After bringing the women back to the Uchiha estate, Raizen was surprised to find a familiar figure waiting for him: Konan.
Seeing him, Konan offered a rare, soft smile. "I saw your mission post on the black market. I happened to be free, so I came over."
"Welcome!" Raizen replied. Though he wondered why she would leave Nagato's side right now, he wasn't about to turn away a Kage-level powerhouse like he had the minor "trash" mercenaries earlier. With Konan here, the security of his home was virtually absolute.
"Konan, it seems the treatment is working wonders," Raizen noted, scanning her figure. She was tall and curvaceous, with porcelain skin that looked supple enough to break at a touch.
"I have your Papaya Nutritional Juice to thank for that," Konan laughed. No woman is immune to the desire for beauty, and even as a world-class ninja, she enjoyed the compliment.
Raizen looked at her seriously. "Actually, Konan... I know a fair bit about your situation. And I have a general understanding of your organization."
"Oh? Really?" Konan looked at him with intrigue. Their organization had taken several of Raizen's high-paying missions over the years. To her, Raizen was an exceptionally sharp individual; his ability to amass wealth was staggering. Even Kakuzu, their "Financial Manager," couldn't match a tenth of Raizen's speed in generating capital. Raizen had branches of his businesses in almost every country—real estate, mining, you name it.
"Raizen-kun, I'd like to formally invite you to join our organization. What do you think?" Konan asked. If they had him, they would never have to worry about funds for their ultimate goal again.
Raizen shook his head. "I'm used to being the boss. I don't like being managed by others. Unless I get to be the leader, I'll pass."
"That's a pity," Konan sighed. "How long is this guard mission? I might not be able to stay forever."
Raizen's expression turned grave. "Konoha is holding the Chunin Exams. A massive influx of foreign ninjas is here. To prevent anyone from taking advantage of the chaos to attack the Uchiha, I've set this guard duty to last until the exams conclude."
"Then I shall stay until the end of the exams," Konan agreed.
"Welcome, Konan. Here's to a successful partnership." Raizen extended his hand.
"A successful partnership," Konan replied, her slender hand meeting his.
As they released their grip, Raizen suddenly asked, "Konan, have you ever heard of the Edo Tensei (Impure World Reincarnation)?"
The Promise of Resurrection
"Edo Tensei?" Konan frowned and shook her head. "No, I haven't."
"It's a jutsu that can bring the dead back to life," Raizen said smoothly. "With it, you could reunite with your closest family or partners."
Konan froze, her eyes widening. "Bring the dead back to life?"
"Correct. It summons a soul from the Pure Land back to the living world."
"Raizen-kun... do you know this jutsu?" Konan asked urgently.
"It seems you have someone very important you wish to see again," Raizen noted, dodging the direct question.
Konan's voice softened. "One of my partners has completely lost his way. I believe that if our other friend—the one who died—could return, he could wake him up. He could stop him from torturing himself like this. Raizen-kun, if you know this technique, please... I beg you, tell me." She bowed deeply to him.
Raizen took a moment to appreciate the view before averting his gaze. "Actually, Edo Tensei is a forbidden jutsu. It requires a living sacrifice, and the person brought back isn't truly 'alive'—their soul just occupies someone else's body."
Konan's shoulders slumped. "I see. Then forget it. My late friend would never want me to sacrifice a living person to bring him back. It would be an insult to his memory."
Raizen smiled. "Edo Tensei is just one way. I actually have access to another type of resurrection."
"Another one?" Konan looked at him with a mix of hope and a strange, burgeoning affection. Having spent years as his occasional bodyguard, she wasn't entirely indifferent to this handsome, wealthy man. In fact, she had purposefully delayed Nagato's plans, telling him to rest his frail body, just so she could accept this mission.
"This resurrection," Raizen said, "is a complete revival. Flesh and blood."
"Is that true?"
"Truer than pearls," Raizen quipped.
"Then... can you tell me how?"
"Only I can perform it," Raizen explained. "Even if I told someone else, they wouldn't be able to do it."
Konan took a deep breath. "Please, Raizen-kun. You must help me revive someone. If you are willing to do this for me, I am willing to... contribute my strength to the restoration of the Uchiha clan."
"Konan, you..." Raizen's heart leapt. He had been leading her toward this exact sentence. Inside, he was cheering, but outwardly he acted shocked. "Konan, you don't have to go that far!"
"No. Bringing someone back must carry a heavy price. Only by helping your clan prosper can I ease my conscience. Raizen-kun, please agree. I can bear children too." Her gaze was resolute. She knew Nagato had a technique to revive the dead at the cost of his own life, and she would never ask that of him. But if Raizen could do it...
"Since you are so determined... I suppose I can't refuse," Raizen said, feigning a difficult decision.
"Then let's begin now!" Konan urged.
"It's not quite time yet. I need to prepare a few things," Raizen shook his head, then gave her a mischievous look. "However, if you want to start 'contributing to the Uchiha restoration' early... we can handle that right now."
"Hmph! You wish!" Konan flushed a deep crimson. "Who pays the full price upfront? That's not how it works."
"How about a deposit then?" Raizen laughed.
Before Konan could process what he meant by "deposit," Raizen leaned in and pressed his lips against hers.
Konan's eyes went wide. Her mind went completely blank. She was the "Angel" of Amegakure, a legendary shadow, yet she was totally caught off guard. Time seemed to stand still, leaving only the thunderous drum of her heart echoing in her ears.
This was her very first kiss.