Otagakure.
Kanon had personally modified the Akatsuki robes for Sakon and Ukon. In her room late at night, she sat alone in a chair, using needle, thread, and scissors to tailor the brothers' clothing.
As the third young lady of the Uchiha clan, though her kin had been massacred, Mikoto Uchiha had taught Kanon how to mend clothes. Under the slightly dim light, Tayuya sat beside her, seemingly marveling at Kanon's needlework.
"Kanon, you're amazing..." Tayuya sighed in admiration.
"Hehe, this way there's an opening on the other side, too."
"Tayuya, give it to Sakon and Ukon tomorrow."
"Yeah, I got it!" After taking the garment, Tayuya withdrew, leaving Kanon alone in the room once more.
As Kanon stepped out of her door, it was already the early hours of the morning. The night hung low, stars dotting the deep sky like countless blinking eyes quietly watching over the world.
Kanon crouched on a patch of quiet grass. She looked up, her eyes reflecting a deep sense of longing and loneliness. She had long since removed her Akatsuki robe, wearing only a thin white dress that looked exceptionally fragile in the night air. The starlight reflected in her eyes, shimmering like unshed tears.
On the night of the massacre, all her clansmen and relatives had left her. Only the siblings, Kanon and Sasuke, remained to wander this world in solitude. Late at night, people become intensely emotional, and Kanon was no exception. She gazed at the starry sky, searching for the two brightest stars that belonged to her.
"Papa... Mama... I'm living well... don't worry about me..." Kanon murmured, her voice choked with sobs. How she wished for a warm embrace right now, to hear her parents' gentle voices, even if it were just a single call of her name.
She reached out a slender hand, trying to touch those unreachable points of light, but the starlight always slipped through her fingers, just like the painful memories she could never truly grasp. Tears traced paths down her cheeks, dripping onto the cold grass in silent sorrow.
"I miss you so much," Kanon whispered, closing her eyes as the night wind nearly carried her voice away. She knew that no matter how much she craved them, those warm days would never return.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to overhear." Tayuya stood in the distance.
"It's... it's fine." Kanon wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes and stood up with a smile. "Why are you back?"
"I saw how long you were working and getting tired, so I wanted to bring you a cup of coffee..." Tayuya said, handing the steaming cup to Kanon.
"Thank you..."
Kanon took it and beamed. Tayuya's expression became complicated, though it was mostly colored by moved emotion. Is this what a comrade is? Even with strength so far above her own, Kanon treated them with such kindness. The girl before her was nothing like Orochimaru.
Orochimaru didn't care whether they lived or died; he only used them as tools. But Kanon was different. She truly saw them as comrades. This realization brought a wave of warmth to Tayuya's heart.
Kanon and Tayuya sat together on the grass, looking up at the stars.
"Back when you guys invaded Konoha, I always felt like you were the type to get angry easily, the hot-tempered sort."
"But I didn't expect that while you're battle-hungry, you actually have such a good side," Kanon said with a light chuckle.
"Is that so... maybe it's because of you." Tayuya sat beside her, following her gaze to the stars.
"Boss!" At Jirobo's shout, Kidomaru, Jirobo, and Sakon/Ukon walked up from the distance.
"I told you, I'm younger than you! Just call me Kanon! What's with this 'Boss' stuff!" Kanon pouted, expressing her dissatisfaction toward her three male comrades.
"Hehe!" Jirobo scratched his head sheepishly.
"I told you the Boss doesn't like being called that! From now on, it's Kanon!" Kidomaru barked at Jirobo.
"I know, I know..."
Kanon stared blankly at the four members of her "Hana" squad. Eventually, she shook her head and laughed in spite of herself. "It's so late, why aren't you all asleep?"
Sakon and Ukon, now wearing the Akatsuki robe Kanon had modified, spoke to her gratefully. "Thank you for specially altering this for me... Kanon."
"It's what I should do. After all, you're my comrades from now on."
Looking at the four of them, Kanon's thoughts drifted to everyone in Team 7. She shook her head vigorously; those had ultimately become memories. Since they were memories, she would keep them properly sealed in the depths of her heart.
"Bo—Kanon, why aren't you sleeping?" Jirobo still felt "Boss" was more appropriate.
"Idiot, can't you tell? Kanon misses her parents!" Tayuya landed a sharp blow to the top of Jirobo's head.
"Ugh... Boss, I'm sorry. I'm a bit slow."
"Ugh..." Seeing Jirobo still calling her that, Kanon felt a surge of frustration, but there was nothing to be done; the guy really was a bit simple.
"Alright, you guys go back to sleep. I'm a bit tired too, I'll rest in a bit."
"Steel your resolve for tomorrow. We're going to get stronger together."
Watching the four leave, a sweet smile played on Kanon's lips. It seemed this was a type of bond, too. She had gained new ties.
For the next six months, Kanon stayed in Otagakure, training and growing stronger alongside the members of "Hana." Because of her presence, the Sound Four had become much more powerful than before. They had now officially changed their name to the Team Hana.
"Earth Release: Sphere of Graves!" The massive boulder in Jirobo's hands was hurled toward Kanon, moving several times faster than in the past.
"The speed is sufficient, but it obstructs your line of sight! This move must be coordinated with Tayuya's genjutsu for maximum effect!" Kanon threw a punch, and the giant rock flying at her instantly shattered into fragments.
The moment she turned, a Chidori Sharp Spear lunged out, rapidly piercing toward Jirobo.
"Summoning: Rashomon!" Sakon and Ukon jumped out, slamming their hands on the ground. A Double Rashomon rose up, blocking Kanon's lightning blade.
Kidomaru pulled out a Spider War Bow, entering his Cursed Seal Level 2 state and aiming at Kanon. As he drew the bow, the haunting sound of a flute echoed through the air.
"Demonic Flute: Chains of Fantasia!"
This caused Kanon to momentarily fall into a genjutsu. However, due to her long period of training, she had developed a high resistance to Tayuya's techniques. Within a few breaths, she broke the illusion.
Kanon and her squad trained until evening. As the sun set, the five of them sat in an open clearing.
"Come to my place for dinner again tonight," Kanon invited them.
"The Boss is too good to us." Jirobo was the first to jump up. He was a total foodie, and as far as he knew, Kanon was one too. Every time they ate at her place, she would cook a massive feast to entertain them. Over the past six months, they had lived in Otagakure like a happy family.
Although Kanon was the leader on the surface, she was like a younger sister to them all, which had significantly softened their personalities.
Meanwhile, outside Otagakure.
Pain and Konan arrived.
"Is Kanon's squad in this village?" Nagato asked.
"I've been here twice. I'll lead you in."