Although some time had passed since their last return from Konoha and Konan's thoughts had calmed somewhat, but she still felt it was strange.
Why would she develop feelings for a piece of clothing?
Moreover, a talking piece of clothing spent a lifetime with her, almost to the point of marriage and children... it was just too bizarre...
Could it be some kind of Genjutsu?
But she hadn't had direct contact with Takumi!
It didn't seem like he used Genjutsu on her, but even if he had, why would it create those kinds of memories?
It didn't feel like Genjutsu either!
Konan hadn't unraveled any of the mysteries.
"Pain, you called for me?"
Pain stared ahead, not turning his head.
"Yes."
"Go check on Hidan and the others' condition. If their minds are still unstable, we'll have no choice but to abandon them."
Pain's tone was exceptionally cold.
He spoke as if discarding mere trash.
Among the Akatsuki's members, aside from the masked man and Zetsu, the most important were Konan, Kakuzu, and Itachi.
He wasn't particularly concerned about Hidan and the others.
Because Missing-nin of that caliber could be replaced if necessary.
"Understood."
Konan nodded, then her body dissolved into countless paper sheets, drifting away from Pain's side.
Somewhere, in a basement…
Hidan, now recovered, was shouting discontentedly.
"How dare he use such despicable methods against me!"
"Absolutely unforgivable! Jashin-sama will deliver the most severe punishment upon him!"
Kakuzu silently watched Hidan. He hadn't been present at the scene.
He wasn't clear about what exactly had happened.
"If it truly was Genjutsu, then it is indeed worth being wary of."
Kakuzu's voice was gloomy.
Sheets of paper flew from the distance, gradually forming a human shape.
Konan opened her eyes and looked at the others in the basement.
After a period of recuperation and guidance, Hidan and Sasori had regained their clarity.
Deidara had also calmed down considerably.
He no longer seemed as frantic as before.
"It seems you have recovered well."
Konan nodded silently, 'It looked like they wouldn't need to be expelled.'
"When do we move!"
Hidan roared loudly.
"I'll make sure that bastard is chopped into a thousand pieces!"
Kakuzu took out an abacus.
"What's the bounty on that guy named Takumi?"
"There are no bounties issued for him."
Konan answered, and Kakuzu immediately put the abacus away.
"Then I'm not interested."
"…"
Kakuzu was only interested in money.
Everyone was well aware of that.
"And Sasori?"
Hidan pointed irritably to the side.
Konan floated over slowly.
With Hiruko destroyed by Takumi, Sasori's true form appeared very delicate and handsome.
This body, identical to his youthful appearance, was also a puppet he had created.
His true core was merely a piece of heart flesh hidden within the puppet.
"That brat named Takumi possesses extraordinary resistance to poison."
Sasori explained seriously. It seemed he had also regained his senses.
"For me, he is a rare challenge."
"Deidara, what intelligence do you have on that brat?"
"Takumi-senpai? Of course, it's the ultimate art of explosion!"
Deidara answered excitedly, jumping in first.
"Mysterious and unpredictable Genjutsu ability," Itachi added from the side, "Though I haven't witnessed it personally, I cannot confirm if it is indeed Genjutsu."
"It was definitely Genjutsu!"
Hidan shouted from the side.
"Shut up."
Kakuzu growled in a low voice, annoyed.
Seeing that the members had all returned to normal, Konan nodded.
"It seems you are all clear-headed now."
"Rest for now. The leader will assign missions later."
"As for that brat, we'll discuss it after Zetsu brings back information."
After speaking, Konan dissolved into paper sheets again and flew away.
Not long after, she returned to Pain's side.
"Pain, they have all recovered. It seems there are no major issues."
"That is best."
Pain took two steps forward, stretching out his hand to catch the cold rain.
"This false peace has been maintained for too long."
"Wait a little longer. Once our preparations are complete, it will be time to execute the plan."
"I will make war disappear completely from this world."
"No child will be displaced because of war, no one will die innocently because of war."
"And no family will be torn apart by war."
"I will put a stop to all of this."
Konan watched silently, saying nothing.
She felt Nagato had been completely brainwashed by that masked man, becoming twisted, dark!
He didn't realize that the path he was on wasn't one of peace at all.
It was a false path of peace built upon destruction!
Pain was silently sighing with emotion.
His heart was full of confidence for the future!
But just then…
Whoosh~~~
A cold wind blew past.
In the air beside Pain and Konan, a vortex suddenly appeared, attracting their attention.
The vortex expanded, and then, two figures wearing cloud-patterned coats emerged from it.
It was Zetsu and Obito!
"Hmm?"
"Back already."
Pain frowned.
He was about to step forward and inquire about the situation.
However, after just one step, he froze.
Because... something seemed off!
"Impossible! Impossible! Rin is dead!"
"Absolutely impossible! Something must be wrong!"
"That has to be fake!"
"But..."
"That look in her eyes, Kakashi's smile... how could that be fake!"
Obito was shouting madly.
Both Pain and Konan beside him were utterly dumbfounded!
'What the hell?'
'What happened now?'
"Madara, you..."
Pain wanted to ask in detail, but Obito was completely distraught!
Even through the mask, Konan and Pain could sense something was wrong with Obito.
His constantly trembling body made that clear.
He must have experienced something profoundly shocking to tremble uncontrollably like this!
"Zetsu."
Konan then turned her attention to Zetsu.
But at this moment, Black Zetsu was also standing there dumbly, his face contorted!
You need to understand, Zetsu was even more desperate than Obito right now!
He had lurked for over 1000 years, finally finding an opportunity in this generation.
He personally orchestrated Rin's death and facilitated Obito's fall to darkness.
All to complete Madara's Eye of the Moon Plan, and the deeper plan to save his mother!
But now, the most important piece was falling apart!
His thousand-year plan was likely going up in smoke!
"…"
This was the first time Pain had seen Black Zetsu show such a rich expression.
Usually, it was White Zetsu who was expressive, while Black Zetsu was always the silent, taciturn one.
But now, Black Zetsu also looked twisted, as if he had suffered a massive shock.
Under the speechless gazes of Pain and Konan, the two of them left, trembling unsteadily.
It wasn't until their figures completely disappeared into the darkness that Pain and Konan looked at each other, falling into a long silence.
"…"
"Two more have lost their minds?"
…
Konoha.
At night.
Hokage's office.
Hiruzen smoked his pipe, his heart filled with anxiety.
During the earlier meeting, although Takumi said he could only resurrect one person per year, and with Rin already resurrected, he didn't need to worry for now.
But the deeply thoughtful and far-sighted Hiruzen wouldn't just sit back and wait.
While Takumi couldn't resurrect others now... what about in a year?
A year later, if Takumi resurrected Shodaime Hokage, or Nidaime Hokage, wouldn't his position as Hokage be gone?
'Too slow.'
'Why hasn't it arrived yet?'
Hiruzen's brow was tightly furrowed.
What he was waiting for was, naturally, Takumi's diary!
As far as he knew, Takumi did have a habit of keeping a diary and seemed to write down his true thoughts in it.
He didn't know what Takumi's thoughts were this time, or whether they would affect his position.
After a long wait, just as Hiruzen was growing impatient…
Whoosh!
An Anbu's member appeared, placed a diary on the Hokage's desk, then disappeared again with a whoosh.
"Phew..."
He let out a long breath.
'Finally, it's here...'
Hiruzen solemnly picked up the diary.
Its contents would influence his judgment of Takumi.
Opening the diary, Hiruzen carefully read its contents.
After some miscellaneous entries, he finally found what he was looking for:
[Log: First Use of the Secret Technique]
[I feel guilty.]
The opening made Hiruzen's eyebrows rise.
'Guilty?'
This wasn't what he expected.
'Didn't he say he resurrected Nohara Rin to ease Kakashi's regret?'
Suppressing his restless emotions, he read on seriously.
[Although it allows the dead to live again, no matter how you explain it, it's a technique that desecrates the deceased.]
[I shouldn't have used it originally, but seeing Kakashi-senpai so heartbroken and sad, I simply couldn't stand by and do nothing.]
'This...'
'He really is a young man with a strong sense of loyalty and righteousness.'
Hiruzen nodded, his approval of Takumi deepening further.
'Only someone who holds deep feelings for their comrades can protect Konoha.'
[Although I knew resurrecting the dead might cause an uproar…]
[I was still startled when everyone surrounded me after the news broke, pressing for answers.]
[Honestly, I don't even know why I have this power. I just think about something in my head, and I can learn a Ninjutsu.]
[Am I different from other people?]
[I originally thought that after using such a technique that desecrates the dead, I would be imprisoned or subjected to harsh interrogation.]
[But Hokage-sama was still very tolerant, forgave me, and even emphasized that I shouldn't misuse this technique… probably out of consideration for my protection.]
[I admire and thank Hokage-sama immensely.]
[I must do my best to contribute my strength to Hokage-sama and to Konoha in the future!]
[Ah, I remember Hokage-sama's wife sacrificed herself during the Kyubi Rampage. If I get the chance in the future, I must resurrect this respectable hero too.]
[Only then can I repay Hokage-sama for his regard and kindness towards me.]
[Alright, that's all. I hope the villagers won't come trouble me anymore.]
…
After reading the entire diary entry,
Hiruzen felt an indescribable mix of emotion and self-reproach in his heart!
He felt disdain!
Deep disdain for himself!
To worry that such an innocent child would do something detrimental to him?
He was simply scum!
Using the most cunning heart to scheme against the most pure-hearted Takumi!
Closing the diary, Hiruzen slowly sat back in his chair, lit his pipe, and smoked with frustration and self-blame.
"Have I grown old, losing the conviction I once had?"
"To be so apprehensive, to actually suspect a junior who holds me in such high esteem."
"It seems now... I have become like those petty individuals I once looked down upon the most..."
---
FOR EVERY 50 POWER STONES, I'LL UPLOAD ONE CHAPTER