After helping Konan resolve her worries, she did not leave as Yūto had expected.
Instead, she went shopping with Haruna.
Although there was a significant age difference between them, it had to be said that women's natures were quite similar.
Even upon their first meeting, Haruna seemed to genuinely like Konan.
And Konan, accompanying Haruna while shopping, even showed a rare smile on her face.
This made Yūto somewhat surprised; although Konan's personality was outwardly cold but inwardly warm, that was only for those she was extremely close to.
Even when facing Yūto, Konan's face always carried a subtle coldness, which could also be described as expressionless.
However, with Konan accompanying Haruna, Yūto was able to enjoy some peace and quiet.
Not long after, Ameyuri Ringo ran over from a distance, her face flushed red. As soon as she saw Haruna, who was standing not far from Yūto, she bowed apologetically to Yūto.
Ameyuri Ringo glanced at Konan with a hint of wariness, then grabbed Haruna's clothes with one hand and lifted her up.
"Thank you, Lord Yūto, Haruna has caused you trouble."
Ameyuri Ringo said with an embarrassed expression.
"It's fine, I also quite like Haruna."
Yūto waved his hand and said casually.
Ameyuri Ringo's face flushed, then as if remembering something, she said softly:
"Lord Yūto, Chiyo of the Sand Ninja Village has sent another message. They hope we can release Gaara as soon as possible."
Yūto was slightly taken aback, reaching up to pat his forehead. If Ameyuri Ringo hadn't reminded him, he would have almost forgotten about it.
However!
Yūto's gaze flickered slightly, and he said calmly:
"Regarding Gaara, tell the Sand Ninja Village not to worry. I will send Gaara back perfectly safe and sound."
"By the way, the Eight-Tails and Five-Tails should still be in Konoha's hands. Has the Hidden Stone Village and Cloud Ninja Village made any moves recently?"
Ameyuri Ringo pondered for a moment, then quickly replied:
"Both great Ninja Villages have made overtures to Konoha, but so far, Konoha still hasn't responded, acting as if they have nothing to fear."
"After the battle a while ago, although Konoha suffered the most severe losses, the entire Ninja World is now somewhat unclear about Konoha's situation. It's uncertain what the Hidden Stone Village will do specifically, but the Cloud Ninja Village will likely make some small moves."
Nothing to fear?
Yūto chuckled softly. Whether Konoha truly had nothing to fear or was just pretending would soon be known.
Konan walked over from the side, a trace of inexplicable amusement flashing in her eyes as she watched Ameyuri Ringo carry Haruna away.
"How does it feel?"
Yūto's voice sounded from beside Konan.
"Compared to Amegakure, the civilians in this Village truly live a happy life."
Konan naturally understood what Yūto was asking. She subtly scanned the smiles on the faces of the surrounding civilians and said softly.
"Just like the Amegakure you want to protect, this Village is also something I want to protect."
Yūto looked up, gazing ahead, his eyes flickering slightly.
"It seems Lord Yūto has something big planned?"
Konan looked at the expression on Yūto's face and said softly.
"You guessed?"
Yūto raised an eyebrow slightly, looking at Konan beside him with some surprise.
Konan shook her head: "Lord Yūto's expression told me."
Yūto looked directly into Konan's eyes, then shrugged. His figure flickered, and he disappeared from where he stood.
Konan quietly watched the direction Yūto had disappeared in. After a long while, a gentle breeze blew, lightly stirring the hair on Konan's forehead.
The next moment, Konan's entire body transformed into countless paper cranes, flying with the breeze towards the distant direction.
Akatsuki Organization Base!
Uchiha Madara meticulously examined the many scrolls before him. Zetsu had recorded all the intelligence from this period onto these numerous scrolls.
Casually closing the scroll in his hand, a profound look flashed in Uchiha Madara's eyes:
"Uchiha Sasuke, the only remaining orphan of the Uchiha Clan?"
"Lord Uchiha Madara, Uchiha Itachi's Sharingan, if I'm not mistaken, should be in the hands of the Mist Village."
White Zetsu's voice came from the side.
Uchiha Madara rested his chin on one hand, a look of amusement on his face, and said softly:
"It seems that fellow Yūto knows about the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan. This is getting more and more interesting."
At this point, Uchiha Madara paused slightly, his peripheral vision sweeping towards Obito, who stood motionless beside him:
"Since I have been revived, there's no need to continue with the old, secretive plan."
"The Akatsuki Organization? Their strength is decent, but they're ultimately not presentable."
Uchiha Madara's voice resonated faintly, causing Uchiha Obito's body to tremble involuntarily.
"Then what does Lord Uchiha Madara plan to do?"
Uchiha Obito quickly bowed slightly, asking with a respectful expression.
"Amegakure is located between the Land of Fire, Land of Earth, and Land of Wind. Although its location is important, it's ultimately too small."
Uchiha Madara's indifferent voice echoed in the air.
Upon hearing Uchiha Madara's words, Black Zetsu and Obito both froze for a moment.
A look of horror even flashed in Uchiha Obito's eyes.
Unbeknownst to them, three days passed in the blink of an eye.
The entire Ninja World seemed to have fallen into a strange calm during these three days.
Aside from a few small Ninja Villages jumping around, whether it was the Sand Ninja, Cloud Ninja, or Hidden Stone Ninja, the Three Great Ninja Villages had been exceptionally calm during this period.
Of course, this was only on the surface.
Underground, the Three Great Ninja Villages were frantically collecting intelligence on the current state of the entire Ninja World.
Whether it was Chiyo, who was in charge of the Sand Ninja, or Ōnoki the Tsuchikage, and the Fourth Raikage A, all felt an extremely strong sense of crisis.
In the Mist Village and the Akatsuki Organization's two locations.
Yūto and Uchiha Madara almost simultaneously opened their eyes, a sharp glint flashing within them.
"It's about time. We should set off."
In Mei Terumī's house, Yūto, who had just finished breakfast and was resting with his eyes closed, opened them and said slowly.
Mei Terumī glanced at Yūto, and just as she was about to say something, the next moment, Yūto's figure had already vanished from where he stood.
"He got away! Looks like it's my turn to do the dishes again."
Mei Terumī blinked her beautiful eyes, revealing a helpless expression.
Akatsuki Organization Base.
On top of the giant Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, Uchiha Madara, who had been sitting cross-legged, stood up, stretched, and muttered softly to himself:
"I hope you won't disappoint me, Hashirama…"
The next moment, Uchiha Madara's figure also disappeared.