Here's a bonus chapter for you all! Thank you so much for waiting. I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments, and I hope you have a wonderful time reading!
Amegakure.
To relieve the exhaustion from days of relentless battles, Naruto, at Konan's suggestion, visited a local inn's hot springs.
Due to the constant rain in Amegakure, the hot springs were all indoors.
At this hour, most people were busy with their tasks, leaving the large hot spring pool empty and quiet.
Naruto leaned against the stone edge of the pool, a towel draped over his face, enjoying the rare moment of peace and relaxation.
"How long has it been since I've been able to fully relax like this?"
"Don't push yourself too hard. There's still plenty of time."
A gentle voice floated over from the other side of the pool's stone divider. There, Konan was cleansing herself. Through the misty steam, her pale purple eyeshadow flickered faintly.
It was worth noting that even in the hot spring, she wore her signature paper flower on her head. It was crafted from a special type of paper that wouldn't deform or fade, even when soaked.
From the other side of the stone divider, Naruto asked, "By the way, Konan-nee, there's something I've always wanted to ask you."
Splash!
Konan raised her slender, white legs from the water, her hands gently brushing water over them. Her beautiful eyes flashed slightly as she replied, "What is it? Ask away."
Naruto asked, "Why do you like origami so much?"
Konan's expression paused for a moment before softening.
"I was born during Amegakure's war-torn era. Resources were scarce, and folding paper allowed me to indulge in my imagination."
"Of course, that's the deeper reason. Honestly, it's just a girl's hobby."
"Ah, just like how I love ramen simply because it tastes good. No other reason," Naruto said with a grin. "But Konan-nee, I really admire you. You managed to combine your hobby with ninjutsu."
He joked, "As for me, I can't exactly combine ramen with ninjutsu to create some kind of 'Ramen Release,' dattebayo."
Konan chuckled softly, "It's not as exaggerated as you make it sound. Applying it to ninjutsu was out of necessity. Back then, kunai and shuriken weren't easy to come by, and ninja pouch capacity was limited. So I came up with the idea of making shuriken out of paper to save costs."
"Jiraiya-sensei had a sharp eye. He approved of my approach and encouraged me to forge my own path. That's how the Dance of the Shikigami was born."
As she reminisced, a trace of guilt flickered in Konan's eyes.
"It took me many years to realize that perhaps Sensei's intention in having me use paper in my techniques was also to remind me not to forget my original aspirations. In the end, I disappointed him."
Naruto sighed, "Staying true to one's original aspirations is easy to say but hard to do. That's why Pervy Sage was truly great."
Konan said, "As his successor, you're just as remarkable. It's incredible that after experiencing that future, you haven't been consumed by hatred."
Naruto replied, "Revenge only leads to a chain of hatred. That's a lesson I learned early on from my senior. So, in this second chance at life, I chose not revenge, but protection, dattebayo!"
Konan nodded and murmured, "Yes… This time, I'll choose protection too."
"To protect Jiraiya-sensei's most outstanding student—Naruto Uzumaki!"
Konan's heart echoed her resolve.
Naruto said, "Konan-nee, when we get back, I'll teach you the Tandem Explosive Tag technique. It was created by a senior in Konoha. While that senior wasn't exactly a great person, the technique's power is incredible. It might help you take your strength to the next level, dattebayo!"
The hot spring session ended, and it was already evening.
Naruto and Konan walked together toward the tower.
On the way, Konan asked, "Naruto, what do you think Sasuke's next move will be?"
Naruto pondered, "Given Sasuke's personality, giving up on revenge is impossible. After this defeat, he has two options: first, attack Konoha again; second, settle for targeting Danzō. He should know that the first option isn't realistic in the short term, so going after Danzō is more likely."
Naruto's eyes carried a hint of concern as he added, "But too much time has passed. Who knows what Kabuto might have done to Danzō? While it's unlikely Sasuke will fail again, it's not entirely impossible."
Konan asked, "And if Sasuke fails to take down Danzō?"
Naruto's eyes flashed with determination. "If Sasuke doesn't succeed this time, I'll deal with Danzō myself. I won't let him return to Konoha and stir up trouble again!"
---
The Akatsuki's hideout.
Sasuke lay awake, replaying his conversation with Black Zetsu earlier that day.
Black Zetsu: "To defeat Naruto, you must awaken the Rinnegan. To awaken the Rinnegan, you can seek out Kabuto. He's currently at an abandoned base in the Land of Sound."
Sasuke: "I, Sasuke Uchiha, will grow stronger in my own way. I won't let anyone dictate my path. So I won't listen to you!"
Black Zetsu: "I'm trying to help you."
Sasuke: "Get lost, or I'll kill you right now!"
Black Zetsu: "Heh, fine. But one day, in your pursuit of greater power, you'll walk the path I've pointed out."
---
Snapping back to the present, Sasuke stared unblinkingly at the dark ceiling above him and murmured, "These eyes, Itachi's eyes, still hold the sorrow he carried in life. I'll use these eyes to see through everything, including the darkness. So I'll never covet that so-called Rinnegan!"
"As for Kabuto… I'll seek him out for one reason only—to kill Danzō!"
Splash!
Sasuke sat up, dressed, strapped the Kusanagi Sword to his waist, and left the Akatsuki hideout, disappearing into the night.
---
"He's gone. He's heading north."
As soon as Sasuke left, White Zetsu reported the news to Obito.
Obito stood before a mirror, adjusting his attire.
"North… That's toward the Land of Sound. After failing to take revenge on Konoha, he's turning his sights on Danzō?" Obito murmured. "Very well, let him go. His hatred needs an outlet, and Danzō is undoubtedly the most fitting target."
"But make sure to send some White Zetsu clones to follow him. I can't afford for anything to happen to him. Most importantly, I can't let him come into contact with Kabuto."
White Zetsu replied, "Understood. I've already sent clones to shadow him. But it's strange—Black Zetsu seemed to have said something to him earlier."
Obito pondered, "Black Zetsu, huh? Whether or not he's a problem, I can't take any chances. Eliminate him."
White Zetsu was startled. "Are you sure? He's supposed to be Madara's will."
"Madara's will or anyone else's will—it doesn't matter anymore. Because…"
Obito turned around, now wearing a brand-new white mask.
The mask's black patterns formed ripples, with openings for both eyes and the top of his head, each adorned with tomoe markings.
Through the eyeholes, his Kamui Mangekyō Sharingan gleamed brilliantly.
"My eyes… they hunger for the arrival of war!"