Old classmates meet again—on opposite sides of the world.
The hall was brightly lit.
Sofas, tables, chairs—everything neatly arranged.
Its style and layout were completely at odds with Akatsuki's usual dark, villainous aesthetic.
On the table sat a kettle, tea leaves, and even a brand-new tea set that looked quite expensive.
To the right of the sofa stood a heater, glowing with red-hot coals. Occasionally, sparks flickered, spreading a dry warmth that chased away the damp chill in the room.
To the left—
a bookshelf, a reading desk, and a lamp.
A thick carpet covered the floor.
Even the walls were adorned with famous paintings.
Every piece of furniture here was the best Amegakure could offer.
All things considered—
even the residence of a minor country's daimyō wouldn't be much better.
It was obvious—
the owner of this room knew how to enjoy life.
"…"
Behind the swirling mask, Obito's gaze swept across the room coldly before he walked over to the sofa, about to sit.
His thoughts churned.
His expression darkened further.
He hadn't even met Kamizuki Gen yet—
and already, his impression of him had sunk to rock bottom.
As a full member of Akatsuki, how could someone indulge in comfort like this before achieving the organization's ultimate goal?
He himself spent most of his time living in the cold, dark cave Madara had left behind.
Not to mention him—
look at Nagato.
Look at Konan.
Look at the other members.
Who among them wasted time and energy on such meaningless luxuries?
Zetsu seemed to pick up on his thoughts. It wandered around before stopping in front of a painting, running its hand along the wooden frame, examining it carefully.
After a moment, White Zetsu said gravely:
"Madara… this is an antique."
Obito's voice turned displeased. "Didn't Pain say the organization is short on funds? Where did he get all this?"
Standing beside them, Itachi said nothing.
His eyes were empty—detached from everything around him.
"Cough—cough—"
Suddenly, Itachi covered his mouth, coughing violently.
A burning pain flared in his chest and lungs.
"Looks like you've caught a cold," White Zetsu remarked.
Itachi shook his head silently, indicating he was fine.
Just then—
before Obito could sit down—
a voice came from the bathroom:
"Don't sit there!!!"
Obito froze for half a second.
He glanced at the leather sofa… then straightened up and turned toward the source of the voice.
Kamizuki Gen walked out leisurely, dressed in the Akatsuki cloak.
That familiar, gentle smile hung on his face as he said, "It's an antique. It's for looking at."
Obito studied him.
Behind the mask, his single eye narrowed slightly in surprise.
So this… was Kamizuki Gen?
The cloak confirmed it.
But—
what confused Obito was how utterly ordinary he looked.
So ordinary—
like an ant you could crush without a second thought.
His cold gaze swept over Gen, pausing at the white bandages wrapped around his eyes.
A blind man?
Under Nagato's leadership, Akatsuki really was accepting anyone now… cripples, blind men, invalids—
Then he remembered—
he himself only had one eye.
He discarded the thought.
Just as he was about to speak—
Itachi's previously lifeless eyes suddenly snapped into focus.
He stared at Gen in disbelief.
"…Gen?!"
Seeing Gen standing there in an Akatsuki cloak—
Itachi's mind nearly shut down.
For a moment, he even wondered if he had fallen into a genjutsu—or if grief had driven him to hallucinations.
They had been classmates.
Top students.
And now—
just a few days later—
this same person had become a full member of a rogue organization?
By Konoha's logic—
Gen should have been cultivated, nurtured, allowed to shine within the village.
"Itachi… long time no see."
Ignoring Obito and Zetsu entirely, Gen walked up to him and extended his hand.
"Let's reintroduce ourselves. Kamizuki Gen—official member of Akatsuki. Codename: One."
"…"
Obito watched silently.
This guy…
was absurdly confident.
Too confident.
For someone so… ordinary.
Itachi raised his arm mechanically, still dazed, and shook his hand.
"I've heard what you did," Gen sighed, shaking his head. "Itachi… you're really a damn monster. You wiped out your entire clan—killed your own parents with your own hands."
The moment those words fell—
Obito's eye sharpened.
Interesting.
Insulting Itachi like that, to his face—
wasn't he afraid of getting hit with Amaterasu?
A cold smile formed under the mask as Obito glanced sideways at Itachi, waiting for a reaction.
Perfect.
Let them clash.
No need for him to test Gen personally.
Itachi's gaze wavered. He looked down at the carpet, avoiding eye contact.
"…Gen. You know I had no choice."
There was no anger.
No resentment.
Only guilt.
If anything—
he felt he deserved those words.
That he should be condemned like this.
Of course—
only Gen could say this to him.
If it were anyone else, digging into that wound—
he might not have held back.
Obito frowned slightly.
Something felt off.
"Wait… someone just insulted you like that, and you're… relieved?"
"…What is wrong with you?"
"Sigh. What's done is done…" Gen suddenly said. "Let's eat."
Then he paused.
"…Ah. Right. I already ate."
He waved awkwardly.
"Sorry."
"…"
Obito and Zetsu both raised their brows.
Itachi simply shook his head bitterly.
He was used to this.
Back in the Academy, Gen had always been like this—unpredictable, carefree.
Itachi looked at him seriously.
"…Gen. Why are you in Akatsuki?"
"That's a long story."
Right in front of Obito and Zetsu—
Gen plopped down onto the antique leather sofa.
He spread his arms across the backrest, wearing an expression that practically said I've got stories to tell.
White Zetsu frowned.
"Didn't you just say that's an antique—for display only?"
Gen nodded. "Yeah. For people to look at. I never said I couldn't sit on it."
White Zetsu's mouth twitched.
"…That works?"
Obito's expression darkened further.
"Oh—right." Gen suddenly added, "Sorry, I forgot to invite you all to sit."
He gestured casually.
"There are small stools in the corner. Help yourselves."
No one moved.
Gen looked puzzled.
"…Why aren't you sitting?"
"…Do you not like sitting?"
◇ BONUS & SUPPORT ◇
◇ 1 bonus chapter for every 10 reviews — drop a comment!
◇ 1 bonus chapter for every 100 Power Stones.
◇ Read chapters ahead on Patreon → patreon.com/c/CelestialInkstudios