The Human Path of Pain emerged, surveying the surrounding environment. He took a look at Konan, then at Uehara Naraku, first confirming their safety.
"Hmm? Uehara is injured?"
The Human Path of Pain noticed the wound on Uehara's shoulder, his brows furrowing ominously, speaking with a somewhat gloomy voice: "Konan, what happened? There's not much chakra left in this body, let's summon the Celestial Path first..."
"It's fine."
Konan shook her head, pointing at Yamanaka Fuu on the ground: "The enemy has already been cleared. Now we need to extract information about Danzo from his brain."
"Alright, I understand."
The Human Path of Pain nodded, lifting Yamanaka Fuu from the ground.
After extracting Yamanaka Fuu's memories with the Heart Layer Stealth Technique, the Human Path of Pain's face turned grim, so he extracted Yamanaka Fuu's soul, killing him instantly.
Konan softly asked: "Did you get any information on Danzo?"
"Yes, Danzo... won't be coming to The Hidden Rain Village."
The Human Path of Pain spoke in a low voice about the information he had obtained: "Hmph, Hanzo of the Salamander probably doesn't know yet that Danzo doesn't plan to sincerely cooperate with him.
The Third Hokage of Konoha has prohibited him from leaving Konoha even half a step, so Shimura Danzo can only send his subordinates to act.
Recently, Shimura Danzo did wish to ally himself with Hanzo, but his movements were restricted, so he left all the negotiation and alliance matters to this man named Yamanaka Fuu."
"Seems like it was all for nothing."
Konan's eyes revealed a hint of disappointment, she said softly: "I thought we might be able to take out Hanzo of the Salamander and Shimura Danzo both at once."
"No, there's still some other gains."
The Human Path of Pain said gravely: "Besides aligning with Hanzo, these ninjas are also responsible for searching for Uchiha Obito's whereabouts, trying to bring him back to Konoha... Although Uchiha Obito has disguised his identity, he's undoubtedly a rogue ninja."
"Then there's no need to try to recruit him again!"
Konan's face showed some irritation. She glanced at the approaching Uehara Naraku and continued: "I warned them to stay away from Naraku, but Uchiha Obito tried to kill Naraku just because his identity was exposed. I'm going to kill him sooner or later!"
"Teacher, I don't mind."
Uehara Naraku's expression was subtle as he looked down at the ground beneath Konan and the Human Path of Pain, speaking softly: "As long as what Teacher and Yahiko-sama want to do requires Obito-senpai, no matter what he's done, it doesn't matter to me..."
That sounded a little bit manipulative.
Because Zetsu was hiding beneath the ground here.
Zetsu, beneath the ground, was sure to hear their conversation.
After hearing Uehara's words, Zetsu felt a slight sense of relief. In their view, Nagato and Konan might go along with it and accept Uchiha Obito back.
Unexpectedly, Konan's expression changed instantly, her voice turning somewhat cold: "Nagato, we shouldn't accept someone who tried to harm Naraku... Naraku is our family!"
The Human Path of Pain: "..."
He hadn't even said anything yet.
Moreover, he hadn't considered accepting Uchiha Obito back!
However, to calm his irritable friend, the Human Path of Pain sighed: "Fine, after our mission is over, we'll have Zetsu find a way to recruit Uchiha Obito, and then we'll ambush him quietly and kill him, okay?"
"Okay."
Konan's expression eased considerably.
Uehara Naraku secretly praised himself.
Below ground, Zetsu silently cursed the three above.
Luckily they stayed hidden underground eavesdropping for a while longer; otherwise, how could they know that Nagato and Konan harbored such malicious intentions?
Are these still the same easily deceived people?
Zetsu couldn't figure out what went wrong.
This must be Uchiha Obito's fault. He shouldn't have made a move against Uehara Naraku!
Knowing that little fellow was Konan's disciple, yet he still wanted to silence him, and in the end, he almost got counter-killed by that kid!
No wonder he's one of the rare underachievers of the Uchiha Clan...
Zetsu didn't see any reason to stay here any longer, and Black Zetsu and White Zetsu exchanged a few complaints about Nagato and Konan before going to report the bad news to Uchiha Obito.
On the surface.
After resolving the disagreement about Uchiha Obito, the Human Path of Pain and Konan also mentioned intelligence on the next meeting time with Kandachi of the Salamander.
Konan planned to use this opportunity to deal with Hanzo's right-hand man, Kandachi, and the Hidden Rain Ninjas he brought along.
The Human Path of Pain nodded, looking at Konan and Uehara Naraku, speaking softly: "If you encounter danger, summon the Celestial Path directly, and I'll be ready to respond to your summoning at any time."
"Got it."
After the Human Path of Pain left, Konan's gaze slowly shifted, stopping at Uehara Naraku: "Naraku, come with me, I have something to tell you."
"..."
Uehara Naraku looked confused.
As Kaguya Kimimaro, Haku, and Hattori Heikawa watched the teacher and student duo walk away, they stayed behind looking bewildered.
They're just a group of extras.
As Konan walked, she seemed somewhat absent-minded.
She walked silently ahead of Uehara, and even when a new downpour began, and raindrops fell on her head, Konan showed no reaction.
A bamboo umbrella appeared over Konan's head.
Uehara Naraku called out to her, gently pushing the bamboo umbrella he held, seriously looking at her: "Teacher, it's raining."
"Is it raining again?"
Konan slowly looked up, watching as the increasingly heavy raindrops fell to the ground, and finally spoke: "Let's not go any further, we'll talk here."
"Alright."
Uehara appeared completely compliant.
Konan's expression showed some displeasure as she hesitated, looking at Uehara, and began to speak: "Your fighting style today was problematic... When I meet danger, you shouldn't rescue me; you should escape to save your own life."
"How could I do such a thing?"
Uehara Naraku shook his head quickly.
Uehara roughly understood Konan's thoughts now; this must be because years ago, Yahiko and Nagato had risked their lives to save her, resulting in Yahiko's suicide and Nagato's crippled legs.
Did he overdo it today?
So Konan is actually afraid?
Yes, Konan is indeed afraid.
The iris flower in Konan's hair trembled gently, and her expression gradually turned cold: "Naraku, I am your teacher. The choices I teach you are the most correct ones!"
"I see..."
Uehara Naraku's lips curled into a smile. In this slightly chilly rain, he put on a naive and warm smile: "I understand, Teacher."
After seeing Konan nod, Uehara Naraku's smile remained as he posed a soul-searching question: "If one day I encounter danger and might even lose my life, what would Teacher Konan do?"
"I won't let that happen again."
Konan furrowed her brows, not directly answering the question.
Uehara Naraku pressed on, relentlessly: "What if it inevitably happens? We can't guarantee what kind of dangerous enemies we'll face."
"..."
Konan's face turned pale for a moment. She reached out with her hand, gradually snatching the umbrella from Uehara's hand.
Konan turned, holding the bamboo umbrella as she walked away, letting Uehara stand in the rain.
The blue-haired woman walked through the rain with the umbrella, raising her voice: "If that really happens, I'll leave you and escape by myself."
Uehara Naraku stood in the rain, watching Konan walk further away, step by step.
Uehara understood that Konan was speaking out of anger, but why take his bamboo umbrella, leaving him in the rain?
Rainwater flowed down Uehara's hair, soaking his clothes.
Uehara slowly raised his head, his voice low, gradually drowned out by the heavy rain: "If that day comes, I hope you really can escape, Teacher... But will you really do that?"
"..."
The rain intensified.
Butterfly-like single sheets of origami soared through the rain, gathering around Uehara, forming Konan's figure.
The woman's face was pained, as she reached out, hugging Uehara's neck tightly.
Uehara Naraku sighed quietly; it seemed his acting had been a bit over-the-top.
Uehara could do nothing but obediently embrace Konan's body, patting her back to soothe her emotions: "Teacher Konan... What about our umbrella?"