Konan simply couldn't understand—had she really resigned herself to this fate?
She was lost in thought for a long time, unable to comprehend how she could possibly accept such a thing!
At first, when Hokage Konan came to find her, she had completely understood.
She had always believed that when it came to emotions, she was someone who would never settle for less.
But now… the person standing here—was this really still herself?
She couldn't help but ask, "Did… His Majesty do something to you? Has he looked for you in the past two days?"
Hokage Konan calmly shook her head and said, "No, I have not been coerced."
Konan found it even harder to understand.
If that was the case, then there was even less reason for this.
Hokage Konan looked at her and asked, "What do you think would be the best future for me?"
Konan remained silent, as if deep in thought.
Hokage Konan continued, "Living without worries, finding new hobbies and interests, making new close friends, and leading a comfortable and carefree life—isn't that what's best?"
Konan asked, "Is that not good?"
That kind of life indeed sounded nice.
When Hokage Konan had first decided to stay here, these were exactly the things she had envisioned.
Hokage Konan smiled faintly and said, "It is good. And everything I just mentioned will likely come true in the future. The Emperor has given me a nice place to live, provides me with a generous sum of money every month, and even my housemates are kind people who will probably become good friends. Being with them, I can even learn to raise—"
It all sounded wonderful.
Hokage Konan's current life was something that many would envy—she truly could start over here.
And yet… something still felt off.
Konan was silent for a moment before suddenly asking, "And what about love? Don't you want to meet someone you truly like, someone you can love deeply again?"
She then realized that everything Hokage Konan had received came at a price—the price of her own body.
Hokage Konan remained indifferent and countered with a question of her own, "Do you think I'll ever fall in love with someone again?"
Konan was stunned.
It was only at this moment that she suddenly understood why she had never been able to empathize with the person standing before her.
At the core of it, she simply couldn't see this person as truly herself.
Everything that Hokage Konan had spoken about earlier was nothing more than a story—one that could evoke her sympathy and sorrow, but nothing deeper.
Otherwise, someone like her, who had always been somewhat prideful when it came to emotions, would never have said something as naïve as hoping the other person could meet someone they liked again.
The other her had lived for nearly twenty years after Yahiko's death in that world.
If she were capable of loving someone else, wouldn't she have done so long ago?
Her heart had always belonged to her Yahiko.
Hokage Konan spoke calmly, "My Yahiko no longer exists. What the Emperor wants from me is meaningless in my eyes—there's nothing I can't give. I'll just treat it as an insignificant interlude in my life."
Konan was left speechless.
She couldn't agree with this mindset, yet she also felt powerless.
She still believed that Hokage Konan had been forced to accept her circumstances.
She asked, "Is this really what you want?"
Hokage Konan looked at the drink sitting on the table in front of her.
After a moment, she picked it up and took a sip.
As she savored it, she realized that the flavor was sweet and sour, pleasantly refreshing.
Even if her current life wasn't exactly what she had wished for, at least she still had time, still had the energy to drink something like this.
And before she came to this world…?
She said, "There's no such thing as everything going exactly the way we want. It's just a matter of whether we can accept it or not."
She looked at the Konan sitting across from her and continued, "This life—I can accept it."
Konan clenched her fists tightly, then slowly loosened them.
She placed both hands on the table, lowering her head to stare at the untouched dishes in front of her.
If the other her could accept it, why couldn't she?
The person sitting before her—this "her"—was the self that Yahiko from another world had sacrificed his life to save.
The self who had spent twenty years dedicated to fulfilling Yahiko's wishes…
Even though her life in that other world had been full of suffering, hardships, and regrets, to Konan, this version of herself was perfect—noble, untarnished, and idealized.
She couldn't accept the idea that such a her would one day unwillingly fall into the arms of another man.
To her, that would be a betrayal of the bond between her and Yahiko—a betrayal of herself!
Their perspectives were irreconcilable, yet Konan didn't know how to persuade her anymore.
Because she had no better solution.
If she urged her not to resign herself, not to become numb, wouldn't that only make things even more humiliating once the Emperor eventually forced her?
The situation and outcome filled her with unbearable anger and sorrow.
How had the Emperor become such a detestable person?
Was he deliberately punishing them for the mistakes they had made in the past?
But if this was meant to be punishment, then why couldn't he just take it out on them directly?
Why did he have to torment the version of herself that had come from another world…?
Konan muttered under her breath, "No… It shouldn't be like this… You shouldn't be like this…"
"Konan…"
Suddenly, Konan grabbed Hokage Konan's hands, clutching them tightly.
Her hands were a little cold—just like her entire demeanor and presence.
A woman is like a mirror—you can see a man's love for her reflected in her.
For so many years, her bond with Yahiko had been her source of strength, the deepest belief in her heart, and what had made her so powerful.
Konan seemed unwilling to look any longer and lowered her head.
Hokage Konan said, "Don't let me become an obsession for you. It took me so much effort to let go of everything—just let me truly start over."
When they left the restaurant, the two parted ways.
Konan's expression was somewhat dazed as she slowly walked forward, her gaze drifting toward the sky.
The streets were bustling with people, full of noise and chatter, when suddenly, a voice snapped her out of her thoughts.
"Konan?"
Konan turned to look and saw that it was Pakura, whom she hadn't seen in a few days.
"Pakura?" She was surprised.
Today, Pakura was dressed in a more formal, somewhat androgynous outfit.
Her presence was always strong, exuding an air of aggression.
"What's with the outfit?"
"Just got off work. His Majesty gave me a new position." Pakura smiled faintly.
"Oh? Is that so?"
"Mm. And in this new job, I'll get to meet your Yahiko." Pakura grinned.
"Huh?" Konan was even more shocked.
She knew what kind of work Yahiko did—he held a high position in the village, essentially serving as an administrative official within the Empire.
Meanwhile, Pakura was one of the Ten Crown Guards.
There shouldn't have been much overlap between their duties.
After a brief pause, she asked, "What job is it?"
"Deputy Governor of the Fire Province," Pakura said casually.
"Deputy Governor… That's amazing!"
"Let's find a place to sit and talk."
The two of them returned to the same izakaya Konan had just left.
Pakura ordered some alcohol, but Konan wasn't in the mood to drink, so Pakura ordered her a few more dishes and a drink.
Konan found the scene in front of her strangely familiar.
"It's just a bunch of messes to clean up. His Majesty gave me this job because I used to be the Kazekage and had experience managing a village's affairs."
Pakura took a sip of her drink and began to complain.
"Among the Empire's senior officials, there are very few ninjas. Most ninjas lack the necessary skills for this kind of work. Talent is scarce… I think Yahiko has a bright future ahead of him."
Konan nodded lightly. "I see…"
Yahiko indeed liked his current job and was passionate about it.
Now that the world was at peace, he had new ambitions to pursue.
"What about you?" Pakura suddenly asked.
"Me?" Konan was taken aback.
Pakura elaborated, "I mean, are you interested in finding a job in this field? You were a high-ranking member of Amegakure, weren't you?"
Konan simply smiled. "I'll pass. I'm not really interested in this kind of work."
Back in Amegakure, she had handled many administrative tasks, but that was all to help ease Yahiko's burdens—for the sake of their shared dream.
Now, she no longer needed to do such things.
Pakura swirled her drink in her glass and said leisurely, "Power is a useful thing. With it, you can accomplish more and steer things in the direction you want."
Konan's smile turned a little wry.
She wasn't some naive girl—of course, she understood the meaning behind the words of this former Kazekage.
"Are you trying to tempt me?"
Pakura chuckled softly. "Just expressing some thoughts. I originally thought that after the empire was established, I wouldn't be involved in these kinds of matters again. I never expected His Majesty to suddenly place me in such a high position."
Konan said, "That's because you have the capability, Pakura. You deserve the position."
Pakura shook her head. "There are many capable people. I was just lucky."
"Is that so?" Konan tilted her head slightly.
Pakura looked at Konan and suddenly smiled. "In a way, we're quite similar."
"What do you mean?"
"We both once received His Majesty's kindness when he was young. That's the connection we share."
When His Majesty was still young, he had reached out to the Akatsuki organization in the Land of Rain, helping them thwart Hanzo the Salamander's schemes and allowing them to take control of Amegakure.
Likewise, in his younger days, he had helped Pakura rise to the position of Kazekage in Sunagakure.
"Even back then, I knew His Majesty wasn't an ordinary person," Pakura said, then chuckled.
"Of course, I never expected him to become this powerful."
Even the legendary Sage of the Six Paths, who founded the Rinne Sect, couldn't compare to the present-day Sun Empire.
"His Majesty is a pioneer of this era. In my heart, no one can compare to him. Receiving his kindness back then was the greatest fortune of my life, and I hope to always remain by his side."
As she spoke, her eyes shimmered with light, and she kept her gaze fixed on Konan.
Konan felt a little uncomfortable under that gaze.
She nodded in agreement, saying, "His Majesty is indeed like a god."
She truly used to think this way—holding the Emperor in awe and reverence.
But after the past two days, her perspective had shifted.
Even so, she couldn't deny his remarkable achievements.
A sense of contradiction welled up in her heart—she was feeling dissatisfaction toward a man whom the entire world revered.
The matter of the other Konan crept back into her mind, leaving her restless. She let out a long, melancholic sigh.
"What's wrong?" Pakura asked from across the table.
"It's nothing."
"That drink is boring," Pakura remarked, nodding toward Konan's beverage before glancing at the bottle of alcohol on the table.
After a moment of hesitation, Konan poured herself a drink.
She downed it in one gulp.
Her thoughts drifted back to the first time she met the Emperor—during the Third Great Ninja War. At the time, the weakened Konoha was struggling against the forces of Kumogakure and had come to Amegakure for aid.
She had been surprised by the Emperor's young age, but the strength and determination he displayed had truly shocked her.
His goodwill in those early years had earned their gratitude. As for everything that happened afterward… perhaps they had only themselves to blame.
Looking at Pakura, Konan suddenly asked, "You and His Majesty… how are things?"
Pakura casually replied, "I confessed to him."
Konan was taken aback. "R-Really?!"
Pakura smiled. "I'm not the kind of person to keep my feelings hidden, unlike some people."
Konan pressed on, "And then?"
Pakura spoke lightly, "Nothing happened. His Majesty knows how I feel, but he didn't say much. He still treats me the same as before. Maybe… I'm just not his type."
She sighed softly.
Konan couldn't help but say, "How could that be? Pakura, you're beautiful, and you have such an elegant presence."
Pakura chuckled knowingly. "His Majesty isn't exactly lacking in beautiful women around him. Maybe I'm just not his preference."
Konan fell silent.
Pakura continued, "I really envy those women who have received His Majesty's favor. They are luckier than I am."
Konan silently drank her wine, not responding.
Pakura glanced at her, then suddenly smiled. "Konan."
"Huh?"
"Let's say—just hypothetically—if His Majesty liked you, what would you do?"
Konan's heart skipped a beat.
Her hand, holding the wine cup, froze midair before she slowly put it down.
Her gaze wandered aimlessly, and she muttered, "How would I know?"
Pakura, still smiling, pressed on. "I'm seriously asking. Just imagine for a moment—if His Majesty liked you, what would you do?"
Konan's heartbeat quickened again.
She panicked slightly. "Why are you asking me this?"
Pakura replied casually, "I've had my own fantasies, but in the end, they're just that—fantasies. If what you imagine is the same as what I do, then maybe what I feel is real."
Konan hesitated. "There's no point in answering this. It's not like His Majesty would actually like me."
Pakura chuckled. "Why do you keep avoiding my question? I'm just asking you to imagine."
"I don't want to think about it."
"…"
Pakura studied Konan, who was lowering her head, and then leaned in, speaking in a soft, almost teasing voice. "Konan, haven't you ever thought that His Majesty is a very attractive man?"
Konan was startled so badly that she almost dropped her cup.
It wobbled violently in her hands.
Pakura smirked. "No need to deny it so quickly. I know you love Yahiko, but that doesn't mean you can't have thoughts about other men. It's just a thought—it's not real. Just thinking about it doesn't count as betraying Yahiko."
"…"
Konan kept her head down, remaining completely silent.
Pakura chuckled and continued, amusement lacing her voice. "You know what Mei thinks about all the time? One time, when I was sleeping in the same room as her, I found a picture of His Majesty under her pillow… and it had a rather strange smell on it."
Swish!
Konan suddenly stood up, the chair behind her toppling over with a loud crash.
The noise drew the attention of many in the izakaya, their gazes shifting toward her.
A brief silence followed.
Konan's expression flickered, shifting unpredictably.
"I'm leaving."
She turned around and quickly strode out of the izakaya.
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