Chapter 41 : Confused Konan!!

"Tsunade-sama, I'm really fine now."

In a somewhat tidy but modest room, Uchiha Sogetsu was wrapped up like a mummy, exuding a clear sense of exasperation.

"No way, I'm the medical-nin here. Or are you the medical-nin?" Tsunade replied, sprawled out carelessly beside him in a loose, light-green kimono. Her outfit was revealing, showcasing a deep cleavage that emphasized her mature allure.

At the hem of the kimono, her smooth legs were crossed, her feet casually stretched out with delicately painted pink toes, reminiscent of the sheen of white jade.

This woman has no shame!

Uchiha Sogetsu covered his eyes and sighed. "Tsunade-sama, I've told you countless times, could you please be more modest?"

"Oh, what are you so scared of?" Tsunade replied with a sly grin, leaning in closer. "You sure you're not thinking of something inappropriate?"

"Sorry, but older women just aren't my type."

Uchiha Sogetsu snapped back firmly.

"Tch," Tsunade retorted with a dismissive wave of her hand. "Don't flatter yourself. I have zero interest in brats like you."

The conversation hit an awkward pause, the air suddenly becoming tense.

"By the way, where did Hikari go?" Uchiha Sogetsu broke the silence, coughing awkwardly to break Tsunade's intense gaze.

"Ugh, you little pervert." Tsunade rolled her eyes and said, "Relax, I sent Hikari to run some errands. This place is a good distance from the Village Hidden in the Rain. It's perfectly safe."

"Okay."

Uchiha Sogetsu remained quiet after that.

"Hey, come on, tell me honestly—do you like Hikari?" Tsunade asked with a teasing smile as she leaned in closer.

Uchiha Sogetsu was taken aback for a moment. He didn't expect Tsunade to suddenly get so close, her refreshing scent filling his nose. 

If he just glanced down a little, he'd be right in view of her ample "thoughts," a display that almost snapped him out of his usual "Spectator" state.

"No, you're misunderstanding," he said, pushing up his glasses, his voice steady. "I don't have feelings for her, I'm just concerned for my comrades."

Tsunade, apparently not buying it, retorted, "Sure, you say one thing but mean another." She then playfully scolded, "You tricky brat, don't embarrass me!"

Uchiha Sogetsu shook his head without replying.

Have feelings for someone? No, he couldn't afford that. Ever since he took the potion to walk the "Spectator" pathway, emotions became a luxury he couldn't risk indulging in.

The room was tense when Hikari pushed the door open and entered. "Tsunade-sama, I'm back."

"Ah, thank you for your hard work, Hikari~" Tsunade replied, sprawled out on the bed like a sloth, her eyes half-closed in satisfaction.

Uchiha Sogetsu glanced over and saw that the supplies Tsunade asked Hikari to fetch were mostly packed with beer and bento boxes. He sighed. "Tsunade-sama, didn't you say you weren't going to drink?"

"Huh? Did I say that?" Tsunade's eyes darted around as if looking for an escape route. "Haha, maybe I did, but the mission's over, so what's a little drink, right?"

It wasn't long before she drank herself into a deep sleep, her tolerance clearly not matching her enthusiasm.

Uchiha Sogetsu shook his head and turned to Hikari. "Hikari, I have to leave for about two days. While I'm gone, I need you to help cover for me. Implant a false memory for Tsunade, please."

"Sure, no problem," Hikari replied, her fingers fidgeting. Then, she asked tentatively, "Um, can I come with you?"

"No, I need to go alone. You'd be more useful here." He ruffled her hair, smiling gently. "Besides, it's safer for you."

"Okay," she replied, though a bit dejected. But then she straightened up, determined. "I won't let her mess things up."

Uchiha Sogetsu nodded, feeling a pang of guilt as he turned to leave. But he knew this was the right choice, both for him and for the mission. He couldn't afford distractions, especially not when he was about to face what lay ahead.

"It feels reassuring."

Uchiha Sogetsu adjusted his clothes, donned a bamboo hat, and tugged on the brim with both hands as he opened the window. "I'll leave it to you, Hikari," he said before leaping out into the dark night.

Whoosh!

With a few swift leaps, he vanished into the shadows, as silent as a ghost.

Hidden Rain Village

It was a typical gloomy day, with a steady drizzle falling from the overcast sky. Pedestrians hurried about their business, shops were open as usual, and street-side taverns bustled with activity.

Nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Yet beneath this mundane exterior, there were signs of unrest.

"They're definitely keeping Hanzo's death under wraps," thought Konan as she stood under a paper umbrella, her black hood shielding her from the rain. 

The village was as familiar as always, but a heavy sadness hung in the air. "Unfortunately, this brief peace won't last. Everything is about to change."

In just two days, her world had turned upside down.

Yahiko's tragic death had left the Akatsuki leaderless, and Nagato—the only one who could have stabilized the situation—had suffered severe chakra depletion due to a forbidden summoning technique. His body had become frail and emaciated, and he could barely stand.

The only sliver of good news was that the Rain Ninja had misattributed Hanzo's murder to Tsunade, one of Konoha's legendary Sannin. This gave the disoriented Akatsuki a brief respite from scrutiny.

"Yahiko, what am I supposed to do now?" Konan whispered to herself, wandering the rain-soaked streets. Her lonely, slender silhouette, holding a paper umbrella, seemed to exist in a world apart from everyone else.

She walked aimlessly, not realizing she was going in circles. Eventually, she found herself at a small street stall, tucked away at a remote intersection where few people passed. 

The stall was crammed into a narrow space under the overhanging eaves of a building, offering barely three square meters of shelter from the rain.

The stall's owner was a middle-aged man with a gentle demeanor. He wore a simple white robe, with a cross pendant hanging from his neck, and was engrossed in reading a black book.

Konan found him intriguing, almost enigmatic, upon first meeting him.

The bustling surroundings didn't seem to bother him. There was a serene aura about him that drew her closer, almost subconsciously.

Perhaps it was that sense of calm that appealed to her.

"Lost soul," he said, setting down the book he'd been reading and looking up at her. His voice was gentle, like a warm breeze. "Do you think it was fate that brought us here today?"

"What do you mean?" she replied, a little taken aback by his words.

She had been feeling a sense of confusion and disorientation, and his question struck a chord deep within her. She stared at him, her dark eyes reflecting a mix of innocence and turmoil.

"I can see that you're troubled," he said, his hands resting lightly on his lap, his legs crossed. "If you'd like, you can talk to me about it. Maybe I can help lighten the load."

"No thanks," she replied, shaking her head with a bitter smile. "No one can help me. But thanks, anyway."

She turned to leave. She had come out to run errands, and it was time to head back.

But after just a couple of steps, his voice stopped her in her tracks.

"Fate can be harsh, don't you think?" he asked.

Konan froze, his words hitting her hard. She spun around to face him, her eyes narrowed.

"Every gift from fate comes with a hidden cost," he continued, his eyes calm and penetrating. "The question is, are you okay with that cost?"

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