The brief meeting came to an end.
Nagato didn't say a word, maintaining the aloof demeanor fitting of Deva Path Pain.
After gaining his approval, Konan planned to take out a loan from the Thousand Sunny Merchant Guild.
But before that, she spoke like a mission guide, explaining to Natsume the objective of the Akatsuki organization.
Whether he believed it or not was irrelevant.
After all, plenty of people within the Akatsuki weren't convinced either.
"That's roughly the situation."
Konan paused slightly and said, "Is there anything else you'd like to ask?"
"Nope."
Natsume already knew more than she did, so naturally had no need to ask further.
The Akatsuki organization was just a nested issue—layer after layer.
The true victor was Kaguya Otsutsuki.
Wait, no.
That role no longer belonged to her—it now belonged to Black Zetsu and Isshiki Otsutsuki.
He wondered where Black Zetsu might be now.
As Natsume silently pondered, a gust of wind swept through.
Both Natsume and Konan briefly showed wariness on their faces at the same time, but it quickly vanished.
"Long time since we last met."
Natsume softly chuckled with a mocking tone. "Judging by your expression, seems like you still remember me."
Space rippled, and before them appeared Obito Uchiha wearing a mask.
His single visible eye stared at Natsume with an open glare full of killing intent.
"(Madara Uchiha)."
Konan spoke indifferently, "Kishi is now part of the Akatsuki. Whatever grudges you have can wait for now."
"Why did you let him join the Akatsuki?"
Obito gritted his teeth. "He's repeatedly ruined our plans—he's the enemy of the Akatsuki!"
"You can eat with your brain off, but think before you speak."
Natsume countered playfully. "I've messed up your operations, not those of the Akatsuki itself."
His annoyingly smug tone made Obito furious enough to spit blood.
Yet, he didn't dare act recklessly.
First, he still harbored fear over their previous fight.
Without absolute confidence—or full knowledge of his opponent—he had no intention of starting trouble yet.
Second, he was well aware of Konan's vigilance toward him.
If things escalated into a real battle, it wouldn't be one versus one—it'd be one against two.
Considering Nagato and Konan's relationship, he might even receive a personal visit from the Rinnegan-wielder himself.
"Kishi does raise a valid point."
Konan, with no regard for Obito's feelings, spoke flatly. "He has no personal vendetta with the Akatsuki. And this is Pain's decision. If you have objections, go talk to him directly."
Talk? Like hell!
Though Obito saw Nagato as a tool, he dared not provoke him recklessly.
After all, the time to reveal his true intentions hadn't come yet.
Until then, he wouldn't intentionally provoke Nagato.
"Do you have anything else to say?"
No emotion showed on Konan's face, though inside she felt satisfied.
Obito's intense reaction proved how irreconcilable the conflict between him and Natsume truly was.
The enemy of my enemy can be my ally.
Perhaps, one day, Natsume might be of use to her.
Although Konan trusted neither of them, Obito clearly had ulterior motives—and was far more dangerous.
Pretending to be Madara Uchiha, who knows what schemes were brewing beneath that name.
"Taking in just anyone will only bring ruin to Akatsuki, especially someone with such a shady background!"
Obito Uchiha said, his voice filled with anger.
"Are you talking about yourself?"
Konan replied coolly.
"..."
Obito hesitated for a moment, momentarily at a loss for words.
"You'll regret this!"
The space around him twisted violently once more.
In the swirling distortion, Obito vanished without a trace.
Leaving behind only those all-too-familiar, cutting words.
Natsume found it somewhat regrettable.
They hadn't actually fought.
But then again, there would be plenty of opportunities in the future—no need to rush into anything.
"He claims to be Madara Uchiha."
Konan withdrew her gaze and looked toward Natsume. "He's considered a member of the Akatsuki organization."
"Madara Uchiha?"
Confusion flickered across Natsume's eyes as he asked, "Are you absolutely sure it's actually Madara Uchiha?"
"I'm not certain."
Konan shook her head and asked, "You fought him. Do you think he truly is Madara Uchiha?"
"He's not."
Natsume answered without hesitation, "His power is far too weak—he doesn't even come close to Madara Uchiha's level."
"Then did you sense his true identity?"
A flicker of hope sparked in Konan's eyes.
"He should have been a former member of the Uchiha clan. As for exactly who, I can't say for sure."
Natsume guessed.
Konan looked slightly disappointed upon hearing that.
This information didn't offer much help.
The Uchiha clan had been around for centuries, with countless members. Identifying which one he was wouldn't be easy.
"What procedures are required for loans from the Thousand Sunny Merchant Guild?"
Snapping herself out of her thoughts, Konan redirected the conversation.
"The process is pretty straightforward—just sign a contract or something like that."
Natsume smiled slightly as he replied, "The difficult part is figuring out why they'd lend so much money to the Akatsuki organization."
Nodding thoughtfully, Konan understood.
Ultimately, it still came down to qualifications.
She just didn't know what standards the Thousand Sunny Merchant Guild used.
Thinking along these lines, she asked, "When will you have time to take me to meet your chamber of commerce's overall representative?"
"I need some time to formally report this."
Natsume needed to carefully consider what price he should make Konan pay. "I'll let you know once I've taken care of things, alright?"
"I'll come find you instead."
After a two-second pause, Konan continued, "Do you usually stay in Kiri village?"
"Here's the plan: come to Kiri one week from now, and we'll meet up by then."
This chapter hasn't finished yet, !!
Natsume estimated the timing—about a week should probably work.
Konan nodded and asked again, "Would you like to meet your teammates?"
"No need. We'll see each other when doing missions."
With an indifferent smile, Natsume said, "If my other teammates were as appealing as you, Miss Konan, I might have been more eager."
She glanced at him but showed no reaction. Then her body began to dissolve into paper fragments, slowly drifting away.
Natsume turned and walked toward the cave entrance.
"Lord Kishi."
The young ninja still stood at the doorway. "Need Hydrangea to send you back?"
Offering door-to-door service now?
Smiling, Natsume declined, "Thanks, but summoned beasts are too slow. I'll head back on my own."
With a leap, he vanished from his sight.
After leaving the canyon behind, Natsume immediately activated [the Flying Thunder God Technique].
At the Daimyo's Mansion in the Land of Waves.
It was just noon.
He pushed the door open.
Karin, who had been napping on the desk, lifted her head and saw him.
Her sleepy little face instantly became wide awake.
"Natsume-nii!"
Karin ran over.
At ten years old, she was already nearly at Natsume's waist in height.
Her appearance had become even more youthful and sweet than before.
"Pervert."
Meanwhile, Tayuya, who'd also been asleep, woke up at the sound. Seeing Natsume, she rolled her eyes and muttered.
She and Karin had become close friends after spending so many years together.
They just happened to be taking a nap during lunch today.
Natsume picked Karin up and asked, "Why are you sleeping here?"
"Class."
Karin wrapped her arms around his shoulders as she spoke.
"Mom is giving me and Tayuya lessons."
"Where is your mom?"
Natsume glanced at the empty office chair and asked.
"She went out on an errand. She should be back soon."
Karin replied with a smile.
"Then I'll wait."
Natsume walked toward a desk in the corner.
"Tayuya, quickly call him brother."
Karin hugged Natsume's neck, saying it like she was showing off.
"Hmph! Not a chance!"
Tayuya scoffed and turned her head away, refusing to look at the two.
For some unknown reason, she felt a pang of resentment.
"You're just being stubborn!"
Karin wanted to scold Tayuya but couldn't bear to let go. In the end, she clung to Natsume like a koala.
The sound of their cheerful conversation kept reaching her ears.
Tayuya bit her lip tightly, her expression darkening as she nearly crushed the pen in her hand.
So annoying!
But she wasn't even sure whether she was cursing Karin or Natsume.
After a while, Ena Uzumaki returned and found an oddly awkward scene before her.
Natsume and Karin were chatting happily like siblings, while Tayuya sat off to the side, seething with resentment.
Ena couldn't help but smile a little.
She actually understood Tayuya quite well.
Considering her age, she wasn't particularly good at hiding her emotions anyway.
"Mom!"
Waving her hand, Karin called out.
"You're clinging to your brother again."
Approaching them, Ena said.
"Am not!"
Karin pouted slightly as she replied, "Like you don't spend enough time with him already."
...
Hearing that, Ena's face flushed slightly. She tapped Karin lightly on the head. "We were discussing important matters."
Tayuya wanted to argue but couldn't find the words.
You sure it was actually serious?
Since Ena treated her nicely, she didn't say anything sarcastic.
Yet when she thought back to those scenes, she couldn't help feeling her skin tingle.
Pervert!
Tayuya glared hatefully at Natsume.
Sensing her gaze, Natsume turned his head and met her eyes.
...
Immediately flustered, Tayuya quickly lowered her head.
"You two can continue your nap," Natsume put Karin down, patting her head gently, "I need to discuss something with your mother."
"Okay..."
Karin nodded reluctantly.
Natsume made his way toward the door.
Ena Uzumaki followed him out.
Since the office was taken, the two went to a private room instead.
"In a few more years, you'll really become a proper man," Ena said affectionately as she pulled Natsume close and nuzzled him.
"Am I not already?" Natsume huffed, biting into a grape she'd just peeled for him.
The juice burst in his mouth right away.
Sweet.
"I meant age-wise. After all, you're not fully grown yet," Ena said, her cheeks lightly flushed.
"..."
Natsume gritted his teeth and stayed quiet.
Hmph! What did she mean by "not fully grown"?
He'd show Ena later—she'd have to take him seriously.
After all, ambition has no age limit!
"You're acting like such a kid," Ena chuckled, leaning down to kiss him. "Only kids would get this worked up over nothing."
"..."
Natsume remained silent, continuing to eat the grapes.
Ena gently ran her fingers through his hair, gazing at him tenderly.
After a while, her ears turned faintly pink.
"By the way," changing the subject, she asked offhandedly, "did you come here today for some reason?"
"Yeah, there was something," Natsume said, spitting out the seed and swallowing the juice. "What kind of impact would lending ten billion have on the Thousand Sunny Merchant Guild?"
He hadn't checked in on the guild's affairs in a while.
He wasn't sure if withdrawing ten billion in liquid assets would cause any issues.
Oh right...
"Not at all," Ena smirked, holding his hand. "Who do you plan to lend it to?"
"The Akatsuki organization—a ninja group."
Natsume leaned into her embrace, grinning. "Do you think I should demand some kind of compensation from them?"
"To borrow ten billion? Theoretically speaking, you'd need a country as collateral," Ena mused thoughtfully. "And sign various treaties—like mining rights."
That's how the Thousand Sunny Merchant Guild usually handled loans to Kiri.
As for the Land of Water, things were somewhat similar too, though most of that money ended up in the aristocracy's pockets.
They didn't care much for mining or anything like it.
After all, they barely understood the concept.
In the ninja world, only gold mines mattered—everything else was insignificant by comparison.
"They do have a country," Natsume mused, thinking of Nagato's personality. "But I doubt they'd allow us to interfere."
"So your intention is definitely to lend it to them?" Ena lowered her gaze, her eyes fixed on his face as she shifted closer.
"That's right," Natsume answered with a smile.
"If it's a ninja group, we should make them work for us in exchange," Ena suggested without asking why he insisted on giving them the loan.
"That's not a bad idea at all," Natsume narrowed his eyes slightly. "Let's hire a kunoichi to protect you."
"Protect me?" Ena raised an eyebrow, surprised at first before smirking. "Are you interested in that female ninja?"
"Eh?" Natsume instinctively asked. "Why would you say that?"
"Because I know you too well."
Ena Uzumaki smiled and gently covered his hand with hers.
Natsume tried to struggle but found himself completely restrained.
Two hours passed.
Natsume finally released Ena.
Let me put this plainly—who do you think you are, showing off in front of a real master?
She got what was coming for her recklessness.
Fresh from his nap, Natsume pushed the door open with a grin.
"Pervert!"
Tayuya's voice rang out.
"Your assassination skills are getting worse and worse."
Natsume arched a brow and sidestepped her punch easily.
"Mind your own damn business!"
Tayuya glared at him furiously.
"Did you come here just to get my attention because I ignored you earlier?"
Natsume tilted his head and asked.
"How could that be?!"
Tayuya's face flushed red as she snapped.
"I see. So I misunderstood."
Natsume gave a lazy shrug, smirking faintly. "If nothing's wrong, then don't block my way."
"Wait!"
Without thinking, Tayuya blurted out, "What about my punishment?"
As soon as those words left her mouth, she turned as red as a ripe apple.
"I... am someone who keeps promises."
Tayuya forced herself to stay calm, afraid she might faint.
Natsume stared at her.
Tayuya's cheeks flushed deeper, her heart hammering in her chest.
She felt both ashamed and excited.
"I've been taking care of a stray black cat lately."
Natsume pulled out a key and dropped it into her palm. "Go feed her for me. And don't tell anyone about this."
Tayuya watched him walk off, only slowly realizing what had just transpired.
She stamped her foot in frustration, the bell around her neck chiming with the motion.
That's all the punishment he gave? Was he looking down on me?
And he told me to feed a cat too.
What a joke!
Do I rank lower than a cat in his eyes?
Clutching her teeth, Tayuya spun around and marched toward the backyard.
Even though Natsume didn't specify where, she already knew his residence quite well.
It must be the private courtyard Ena Uzumaki arranged for him.
Tayuya took the key and opened the door.
Inside the room, the black cat heard the sound and lifted its head, instinctively meowing.
The two locked eyes.
Silence stretched between them for a long moment.
Four thousand words.
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