Two days passed without incident.
Raizen made up an excuse to head out and used the Flying Raijin to teleport to the black market town. As soon as he stepped into the building, the receptionist greeted him enthusiastically.
She bowed deeply to Raizen. "Honored customer, you're here!"
Raizen winked at her and smiled. "Has anyone taken my mission yet?"
"You've come at the perfect time, sir," she replied. "Someone just arrived a short while ago expressing interest. Please wait a moment while I notify them."
"Alright," Raizen nodded.
A few minutes later, a woman dressed in a black cloak with red clouds walked in. The receptionist pointed toward the door. "Customer, this is the lady who wish to accept your mission. Please see if she is suitable."
Raizen turned and smiled when he saw the newcomer. As expected, a heavy reward was enough to fish out Konan.
Raizen sized up Konan, and she did the same to him. So this is Itachi Uchiha's uncle, Raizen Uchiha. He looks quite young and handsome, Konan thought, noting her first impression.
She walked over and extended her hand. "Hello. I am Konan, a Kage-level expert. If you doubt my strength, we can conduct a test."
"No need, I trust you," Raizen said with a smile, taking her slender hand briefly before letting go. He didn't want to leave a bad impression by lingering.
"You trust us?" Konan looked at him curiously.
Raizen explained, "Kakuzu and Hidan wear the same clothes as you; you must belong to the same organization. I've seen their power before, so I believe yours is genuine as well."
Konan nodded in realization and smiled. "I see. Then I look forward to working with you, Mr. Raizen."
"The pleasure is mine. I'll be in your care."
The receptionist brought over a contract scroll. "Have we reached an agreement, honored customer?"
"Yes, it'll be Konan." Raizen signed the contract, paid the black market's commission, and prepared to leave with his new bodyguard.
Outside the black market, Raizen looked at Konan's empty hands. "Konan, you didn't bring any change of clothes, did you?"
Konan nodded.
Raizen laughed. "Then let's go buy you some new things first. Since you'll be living in the Uchiha compound long-term, you'll need them. Besides, that cloak is a bit too eye-catching. It would be better to wear something more common for a girl in the village."
Konan looked at her Akatsuki robes. Knowing she would be living in Konoha for a long time, she agreed that this outfit would draw too much unwanted attention.
At a women's boutique, Raizen once again displayed his "inhumane" wealth, throwing enough money at the shop assistants to leave them dizzy with excitement.
"Mr. Raizen, there's no need to be so extravagant," Konan said, stunned as she watched him buy out almost every outfit that suited her.
Raizen waved it off with a grin. "I won't have my people feeling mistreated."
He proceeded to buy her undergarments, shoes, socks, and stockings, leaving the Kage-level kunoichi feeling genuinely embarrassed for the first time in years.
After sealing everything into a storage scroll, Raizen hired a carriage to take them back to Konoha.
After the carriage departed, the figures of Itachi Uchiha and Jūzō Biwa emerged from a nearby tavern.
"Itachi-san, your uncle really is... unique," Jūzō remarked, still processing the display of wealth he had just witnessed.
"My uncle doesn't have many grand ambitions," Itachi noted, his gaze complex as he watched the dust settle. "He only excels at two things: chasing women and making money."
"But Itachi-san, why does he look so young? He looks even younger than you!" Jūzō asked curiously.
Itachi sighed. "He's only twenty. He spends his days carefree, chasing girls and making money. He doesn't have to worry about the clan's burdens or heavy responsibilities. Of course he looks younger than me."
"You carry too much, Itachi-san," Jūzō muttered.
Itachi fell silent for a moment before turning away. "It doesn't matter. Let's go. It's time to visit some old acquaintances."
Meanwhile, Danzō Shimura had also slipped out of Konoha in disguise. He arrived at a hidden underground lair to meet a specific individual.
"Kukuku... Danzo. It's been a long time," a raspy, sinister voice echoed.
Danzo stared at the man before him and snorted. "Orochimaru. You're as repulsive as ever."
Orochimaru licked his lips. "And you wouldn't come all this way just to insult me. You're far too boring for that. What is it?"
"I have business," Danzo said.
"Is there a problem with the Hashirama cells? Or the Sharingan?" Orochimaru asked. "With so many eyes implanted in your arm, problems are inevitable. Why not give me a few to study properly?"
"My implants are fine," Danzo snapped.
"Then why are you here?"
"Orochimaru, you've always been interested in the Sharingan," Danzo sneered. "I happen to know of a pair that you might want. Are you interested?"
"Are you talking about Itachi?" Orochimaru's expression darkened. He recalled being pinned by Itachi's ocular power; if Kabuto hadn't been there, he would have been finished. "That man's power is too terrifying. If you want me to target Itachi, forget it."
Danzo shook his head. "Not Itachi. Someone else."
"Oh? Someone else?" Orochimaru's interest was piqued. He stared at Danzo, licking his lips. "Did you hide another Uchiha survivor?"
Danzo gave a cold smirk. "Years ago, an Uchiha left the village to manage the clan's businesses abroad. He didn't die by Itachi's hand. Now, he has returned to Konoha."
Orochimaru's eyes burned with a fanatical light. "Who?"
"Raizen Uchiha!!!"