The rain remains as common as ever. The orange-haired one, who was said to be the god of everything, who will soon proclaim destiny, kept looking at the bracelet, which looked poorly made the same bracelet that shows him that in this world of hatred and filth there is hidden goodness. Beside him stood the lilac-haired woman with beautiful amber eyes; she sometimes hesitated in her gaze, showing that behind those cold eyes she truly harbors a hidden warmth, a concern so unique that she never thought she would feel it again all for that boy they were desperately searching for, but she could not go in person because of her own responsibilities.
A few days ago they received good news from some ninjas who investigated the dead-end point where two small villages and one of the Five Nations meet: they found red hair, and they already supposed it belonged to their boy.
Pain was merely toying with that gift. Even in a dead body, he was able to mimic gestures something he himself had believed impossible all those years. When did he begin to grow fond of a child? Nothing like that had ever happened to him before; on the contrary, he no longer felt anything for anyone, not even for his own people whom Konan was tasked to protect.
But that boy… he has managed to touch the shattered depths of his soul, a hopeless pit being filled by what he can see as a new light.
Pain pressed his lips tighter, gripping the bracelet firmly " I know you are there, come out now " his demanding voice betraying no silent lament.
Konan did not even turn. That sad expression once again hardened into strength. The rain flashed with lightning, as if it sensed their presence.
From the shadows, first came a disgusting sound of a plant opening, Black Zetsu and his counterpart emerging, closely examining both puppets, apparently amused.
All those years he thought he had been wrong to fear that brat; he had caused no serious problem for his plans, he had simply grown attached to those two. He knows the boy is alive: that terrifying synergy he once sensed and the havoc he wreaked in the forest, he witnessed it. The boy has strength, but not enough to threaten him, at least not for now.
" Are you still on that? …That brat must have died long ago; you have to forget him. The best thing for everyone is to speed up the plan and finally achieve world peace " Black Zetsu spoke in his guttural voice, his yellow pupil contrasting with the darkness from which he emerged. He had to feign disinterest and pretend the brat was dead, at least that was what he claimed.
Pain ignored him blatantly. That neutral expression turned to the one who truly deserved his attention. " We follow the plan as is, even though I want to destroy Konoha with my own hands… I will wait the time we planned… " his Rinnegan simply admired the man's mask. " Madara "
Madara, who stood beside Black Zetsu, shifted only slightly, his steps echoing as the stone cracked. " You have changed since the last time we spoke like this… Nagato " his voice as grave as Black Zetsu's. Only one red eye glowed sinisterly through the mask, the Mangekyō Sharingan revolving slightly, but it was just the one eye.
Yet Pain did not flinch, maintaining that neutral expression.
" I don't know what you mean "
" Black Zetsu told me something curious… " Madara stepped carefully, slowly. Konan squeezed her eyes shut, staying alert, she never stopped watching Madara, because since the last time they spoke he could try something strange.
The Sharingan moved in various directions, since Madara had no intention of fighting, there was no need for Black Zetsu to tell him anything he had not already deduced. Ever since he sent Itachi and Kisame after Orochimaru, he suspected it, and of course he had noticed the change in Amegakure.
He may never be physically present, but he watches everything. He still has Kirigakure in his sights; he does not neglect his principal pawns.
And Amegakure, for some strange reason, has been filled with light for a few years now. He has infiltrated areas that not even Nagato can spy on with his rain-espionage jutsu, and there he saw why both Konan and Nagato have changed from their old personalities. Where they once were beings filled with hatred and resentment, their countenances and expressions have changed.
An Uzumaki child, vibrant red hair, a huge smile, helping old women and men, training, as if people in that village were not dying. Now he understands why those two changed since meeting the boy: he is giving them hope and showing them affection, something they never found elsewhere. Even their own master abandoned them and never returned.
He thought it problematic, but knowing the boy had disappeared was a relief, for thus the plans would follow their course and he could keep those pawns on a leash as he has for years.
" I've heard you want to contact Orochimaru; is there a specific reason to do so? He is no longer necessary for our domination; with all our members ready, we only have to wait and be patient " Madara truly sounded threatening, his Mangekyō rotating menacingly with that glow illuminating the chamber. He was sure that seeking Orochimaru was because of that same brat.
Pain looked at him without flinching, he would never show any expression in his presence. " This is personal and has nothing to do with Akatsuki; it will not interfere with the plan. I sent Kisame and Itachi because I know they carry out missions to the letter, without incident, and I will pay them as anyone else… you need not worry. If you came only to report that, hide again and wait until we have the nine bijū " he turned his back, knowing Konan did not avert her gaze from Madara and Zetsu.
Black Zetsu laughed. " Do not forget who started the true plan for peace, Nagato " White Zetsu taunted, but Pain did not respond.
" If you stray from the plan, I asked you to join my cause, but if you ruin anything we have done, you will die by my hands; you are always replaceable " the spiral seemed to swallow him. Zetsu simply watched them both before sinking into the earth.
At last they were left alone. Konan finally breathed deeply after some time, looking at Pain with concern after Madara's words. " Nagato… "
Pain did not respond; he put back what he held into his tunic and remained silent for a few moments. " How is Karin? "
Konan pressed her lips together, gathering her words, then regained her composure. " She keeps training; she has not stopped during all this time… she keeps saying she will be strong so as not to hinder Yūji "
Pain looked at her sideways. " So she wants to be strong… " he looked calmly at the rain. " I have a feeling that if we find Orochimaru, we can reach Yūji… after all, that serpent caused an uproar in Konoha… if he harmed Yūji… he will pay with his blood and I will not rest until I truly kill him. Immortality means nothing against the wrath of a god " those slightly purple eyes seemed to emit a murderous aura.
Konan simply kept her gaze lowered. " I am really very worried about him… so many months alone, and I had rated his strength as that of a Chūnin; I don ' t want anything to happen to him… " for some strange reason, she could not name the feeling she carried; it was an instinct born within her, the same she feels for Karin. She never imagined she would feel worry and the need to care for anyone other than Nagato.
Nagato feels the same emotion Konan has, a fondness forged over the years with those two Uzumaki children. " Do not worry; from what we saw, he is a very strong boy… believe me " he began to step off the only platform sheltering them from the rain. " What I saw in him is something I do not even possess… that boy is everything I lack… I feel he will guide true peace… " Pain's walk was slow and steady. " I know the wars and chaos of this world will not end until I deal with them, but he… he is the will that was like Yahiko, and I know with him this world will see no more resentment… this era has no solution, but in the one he forges… we will find true peace " his voice was soft, stopping when he saw a flash of red hair outside the village. Konan stopped beside him.
Karin was on the outskirts of Amegakure, the same place where Konan and Pain trained Yūji and taught him. With her hands together and her torn clothing, she trembled as she tried to stand. She had no glasses; the innocent, happy sparkle had vanished from her eyes over the months. Her body was dirty despite the rain, but despite her pain, she would not stop training, she would always train, and it was all for her younger brother. Her body slowly transformed into many paper-like leaves just as Konan does, scattering at several points and forming paper clones with mastery.
When Konan saw that, she let a gentle smile curve her lips. In her seemingly dead eyes there was a faint glint: pride and that same feeling she could not name. " In all these years, it seems we have always forgotten that amid the pain caused by slaughters and wars, we will always find people determined to live and move forward… " at least, that was what she saw when noting how Karin was training, she had been at it for hours, only pausing to eat and sleep briefly. The girl begged her to train her, but Konan could only teach her her most intimate jutsu, the ones she herself had created. She had known the girl all those years and trusted her; perhaps she is the new heir to her paper jutsu, maybe able to take them to levels Konan never reached.
Pain watched the girl's effort and simply smiled, a smile on a dead face that could never express what he felt, but his own feeling was so strong that he could not help but show it. " Rest assured, I will make this world safe for all of us… Amegakure, and no small village, shall suffer war again at the hands of selfish people " he saw in the distance how Amegakure, the same village he once saw filled with corpses, children eating human flesh, crying out of necessity, stealing, killing for a mere scrap of bread, now smiled again. And it was all thanks to that boy who is now missing.
Therefore, his softened gaze on Amegakure began to harden. " Konoha… will pay… for trying to harm the one I took under my protection… that village is cursed because it is always to blame for all we have endured… " his words laden with hatred echoed. Konan said nothing, for she agreed.
And with that, they continued on their way. As for Karin, she continued training, her breath ragged. She let herself fall, feeling dirt and mud cling to her. From her immense chakra there was nothing left to train, she collapsed exhausted.
Karin only wants to be strong; in her mind there is nothing but her younger brother. That Konan entrusted her with her techniques, she didn't know what to say or how to behave when told she would inherit them. She only hugged her and thanked her for all the support.
In these months, Konan also told her she has a natural talent for chakra control and combination. Konan took a long time to create her techniques and master them, but Karin in a few months has achieved what took her years. She could still hear Konan's proud words.
Her support is the only thing that allows her to smile.
In that moment the girl was trying to calm herself, her breathing still heavy from training, but she could not stop. If she no longer had chakra to perform jutsu, she had to train her body. She rose unsteadily; sometimes she slipped because her legs were weak. She was tired, she was beaten down, but she only wanted to continue.
" I don't want to be a burden to Yūji… I will become strong; I, I don't want him to leave me again. I am supposed to protect him… he left me because I am weak " she whispered to herself, her eyes narrowed. " I don't want him to leave me again… my brother from a young age has shown so much talent, but me? I am just ordinary… I want to protect him " she trembled as she raised her arms in front of her. " I don't want him protecting me " she sobbed softly, closing her eyes as the rain felt heavier.
" I must be strong… I have to be strong… " she trailed off. Just as she was about to strike, she stopped at the sound of footsteps approaching through the heavy rain.
" Why are you still training? You should rest " hearing a boy's voice, she lifted her face, it was Uguma, and Nobumi seemed with him. Concern showed on the boy's face; seeing them there, Karin smiled.
" I want to continue. I suppose you came to train too? "
" Yes, and we saw, you have no chakra left! You need to rest and wait " Nobumi approached her with worry, Karin only smiled, shaking her head gently.
" I appreciate the concern, but I must go on; I am still too weak "
Uguma narrowed his eyes at her. Seeing the girl in such a sorry state made him feel some pity, but he also respected her enormous determination.
Nobumi tried to wipe the dirt off Karin, who let out a small laugh.
" If you are like this, I think you at least need to be healed " Uguma bit his finger; unlike when he summoned his wolves, this time he drew more blood than usual. He made the necessary hand seals, something that piqued the curiosity of both Karin and Nobumi.
" Will you call your wolves again? " Karin blinked, only to be surprised that this summons was not the wolves she expected.
Everyone in Amegakure knows Uguma has a recent summons, two twin wolves, or as Uguma calls them, jade wolves. He hasn ' t told even his friends how he contracted with those animals, but it ' s not something he needs to explain.
" W-whaaa! It's a deer, it's enormous! " Nobumi exclaimed upon seeing what looked like a deer, but with three eyes.
Uguma simply sighed. " Round Deer "
" Uguma-sama "
Karin was astonished by that summons it truly was enormous. " It can speak too… "
" Heal this girl " Uguma calmly gestured at Karin. The deer seemed to nod gently and approached her. Karin looked at it, intimidated, but did not move.
She closed her eyes as the deer's muzzle came close to her forehead; she thought it would harm her, but instead she only felt something there. When she opened her eyes, she was surprised to see her body surrounded by a whitish aura, feeling strange. " Ah? This… " Karin had no words. She was even more surprised when her chakra, so empty before, filled as if replenishing a dried lake, and all her fatigue began to vanish, as did her wounds. " I feel… "
The deer pulled back its muzzle gently, looking at her without flinching. " I-I feel renewed; all the days of training have disappeared " Karin couldn't believe it, touching her forehead and her entire body, she felt incredibly well.
Uguma only smiled softly, narrowing his eyes. " You may go, Deer Round "
The deer bowed its head gently and, instead of vanishing in a typical explosion like most summons, slipped into Uguma's shadow, a sight that intrigued Nobumi.
" But what was that? That summons completely healed Karin; when did you acquire another summon? " Nobumi was full of questions, prompting an irritated sigh from the dark-haired boy.
" Well… it's still one of my summons " he smiled, trying to remain calm, he enjoyed feeling mysterious.
" Don ' t start dodging me! "
" That deer replenished all my lost chakra, healed my fatigue and wounds, it's as if all my suffering disappeared… it's incredible, Uguma " Karin still couldn ' t believe it; the other girl was amazed to hear her.
" Was it really that good? "
" Well, it's like time reversed. Of the few medical ninjas we have… that deer is incredible; no medical ninja can do that " Karin eyed Uguma skeptically, who crossed his arms.
" I've seen how you've looked at me lately. We're friends, and because you're my friend, as well as this fool, I trust you to keep my summon secret… of everyone, I've only shown this to you two " he was sincere for the first time, making a huge impression on the girls.
" How did you acquire that summon? Aren ' t your wolves jealous? "
" They're wolves! And… n-no, they ' re not like my other summons " he sighed, somewhat annoyed by Nobumi's questions. Feeling that the rain had eased made him relax; the scowl he always wore began to fade.
" Well, you never told us how you found those summons; you ' ve piqued my curiosity " the ash-haired girl toyed with her hair, she loved teasing the dark-haired boy as always.
" It's… a long story " he smiled slightly at the memory. " But it was during the time I disappeared for at least a month, when I lost my chakra on a mission you and I had, Nobumi. That day Gomu-sensei did not accompany us " he still remembered it.
But no matter how they waited for him to continue, he left them in comic suspense, finally putting a finger to his lips as if to signal silence.
" But I will not tell you " and once more he left the girls mystified. Karin heard Nobumi begin to grumble and almost strike the dark-haired boy; he seemed accustomed, for he merely looked at Karin.
" Please, I healed you only because I know you are stubborn; you need to rest. I know you want to go search for your brother… but you are important too " he tried to scold her in his own way. Karin, somewhat distressed, pressed her lips together and stroked her forearm.
" I suppose you're right… I felt the full weight of my suffering return when your summon healed me… but tomorrow I will return! I won't stop this training, and don't worry, I won't tell anyone about your summon " at least she would fulfill his request. The red-haired girl ran off straight toward her home.
Nobumi remained standing there, watching Karin depart. " She has worked so hard these months; who would have thought Konan-sama has been training her? She already has her jutsu with her… it must be very important " the girl gave a soft smile.
Uguma simply watched Karin go, scrutinizing her with his gaze. " Yes, she's important… but just as she is improving, we two must improve as well " he looked at Nobumi.
The girl turned to speak, but before she could, a punch to her face sent her flying.
He stole the first hit!