Chapter 64: Return to the Water Kingdom

"A spy is a traitor!"

Deidara pointed dramatically at Uchiha Itachi. His hands and face mirrored the same expression as he yelled, "Uchiha Itachi is the traitor! He colluded with Logan and betrayed us, leading to Konan's capture!"

"Konan is so beautiful… if she's in Logan's hands, who knows what might happen! I don't even want to think about it!"

Sasori smirked coldly.

Coward.

He dared to think about it.

Sasori had no personal grudge against Uchiha Itachi, but if Pain decided to execute Itachi, he wouldn't mind turning his body into a puppet—something beautiful to remember him by.

"I'm not a traitor," Uchiha Itachi said quietly.

Deidara stepped forward. "Then why are you blushing?"

"…Refreshed," Itachi replied flatly.

"Why is it yellow again?!"

Itachi didn't respond. He simply turned to Pain and met his gaze. "If I were a traitor, I wouldn't have come back."

Pain's eyes narrowed, his expression colder than ice. "I asked you to translate the word 'spy,' not explain your feelings."

Kisame, who had a decent relationship with Itachi, stepped forward in an attempt to ease the tension. "A spy is a spy. No need to overthink it. I'm sure this is all a misunderstanding. Itachi isn't—"

"You're wrong," Pain interrupted.

"I'll tell you what a spy really is—"

A wave of killing intent burst from his Rinnegan.

"A spy is someone who deserves to die."

From the very first day Uchiha Itachi joined Akatsuki, Pain had been wary of him. He didn't trust Itachi's motivations, not because they were obvious—like Deidara's bloodlust or Kakuzu's greed—but because they were buried.

Deidara, Sasori, Zetsu, and Kakuzu each had their flaws, but at least their ambitions were directed outward.

Uchiha Itachi, however, was the opposite.

And now Konan—Nagato's last family—was missing.

Whoever laid a hand on her... must die.

Pain didn't try to hide his murderous intent.

The other Akatsuki members quickly stepped back, clearing the space between Pain and Itachi. They knew what was coming.

Deidara, curious and eager, watched closely. He hadn't yet witnessed Pain in combat and was practically vibrating with anticipation.

Kisame hesitated, raising his hand to protest, but lowered it after a moment. He understood—it was already too late.

On one side stood Uchiha Itachi, wielder of the Sharingan, a shinobi of terrifying ability.

On the other stood Pain, leader of Akatsuki and the holder of the mysterious Rinnegan.

Just as the air between them crackled with impending violence, a voice rang out from the shadows:

"Itachi is not a traitor."

From the darkness stepped a man in the Akatsuki's signature cloak, wearing an orange spiral-patterned mask. His voice was calm and cool, but held immense weight. It was Obito.

Originally, Obito had no intention of revealing himself to the larger group just yet. Only Pain, Konan, Zetsu, and Itachi knew of his existence. He preferred it that way.

But things had gone off-script.

Konan had been captured.

Orochimaru—broken.

And now Pain and Itachi were on the verge of killing each other. Both were critical pieces in Obito's long game. He couldn't afford to lose either.

Deidara nudged Sasori. "Who's this guy?"

Sasori shrugged, then looked at Kakuzu.

Kakuzu shook his head as well.

Still, the way Pain didn't question the man's presence—and his Akatsuki cloak—was enough for them to stand down and observe.

Obito stepped beside Itachi. "I vouch for him. He's not a traitor. As for Konan…"

He looked directly at Pain.

"I'll go to Kirigakure myself."

Kirigakure had become a brewing storm. Logan's recent moves made it clear that a major shift was about to take place.

Few knew the truth about Yagura, the Fourth Mizukage: he was under Obito's control, placed there by a powerful genjutsu. Through Yagura, Obito had amassed great wealth and influence, molding the village into a base for his plans.

The Mist Village had become Obito's hidden empire.

Just as Nagato treasured Konan...

Obito valued Kirigakure.

If anyone threatened it...

He would cut off their hand.

"I'll kill Logan myself," Obito declared. "And I'll bring Konan back. That will end this matter, agreed?"

He expected Pain to agree.

But Pain shook his head.

"No," he said coldly. "I'm going too."

A heavy silence fell.

For the first time in years, Pain—the unapproachable god of the Akatsuki—was going on a mission personally.

Was Konan truly that important to him?

Or was Logan simply that dangerous?

Obito's lips curved into a smile. "Then let's go together," he said. "It'll be like visiting an old friend."

---

Logan stepped off the boat.

The Land of Water hadn't changed.

Mist clung to the air. Government enforcers patrolled the streets with drawn blades, barking orders, while civilians kept their heads low and worked in silence.

More than thirty people had accompanied Logan, but only a handful disembarked: Sasuke, Momo, and Mayuri.

Kanhara Hayato and Amber remained offshore with the others, waiting for Logan's signal before making landfall. It was safer that way. Drawing too much attention too soon would be unwise.

Logan needed a reliable team, not just subordinates.

He didn't want his companions to rely on him forever. They had to grow stronger, to learn, to fight.

This journey was a test—for them, and for him.

As for Konan, she followed as a prisoner, bound by Logan's command seal. Yet, as she stepped onto the soil of her homeland once more, her face flickered with emotion.

"What are you thinking?" Logan asked.

Konan replied evenly, "I don't owe you an answer."

Logan smirked. "Even if you don't tell me, I can guess. You're feeling guilty—thinking that you helped turn the Land of Water into what it is. But your logical side still sees it as a necessary sacrifice. Now the two sides of your mind are arguing with each other."

Konan spun toward him, her amber eyes sharp.

"How do you know so much about me?"

Logan kept walking, unbothered. "Relax. I only pay attention to the important details. I'm not interested in your bath-time singing or how you cuddle a stuffed animal while you sleep."

Konan blushed furiously.

If not for the seal's restrictions, she would've strangled him.

Logan chuckled and continued north.

According to the last pigeon from Terumi Mei, the rebellion would begin soon. But first, Logan wanted to visit Luoxue Village.

Months ago, he had left the broken remnants of the Beheading Blade and Fang Sword with a blacksmith named Dao Ye, asking him to forge new weapons for Sasuke and Momo.

By now, the blades should be complete.

The five-person team moved swiftly. On the afternoon of the third day, they arrived at Luoxue Village and found Dao Ye.

The blacksmith grinned the moment he saw Logan.

A swordsmith and a warrior—they always walked hand in hand.

Every blade crafted held a dream: to one day become legend through the strength of its wielder.

"I heard about your exploits in the Fire Nation," Dao Ye said. "Who are you planning to kill this time?"

Logan pointed at Sasuke and Momo. "Not me. Them."

Dao Ye laughed. "So you're here for their swords?"

"They're ready," he said, stepping into the back room.

He returned carrying two long wooden boxes and placed them on the table.

"Open them," he said, smiling. "And see what legends are waiting."

Øóffer going on for diamond tier

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