Early the next morning, Naruto woke up.
"Ah! Another sunny day!"
After washing up, Naruto stood on the high tower of Amegakure, stretching as he breathed in the fresh morning air. The scent of rain lingered faintly, but the sunlight breaking through the clouds made everything feel calm.
Here, Naruto felt as if he had rediscovered himself — a peace that was rare for him.
He wasn't worried about what was happening back in Konoha. The night before, when he decided to stay over, he had written a letter and sent it directly to Hinata using the Flying Thunder God Technique. He knew that once Hinata read it, everyone would understand.
Just then, he heard the creak of a door. Nagato stepped out of the tower.
"Good morning, Naruto," he greeted warmly.
Naruto turned and smiled. "Good morning, Nagato!"
The two stood side by side, gazing down at the sunlit village of Amegakure.
Nagato took a deep breath and sighed. "Junior Brother, isn't Amegakure beautiful when it's not raining?"
Naruto nodded. "Yeah. The village feels completely different when the sun's out — the rain makes the sunlight even more beautiful."
Nagato smiled faintly. "Come on, let's get something to eat."
Naruto tilted his head. "What about Konan and Yahiko-senpai?"
Nagato chuckled, wrapping an arm around Naruto's shoulders. "Let them be."
Naruto looked puzzled. Nagato smirked. "Your room's far from theirs, but mine's pretty close. So I might've… overheard a few things."
Naruto blinked. "Overheard what?"
Nagato rolled his eyes. "What do you think happens between a man and a woman who've loved each other for years?"
Naruto's eyes widened. "Oh…"
He nodded quickly. "Then yeah, we shouldn't disturb them."
Nagato laughed quietly, and the two made their way downstairs for breakfast.
Normally, Konan would cook in the tower kitchen. But since she wasn't up yet, the two decided to eat outside — Amegakure now had a bustling little marketplace, thanks to the new peace.
Meanwhile, inside Konan and Yahiko's room…
Yahiko had Konan in his arms. The two lay peacefully under the soft sheets, the morning light slipping in through the half-drawn curtains.
After a while, Yahiko's fingers twitched. His brows furrowed as he slowly woke up. He immediately felt something warm pressed against him — a soft presence wrapped in his arms.
"Huh? Konan…? You—"
His startled voice made Konan stir awake. She blinked sleepily, rubbing her eyes before smiling softly. "Yahiko… you're awake."
Yahiko froze, his mind racing. "W–Why are you sleeping on my bed?"
Konan sighed, rolling her eyes at him before sitting up. "Think about it for a second — what happened last night when you were drunk?"
"Last night…?" Yahiko frowned as hazy memories started coming back.
He remembered drinking with Naruto — a lot. Then Nagato helping him back to his room… Konan calling out to him a few times… and then—
He vaguely recalled stumbling toward the bathroom, seeing Konan's back as she prepared to shower.
And then— his face turned red.
Konan crossed her arms, watching him. "So… do you remember now?"
Yahiko nodded slowly, still looking embarrassed.
A faint smile curved on Konan's lips. "Then what are you going to do about it?"
Yahiko met her gaze, then said firmly, "I'll take responsibility!"
Konan blinked, then burst into soft laughter. She leaned forward, playfully wrapping her arms around his neck. "Why so serious? You make it sound like I'm forcing you into something."
Yahiko laughed awkwardly, rubbing the back of his head.
Konan let him go, stood up, slipped into her slippers, and tied up her hair. "Anyway, I'm going to take a shower. I'm sure Naruto and Nagato are already done with breakfast. I wonder if your 'Junior Brother' is gone already."
She gave him a teasing glance and disappeared into the bathroom.
Yahiko sat up and looked around the room — clothes scattered everywhere, the bed a complete mess. He scratched his head. "Did that really happen…?"
He tried to recall but only sighed. "Guess I'll just get up."
He walked toward the bathroom. The sound of running water filled the air. He really needed to use the toilet, so he stepped inside.
Through the frosted glass, he could see Konan's outline as she showered. When she turned slightly, she noticed Yahiko glancing her way and rolled her eyes, her face reddening.
"Really, Yahiko?" she muttered under her breath before turning her back to him again.
When Yahiko finished, she turned once more — only to find him still looking in her direction.
Konan's patience snapped. "Are you going to stand there all day? Wash up already!"
Yahiko flinched, cheeks burning. "R–Right!"
He turned to leave, but Konan smirked. "I told you to leave — and you actually did!"
He froze awkwardly. "Then… what do you want me to do?"
She smiled faintly, pushing the door open just enough for their eyes to meet. "If you don't remember last night clearly… how about we help you recall it properly?"
Yahiko's breath caught. His eyes widened slightly, his heart pounding.
The rest of the morning sunlight filled the room, the gentle rhythm of the rain beginning to fall again over Amegakure.
A while later, in the streets of the village, Naruto and Nagato were finishing up breakfast as they walked back, both carrying cups of warm soy milk.
Naruto looked up at the tower. "Nagato, do you think Yahiko-senpai and Konan-senpai are awake yet?"
Nagato sipped from his cup, glanced toward the sun's position, and replied with a faint smirk, "At this hour? Oh, they're definitely awake by now."
Naruto tilted his head in confusion, but Nagato just laughed, his eyes soft.
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