Konan lay on the bed, squinting her eyes as she woke up. The curtains in the room were drawn, making it impossible to tell whether it was day or night. Uchiha Obito still hadn't shown up.
Every day she spent in the room was just about passing time, either staring blankly or sleeping. After going through life and death, memories from the past kept surfacing in her mind uncontrollably.
'Nagato's dream was to change this world. Yahiko's dream was peace. But what was my own dream?' Konan turned over, curling up into a ball.
She couldn't articulate what her dream truly was. When she was still young, perhaps it was just to have enough to eat. Later, she wished for peace. And then, she wanted to change the world.
Now, she just wanted to go back to the past… to a time when she didn't have to think about anything, when everyone around her was alive. She just wanted them all to live well.
As she thought about it, a silent tear streamed down her cheek.
Knock, knock, knock.
There was a knock on the door.
Konan snapped out of her thoughts and quickly wiped away her emotions. She got up and opened the door, only for Naruto to immediately cover her mouth with his hand. Her body stiffened in shock.
Naruto's expression was grave. With one hand over her mouth, he raised the index finger of his other hand to his lips, signaling her to stay silent.
'He's here. Hide.' He mouthed the words soundlessly, gently pushing Konan back and pointing toward the closet, instructing her to conceal herself inside.
The Rinnegan wasn't X-ray vision, so Obito couldn't see Konan's Chakra. Konan tensed up but complied without hesitation, moving silently into the closet.
Naruto closed the door with his backhand, closed his eyes and sensed Obito's Chakra approaching him quickly. His entire demeanor relaxed, his expression instantly turning calm.
He wasn't afraid of Obito coming, he was afraid he wouldn't come.
'He was close now.'
Knock, knock, knock.
Naruto, who had been drinking water in the living room, couldn't help but be a little surprised, 'This bastard actually knocked on the front door? Damn it, since when did he pick up Uchiha Itachi's habits?'
He put down the glass, walked slowly to the door and opened it with a click.
Outside the door, Obito was covered in dust, his face hidden behind a black-and-white spiral-patterned mask. The single eye visible through it gleamed coldly, sweeping over Naruto the moment the door opened.
Naruto responded with a ferocious grin, his aura just as oppressive as he glared back at Obito.
"Uchiha Obito, your mom's dead… why are you not dead?"
"Uzumaki Naruto, your mouth is as filthy as ever." Obito stared at him without any emotion. "I have obtained the Rinnegan. It's time to begin."
"Now?" Naruto shot him a glance, "At least let me change my clothes."
"Time is tight, I don't think it's necessary." Obito's voice was indifferent as he gestured outside, "Let's go, I don't need to invite you, right?"
"Since we both know each other's weaknesses, there's no need for further words. As long as Rin is revived, everything can be negotiated. But if you refuse to cooperate…"
Obito didn't say anything else, but the implication behind his words was very clear. If Naruto didn't comply, Obito would target his weaknesses.
And Naruto's weaknesses were none other than Ino and Hinata.
Naruto's expression darkened, and he wanted nothing more than to cut this bastard down right here, but he felt that would be letting him off too easy. His fists clenched, then relaxed. Finally, he forced a smile.
"Fine. Let's go."
Upon hearing this, Obito turned around and headed downstairs directly.
Having obtained the Rinnegan, the surging power within him felt like an unstoppable tide. His senses were heightened to an extreme degree, making him hyper-aware of even the slightest disturbance around him, so he had no fear of Naruto trying anything behind his back.
Naruto slipped on his shoes and stepped out, closing the door behind him.
With a bang, silence instantly swallowed the living room. Inside the closet, Konan stood motionless, her heart pounding so loudly she feared it might give her away.
The plan had already been set. Acting recklessly now would render it meaningless. Konan understood her role perfectly and resisted the urge to act impulsively.
She didn't come out immediately. Instead, she waited a few minutes before cautiously stepping out. The moment her foot touched the floor, she methodically executed the steps she had rehearsed in her mind.
Retrieving an Anbu's uniform from the closet, she changed into it swiftly, then pushed open the unlocked window and slipped out into the night.
…
Under the moonlight, Naruto followed Obito as they moved silently through the village. Obito's movements were light, and both of them suppressed their Chakra, ensuring they went undetected by the Anbu.
"Where are we going?" He asked.
"The edge of the Land of Fire's forest." Obito replied without turning his head.
"Heh, you villains are all the same. You always did your dirty work at the Land of Fire's borders." Naruto sneered, not bothering to hide his mockery. "Like rats, scurrying around in the shadows."
"Aren't you the same? Willing to do whatever it takes?" Obito glanced back at him.
"I'm different from you. I stand in the light. I stand on the side of justice." Naruto said with a grin, "What about you? Would you dare tell Nohara Rin everything you've done all these years?"
"I don't regret it. They hurt Rin. I just made them suffer the same pain Rin suffered." Obito's voice was cold and unmoved.
The two of them moved forward swiftly, their speed almost imperceptible to the naked eye. Seeing the main gate of Konoha right in front of him, Obito's gaze flickered toward Naruto.
"Oh, I'm sure Nohara Rin would be thrilled to know what you've done. The great romantic who killed his own teacher and his wife is so heroic." Naruto didn't make any sudden moves at the village's entrance.
"Say whatever you want." Obito walked through the Konoha's gate, and Naruto followed close behind.
"Heh." Naruto didn't speak again.