Chapter 72: Where's the Umbrella?
After Human Path Pain emerged, he surveyed the surroundings, glanced at Konan, then glanced at Uehara Naraka, first confirming the safety of the two.
"Hm? Uehara is injured?"
Human Path Pain saw the wound on Uehara's shoulder. His brow instantly furrowed, his voice somewhat grim, "Konan, did something happen? The chakra in this body isn't much; summon the Deva Path first..."
"It's nothing."
Konan shook her head, pointing at Yamanaka Fū on the ground, "The enemies have already been cleaned up by us. Now we need to obtain intelligence about Danzō from his brain."
"Okay, I understand."
Human Path Pain nodded and picked up Yamanaka Fū from the ground.
After Human Path Pain used the Soul Removal Jutsu to extract Yamanaka Fū's memories, his expression turned somewhat unpleasant. He then extracted Yamanaka Fū's soul, directly killing him.
Konan asked softly, "Is there intelligence regarding Danzō?"
"Yes. Danzō... won't be coming to Amegakure (Village Hidden in the Rain)."
Human Path Pain relayed the intelligence he obtained in a low voice, "Hmph, Hanzō of the Salamander probably still doesn't know that Danzō had no intention of cooperating with him sincerely. Konoha's Third Hokage prohibited him from leaving Konoha even half a step; Shimura Danzō could only dispatch his subordinates to act."
"Shimura Danzō did indeed want to ally with Hanzō of the Salamander recently, but his movements were restricted, so he entrusted all matters of negotiation and alliance to this person named Yamanaka Fū."
"Looks like it was all for nothing then."
A trace of frustration flashed in Konan's eyes. She said in a low voice, "I thought this time we could eliminate both Hanzō of the Salamander and Shimura Danzō at the same time."
"No, there was another gain."
Human Path Pain said gravely, "Besides allying with Hanzō, these ninjas were also responsible for searching for Uchiha Obito's tracks, attempting to capture him and bring him back to Konoha... Although that guy Uchiha Obito hid his identity, he is indeed a rogue ninja."
"Then there's no need to recruit him again!"
Konan looked somewhat annoyed. She turned her head, glanced at the approaching Uehara Naraka, and continued, "I warned them to stay away from Naraka! But that guy Uchiha Obito wanted to kill Naraka just because his identity was exposed! I'll kill him sooner or later!"
"Teacher, I don't mind."
Uehara Naraka's expression was somewhat subtle. He looked down at the ground beneath Konan and Human Path Pain's feet and said softly, "As long as what Teacher and Lord Yahiko want to do requires Obito-senpai, no matter what he did, I actually don't mind..."
These words sounded a bit manipulative.
Because Zetsu was hidden beneath this very ground.
The Zetsu underground could definitely hear their conversation.
After hearing Uehara's words, the Zetsu underground felt slightly reassured. In their view, Nagato and Konan would likely go with the flow and accept Uchiha Obito's return.
Unexpectedly, Konan's expression instantly changed, her voice somewhat cold, "Nagato, we shouldn't accept that guy who tried to harm Naraka... Naraka is our family!"
Human Path Pain: "..."
He hadn't said anything yet?
Besides, he wasn't thinking of accepting Uchiha Obito again either!
However, to soothe his agitated friend, Human Path Pain sighed, "Forget it. After our mission is over, let Zetsu find a way to recruit Uchiha Obito, then we'll secretly ambush and kill him, alright?"
"Fine."
Konan's expression softened considerably.
Uehara Naraka secretly praised himself.
The Zetsu underground secretly cursed the three people above.
Luckily they hid underground and eavesdropped a little longer; otherwise, how could they have known Nagato and Konan harbored such vicious thoughts?
Were these still the same two easily deceived people?
Zetsu couldn't quite figure out where things went wrong.
This must be Uchiha Obito's fault! He shouldn't have rashly attacked Uehara Naraka!
Knowing that little fellow was Konan's disciple, yet still wanting to kill him to silence him, and in the end almost getting counter-killed by that kid!
Worthy of being the rare dead last of the Uchiha clan...
Zetsu no longer had any need to stay here. Black Zetsu and White Zetsu complained a bit about Nagato and Konan, then went to report the bad news to Uchiha Obito.
Above ground.
After Human Path Pain and Konan resolved their disagreement regarding Uchiha Obito, they mentioned another piece of intelligence: the time for the next meeting with Salamander Shinda.
Konan planned to use this opportunity to eliminate Hanzō's right hand, Salamander Shinda, along with the Ame ninjas he brought.
Human Path Pain nodded, looked at Konan and Uehara Naraka, and said softly, "If you encounter danger, directly summon the Deva Path. I will be ready to answer your summons at any time."
"I understand."
After Human Path Pain left, Konan's gaze slowly shifted, stopping on Uehara Naraka, "Naraka, come with me. I have something to say to you."
"..."
Uehara Naraka looked completely puzzled.
Kaguya Kimimaro, Haku, Hattori Hirakawa, and the others watched the master and disciple walk into the distance, standing blankly where they were.
This was just a group of bystanders.
Konan seemed somewhat absent-minded as she walked.
She walked silently ahead of Uehara, not even reacting when a new downpour began, rain falling on her head.
A bamboo umbrella appeared above Konan's head.
Uehara Naraka called out to stop her, holding the bamboo umbrella in his hand, nudged it forward, looked at her seriously, "Teacher, it's raining."
"Is it raining again?"
Konan slowly raised her head, watched the increasingly heavy raindrops fall to the ground, then finally spoke, "Let's not walk further. Let's talk right here."
"Okay."
Uehara looked completely obedient.
Konan's face showed some displeasure. She hesitated, looking at Uehara, "Your fighting style today was very problematic... When I encounter danger, what you should do is not save me, but escape and preserve your own life."
"How could that be possible?"
Uehara Naraka quickly shook his head.
Uehara roughly understood Konan's thoughts now. This stemmed from many years ago when Yahiko and Nagato risked their lives trying to save her, resulting in the tragedy of Yahiko's suicide and Nagato's crippled legs.
Did he perhaps overdo it today?
So Konan was actually afraid?
Yes, Konan was indeed afraid.
The iris flower Konan wore on her head trembled slightly, her expression gradually turning somewhat cold, "Naraka, I am your teacher. What I teach you is the most correct choice!"
"Is that so..."
Uehara Naraka's lips curved. In this somewhat chilly heavy rain, he put on an innocent, warm smile, "I understand, Teacher."
Seeing Konan nod, Uehara Naraka's smile didn't fade as he delivered a soul-probing question, "If one day I encountered danger, even risking losing my life, what would Konan-sensei do?"
"I won't let that kind of thing happen again."
Konan frowned, not answering the question directly.
Uehara Naraka persisted relentlessly, asking again, "But what if something like that definitely happens? We can't guarantee what kind of dangerous enemies we might encounter."
"..."
Konan's face paled for an instant. She reached out her palm, forcefully taking the umbrella from Uehara's hand bit by bit.
Konan turned, holding the bamboo umbrella as she left, leaving Uehara standing drenched in the rain.
As the blue-haired woman walked away under the umbrella in the rain, she shouted loudly, "If that situation really occurs, I will abandon you and escape alone."
Uehara Naraka stood in the rain, watching Konan walk further and further away.
Uehara could understand Konan was speaking out of anger, but why take his bamboo umbrella and leave him to get soaked in the rain?
Rainwater streamed down Uehara's hair, soaking his clothes.
Uehara slowly raised his head. His speaking voice was somewhat low, gradually drowned out by the heavy rain, "If that day comes, I hope Teacher, you really can escape by yourself... But Teacher, would you really do that?"
"..."
The rain fell even harder.
Sheet after sheet of paper butterflies quickly flew through the rain, converging beside Uehara into Konan's figure.
The woman, her expression pained, reached out her arms and hugged Uehara's neck.
Uehara Naraka sighed. Looks like the acting was a bit too intense.
Uehara could only obediently hold Konan's body, reaching out to pat her back, soothing her emotions, "Konan-sensei... where's our umbrella?"
(End of Chapter)
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