Chapter 127: Konan and Nagato

Kakashi glanced at the trio and said,

"You all did well today. Go home and rest."

"At the same time tomorrow, we'll gather here again."

"Got it!" Naruto responded enthusiastically.

He got to his feet and looked over at Itachi.

"One-on-one practice? Let's spar for a bit."

Itachi shook his head. "Not today. I've got something to take care of."

Seeing Naruto's disappointed expression, Itachi tilted his head, considering. After a pause, he added,

"My brother's sick. I need to go home and take care of him."

Naruto's eyes widened. "Sasuke's sick? I'll come with you to check on him."

Itachi hesitated briefly, then nodded lightly. "Alright."

Naruto waved at Kakashi and Shinko.

"We're heading out then, Kakashi-sensei, Shinko-chan!"

Itachi also bowed politely.

"Goodbye, Kakashi-sensei. Goodbye, Shinko-san."

With their farewells exchanged, the two left together.

Shinko stood in place, wide-eyed.

…Those two just left me here? Seriously?!

She turned to Kakashi, grabbing his arm before he could disappear.

"Uh, Kakashi-sensei…"

Seeing his surprised face, Shinko offered an awkward smile.

"Could you keep me company for a while? It's way too boring to go home this early."

Kakashi was about to decline but hesitated as memories of this student's past surfaced in his mind.

Her family once had three members. Both parents were ordinary chunin who had died in a war when she was only eight.

Now, Shinko lived alone… just like he had once.

Looking at her forced smile, masking her vulnerability, Kakashi found himself unable to refuse.

"Alright, fine."

Shinko's eyes lit up with relief.

"Thank you, Kakashi-sensei!"

Kakashi sighed, scratching his forehead protector.

While he had left the ANBU and had plenty of free time, he had intended to spend it reading.

"Ah, right… forgot about that guy…"

He glanced toward the nearby woods, and a voice promptly echoed from within.

"Don't mind me. I'll dispel myself."

Shinko blinked in curiosity.

"Kakashi-sensei, who was that?"

Kakashi replied casually, "Just a shadow clone of a friend, keeping me company today."

Shinko's eyes sparkled with admiration.

"Wow, you must have a great relationship with your friends, Sensei."

Kakashi's lips curled into a faint smile.

"Yeah… I suppose you could say that."

Half an hour passed, and Kakashi was deeply regretting his earlier decision.

This girl… How does she talk so much?

In this brief time, he'd spoken more than he typically did in half a year!

And the topics… they had veered into bizarre territory.

For instance, she was now recounting her first crush—an innocent story involving holding hands and walking the boy home.

But even so, it was enough to make Kakashi want to howl like a dog!

Shinko finished recounting her tale and sighed dramatically.

"…And then we broke up!"

Kakashi stifled a laugh, nearly letting out a chuckle.

Shinko glanced at him and asked,

"Kakashi-sensei, do you know what it's like to be single for two years?!"

Faced with her expectant gaze, Kakashi pondered for a moment before replying seriously,

"I've been single my whole life. Could you clarify which two years you're referring to?"

Shinko froze for a moment before bursting into laughter.

"Hahahahaha!"

Why are you laughing?! Kakashi thought, thoroughly exasperated.

Communicating with kids these days felt impossible.

...

Amegakure

Outside Akatsuki's hidden village, near a run-down slum.

A striking figure appeared, standing out starkly against the dreary surroundings.

She wore a black cloak adorned with red clouds, her hair styled in cute buns with a light blue paper flower tucked in.

Just from the slim, elegant legs visible beneath her cloak, her identity was unmistakable—Konan.

Carrying a bag of food, Konan walked into the slum with practiced ease.

"Yune, Seion, Tsubame, Rukia…"

She called out to the children, conjuring a bouquet of paper flowers with a gentle smile.

Having endured hardship as a child herself, Konan had a soft spot for war orphans.

Whenever she had time, she would visit the slum to help the homeless children as much as she could.

This was a task she used to share with Yahiko and Nagato, but with the two now preoccupied, Konan was the only one who still continued.

"Is it Konan?"

A few children rushed out at her voice, their eyes lighting up when they saw her.

"It's really Konan! Yay!"

The children flocked to her, affectionately tugging at her cloak.

Konan smiled warmly, patting their heads. She handed them the flowers and food she had brought.

"These are for you."

A girl named Rukia accepted the paper flowers, her face lighting up with happiness.

"Thank you."

She hesitated before adding timidly,

"Could you do me a favor?"

Konan crouched down, her gentle gaze encouraging.

"Of course. What do you need, Rukia?"

Emboldened by her kindness, Rukia gathered her courage and stammered,

"I… I want you to…"

Her words were abruptly interrupted by a cold voice.

"…Help me take Nagato's Rinnegan!"

Konan's heart sank. Before she could react, a flash of red light clouded her mind.

In a secluded corner of Amegakure's hidden village.

Nagato looked at Konan with a resigned expression.

"What is it, Konan? Why did you pull me aside like this and insist Yahiko couldn't know?"

"I still have paperwork to finish."

Konan approached him with a mysterious smile.

"You're so dense, Nagato. I told you it was something we couldn't let Yahiko hear…"

Nagato shifted uncomfortably, the proximity making him uneasy.

"Konan, what are you trying to—"

Konan placed her hands on his face, pulling him closer until their eyes met.

Her voice dropped to a sultry whisper.

"Nagato, I want… your eyes."

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Pls Drop some Power Stones

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