Amegakure.
A fine, drizzling rain fell from the sky. Though the nation was small, a sense of profound serenity enveloped the land. Indeed, Kanon saw before her a peace that truly existed.
There was no strife. Everyone was busy with the business of living; some hawked their wares on the streets, while children ran happily through the rain.
The peace Nagato spoke of… perhaps it really was possible. At the very least, here in the Amegakure, this scene called "peace" had been realized.
However, Kanon's brow furrowed slightly.
The Nagato who had been standing before her had vanished, replaced now by the Paths of Pain.
"Konan-senpai... actually, I'll just call you Konan-nee."
"Kanon-chan, you may call me whatever you like," Konan replied with a light, effortless smile.
"Konan-nee, even though the Six Paths of Pain share their vision, their abilities are divided. Surely they can't compare to Nagato-senpai fighting as one?"
"Nagato's mobility is limited," Konan answered patiently. "Only the Six Paths of Pain can act in his stead."
"So, the Deva Path... is he Yahiko? The companion Nagato-senpai cherished most?"
At Kanon's question, Konan nodded, a flash of pain crossing her features.
"I'm sorry. But... I understand what Nagato-senpai said now." Kanon fell silent. Having heard the story of Nagato's past, she realized that everything she saw now was the manifestation of his will.
Finally, the Deva Path, standing at the forefront, spoke:
"Seeing the peace realized here in the Land of Rain only reaffirms my path. The Akatsuki's next objective is the Tailed Beasts controlled by the Five Great Nations. However, with our current members, our strength is still somewhat lacking. Kanon Uchiha, as the leader of the Akatsuki, as your senior..."
"...and as the bridge to a peaceful future, I invite you to join the Akatsuki, an organization dedicated to true peace."
"Naturally, the organization will not interfere with the internal grudges of the Uchiha Clan. Furthermore, the capture of the Nine-Tails will be our final operation; this will give you time to decide whether or not to leave."
"The conditions I offered before remain unchanged. If you successfully kill Itachi, we possess the medical technology to transplant the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan for you. Are you willing to come to the Akatsuki and build a future of true peace with us?"
Pain extended his hand toward Kanon.
"I..." Kanon felt a flicker of internal struggle. Once she joined this organization, there truly would be no turning back.
But then, it seemed she had no path to return to anyway. As Kanon lapsed into silence, Pain and Konan did not disturb her thoughts.
This girl before them, discarded by her village, forgotten by her friends, hunted by the high-ranking officials, had endured so much agony at the age of only six. Finally, she sat on the ground, looking utterly spent.
Having narrowly escaped death at the hands of those she trusted most, only to be targeted for assassination by her own village... it could be said that if this girl hadn't fought with every fiber of her being to survive, she wouldn't be alive today.
Since the age of six, she had been drenched in blood, struggling madly through the dark mire of Konoha. Finally, at eleven, she had escaped the village that brought her nothing but pain.
Witnessing Kanon's internal war, Pain and Konan felt a pang of pity. Like two elders, they sat down beside her. Konan gently patted her back. In that moment, Kanon could no longer restrain her emotions; she threw her arms around Konan and began to weep softly.
Yes, she had long since run out of roads to take.
Her family had been shattered when she was six, everything buried by that animal, Itachi Uchiha. The friendship she craved had been tested in a moment of life and death, proving that she, Kanon Uchiha, was simply the first one everyone was willing to forget.
When she returned to Konoha to see her friends, the way her peers met her with bared blades made them feel like total strangers.
She, Kanon Uchiha, had nothing left, save for Sasuke Uchiha, the only brother who still loved her.
Since that was the case, what was the point in looking back?!
Kanon pulled away from Konan's embrace. Her delicate face was blurred by tears, but the crimson, rose-patterned Mangekyō Sharingan in her eyes signaled the resolve in her heart.
"Genius of the Uchiha, it is time to make your choice," Pain said softly.
"I fought with my life to survive that corrupt place. Do not use the word 'genius' to dismiss my efforts." Kanon's expression was still tear-stained, but her voice was now rock-steady.
"I can no longer see any light. All I see is the death of Itachi Uchiha and Danzō, and the ruins of Konoha!"
"The true Flower Realm will perhaps only bloom after that!"
Kanon stepped out from under the eaves, spreading her arms to feel the biting chill of the rain. Watching her, Pain and Konan sat under the shelter with complex expressions.
Pain whispered to Konan, "When a person learns what love is, they must also bear the risk of feeling hate."
The band tying Kanon's hair slipped off. Her twin tails fell, transforming back into long, straight black hair. In this moment, the girl who had accepted nothing but darkness since birth finally found a chilling calm.
"My eyes... have already fallen into darkness. I can see nothing anymore..."
"Where was I before? What was I doing...?" Thinking of her life from birth until now, Kanon's expression grew cold.
"That's right... I've been in hell this whole time."
She was actually answering the question she had just posed to herself.
In the next heartbeat, Kanon turned around and tied her hair back into twin tails, but her movements were different now. With a decisive motion, Kanon slid the "Void" ring onto the slender index finger of her right hand.
"I have nothing left. I don't even have a 'path' to go back to. I will join the Akatsuki."
Konan looked pleasantly surprised and stood up. Pain rose with her.
"Kanon, welcome to the Akatsuki. Deny Konoha with all your might."
"From this moment on, you are no longer Kanon Uchiha of Konoha."
"You are Kanon Uchiha of the Akatsuki!"
Kanon nodded slightly, watching as Konan and Pain approached her. Pain held an umbrella over her, while Konan manifested a bouquet of paper flowers.
"We look forward to working with you, Kanon-chan."
…
Three days later.
Inside a cavern within the Land of Rain.
BOOM!
An explosion ripped through the air.
Itachi Uchiha was blown backward. He stared solemnly at the girl before him.
Kanon gathered a Chidori Sharp Spear in her hand. With a fluid spin, she thrust the blade toward Itachi, cold and merciless.
"Tsukuyomi!" Itachi's eyes shifted into the Mangekyō Sharingan, attempting to repel the strike. However, he stumbled to one knee. Kanon had already entered Sage Mode, and because she also possessed the Tsukuyomi, Itachi's genjutsu could not affect her.
A red skeletal arm manifested behind Kanon, throwing a punch directly at Itachi.
Itachi's orange Susanoo met the blow with its own fist. The shockwave sent them both reeling back.
"You animal who brought shame to the Uchiha... I will kill you! Itachi Uchiha!!!"
Beneath Itachi's calm mask was a well of endless sorrow. Seeing the sister he once treated as his own flesh and blood transformed into this vessel of hatred was agonizing.
"Kanon, stop." Just as Kanon was about to strike again, Konan stepped in to restrain her. "Didn't you promise me? You wouldn't kill Itachi this time."
"Tch!" Kanon's Mangekyō Sharingan faded, reverting to her normal eyes. Seeing that Kanon had stood down, Itachi deactivated his own Mangekyō.