Konan Arrives

"Hehehe..." Kakuzu watched the exchange between Zetsu and Konan with cold eyes. It was evident that Zetsu, who was in charge of intelligence, had withheld much information.

He didn't mind being ignored; the friction among members amused him.

The leader, who had said very little, grew more imposing by the minute. Even as a mere projection, his presence was palpably intimidating. The leader had grown much more potent than when he was first recruited.

One by one, the projections vanished.

Obito did not attend this gathering. He was currently focused on infiltrating the Land of Water. Ever since his Sharingan controlled Yagura, he had enforced a brutal regime in the Hidden Mist Village.

He had eradicated many powerful bloodline limit clans to eliminate threats, siphoning off the Land of Water's resources.

To Zetsu, the rise of the Uchiha clan was the most significant variable in their plans, so he naturally needed to deal with it.

The biggest variable among the Uchiha was Uchiha Natsuki. If he could be recruited into the organization, it would greatly facilitate their plans.

Hence, Zetsu disclosed the information he had just received.

...

"Should we try to recruit Natsuki as well?"

In his Yahiko form, Nagato was noncommittal. "We can try. You make the decision. My Rinnegan has grown stronger, and I need more time to master it. The organization will need your attention."

"However, these are all trivial matters. Once I fully master the Rinnegan..."

Yahiko paused, then continued slowly, "In the face of overwhelming power, all of this will be meaningless. I will make the world know pain and bring true peace."

Konan looked at Nagato's oppressive Rinnegan. Nagato always wanted to solve everything with its power.

But she helped Nagato in more ways, knowing that capturing the Tailed Beasts would require more people since Nagato could no longer move freely.

No matter what, Yahiko's dream had to be fulfilled.

Konan gathered her resolve.

"I will go then."

Konan spread her white wings and flew into the sky.

The villagers below saw her and gasped.

"Ah, it's the Angel..."

"We're so lucky to see the Angel today..."

...

In the desert, a lone figure trudged forward.

The endless dunes shifted with the wind.

Without proper clothing, getting scraped by the sand was common.

Natsuki tightened his cloak.

Adjusting his hat, he continued onward.

No wonder the Sand ninjas were always wrapped in bandages and cloth.

This sandstorm was like a barrage of knives, with sunburns being the least of one's worries. Sand cuts were the actual pain.

Natsuki planned to visit that "sand-playing kid" and give his father some much-needed education. The story of Gaara had infuriated him when he first watched it.

What kind of idiot father treats his son like that? Testing him endlessly until he fails, then branding him a failure?

Just declare him a failure from the start and be done with it.

Testing a piece of glass by dropping it from different heights will only break it.

Gaara was so innocent, losing his mother early and having a brain-dead father.

Fearing Shukaku would go out of control, instead of strengthening the seal, he tested his son daily until he broke.

After deciding Gaara was a failure, he repeatedly sent assassins to provoke him.

Who in their right mind plays with fire next to a bomb?

Being killed by Orochimaru was the best thing that could have happened to him. If he had lived, Gaara would eventually have been consumed by Shukaku and destroyed the village.

As Natsuki made his way to the Land of Wind, he considered how to deal with Rasa, the world's most foolish father.

Suddenly, a shadow fell over him, bringing a cool breeze.

Natsuki looked up to see two large white wings descending.

The wings, made of paper, slowly dispersed as Konan landed gracefully.

Konan's appearance was so striking that it was no wonder the people of the Land of Rain called her an angel.

Konan? What is she doing here?

Natsuki wasn't alarmed. Although Konan was the secretary of a terrorist organization, she wasn't known for senseless killing.

Konan also served as the organization's head of recruitment. Could it be...?

Seeing Konan land without a word, Natsuki's face showed neither panic nor surprise, only curiosity.

Seeing Natsuki's silence, Konan introduced herself.

"I am Konan of the Akatsuki organization. I'm here to invite you, Natsuki-san, to join us."

???

???

???

Why on earth would they think I would join Akatsuki?

Natsuki was speechless and pointed to himself. "Me? What does Akatsuki do? Why are you inviting me?"

Konan spoke softly. "We are an organization dedicated to creating peace."

"As for why we are inviting you, it's because you are valuable."

"Natsuki-san, you have brought countless opportunities to the Uchiha. 'Chinese Cuisine' is your creation, isn't it?"

Natsuki waved his hand. "So what? I'm a ninja of Konoha. Why would I join an organization that clearly isn't up to any good?"

Konan smiled. "Natsuki-san, you must be joking. The Uchiha's relationship with Konoha isn't exactly great, is it?"

Natsuki raised a finger. "One question, and I'll consider your offer."

Konan's spirits lifted. "Please, ask away, Natsuki-san."

Natsuki gestured. "It's so hot here. Why do you wear black clothes? Don't you know black absorbs heat?"

Konan: "..."

Indeed, it's boiling in the desert, but Konan had endured worse conditions since she was young. Heat and cold didn't affect her much.

Feeling awkward, Konan replied, "Natsuki-san, you're funny. This is our Akatsuki uniform."

Natsuki rubbed his chin, pondering another long-held question.

"If it's a uniform, why do you all wear nail polish? Do all members, male and female, wear nail polish?"

Konan was taken aback. This question touched on the organization's secrets. How did Uchiha Natsuki know?

Seeing Konan's reaction, Natsuki waved his hand dismissively and took out a storage scroll.

"Bang!"

Under Konan's watchful eyes, Natsuki pulled out a parasol, a large water jug, two cups, and two chairs.

Leisurely, he set them up on the ground.

Natsuki plopped down in one of the chairs. "No need to be tense. Sit down and have some iced tea."

Natsuki poured iced tea into both cups, pushing one toward Konan.

Konan was puzzled by Natsuki's actions.

This level of comfort was not typical of a ninja.

Storage scrolls were expensive and generally used for essential supplies.

A few shuriken or kunai cost less than one percent of a storage scroll's price.

The scroll Natsuki used for these items must have cost millions.

It seemed Natsuki honestly had money.