In the riverside forest, the first light of dawn brought no warmth. Instead, it filtered coldly through the canopy, casting a pallid glow over the weary figure of Kanon Uchiha.
She lay upon the damp grass, looking as though she had spent the entire night battling solitude and the biting chill, only to be roused by the pitiless morning sun.
Kanon slowly opened her bleary eyes. The world before her was a blur of green; the rustling leaves could not mask the profound silence in her heart. She looked toward the river, where the mist rising from the water hung like veils of sorrow, concealing the reality she was loath to face.
The river flowed soundlessly, as if even the water dared not disturb her loneliness. Kanon reached out a trembling hand, wanting to touch the icy current, but she hesitated, afraid that her own meager warmth would be utterly consumed by the relentless stream.
She recalled the isolation beneath the stars after Jiraiya's departure the previous night. There had been no laughter, no companionship; only her soul wandering in the darkness. This current stillness was not peace, but a heavy silence, an inescapable void deep within her spirit.
Jiraiya had already begun his journey toward Amegakure. As for her, she had reached the most pivotal turning point of her life.
A stray tear escaped the corner of her eye. For some reason, Kanon felt no excitement. Though she refused to acknowledge Itachi as kin, the thought that one less Uchiha would soon remain in this world caused an inexplicable pang in her chest.
"How can I waver now? Kanon, a beast like Itachi doesn't deserve your sympathy," she muttered to herself. Gradually, the horrific scenes of the Uchiha Massacre Night surfaced in her mind.
The memory of Izumi dying before her eyes, and the sight of her parents' pale, blood-stained corpses, made her grit her teeth. Her calm expression grew glacial as a palpable wave of fury and hatred radiated from her.
Had anyone been standing there, they would have been shuddering from the frigid aura Kanon exuded.
Kanon looked back toward the now-distant silhouette of Konoha. Today, of all days, she felt a sudden, sharp longing to eat a bowl of Ichiraku Ramen. But because of her status, the shop owner was no longer willing to serve her.
With a soft sigh, Kanon turned away. Her body distorted into a spatial vortex, and she vanished from the spot.
Her next destination: Itachi Uchiha's stronghold.
Once the vortex disappeared, a clone of Zetsu emerged from a distant branch. It seemed everything was proceeding exactly according to his calculations.
…
Amegakure.
Pain sat alone on the outskirts of the village, feeling the rhythm of the falling rain.
"Pain, he's here," Konan said, approaching him.
Pain nodded, his expression flat and unreadable. As he walked inside, he asked quietly, "How is Kanon?"
The masked man gave a slight nod. "She is doing well. Kanon's strength needs no further explanation. Moreover, she possesses the Mangekyo Sharingan. I can confidently say she has surpassed Itachi."
"The time is ripe. That fellow has likely made his peace with what is to come."
"There isn't much time left."
Pain stepped forward. "Then, regarding the Nine-Tails..."
"You handle it. As the Leader, I will not tolerate failure," the masked man said coolly.
"Naruto Uzumaki is no longer a simple child. He now possesses formidable ninjutsu and many allies. He took two of Kakuzu's lives in a single blow."
The masked man began to elaborate, but Konan interrupted him. "Warning us not to underestimate the enemy is pointless. Pain has never lost a single battle."
The masked man let out a cold chuckle. "Indeed, that is true." He paused. "As for the Uchiha siblings... will you be watching?"
"There's no need," Pain replied flatly. "Kanon will undoubtedly win."
The masked man nodded, donned his Akatsuki cloak, and looked at Pain. "Our talk is over. Tell the other members to hurry and collect the remaining Jinchuriki."
"I understand," Pain agreed.
"We are finally close. Our goal is within reach. On that day, everything will return to the way it was meant to be!"
The masked man walked past Pain, seemingly indifferent to the thunder and heavy rain.
"The true power of the Sharingan... the power of me, Madara Uchiha!"
With those words, the masked man vanished, his body fading into a phantom image.
Watching him leave, Konan sighed softly. "The sky is beginning to thunder again. Nagato, you..."
"Do you really think Kanon can beat Itachi? Do we need to intervene?"
Pain shook his head. "She wouldn't want our help. She is strong, and she has inherited much from Jiraiya-sensei. I believe she will defeat Itachi."
"Konan, do you not trust our junior disciple?"
"No... I'm just worried."
…
Meanwhile, Naruto's group was still tracking the scents of Sasuke and Kanon. Kanon's scent was faint, but Sasuke's was strong.
The skirmish between Sasuke and Deidara had indeed ended as a mere test of skill. Suigetsu had even started debating the merits of "art" with Deidara. It could be said that the members of Team Hebi and Deidara were getting along surprisingly well. Deidara had shared what he knew about Itachi's whereabouts with Sasuke, though even he didn't know the exact location.
Still, having a lead was enough. Sasuke was actually quite grateful to Deidara. The two reached an understanding and went their separate ways.
Through this exchange, Deidara had learned much about the Uchiha and joined Sasuke in criticizing Itachi's actions. Both harbored a deep loathing for Itachi, making them unlikely friends. Suigetsu and Deidara, in particular, got along so well they nearly became sworn brothers.
Back with Naruto, he spoke with growing anxiety. "I have a really bad feeling about this."
"Kanon has been gone for a long time. Do you think she's already gone to find Itachi for revenge?"
"It's highly likely," Kakashi agreed.
"Is she trying to settle it before Sasuke gets there?" Kiba Inuzuka wondered.
"No good. We have to pick up the pace!"
…
An Underground Cavern…
A young girl with twin tails, wearing an Akatsuki cloak and a mask resting on her forehead, appeared in the dim light. As her footsteps drew closer, the figure of Itachi Uchiha materialized before her.
"So, you've finally come."
"Who is it?" Kanon looked up, her expression remaining eerily calm.
Sure enough, Itachi stepped out from the shadows, his three-tomoe Sharingan spinning. "It is I, Kanon."
The corner of Kanon's mouth quirked upward. "It seems you've prepared yourself to be killed by me."
Itachi narrowed his eyes. He had heard rumors that Kanon was seeking her revenge, but he had intended for Sasuke to be the one to end him. Now, he stood here with a single purpose: to kill his sister and force the plan back onto its intended track.
"You've grown a bit taller, Kanon."
"You, on the other hand, haven't changed a bit, you bastard, especially that murderous gaze," Kanon said, shedding her Akatsuki cloak to reveal her short-sleeved shirt emblazoned with the Uchiha crest and the marks of Ryūchi Cave.
"Why aren't you like last time? Charging at me recklessly with a Chidori in hand?"
Hearing Itachi's words, Kanon actually began to laugh.
"Heh... hehe... Hahahaha!" After laughing for a moment, she returned to her cold composure.
"Itachi Uchiha, do you know how long I've waited for this day?"
"Every waking moment, I've wanted to tear you limb from limb. I was desperate for revenge, desperate to kill you in an instant."
Kanon's expression turned manic, the three tomoe in her eyes spinning violently.
"But now that the moment is here... I'm not in a hurry."
Itachi looked puzzled and shook his head.
"Because the day has finally arrived. I have the power to slaughter a beast like you, a traitor to the clan, whenever I wish. So, I am no longer in a rush."
In an instant, a Chidori Sharp Spear erupted from the ground, skewering Itachi's body.
A Shadow Clone burst from the earth; in a flash, Itachi was pinned against the ceiling. But Kanon didn't even look at the Itachi above her; instead, she turned her gaze toward another direction.
"Quite perceptive," the skewered Itachi chuckled, dissolving into a flock of crows.
"Enough with the boring genjutsu," Kanon's Shadow Clone snapped. The Chidori Sharp Spear in its hand detonated, shattering Itachi's illusion.
As the crows dispersed, Itachi's voice echoed through the cavern.
"Come to the Uchiha Hideout alone."
"Let us settle this there."
The crows vanished. Kanon took a deep breath, her three tomoe spinning as her Flower Realm space collapsed around her.
The day was finally here.
Inside the Flower Realm, Kanon and Konin shared a knowing smile.
"Time to go," Konin said softly.
"Yes," Kanon nodded.
"Itachi... I will finally make you feel my wrath and my hatred."