"Tomorrow... I will leave Konoha," After Konan said this sentence, she had been secretly observing Aoba's expression.
As a result, she found that aside from freezing for a moment when he first heard it, his expression quickly returned to normal.
'This guy, all that he said before, was just a lie, wasn't it?'
Konan's mood became worse.
"Aren't you going to say something?", Her voice turned cold.
Aoba looked into Konan's eyes, "Then if I say it, will you stay?"
"...", Konan also fell silent.
The two didn't speak again.
After a brief silence, Konan couldn't help but speak, "If you don't say something, I'll just leave directly."
Aoba's gaze shifted elsewhere, and he said softly, "Konan-neesan, you came so late tonight, really just to say goodbye?"
"Hmm?", Konan let out a confused sound, not understanding the meaning behind his words.
Aoba directly said, "You came to Konoha for the tailed beasts, right?"
"You... What are you talking about? I don't understand," Hearing this, Konan's facial expression stiffened for a moment.
Since Konan had already chosen to leave, Aoba no longer hid anything.
"Konan-neesan, if I guessed correctly, your goal is to gather the nine great tailed beasts, then create the ultimate weapon, and achieve peace through deterrence, right?"
"Why do you..."
'Why does Aoba know Nagato's plan?'
Konan's eyes widened, momentarily forgetting how to think.
Aoba let go of Konan's hand, snapping her back to awareness.
The originally cold and aloof girl suddenly became a bit flustered and at a loss.
Aoba also walked a few steps away to stand facing Konan.
"Konan-neesan, even if you choose to leave this time, we will still be enemies, because the Nine-Tails is in Konoha."
Konan's pupils trembled slightly. She did not deny Aoba's statement.
Because as long as Nagato persisted with his plan, the Nine-Tails would be needed.
And the current Nagato had already gone to extremes, it was impossible for him to give up the plan.
She and Aoba were destined to meet as enemies.
This is the world of ninja.
From the moment one becomes a ninja, they must face such a fate. Choosing between killing or not killing, loving or not loving.
Sometimes, to carry out a mission, one may even be forced to drive the sword in their hand into the chest of the one they love.
Ninjas are products of darkness, born from the dark, and in the end return to the dark.
Their fate had long been determined, unavoidable.
Konan had used countless excuses to comfort herself, but, she didn't know why, looking into Aoba's eyes, her heart ached terribly.
"So... Aoba, you're going to make me stay?"
"That's right," Aoba nodded seriously, "I think this is also what you want deep down, Konan-neesan, right?"
"Eh?", Konan's previously aching heart was instantly replaced by confusion.
"Perhaps peace through deterrence could really be achieved, but that kind of peace surely would be built upon endless blood and wailing, right?"
Aoba didn't let Konan remain confused for long, continuing, "Konan-neesan, you don't even want to hurt Konoha's villagers. If you really carried out such a plan, how much pain and anxiety would that bring?"
"You've already said this kind of thing before. I won't—"
"I know!", Aoba interrupted her, his expression serious, "Since Konan-neesan would rather suffer herself than betray her friend, then I will take action and forcibly make you stay."
"In that case, Konan-neesan, you'll be captured by me. You didn't betray your friend, and you won't have to suffer."
'There's a solution like that?', Konan widened her eyes again. Just as her heart wavered for a moment, she quickly shook her head hard.
She threw out all the thoughts she had just now.
If she really came to find Aoba with that kind of mindset, wouldn't that also be a form of betrayal toward Nagato?
"Aoba, I will never betray the organization!"
Aoba didn't mind. His face returned to its usual gentle smile, "It's fine, Konan-neesan. You haven't betrayed anyone. I defeated you, and now you're Konoha's prisoner."
"You!", Konan was so angry her teeth itched, but more than that, she was mad at herself.
Because she had actually had that kind of thought just now.
"Aoba, I already said, I will never betray! If you really want to make a move and cause any loss, I won't feel any guilt!"
"Don't worry, Konan-neesan. Konoha won't suffer any losses."
Aoba's face was full of confidence. His ruby-like pupils suddenly underwent a strange transformation.
In just an instant, Konan noticed that his aura had undergone a massive change.
An invisible pressure surged from Aoba's body, instantly making Konan feel the kind of pressure she felt when facing Nagato.
'Is it those eyes?'
Konan immediately noticed Aoba's eyes.
Because his eyes were very nice to look at, she used to sneak glances at them often.
So she noticed right away.
The next moment, a square white barrier spread out from Aoba's body.
In an instant, it enveloped Konan.
In Konan's eyes, it was just a blink of an eye, but when she opened her eyes again, she felt something strange about her body.
She felt around herself, it seemed like something was missing.
"Konan-neesan, so you're in the same organization as Uchiha Itachi, huh?", Aoba's voice suddenly rang out.
When Konan looked over, he was studying a ring under the moonlight.
"When did you take that?", Konan was a bit confused.
Hearing Konan's question, Aoba also put away the ring and smiled as he replied, "Just now."
"Just now...", Konan thought for a moment, and her cheeks instantly turned burning red.
To hide her identity, she had never worn that ring while in Konoha, it was always kept in a rather private place.
Now that it was in Aoba's hand, 'Doss that mean just now he...'
"How did you get it?", Her voice sounded like she was suppressing something.
"Just used my hand… uh," Aoba accidentally revealed the truth, and Konan's face was now red enough to drip blood.
"Konan-neesan…"
"AOBA!"
Konan roared in fury, cutting off Aoba's excuse.
Countless paper sheets fell from the air. Cracks like peeled sheets of paper appeared on Konan's body, and a pair of wings made of white paper unfolded behind her.
The snow-white wings flapped, lifting Konan into midair, looking down at Aoba from above.
Aoba looked at the angel flying in the air and couldn't help but praise, "Konan-neesan, you look really beautiful like this."
Konan's originally angry expression suddenly froze.
[T/N: Somehow, Konan liking MC doesn't sit right with me. It feels extremely f*rced. To the point, I feel, the whole plot is messed up.]
═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═
patreon.com/AmbitiousTranslator
🥳Joining Patreon keeps me motivated and eager to work diligently, so please consider joining.🥰 You can access upto 20 advance chapter through Patreon.
https://discord.gg/bYAfGyp98y