Late night.
Within The Hidden Rain Village.
Uehara Naraku and Konan finally returned.
"Teacher, you should rest first!"
Uehara Naraku immediately arranged for Konan to go and rest. He looked at the fatigue in her eyes and softly continued, "I'll go to the organization's base and inform them about Lord Nagato's sacrifice."
Uehara Naraku planned to go to the Akatsuki base alone, to strengthen the confidence of the members. The members believe in him so much, and Uehara didn't want to let them down.
Actually, the Akatsuki is like a tattered home. The relationships among members are highly tense, and now with Nagato's sacrifice, this home is on the brink of dissolution.
Unfortunately, the members seem to enjoy finding their own warmth amid this high-tension relationship; they're not very hopeful for the organization to disband.
Of course, they also don't want this home to change too much.
So Uehara Naraku planned to soothe them, especially Deidara, Sasori of the Red Sand and Kakuzu, because they are old friends.
The rest are basically Uehara Naraku's subordinates or relatives of subordinates, there's no need to worry much, they believe in Uehara Naraku as their leader.
Oh, and there's Hidan who is on the verge of betrayal.
Hidan is just not very honest, if it really doesn't work out, Uehara Naraku might as well leave him a dead end and let him choose his path.
Konan rubbed her forehead, full of worry on her face, said: "I'll accompany you! Those renegade ninjas might cause chaos once they know about Nagato's sacrifice… maybe we should just have them all leave!"
"..."
Uehara Naraku was rendered speechless.
The thing is, those guys just won't leave!
Even Hidan who could betray at any moment has been temporarily pacified by Kakuzu, Deidara and Sasori of the Red Sand are both determined to stay until the Akatsuki is dissolved.
"Let me go alone!"
Uehara Naraku shook his head, placed his hand on Konan's forehead, and softly said: "You haven't rested in so long, go and rest now."
"..."
Konan hesitated, biting her lip, she slowly bowed her head, and said: "I'll still go with you, I'm worried…"
"..."
Uehara Naraku was silent.
To be honest, Konan's current state isn't quite right.
Since Nagato's sacrifice, Konan's state was initially okay.
Even when Nagato sacrificed, Konan didn't lose her composure, leading Uehara Naraku to think she might have already been accustomed to the sadness of losing friends and family.
As time passed, on their way back to Hidden Rain Village from Konoha, Konan's state gradually worsened, she began to daze more frequently.
Konan was not devoid of sorrow.
She was simply suppressing all the intense pain within her.
Uehara Naraku believed what Konan needed now was rest, if she could hide under the covers and cry out her grief, it might be better.
"Then we both should rest now."
Uehara Naraku glanced at Konan, who looked puzzled. He wrapped his arm around her shoulder and softly said: "After we rest, we can go to the organization's base, okay?"
"…Alright."
Konan hesitated and nodded.
Finally, Uehara Naraku felt a sigh of relief as he slowly walked into his room under Konan's watchful gaze and lay down on the bed.
Perhaps, was it Nagato's sacrifice that made Konan fearful?
Just as Uehara Naraku was about to quietly leave The Hidden Rain Village, he saw Konan's figure appear atop a high tower there, Uehara Naraku's expression changed as he flew out of his room.
Konan, alone at some point, stood atop the village's high tower, looking up at the night sky, her face still so calm.
At this moment, Konan's figure on the tower seemed exceedingly thin.
At that moment, loneliness surrounded her.
"Teacher?"
Uehara Naraku's figure landed beside Konan, his brow slightly knitted, he asked softly: "You should be resting now, can't you fall asleep?"
"..."
Konan nodded, and then shook her head.
After a while, Konan slowly lowered her head, gazing at the somewhat silent Hidden Rain Village, and said with a touch of melancholy, "This village won't have rain at night anymore... I'm still not quite used to it."
In the past.
Whenever night fell, to prevent the patrolling ninjas of the Hidden Rain Village from any lapses in the dark, Nagato would always control the Deva Path of Pain to start a downpour, using the Rain Tiger at Will Jutsu to detect any unfamiliar intruders in the village.
All these years, Nagato never stopped this habit.
Even Uehara Naraku gradually got used to it raining when it got dark, falling asleep to the sound of rain every evening.
However, the rain sounds that had accompanied the Hidden Rain Village for years on end vanished overnight, stirring a silent grief in Konan's heart.
"Naraku, it's so strange..."
Tears slowly traced down Konan's face and began to fall, "When Nagato sacrificed himself, I felt sorrow and pain in my heart, yet not a single tear fell. But now, just because I can't hear the rain he created..."
Konan's voice carried a tinge of choking sadness, and no longer able to hide the pain of losing her closest friend, she looked at the silent village and wailed in despair.
Uehara Naraku slowly lowered his head.
At this moment, he could deeply understand Konan's hidden pain.
When someone close to you passes away, people might not shed tears or even act normally; it doesn't mean they aren't in pain inside.
Because when people truly realize that someone is missing from their life, as the traces of that person's existence begin to fade...
That's when one's heart finally realizes they've lost someone altogether, and as that longing spreads, the sadness and despair will surface.
Uehara Naraku watched Konan cry and slowly extended his fingers, a light from chakra appeared at his fingertips and he shot it into the sky.
The next moment, a dark cloud gradually appeared in the sky.
Thunder and lightning gathered within the cloud, and rain began to drench the ground, and in seconds, a heavy downpour started over the village.
The sound of rain grew louder, covering Konan's cries.
Uehara Naraku stood beside Konan and slowly stretched out his hand to pull the tear-soaked Konan into his arms, sheltering her from the torrential rain.
Atop the high tower of the Hidden Rain Village.
Konan stood there, clutching Uehara Naraku's clothing, sobbing uncontrollably in his arms, tormented by the pain of losing her dear friend.
Even though Uehara Naraku personally conjured up a downpour, it couldn't ease Konan from the emotions over Nagato's death. He gently tightened his right arm and reached out his left hand to cover Konan's head, shielding her from the rain.
After a long while, Konan's cries gradually subsided.
Only then did Uehara Naraku feel a slight sense of relief. In silence, he led Konan to his room and took out a towel to help wipe the rain and tears from her face.
Konan silently watched Uehara Naraku's actions. Suddenly, she reached out her hand, took the towel from Uehara Naraku, and wiped the raindrops from his cheeks.
"Naraku."
Konan's wrist suddenly wrapped around Uehara Naraku's neck, her forehead touching his, her voice laced with the fragility that follows crying, "Please don't sacrifice yourself in the future... okay... or at least wait until I've passed..."
"..."
Uehara Naraku extended his hand, wrapped it around Konan's hair, pressing his forehead tightly against hers, as if this could make their hearts connect, helping Konan feel somewhat better.
Uehara Naraku opened his eyes slowly, observing the unshed tears beneath Konan's lashes, and in a whisper, he said just one word, fearing it might disturb her.
"...Okay."
Because that suffocating despair when everyone around starts to vanish makes one cherish those currently with them even more.
After a long while, as he felt Konan's breathing gradually steady, Uehara Naraku released his forehead, letting her lie on the bed and covering her with a blanket.
A gentle smile emerged on Uehara Naraku's face as he softly said, "Sleep now. From today, I'll make it rain in the village every night and weekend..."
"Okay."
Konan turned her head to watch the raindrops on the window.
After a long time, fatigue finally completely washed over her. Konan held Uehara's hand and slowly closed her eyes, her breathing becoming even, and the sound of rain outside grew steady.
Once Konan fell asleep, Uehara Naraku gently withdrew his hand from hers.
Uehara Naraku watched Konan's face carefully, afraid she would wake up. But reassured by her steady breathing, he finally felt at ease.
After a while.
Uehara Naraku subtly sensed chakras entering the rain.
Uehara Naraku opened the skills display panel of destiny, and his expression involuntarily darkened. These Akatsuki fellows seemed even more anxious than he imagined!
A group of Akatsuki members was rushing towards his room!
Uehara Naraku had a vague illusion that they were actually a bunch of kids looking for a parent!