Ever since Nagato's death, the rain over Sanshouo Hanzo's area had inexplicably stopped for a while. As a secluded village, Konan governed it quite well indeed—at the very least, much better than under Hanzo's reign.
As they walked along the streets of Sanshouo Hanzo's area, bustling crowds filled the area. The village remained commercially prosperous, with smiles on people's faces. There weren't any beggars or people dressed in rags. If there was any difference between them and people from other villages, it was that they seemed slightly more numb and less full of life.
Throughout the journey, Konan had not spoken a word.
Now that they were in the village, Anya couldn't hold back any longer and finally spoke up: "Konan, since you're practically the leader of Sanshouo Hanzo's area, all it would take is your agreement. You must have something important to tell me, or else you wouldn't have invited me here."
"Yes, but we haven't reached our destination yet," Konan replied somewhat sorrowfully. "Master, don't you even have time to walk with me a bit?"
"How could that be? Actually, walking down these streets and seeing Sanshouo Hanzo's area so different from wartime really touches me," Anya remarked with admiration. "From the environment of a village, one can clearly understand the mindset of its leader. Konan, your heart must be incredibly gentle."
Konan suddenly stopped in her tracks, fixing her eyes on Anya and asking, "Master, do you really believe that?"
"I do," Anya confirmed.
"Perhaps you've misjudged me," Konan smiled faintly. "Now is the critical moment to fulfill your ideals. I really shouldn't waste too much of your time. Master, just accompany me one last place, and that will be all."
With those words, Konan transformed into sheets of paper, scattering into the wind across the street.
Anya had already sensed something. Sighing softly, he followed after her.
They arrived at a cave, just enough to shelter from the rain, with many stone pillars inside—ideal for hiding.
The moment he first saw it, Anya felt a sense of familiarity.
"This," Konan stood outside the cave, letting the drizzle fall as she reminisced, "is where we first met. Actually, this was the second time I saw you. The first was when Yahiko begged you for money. I still remember, back then you were with Kakuzu, a man obsessed with wealth. I admired Yahiko's courage then. Never did I expect that you would actually give them money. You know, you were the first. That's why my impression of you was extremely positive."
Anya responded playfully, "Well then, that shows I'm pretty compassionate."
"That's not it," Konan's expression turned serious. "It's just that money didn't really matter to you—you didn't care enough to give or not. Besides, Yahiko was just an insignificant child to you. It was like a fish leaping out of the river and almost dying under the sun, and you just happened to walk by, casually kicking it back into the water. It wouldn't have stirred the slightest ripple in your heart."
"Konan, I think you might understand me a little too deeply."
This feeling made Anya quite uncomfortable—as if his thoughts were fully exposed, like speaking with no armor at all.
Konan smiled mischievously and said, "How can a student not understand her Master?"
As he spoke, Konan pointed at the two wooden huts not far from the cave and said, "Look, the one on the left was built during the time when Jiraiya trained Nagato and Yahiko. The one on the right I built myself after returning to Rain Country. Inside are photos of you and me to honor those memories. Want to take a look?"
Anya smiled softly after a pause. "Okay."
Together they entered the hut. The interior was very rudimentary, with not even a bed—just a small table upon which lay a photograph of young Konan and Anya. However, in the photo, Anya's face was only partially visible from the side, eyes not looking at the camera. It was clearly a candid shot, and both people in it looked quite immature.
Looking at the picture, Konan recalled with nostalgia and added, "It wasn't me who took this secretly, though. It was Kurenai. Back when we were in school, the most common topic between her and me was always you. According to her words, you were practically the perfect man without flaw in the entire world."
Anya humbly replied, "No one is flawless in this world."
"That's true," Konan said with a wry smile. "Actually understanding you came later, after Yahiko died. There was someone who specially compiled all your experiences from childhood into a scroll, making me watch it from start to finish. Then he told me that your sole purpose for doing things was personal gain, that you had no respect for life, nor would sympathy ever lead you to accept me as your student."
A sharp glint flashed through Anya's eyes. "That person must've been Madara Uchiha."
Konan didn't directly answer but instead asked, "Master, what do you think? Was what he said correct?"
At this moment, Anya inwardly already understood everything. He hadn't expected it—that even as Madara approached old age and death, he still managed to plant Konan as a chess piece, planting a seed deep within her heart that had now finally sprouted.
The realization cut deep—right into Anya's soul.
Taking a deep breath, Anya calmly admitted, "Exactly. I've always been a selfish person. The reason I accepted you as my student was simply to obtain the Rinnegan. The moment I first met Nagato, I already knew he possessed the Rinnegan."
"So it really was like that," Konan sighed in relief. "Thank you for being honest with me. Then tell me now—are you sorry about it?"
"No," Anya answered expressionlessly. "From each individual's perspective, discussing right and wrong is meaningless. In reality, it's just a matter of different choices. For me back then, compared to the Rinnegan, a girl I met for the first time meant nothing."
After closing her eyes briefly in thought, Konan responded, "You're right—it's always about choice. But now I have no more choices left. Before his death, Nagato chose to believe in Naruto, entrusting him with Akatsuki's founding purpose. I also choose to believe in him, believing he will become that flower of hope that never wilts. But you, my master, you are the darkness I've never fully understood. I don't believe someone like you could ever build a beautiful world. That's why I've decided—I'm taking you with me."
After hearing Konan's heartfelt speech, Anya showed no surprise—only sighing, "Since when… have you decided to kill me?"
"Perhaps the moment Yahiko died," Konan answered. "Or maybe the moment Nagato died."
"Konan's usually cold eyes were filled with sorrow: 'Or perhaps it's because I saw your ideals on the verge of realization? Your world will inevitably bring happiness to only a minority, right? I can see it from the two Zero Organization missions you've released this time—looting, bloodshed, savagery, and disregard for life.'"
"Heh," Anya said with a helpless look. "I told you before that your heart is full of tenderness. Turns out I was right after all. Unfortunately, this tenderness isn't reserved for me, but instead offered to strangers. Peace isn't that simple—you can't talk your way into it, especially since Naruto's personality alone ensures the Ninja World remains as it is. Conflict breeds war—division is its very foundation. Besides, now both Yahiko and Nagato are dead. I'm the closest person left in the world to you, aren't I? I've always acknowledged you as my student. Whatever request you make, as long as within my capability, I'll satisfy you. Why must you choose this path?"
Konan stood rooted to the spot. A single tear rolled down her cheek. For the first time, emotions stirred across her icy face. She took two steps closer to Anya, carefully asking, "Master, may I hug you?"
"All right."
They embraced, but not a shred of warmth filled the air between them.
The wooden huts around them had completely turned into sheets of paper. Each one was precisely inscribed with explosive tags. Even the ground where they stood cracked open, revealing a long fissure lined entirely with explosive tags. A quick glance was enough to tell—there were at least millions of explosive tags in this enclosed space.
Feeling the gentle warmth pressed against him, Anya asked, "Since you've decided to kill me with explosive tags, why didn't you move farther away? I can sense that right now you're here in your physical body."
Konan smiled faintly: "That's true indeed, exactly as you said. Since those dearest to me no longer exist in this world, my own life has become unimportant anyway. Therefore, Master, you won't be alone. I'll accompany you in death."
As the first explosive tag lit up, millions more detonated in unison. An endless blaze engulfed the entire area.
"What?"
In the Hokage council chamber, Minato and Onoki both rose to their feet at once.
"You're saying," Minato continued, "that Naruto and Killer Bee's location has been compromised?"
An intelligence officer promptly responded: "Exactly. Kisame from Akatsuki was concealed inside his great sword Samehada. Although he himself was quickly captured by Might Guy who served as our guard, he still managed to transmit the information about Turtle Island through summoning jutsu before dying."
Onoki pondered: "It seems we need to revise our battle plans. Now that we've learned this news, we could set some traps there."
Minato agreed: "Yes. The enemy's target is these two individuals; they certainly will go searching there."
"As reconnaissance, the enemy undoubtedly would send squads ahead first. If so, then let me personally take a trip over there." Onoki stretched his muscles, preparing to depart.
Minato expressed surprise: "You want to go yourself? Perhaps better that I go instead."
"I can't allow that. You are now the overall commander, deeply trusted by everyone. Though we were once enemies, I feel the same way—placing the Allied Forces under your command gives me peace of mind. The strongest, Madara Uchiha, hasn't shown himself yet; it's not time for you to enter the battlefield," Onoki said seriously. "On my name as the Tsuchikage, this time I will protect those two with my life."
"Understood. I know what to do." Minato stood up respectfully and said, "Thank you, Lord Tsuchikage."
Konan shut her eyes, bracing herself for death.
But after a thunderous roar passed, everything quieted down—what had been expected to be an explosion simply vanished.
No, actually, it had never even happened at all.
Opening her eyes, Konan found herself still inside the house—the person she had been holding was gone, and Anya now stood before her. Everything that had just occurred—the events and conversation—were like a dream.
"What is this?"
Anya answered her question: [Mangekyo Sharingan], a genjutsu peering into one's soul. It simulates scenarios based on what you imagined might happen, making them seem exactly like reality. However, in reality, nothing ever occurred."
This was the first time Anya had used the Mangekyō received from Fugaku, and unexpectedly, its target was her own student.
Konan smiled bitterly, saying, "Originally I suspected as much—I knew I couldn't kill you. Yet I never thought I'd lose so completely, so disgracefully. Teacher, will you kill me?"
Anya had already lost interest in conversing with Konan. He vanished in an instant, stepping out of the house.
"WAIT!" Konan shouted coldly and also rushed outside. Her usually serene face was filled with grief, yet she sneered as she spoke, "Teacher, did you know there's someone I envied? Despite being your student, she received your careful instruction. So, I told her a certain piece of information: back then when Hayate Gekko sought revenge against you and asked Orochimaru for power, I was right there beside him, watching him take that immature pill. His vengeance was directed at you—the man who killed his father, correct? Coincidentally, Yugao and Hayate were childhood best friends. Facing her, what would you even do?"
From the moment they set off toward Hanzo's Hidden Rain Village, one person had secretly followed behind them. Now, the identity of this follower had finally become clear.
Anya turned around, staring coldly at Konan with lifeless eyes. He spoke decisively, "Starting today, you are no longer my student. Furthermore, I never wish to see you again in this world."
Stunned, Konan watched Anya vanish before her eyes. But instead of feeling any sense of triumph, she felt hollow and homeless, as if her entire being had become soulless.
Without hesitation, Anya strode straight toward where Yugao was hiding and murmured with a sigh, "Come out!"
Yugao emerged from the shadows, her expression complicated. With uncertainty in her voice, she asked, "Hayate Gekko... he was..."
"Yes, I killed him." Anya replied almost ruthlessly. "I am the murderer of his father. Seeking revenge against me was perfectly justified. To protect myself, killing him was entirely reasonable too. If there's anything else you'd like to know, go ahead and ask."
Shuddering, Yugao sorrowfully murmured, "Captain, why didn't you lie to me? All you had to do was deny it, and I would have believed you."
"There's no need. I've lied to you long enough. I don't want to lie anymore. You should have hated me all along. Tell me your decision." Anya's gaze burned intensely as he stared at Yugao without blinking, his eyes subtly revealing a flicker of anticipation.
What awaited Anya, however, was the Broken Crescent trembling in Yugao's raised hands.
That sliver of hope instantly twisted into fury. Anya's eyes abruptly transformed into blazing crimson Sharingan. He let out an angry laugh. "Fine. So this is your choice? Excellent."
Yugao wiped away her tears and spoke slowly and clearly: "I'm sorry, but I can't let my best friend's death be meaningless."
"Steady your hand, calm your mind. Once you've made this choice, focus entirely on the blade, or you won't stand a chance. This will also be the last lesson I ever teach you." Anya drew the Blade of Indifference and said expressionlessly, "Come, draw your sword. I'll teach you."
For a moment, Yugao was flooded with flashbacks—Anya training her in sword techniques. Those exact words still echoed in her ears: "Come, draw your sword. I'll teach you."
Just a single word different, and yet their roles were now completely reversed.
Staring at the Broken Crescent in her hands, Yugao felt it weighed a thousand pounds, too heavy to lift.
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