"Tomorrow you will set off. How to proceed then, I shouldn't need to remind you repeatedly."
Uchiha Yoichi helped Konan to brush aside the sweaty strands clinging to her delicate face, then continued to speak to the powerless, cool woman.
"As long as you perform well when overthrowing the Land of Rain, you will gain freedom. You can also make Nagato's time in prison more comfortable; but the sooner you subdue the Land of Rain, the greater your merits will be..."
Upon hearing this, Konan coldly glanced at the man before her as he dressed, then replied with an icy tone: "I understand..."
The reason she kept up this relationship with Uchiha Yoichi was, firstly, to keep Nagato alive in prison. Secondly, Uchiha Yoichi had promised her that after subduing the Land of Rain, all the citizens would live as before under the Akatsuki Organization.
This was Yahiko's original ideal. If the citizens of the Land of Rain could have better lives, Konan was willing to compromise. She had already compromised once for Nagato, so after more instances, Konan's tolerance grew significantly.
"That's good. Say goodbye to your family. Next, someone will connect with you."
Uchiha Yoichi told Konan, then left the underground prison using Flying Thunder God Jutsu.
After Uchiha Yoichi left, Konan waited for a while before recovering some strength and began cleaning herself up.
Once done, Konan finally exited the prison. She was able to leave today; the prison doors had been opened earlier, though that bastard had taken advantage of her one last time before departing.
As she walked out of the prison, Konan came before Nagato's cell and spoke: "Nagato, I have to go."
"Is it about what was mentioned last time...?"
After speaking, Nagato fell silent for a while. Ever since he learned he had been tricked, he had been in a state of confusion, not knowing whether to live or die. But after knowing that Konan paid the price of helping Konoha to subdue the Land of Rain to save him, Nagato buried his resolve to die deep in his heart.
At least for Konan's sake, he had to keep living.
"Sorry to trouble you, Konan, for a useless person like me..."
"No, Nagato, you are my family."
Konan interrupted Nagato's words. She, Yahiko, and Nagato had been wandering and helping each other since the age of ten. The three supported each other to survive to this day, forming an inseparable bond.
"The Fifth Hokage promised me not to give you a hard time. After I help Konoha subdue the Land of Rain and make significant contributions, maybe Konoha will set us free."
Upon hearing this, Nagato shook his head, while Konan continued, "Nagato, I'm leaving now, I have to set off today."
"Mm, Konan, stay safe."
Now Nagato could only say such words; the Rinnegan was gone, his legs were crippled, and his Chakra was sealed. He knew Konoha kept him alive to compel Konan to make efforts, and Konan agreed to it.
As Konan left the underground prison and moved upstairs, the Security Team had already received orders in advance to release her. They remotely unlocked the control locks of the prison cells early, but her delay in coming out puzzled the Security Team a little.
However, considering her accomplices were still inside the prison, the Security Team somewhat understood that it might have been her saying goodbyes. The cells on the third to fifth underground levels only had surveillance outside, with none installed inside the cells.
Since some prisoners might break the surveillance cameras, the Security Team was too lazy to install any inside, but this made things more convenient for Uchiha Yoichi.
When Konan left the Security Team, two Konoha Ninjas were waiting for her outside; one was Nara Shikaku, the other was Uchiha Shisui.
One would execute the plan and look after contingencies; the other would deal with Hanzo, as Konoha was planning to shake the foundation of the Hidden Rain Village, Hanzo would definitely not sit still.
As for Uchiha Shisui, he was the second strongest of the Uchiha Race apart from Uchiha Yoichi, responsible for dealing with the Half-God of the Ninja World in Hidden Rain Village.
If it were the previous Uchiha Shisui, with only a pair of Mangekyo Sharingan, handling Hanzo was uncertain; the environment of the Land of Rain and Hanzo's strength couldn't be overcome by a pair of Mangekyo.
But now Shisui has Hashirama Cells and the Desperate Virus, allowing him to even maintain Susanoo to the Armored Warrior stage for a long time.
Adding his reputation as the second strongest in Illusion Techniques and his unique Genjutsu Instant Body, Hanzo might not necessarily be a match for Uchiha Shisui.
"We've waited a long time for you; let's introduce ourselves. I am Nara Shikaku, the leader of Konoha's Jonin Class and your strategic advisor on this mission. This is Uchiha Shisui, responsible for leading the Rain Ninja team."
Nara Shikaku greeted Konan upon seeing her, then proceeded to discuss the matter at hand.
"Based on intelligence gathered by Anbu, your Akatsuki Organization still holds significant credibility in the Land of Rain, likely due to Hanzo's decisions having inadvertently adverse effects. Although no one mentions the Akatsuki Organization openly, secretly many civilians still engage in mutual aid... I must say, you've done well."
While speaking, Nara Shikaku couldn't help but think of Uchiha Yoichi; this Fifth Hokage also won over almost every Konoha Village civilian through commerce, subsequently influencing other ninjas.
Thus, when selecting the Fifth Generation Hokage, the result was entirely unsurprising due to overwhelming differences.
"Upon reaching the Land of Rain, Ms. Konan, you should first gather former members of the Akatsuki Organization, then develop the area. Aim to persuade the citizens here to join the Land of Fire within two months. Here are towns where your previous organization excelled in development..."