Chapter 313

Konan's Last Memory

Konan's last memory before completely losing consciousness was of black boots in front of her eyes and a voice asking a question.

—"To survive, are you willing to pay any price?"

Yes, as long as it doesn't involve them, anything.

Konan silently gave this answer in her heart.

Awakening in a Cave

In a natural cave less than five hundred meters from where Haku and the others were, Konan's eyelashes fluttered, and her consciousness gradually returned. Lying on a bed in the cave, she opened her eyes and immediately realized she was in a cave and still alive.

"Hey, you're awake."

The man's voice instinctively made Konan throw off the blanket and leap off the bed. She glanced at the blue-haired young man sitting casually on a sofa, one hand propping up his head and the other swirling a wine glass, watching her with a playful smile. Despite feeling weak, Konan was fully alert.

Ignoring Konan's defensive posture with a kunai in hand, Shinji took a sip of what he claimed was wine from 1982, shook his head, and sighed. "Is this how you treat your savior?"

"You saved me?"

Konan frowned and scrutinized the blue-haired young man before her. She had never seen him before, and he certainly wasn't a ninja from Amegakure.

Scanning the cave, which was modest but well-furnished with even a bathroom, Konan concluded he was likely some wealthy young man.

"Let's cut the small talk. I'm not interested in your name or what you do. I only have one question: Do you remember your last answer?"

"Answer?" Konan was puzzled.

Taking another sip from his glass, Shinji said, "To survive, are you willing to pay any price? That answer..."

Hearing this, Konan was surprised. It wasn't a dream!

"I'm not interested in who 'they' are in your answer 'except for them, anything.' What I'm interested in is something else. Now, do you want to change your answer?"

Konan paused, then asked, "I want to know what happened. Did you see the attacker?"

"You misunderstood my question. I only asked if you regret it and if you're prepared to pay the price for survival. Everything else is irrelevant."

Shinji set down his glass and looked at Konan, his clear eyes showing no fear or doubt. This unnerved Konan. A normal person couldn't have saved her in that state, nor could they face a ninja like her without flinching.

"What do you want?"

Shinji stood up, walked slowly towards Konan, and stopped just before her.

"It's just..."

He mouthed the rest of the words, and Konan's initial confusion turned to anger.

"Impossible!"

"Don't be hasty. I'm a person who allows regrets and impulsive decisions. If you really don't want to, you just have to return what I gave you."

As soon as he finished speaking, Konan noticed the kunai in her hand had somehow ended up in Shinji's hand. He was casually twirling it.

"Are you threatening me?"

Ignoring her anger, Shinji handed the kunai back to her, turned around, and walked back to the sofa. "It's just like buying something from a store. It's a fair trade. If you don't want it, just return the item. I'm more humane than most shops that say no refunds."

Konan considered attacking but was unsure of Shinji's strength. What if she failed?

"I won't force you. Take three minutes to decide if you want to live."

That's not forcing?

Konan felt cornered. She had two choices: give her life back to him or... use her body in the way he suggested.

From the cave entrance, she could see Amegakure wasn't far. But she had a strong feeling he wouldn't let her escape.

"Alright, time's up. Choose your fate: the ordinary death you were facing or..."

Shinji pointed towards the bathroom.

Bastard! Scum!

Konan cursed inwardly but couldn't see any other way out. She felt like taking a risk but feared failing.

"You can try to fight, but it will only bring death faster."

With that, Shinji placed his wine glass on a table and pulled another bottle of wine from his system space.

Seeing this, Konan's heart sank further. This man wasn't ordinary.

"Ten... nine..."

Konan's resolve wavered. She couldn't die, but neither could she accept such humiliation. She steeled herself.

"Eight... seven... six..."

"Wait..."

Konan clenched her fist tighter.

"Three... two... one..."

"Alright, you really don't want to wash up first?"

Konan remained silent, pretending to be unresponsive.

To live, to stay by Nagato's side, she had to endure this.

Besides, she was a ninja. Gender identity was discarded when Yahiko died. Even if he did that, she wouldn't feel anything.

Slap!

The sudden slap stunned Shinji. Konan had reflexively slapped him as soon as he touched her.

"There was a mosquito."

Konan tried to sound indifferent, but she turned her face away, cheeks flushed, biting her lip to stifle any sound.

Seeing her teary eyes, Shinji felt a bit of pity. He realized she needed to forget about her comrades to feel better.

So, he turned her face towards him.

"Today, you belong to me. Brace yourself."

Seeing Shinji's playful smirk, Konan, tears in her eyes, could only call him a bastard and scum repeatedly.

"I like your navel ring."

"Bastard! Scum!"

"And the lip ring too."

"Bast..."

Busy signal—

Thunder rolled and the rain continued throughout the night...

Don't misunderstand; this was outside the cave.

Morning Comes

"Morning will come soon... Let me go..."

Konan, too exhausted to move a finger, tried to push Shinji away, but had no strength left. She could only use words.

"Don't worry, no one will come."

"Bastard, scum!"

"How many times have you said that now?"

Shinji smiled. He had no intention of stopping. Konan was just starting to come around.

Realizing the grim reality of her future, Konan's heart raced. "Wait... Let me rest... I want to wash up."

"You said you didn't need to."

"Move... I want to wash now."

"I won't."

"Bastard! Scum!"

After a long night, Konan, barely able to move, glared at the man who hummed cheerfully while buttoning his shirt.

She was furious.

This man had tricked her. He had agreed to let her wash up two hours ago, making her think it was over. But then...

This man was a beast!

She swore to kill him when she had the chance.

"Though our deal is done, a bit of extra service isn't out of the question."

Seeing Shinji approach with a smile, Konan's face changed. She feared he wanted more.

But he just touched her forehead with a finger.

Instantly, Konan felt all her strength return. Her mind cleared as if she'd taken a super mint!

"Take care. Bye."

With that, Shinji left the cave, hands in his pockets, moving quickly.

After a while, Konan got dressed and left the cave, searching the area before finally heading back.

"Bastard, scum!"