Chapter 29 : Blindness??

Konan had a long, haunting nightmare.

In her dream, she saw how the Akatsuki organization, under the leadership of Yahiko, grew from a small group to a large force with hundreds of members. 

However, as their power expanded, they became a threat to Hanzo, the leader of the Rain Village.

The tension between the Akatsuki and Hanzo escalated, ultimately leading to open conflict. Initially, with Nagato's strength, the Akatsuki won many battles. 

But then, at a pivotal moment, Yahiko, the leader and heart of the organization, met a tragic end. This event sent Nagato into a frenzy. Though he ultimately defeated Hanzo using a forbidden technique, it came at a great cost.

From that point on, Nagato's personality shifted dramatically. He became obsessed with vengeance, deviating from the original ideals of the Akatsuki. 

Nagato, consumed by hatred, was manipulated by a mysterious figure, leading him to launch an attack on Konoha. He ultimately met his demise at the hands of a young man with blue eyes and yellow hair.

Konan's own fate in the dream was equally tragic. After Yahiko and Nagato's deaths, she returned alone to the Rain Village to guard their bodies. However, a mysterious man killed her, sinking her into the ocean.

The dream felt incredibly real, and when Konan awoke, tears streamed down her usually stoic face.

"Why did I have such a dream?" she thought, wiping the wet streaks from her cheeks, her eyes filled with a hint of fear.

Just then, Yahiko entered the room. When he saw her crying, he immediately rushed over, his voice filled with concern. "What's wrong, Konan? Who upset you? Don't cry! Tell me what happened, and Nagato and I will make it right!"

They had all grown up together and trained under Jiraiya, forming a deep bond. As the only girl among them, Yahiko and Nagato were always especially protective of Konan, ensuring she never faced any harm.

Seeing Konan in tears made Yahiko anxious. 

"Konan, tell me, who hurt you? Nagato and I will handle it!"

Konan shook her head, biting her lip, her eyes still clouded with worry. "No one hurt me, Yahiko. It's just... what if—this is just a hypothetical—what if I had a dream, a really vivid dream, where you and Nagato died and our ideals were twisted into someone else's weapon? What would you think?"

Yahiko's expression shifted, disbelief flashing across his face. "Nagato and I died?" he echoed, almost in a daze. He had imagined thousands of possibilities, but nothing prepared him for this.

"No, Konan," a familiar voice called from the doorway. A red-haired Nagato entered, his presence strong but calming. "As long as I'm here, I won't let anything happen to you and Yahiko."

Yahiko laughed, his tone lighthearted despite the somber topic. "Exactly, Konan," he said, ruffling her lavender hair. "Don't forget, Nagato has the bloodline limit of the Sage of Six Paths, the legendary Rinnegan. We're not going anywhere."

Nagato nodded slowly, brushing his hair aside to reveal his iconic Rinnegan eyes. Yet, his calm demeanor couldn't mask the underlying tension. 

Konan clutched her chest, a slight frown forming. "But... that dream felt too real," she said, her voice laced with unease. She could still feel the echoes of sorrow from her nightmare.

Nagato remained stoic, but there was a hint of empathy in his gaze. "It was just a dream, Konan," he said, his tone indifferent but not unkind. He wasn't dismissing her concerns; he simply saw it as a matter-of-fact.

Konan's eyes darkened with lingering sadness. "Yahiko, it's not too late to turn back!" she pleaded, her voice cracking with emotion.

In her dream, the pain of losing those she loved was raw and visceral, like an open wound that refused to heal. Compared to Yahiko's grand ideals, her own dreams seemed simple—almost trivial. She just wanted to keep her friends safe, even if it meant living a life less extraordinary. 

Yahiko's brow furrowed, his usual cheerful demeanor darkening. "Konan, we can't turn back now. We've made our choice, and I'll go through with it, no matter what it costs."

Konan felt her heart sink. She knew Yahiko's resolve was unshakable. Even if it meant walking toward certain death, he wouldn't hesitate to give everything for his ideals.

Nagato, often quiet, spoke suddenly. "Konan, do you remember who killed us in the dream?" he asked, his voice steady but intense.

Konan blinked, trying to recall, but her memory was hazy. "I... I don't remember," she admitted, confusion washing over her. 

The dream's painful emotions were clear, but the details had slipped away. Who killed Yahiko? What forbidden technique did Nagato use? Who manipulated them from the shadows? It was all shrouded in a fog of uncertainty.

Nagato knelt beside Konan, taking her hand gently. "It was just a dream, Konan. It's not real. Yahiko and I aren't going to die—I promise."

Yahiko took her other hand, smiling warmly despite the gravity of their conversation. "Exactly. Don't worry, Konan. I promise I won't ever abandon you. Together, we'll change the Hidden Rain Village."

The warmth of their touch reassured her, the uncertainty in her heart slowly fading. Though doubts lingered, the presence of her friends grounded her. Whatever awaited them, they would face it together.

"Alright, I believe you."

Konan's usual stern demeanor softened, replaced with a warm smile.

"Are you sure you don't need my help, Sogetsu?" she asked.

In the dimly lit room, Hikari was sitting cross-legged on the tatami, tilting her head with a playful expression. "If it were me, I'd take care of those three in no time."

Uchiha Sogetsu leaned against the wall, his clothes hanging loosely, revealing a well-defined chest. He rubbed his chin, his lips curling into a smirk. "No need, Hikari. I appreciate the offer, but those three aren't quite worth the effort yet. Just be patient."

Hikari responded with a gentle caress, like a cat rubbing against its owner's hand. "You can use my power however you want. Just don't push me away, Sogetsu."

"Don't say things like that," Sogetsu replied, gently lifting Hikari's chin. His gaze softened as he looked at her delicate features. "I want you by my side, not just as a tool, but as a companion. Understand?"

"Got it," Hikari answered with a smile that warmed her heart.

"How bad are your eyes, really?" Uchiha Sogetsu asked, his eyes fixed on Hikari.

The Uchiha clan's Mangekyō Sharingan was immensely powerful, but it came with heavy risks. The more potent the eye techniques, the more they strained the user's body and vision.

Frequent use could eventually lead to blindness, as was the case with Uchiha Sasuke, whose eyesight quickly declined after using the Mangekyō a few times. 

Excessive use could also affect the user's overall health, requiring them to rely on medication.

Given the clan's history, it was likely that Hikari's eyesight had been strained from repeated use of her powerful eye technique, the "Shin'en no Shoumei." This worried Sogetsu.

Under Sogetsu's intense gaze, Hikari seemed uneasy, as if afraid of being abandoned. She leaned in and hugged him tightly, her voice barely above a whisper and quivering slightly. "I'm fine. I can still use my techniques plenty of times. Don't worry about me, Sogetsu."

"Hikari, look into my eyes."

Uchiha Sogetsu's eyes narrowed slightly, and a trace of pressure filled the room. "I don't like being lied to, so tell me the truth. How bad are your eyes?"

"I'm sorry, Sogetsu. I was wrong."

Hikari's voice was meek as she lowered her head, biting her lower lip like a scolded child. "I can probably use them three or four more times."

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