Chapter 35 Konan

Hiro, Mikoto, and Pakura sat around a modest breakfast Mikoto had prepared. The warmth of the meal provided a stark contrast to the biting cold outside.

After they finished eating, Hiro took a deep breath. 

"We've been here for a while now," he said, his voice serious. "It's time we moved on. Staying here for too long could attract unwanted attention. 

We should head towards a more secluded area in the Land of Snow, where we can stay hidden more effectively."

 ...

Konan trudged through the snow, her blue hair blending with the wintry landscape. Each step left a mark on the untouched surface, the cold biting at her cheeks. 

Her paper butterflies fluttered around her, scouting ahead and confirming her target's location.

The village appeared on the horizon, a small cluster of structures nestled against the snow-covered mountains. As she approached, her gaze remained sharp, searching for any sign of her quarry.

The house she sought stood on the edge of the village, its walls weathered by the harsh elements. Konan moved with silence, her breath forming small clouds in the frigid air. 

She reached the door, her fingers wrapped in the edges of her cloak, and rapped sharply.

The sound echoed through the quiet village. Moments later, the door creaked open, revealing Hiro. His expression shifted from surprise to cautious scrutiny. His eyes locked onto hers, a flicker of recognition sparking in the depths.

"This… Konan?" Hiro thought, his mind racing as he took in the blue-haired woman standing before him. 

He didn't panic, knowing that if she was alone, she wasn't here to fight—at least not immediately. With a calmness that belied his surprise, he stepped aside, inviting her inside.

Konan stepped inside, her eyes briefly sweeping over the modest interior. The warmth from the fireplace did little to ease the tension, the room feeling smaller with each passing second. 

She remained silent as Hiro closed the door behind her, his gaze sharp and unyielding.

Mikoto and Pakura, who had been quietly conversing on the other side of the room, noticed the sudden guest. 

Although they didn't recognize her immediately, they sensed the tension and remained silent, waiting to see how the situation would unfold.

Hiro, however, had a different perspective. He knew exactly who Konan was and what she was capable of. 

Though formidable, he was confident that she wouldn't be able to take on all three of them at once if it came to a fight. 

But instead of bracing for conflict, an idea formed in his mind—a way to turn this unexpected visit to his advantage.

Hiro kept his expression neutral as he addressed the mysterious woman. "I wasn't expecting a visitor in a place like this," he said smoothly. "What brings you to this remote village?"

Konan met his gaze, her beautiful eyes sharp and unwavering. "I'm here for you and your companions," she replied, her voice calm but firm.

Mikoto and Pakura exchanged a quick glance but remained silent, their eyes fixed on the stranger. They were ready to act if necessary, but they waited for Hiro to take the lead.

"And why would someone like you be interested in us?" Hiro asked, keeping his tone light but curious. 

He didn't address her by name, not yet. He needed to gauge how much she was willing to reveal before he made any moves.

Konan's eyes flickered briefly over Mikoto and Pakura before returning to Hiro. 

"We've been watching you," she said simply. "You've attracted attention from... powerful entities. I've come to offer you something that might be in your best interest."

Hiro raised an eyebrow, feigning mild interest while his mind worked quickly. He recognized her from the anime—Konan, a high-ranking member of the Akatsuki. 

But he couldn't let her know that. If he slipped up, she might suspect something was wrong and act decisively. He had to play this carefully.

"A generous offer," Hiro said with a slight smile. "But I'm curious—why would you want to help us? What's in it for you?"

Konan's expression remained unreadable. "Mutual benefit," she replied. 

"We can offer you protection, a place where you won't have to worry about being hunted. In return, we ask for your cooperation."

Hiro didn't let his guard down, but he allowed a hint of skepticism to show. "Protection, huh? Sounds like there's a catch."

"There always is," Konan admitted, her tone still calm. "But we're not asking for full allegiance. Just that you consider our goals when making your decisions."

Hiro glanced at Mikoto and Pakura, noticing the tension in their stances. He could sense they were both uneasy, but they trusted him to handle this.

He turned back to Konan, deciding to probe a little further. "Before we talk about goals and cooperation, maybe you could tell us more about yourself. It's only fair, don't you think?"

Konan hesitated for a brief moment, then nodded slightly. "I am Konan," she said, her voice steady. "A member of an organization called the Akatsuki. We have our own objectives, but we recognize potential when we see it. And you, Hiro, have potential."

Hiro felt a cold shiver run down his spine at the mention of his name. 

"Konan of the Akatsuki," he echoed, as if testing the name. "It seems you've done your homework. But you still haven't told us what you really want."

Konan's eyes narrowed slightly. 

"What we want is simple: to change the world. But to do that, we need people who can see the bigger picture, who can act when the time is right."

Hiro nodded slowly, as if considering her words. He knew the Akatsuki's true intentions from the anime, but he had to appear intrigued, not suspicious. "Change the world, huh? That's a pretty big goal."