Chapter 43 : Change!!

"Twilight Hermit Order."

Konan whispered these words, and a wave of mysterious energy surged deep within her. It was as if she had been plunged into a sea of endless darkness. Through the dense black fog, she saw an enormous, imposing cathedral built from bones.

Inside the stark white church, black stone pillars stood tall, inlaid with the bones of countless creatures. At the far end of the church, a massive bone cross held a figure that defied description, its silhouette seemingly bridging the gap between sky and earth.

The moment she gazed directly at the glowing figure, something triggered in her mind.

A torrent of thoughts overwhelmed her like a rushing tide. She clasped her head, her eyes widening as pain shot through her mind. 

It felt as if her very identity was being torn into countless pieces, each fragment screaming with a different voice—whispering, shouting, or roaring into her ears.

"No, no more..."

Konan's eyes lost focus, turning blank as her mind fell into a state of emptiness, like a marionette whose strings had been cut.

At that moment, 'Adam' intervened.

Just as Konan endured the agony of thousands of conflicting thoughts, a figure cloaked in radiant light descended upon her, almost angelic in presence.

The angel, bathed in light, gently laid a hand on the crown of her head, his touch soothing and warm. The cacophony in her mind subsided, replaced by a calm that flowed through her like a comforting embrace, like a child nestled safely in a mother's womb.

Gradually, the pain receded, and Konan opened her eyes to see Adam standing before her, the light surrounding him like a halo.

The clarity and purity of those eyes were like a baby's, with a soft golden sheen, which put Konan at ease. 

"What was that just now?"

Konan's eyes still held traces of fear, unsettled by the scene she had just witnessed.

The towering church made of bones, the massive light and shadow bound to a cross of bones, and the 'angel' that appeared at the end—these were far beyond the limits of the ninja world as she knew it.

So this is the real ninja world! In the past, she'd been like a pet in a fish tank, unaware of the deeper truths around her. But now, it felt like she had glimpsed them for the first time.

"I'm sorry, I should have warned you," Uchiha Sogetsu said gently. "In the future, don't speak that name in private without my permission."

In fact, he had done it on purpose. People feared power, not morality, and sometimes, words alone couldn't compare to displays of force. He couldn't simulate the true divine aura or summon the 'ancient sun god,' so what she saw was just an illusion.

However, even a fake scene had its roots in something real—"Language of Foulness." The blasphemous sounds, those obscenities from the True Creator, had proven to be surprisingly useful.

"Excuse me, could you explain it to me?" Konan hesitated but couldn't hold back her curiosity. "What exactly was that?"

"You can call Him the Creator," Uchiha Sogetsu said calmly. "He is The Lord that Created Everything, The Omnipotent and Omniscient, The Source of Everything Great, The Beginning and The End, The God of Gods, Ruler of the vast Astral World, and the reason why the 'Twilight Hermits Order' was founded."

"Wasn't it the Sage of Six Paths who created everything?" Konan asked, visibly confused. This was completely different from the legends she'd heard.

"The so-called myths or legends are just stories retold and reinterpreted by later generations," Uchiha Sogetsu replied with a smile. "The Sage of Six Paths, as you know him, would likely disappoint you if you learned the original story."

Konan wanted to ask more, but Uchiha Sogetsu raised his hand, signaling her to stop. "Don't say anything. Don't ask anything."

It wasn't that he was trying to be cryptic, but he didn't want the conversation to continue down that path.

Even though he had a "Destiny Doll" and was confident in its ability to block the scrutiny of the Sage of Six Paths and the Great Toad Sage, he knew this Beyonder item wasn't powerful enough for extended use. 

A few brief interactions were fine, but if he spoke too much or stayed too long, there was a risk of being discovered.

"I understand, Mr. Adam," Konan quickly realized what he meant and fell silent.

"Our connection ends here," Uchiha Sogetsu stood up slowly, picking up his black book. He looked at her with his pale golden eyes. "I hope that the next time we meet, you can show me your awakening."

"Wait, Mr. Adam!" Konan felt a surge of panic as he was about to leave. "How can I contact you? How can I change my fate?"

"No, it's not the right time for that," Uchiha Sogetsu replied, glancing at the sky. "Besides, you don't need to contact me. As for changing your destiny, I've already given you the answer."

With that, he stepped out into the rain.

As if by coincidence, the sky cleared, the rain stopped, and the clouds dispersed. A ray of sunlight illuminated his back, making him appear like a deity walking through the world.

"The Lord said: When He awakens from the sleep of death,"

"The kingdom He envisioned will surely come to this world; the future He foretold will surely become a reality."

The chanting faded, and 'Adam' seemed to vanish as if he had never been there.

Konan bowed her head, her fingers clutching the fabric over her chest, turning white with tension. Her eyes were resolute. 

"Hidden Rain Villagen needs change. The Akatsuki organization also needs change!"

"Nagato, I need you," she said as she sat beside Nagato's hospital bed after returning from her journey.

Without knowing the details, Nagato, who saw Konan as a sister, immediately agreed without hesitation or questions. "Okay, just tell me what to do."

"I want to cleanse Akatsuki," Konan replied.

Konan's voice was as cold as ice from an eternal glacier, and her gaze held a certain determination.

"What did you say?" Nagato rubbed his eyes, thinking he might have misheard her.

"I said we need to clean up Akatsuki," Konan repeated, her eyes locked on him. "Yahiko is gone, but his will endures. I want to carry on his legacy and build a world without oppression. Nagato, will you help me?"

Nagato felt a pang of surprise as he looked at the woman before him. The once shy girl who always leaned on him and Yahiko now spoke of inheriting Yahiko's will and leading a cause.

"Can you explain why, Konan?" Nagato asked, his expression complex.

"If our fate is truly sealed, then we're already dead," Konan said, her eyes ablaze with a fierce intensity. "But before that happens, I'll use all my power to change it!"

Nagato saw something different in Konan's eyes—a black flame that burned with cold, sharp ferocity. It made him feel reassured, knowing that she was as determined as he was.

"I understand, Konan," Nagato said, slowly sitting up, using the edge of his bed for support. He knew he could trust Yahiko's will, and now he could trust Konan's too. "I'll help you, even if it means going against destiny and the entire world."

"Thank you, Nagato," Konan replied, feeling warmth in her heart. Her hands tightened into fists with resolve.

"So, what's the plan?" Nagato asked, his voice weak as he coughed twice.

"To consolidate Akatsuki and take control of the Hidden Rain Village," Konan replied, revealing the strategy she had already crafted.

"If someone doesn't follow orders," Nagato began, but then paused to think.

He now had a clear understanding of the current state of Akatsuki.

After Yahiko's death, many members had left the group. Even among those who remained, some were plotting to seize control.

These individuals had been part of Akatsuki since its earliest days, respected as its founding members.

"It's very simple," Konan replied calmly and with a steady voice. "Eliminate those who don't comply and keep those who do."

The world of shinobi wasn't as complex as it seemed.

The strong made the rules, and the weak obeyed them.

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