.
After talking on and off for over an hour, Yahiko finally learned about the general situation of Konan and Pain over the years from their words.
"You must have suffered a lot over the years. It was my naiveté that ruined everyone, ruined you all."
"Don't say that, Yahiko. As long as you don't blame me, that's fine."
Nagato felt a little guilty. Akatsuki's current path was far from Yahiko's original plan, and he didn't dare to say too much for fear of upsetting his best friend.
"It's already very good, better than I imagined. At least the Land of Rain and the village have achieved peace now."
" Nagato, you really are the most suitable leader of Akatsuki. My judgment wasn't wrong."
Yahiko reached out and patted Pain on the shoulder, laughing, "Speaking of which... it's kind of weird to talk to yourself, haha..."
As Konan watched Yahiko and Nagato chat, her thoughts drifted back to the days they spent together. Yahiko was an optimistic and upright person, someone who made people want to get closer to him.
Aoki Tsuki's personality is completely different. He appears unrestrained and carefree, but he has a cunning heart inside. He feels like he's losing out if he can't gain an advantage.
" Yahiko, Akatsuki's plan has reached its final stage. In order to create true peace, we will confront the Five Great Nations, and many people will die. Do you agree with my approach?"
After some thought, Nagato couldn't help but ask, wanting to hear Yahiko's opinion.
"How would I know about such a question? I firmly believed that true peace could be achieved through communication and negotiation, and I still believe that now."
In reality, without sufficient power, no one will sit down and listen to you properly; perhaps you are right.
Nagato, as the leader of Akatsuki, you can make the decision. Whatever the outcome, I will support you.
A true buddy is someone who, even if they disagree with the other's beliefs, is still willing to offer unconditional support.
"Hmph, I knew you'd say that. Your personality hasn't changed at all," Nagato said helplessly.
"Haha... you know I've been dead for many years and don't want to worry about the Shinobi World anymore, so please let me go," Yahiko joked.
The ninja world is a place where good people are punished. If you try to be a good person, heaven will immediately punish you, punishing you by making you lose a large sum of money, punishing you by making you get injured, punishing you by making you lose everything. It's that evil.
"Understood."
"As a dead person, I cannot stay in the real world for long. Let it end here. Nagato, Konan, you have fulfilled my dream."
Meeting you all is the greatest fortune of my life. In short, no matter what happens, remember to live well.
" Yahiko!"
Konan choked up, her cry expressing all her longing; no amount of words could express it.
This time, Yahiko took the initiative to hug Konan and whispered, " Konan, you and Nagato must take good care of yourselves. Don't worry too much about me. You have a long life ahead of you, understand?"
"Um."
" Nagato, you too, don't push yourself too hard. You've already done enough."
"Knew."
Yahiko wanted to hug Nagato as well, but felt it would be strange to hug himself, so he gave up.
Nagato's true form was unwilling to show itself, clearly because she didn't want him to see her in such a disheveled state. How could he not understand that?
Buzz...
A burst of white light emanated from Yahiko's body, and his soul rose from the Reanimated Body, smiling and waving at Konan Deva Path Pain.
"They're gone."
" Yahiko!!"
Konan couldn't help but shout, taking two steps forward and reaching out to touch him, but could only watch as Yahiko's soul disappeared into the hazy darkness with the white light.
Deva Path Pain stared silently in the direction Yahiko had disappeared for a long time.