Chapter 34: As Shinobi, Our Fate Is...

Takeda Takeshi opened the door. When passing by Yuto's room, he hesitated for a moment but decided not to knock and say goodbye.

—His departure was "defection," so it was better not to disturb unrelated people.

With this thought, Takeda left directly.

However, after only walking a few meters, a paper crane folded from white paper landed on his shoulder.

Takeda was very familiar with the chakra fluctuations within the paper crane and understood what it meant.

He threw the crane into the air, and it fluttered under the control of distant chakra. Takeda followed it.

The paper crane stopped in front of a door. Takeda knocked, and after receiving a response, he entered.

"Leader, Konan-sama, Nagato-sama."

Takeda bowed respectfully, as always.

"Takeda," Yahiko spoke, his handsome face expressionless. "You're leaving?"

"Yes, Leader."

"Where to?"

"A far, far away place, a peaceful spot away from the world's center."

"Ah... you really dare to say that." Yahiko shook his head. "As the fourth-ranking member, leaving the Land of Rain with the organization's secrets and a Konoha spy... Takeda, have you thought this through?"

"Sorry, Leader-sama." Takeda Takeshi lowered his head, instinctively gripping the two sharp chakra short swords, "Wing Blades."

The small secret room became as quiet as a grave in an instant.

"It seems, as a shinobi, you have chosen and accepted your fate," Yahiko said calmly, closing his eyes. "Konan."

The purple-haired ice queen silently walked towards Takeda.

Takeda felt his heartbeat quicken, his grip on "Wing Blades" tightening.

However, he remained where he stood, head down, without fleeing or resisting.

Konan placed her hand on Takeda's shoulder.

His hand felt heavier; something had been added, very heavy, almost straining his back.

"Takeda," Konan's lips curved up, like an ice mountain melting, bringing spring warmth. "Eloping with a girl, you can't let her suffer."

Takeda looked down at the large package in his hands. It contained precious metals, intricate machinery, and rare medicines—items that could be exchanged for a large amount of local currency anywhere.

"Konan-sama..."

Takeda's nose suddenly felt sour. This man in his thirties almost cried on the spot.

"You have worked hard for the organization all these years, bearing many scars and almost dying in battles several times. We've seen it and never forgot."

Konan, who was in charge of Akatsuki's intelligence, finances, and logistics, was usually stingy, but she was generous when it mattered most. "You said you were going to a remote place far from the world center. I can guess where. In a place lacking or devoid of chakra, money is always the most practical. Take it. I know you and Kaoru have no savings, one buys swords, the other buys seeds... truly a perfect match."

Takeda looked up to see Yahiko's encouraging eyes and Nagato's light smile.

'These are the leaders I've served for these years. I've never regretted it...'

Biting his lip, the man bowed deeply, holding the package, and slowly exited the room.

Just before closing the door, Takeda took a deep breath and shouted, "Leader! Your wishes will come true! One day, peace will come to the world through Akatsuki's efforts... I will wait for that day, even if far away!"

Laughter from the three young leaders echoed from the room until the door was completely closed.

Coming in openly, leaving with dignity. Takeda's years in Akatsuki ended perfectly.

The man wiped his face, turned around, and headed straight to the base's sixth exit.

He could now head towards happiness without any psychological burden.

...

Kaoru didn't use an umbrella, letting the rain wet her face.

At twenty-five, she was no longer a little girl, but tonight, in this rainy evening, she walked down the street, hopping around, petting small cats and dogs.

The kunoichi, like a child, observed and enjoyed the world. Everything seemed different, more beautiful, and meaningful.

She soon arrived under the red signpost.

The signpost was crimson and very tall, visible from afar. In Amegakure, it was a small landmark. Locals knew the exact location once mentioned.

Kaoru stood under the red signpost, looking around, unable to control her smile.

She needed to wait because she had arrived too early.

The agreed time with Takeda was "midnight," but it was only ten o'clock, two hours too early.

Thinking about it, her cheeks blushed. She touched her face, which was indeed hot.

"Oh dear... I came so early... Two whole hours... If Takeda sees this, he'll surely laugh at me. Hmph... It's not that I'm eager to elope with you... I, I just..."

Under the signpost, Kaoru giggled to herself.

—I just wanted to see you sooner.

Suddenly, her fingertips touched her pocket.

Hmm?

Kaoru frowned, searching carefully but finding nothing.

The bottle of "blade oil" she had prepared for two months was left at the base's residence.

The kunoichi bit her lip. Takeda loved his blades. In the Land of Waves, where there was no chakra, the only memory of the past would be those two sharp "Wing Blades."

"The Land of Waves probably doesn't have good black camellia..."

Thinking this, she calculated the time.

Returning to the base residence and back here would take at most half an hour.

Going back to get the blade oil and returning to wait by the signpost, there would still be a very ample hour and a half before the appointed time.

By then, Takeda might not have even arrived.

"Hmph... Annoying guy, making me go back for something."

Kaoru stroked the shell Takeda gave her, turned, and walked into the alley, heading back.

Without a hint of displeasure.

...

"Ah... Did I come too early?"

Takeda emerged from the base's sixth exit, looking up to see the red signpost, but no one was there.

"Indeed, too early. Two hours until midnight."

He sighed lightly, walked over slowly, and leaned against the signpost, gazing at the sky.

He was still holding the heavy package.

"Take some money to buy a large yard by the beach in the Land of Waves," he thought, feeling a sense of unprecedented fulfillment. "Buy lots of flowers and plants for Kaoru, oh, and seeds..."

...

The fate of a shinobi is... a broken balance.

Effort and reward, happiness and disaster, will never be equal.

For two people from opposing factions to fall in love took three whole years, over a thousand days and nights together, 115 battles fought side by side, 34 nights of intimate talks, 16 times of narrowly escaping death with laughter and embrace... and one declaration of love on a rainy night.

However, under the crimson signpost, for two lovers to narrowly miss each other forever, it only took... six seconds.

(End of Chapter)

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