The village was left behind without farewells.
There was no meeting, no final words. Just the sound of footsteps moving away, mixed with the wind coming from the river. Kuro walked a few meters ahead, not out of urgency, but out of habit.
The shadows followed him naturally.
Behind him, Yahiko walked in silence. He didn't look bothered. He looked thoughtful. Konan and Nagato followed shortly after, alert to their surroundings as always.
No one mentioned the fight.
That alone said enough.
They stopped only when the terrain began to rise. Neutral ground. Far enough to avoid attention, close enough to respond if something went wrong.
Konan was the first to speak.
"We weren't followed."
Kuro nodded.
"They wouldn't risk it now."
Nagato stared at the horizon a moment longer than necessary.
"Still," he said, "someone saw."
Kuro didn't deny it.
"That was expected."
Yahiko took a slow breath, crossing his arms.
"The village will talk."
"Yes," Kuro replied. "And others will listen."
No one looked satisfied with that. But no one argued.
They set up camp quickly. No unnecessary conversation. Everyone knew their role.
Kuro stayed at the edge while Nagato adjusted the ground and Konan organized what little they needed. Yahiko tended the fire, not looking directly at anyone.
They learn fast.
Kuro didn't place himself at the center. He didn't give instructions. He didn't correct anything.
Not out of indifference.
By choice.
Konan glanced at him, measuring.
"You'll leave early," she said.
It wasn't a question.
Kuro confirmed with a short nod.
"Before dawn."
Yahiko looked up but didn't speak. After a second, he nodded as well.
Nagato kept his eyes on the fire.
"Training?" he asked, without turning.
"Adjustments," Kuro answered. "Not force."
Nagato understood.
Impact control, not destruction.
Konan finished packing and stood.
"The smaller villages will start reaching out."
"Some will," Kuro corrected. "Others will pull away."
"And that's good?" Yahiko asked.
Kuro thought for a moment.
"It's real."
Yahiko let out a brief, restrained smile.
"I prefer that."
The night passed without incident.
At some point, Kuro stepped away from the camp. Not to keep watch. To think.
The shadows settled around him, quiet.
Staying too long creates expectations.
He knew that cycle well. He had seen it before. When someone becomes a constant reference, they turn into a fixed point. When they become a fixed point, everything starts revolving around them.
And then it breaks.
Not now.
Footsteps approached behind him.
Konan stopped at his side, keeping enough distance to avoid intrusion.
"You're not going to explain anything," she said.
Kuro shook his head.
"There's no need."
She looked back at the camp for a moment.
"Yahiko understands."
"That's enough."
She stayed silent for a few seconds.
"Konoha will hear about today."
"They already have," Kuro replied.
She turned slightly, a hint of surprise.
"So that's why."
Kuro neither confirmed nor denied it.
"I won't be gone," he said. "I just won't always be here."
Konan nodded.
"That's different."
"That's the point."
She didn't smile. But she didn't question it either.
Before dawn, Kuro was already on his feet.
He made no noise. He didn't wake anyone. He simply adjusted his cloak and cast one last glance at the camp.
Yahiko slept lightly, as always.
Nagato remained still, alert even in rest.
Konan had the habit of waking moments before danger.
They would be fine.
The shadows shifted as Kuro took his first step away.
Not in farewell.
In transition.
He wasn't leaving.
He was making space.
And for the first time since joining the Akatsuki, it felt like exactly what needed to be done.
Author's Note:
Thank you to everyone who's been reading, collecting, and leaving feedback so far. I really appreciate it.
From here on, the story will start moving closer to Konoha, and the main plot will begin to take shape step by step.
I'm still improving as I write, so feel free to share your thoughts in the comments. Thanks for sticking with the story.