A massive cloud of dust swept through the Hidden Leaf Village. When the vision of the onlookers finally cleared, only Kakashi and Sakura remained at the center of the ruins, lying unconscious on the ground under the influence of a Sharingan genjutsu.
The rest of the group had been neutralized; many were now crawling out from the debris, nursing various minor to moderate injuries.
Hinata Hyuga, however, knelt on the ground completely unscathed. In the final moment of Manda's tail sweep, Kanon had grabbed her hand and shielded her from the impact.
Thanks to the protection of Tsunade's Katsuyu, there were no fatalities. By the time everyone regained their senses, Kanon and Manda had vanished, leaving behind a leveled wasteland spanning a one-kilometer radius. Fortunately, this area was mostly open ground within the village, or the consequences would have been catastrophic.
Kanon Uchiha's revenge had arrived. As Konoha shinobi, everyone stared at the wasteland in silence, their expressions heavy and grim.
Gazing at the ruins, Tsunade's face was dark with fury. Though there were no deaths, she knew that without her presence, everyone in this sector would likely have been critically injured.
"Kanon Uchiha..." Tsunade hissed through gritted teeth.
This battle proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that Kanon's strength now stood far above that of her peers.
A day later, Kakashi and Sakura woke up in the Konoha Hospital. The genjutsu they had been placed under was harmless, a spell designed merely to induce sleep.
"Are you two alright?" Tsunade asked, her eyes filled with concern as she saw them open their eyes.
"Tsunade-sama... we're fine. The genjutsu Kanon used on us was... a gentle one. It just put us to sleep. What about the others?" Kakashi asked, looking up.
"Sigh. It seems only Team 7 is special to her. Shikamaru and the others sustained various injuries, and Choji is in the worst shape."
"We were too reckless. Perhaps Kanon really did just come to the village to see a friend..." Shizune said helplessly, standing behind Tsunade.
"Indeed. Kanon didn't intend to hurt us from the start..." Sakura lowered her head. She realized that if no one had struck first, Kanon likely would have left the moment she learned Naruto was gone.
"Regardless, we cannot ignore Kanon Uchiha's words. The curtain of her revenge has been raised!" Tsunade reminded them.
"I understand..." Kakashi nodded. He knew exactly what Tsunade meant.
…
Meanwhile, Kanon, having left Konoha, walked aimlessly through a dense forest. Since Naruto wasn't in the village, she had no reason to stay.
"Should I go earn some money, or just keep training...?" she murmured to herself.
"You have a third choice: joining the Akatsuki."
A soft, feminine voice suddenly resonated from nearby. Kanon's brow furrowed instantly. Without hesitation, she performed a backstep and hurled three shuriken toward the source of the sound!
Shere-shere-shere!
The three projectiles ricocheted off trees, perfectly clearing every blind spot in the vicinity.
From one of those blind spots, a shuriken was reflected back. A terrifying repulsive force suddenly erupted, causing the earth in that direction to explode.
Kanon looked toward a shaded grove. A red-haired man, emaciated and sitting in a mechanical wheelchair, was being pushed forward by a blue-haired woman wearing a black cloak adorned with red clouds.
Kanon's eyebrows knit together. These two didn't seem to have any intent to attack; they simply watched her from beneath the shade of the trees.
"Rest easy, Kanon Uchiha. I have no intention of fighting you."
"We simply wish to talk," the red-haired man said softly.
"Talk? About what? I'm still young; I'm not looking for a relationship," Kanon joked, sticking her tongue out and making a face at Nagato.
"She's quite cute, Nagato," Konan said, unable to suppress a small smile.
"Let's find a more suitable place to speak," Nagato's voice carried over.
"Fine. Since you're being so sincere, I'll listen."
Equipped with her Flower Realm and Sage Mode, Kanon was virtually immune to genjutsu. The moment she entered her spatial dimension, any illusion would be rendered null. Consequently, she felt no fear toward the duo before her.
However, one thing caught her eye: the red-haired man's eyes.
The Rinnegan? That thing actually exists? Kanon thought. She recalled hearing about the Rinnegan during the "lessons" in Konin's inner world.
As if he had heard her thoughts, Nagato spoke calmly. "You should be familiar with the Akatsuki."
"I know a bit. That animal Itachi Uchiha, the one who brought shame to our clan, is in your organization, isn't he?"
"He is," Nagato replied without concealment.
"One day, I'll slaughter that beast with my own hands to avenge my clan."
"If the Akatsuki tries to stop me, I won't hesitate to become your enemy."
Konan and Nagato exchanged a glance. This child was indeed formidable.
"The goal of the Akatsuki is to achieve everlasting peace," Nagato stated, surprising Kanon.
"Peace?" Kanon was skeptical. This was an organization composed entirely of rogue ninja from various villages.
"Correct. For the sake of peace."
"And how exactly do you plan to achieve that?" Kanon asked.
"One moment." Nagato waved a hand. Suddenly, the ground before them erupted. Kanon remained stoic, activating her Flower Realm; the Almighty Push didn't touch her in the slightest, while Konan dispersed into paper to negate the force.
Kanon's expression turned cold at the sudden move, but in the next second, she blinked in surprise.
Nagato had somehow pulled three chairs from the debris, and a massive rock had been sliced perfectly flat to form a table.
"This is...?"
Konan produced a tea set from her sleeve. "You're a minor, so I assume you don't drink alcohol."
"Sit," Nagato whispered.
"If your legs aren't working, just let me get the chairs! Did you really have to make such a grand display of it?" Kanon pouted. She admitted to herself that the sudden burst of the Rinnegan's power had startled her.
"My apologies," Nagato said with a light chuckle as he and Konan took their seats.
Kanon sat down as well. As Konan pushed a cup of hot tea toward her, Kanon pulled a silver needle from her Flower Realm space.
"Rest assured. The Akatsuki does not stoop to such lowly methods as poisoning," Nagato smiled.
Kanon tested the tea anyway. Finding it safe, she took a light sip.
"Speak then. Tell me about this 'peace' of yours," Kanon said softly.
"First, let me introduce myself." With Konan's help, Nagato stood up to show his sincerity.
"I am Nagato Uzumaki. I am the leader of the Akatsuki."
"The leader? No wonder you have those monstrous eyes," Kanon said, crossing her legs. Her ninja boots swung rhythmically as she leaned back. "So, Leader of the Akatsuki, what do you want with me?"
"We understand that you are a child who yearns for peace, yet someone who struggles within a sea of pain. That is why I am inviting you to join us."
"And why should I join you?" Kanon's lips curled into a beautiful arc as she adjusted the fox mask on her forehead.
"For two reasons. First, we both seek peace."
"Second... we both studied ninjutsu under Jiraiya-sama. In terms of seniority, I am your senior disciple."
Kanon's mind immediately flashed back to Jiraiya. Her memories were instantly filled with images of Icha Icha Paradise and the old man peeping at women's bathhouses. She might have even been a victim of his peeping herself! No, wait, that guy wasn't interested in little girls.
"That pervy old geezer!"
The sheer annoyance in Kanon's voice made both Nagato and Konan break into a smile.
"Now, let us discuss the philosophy of peace that the Akatsuki pursues."