Conviction wavers not when it is weak—but when it is challenged.
Itachi left.
When he did, his steps were unsteady, his mind shaken.
He hadn't gotten a clear answer.
But regarding one thing—
he now understood.
Kamizuki Gen…
was a true traitor to Konoha.
And in the future—
he would become its greatest threat.
More dangerous—
than Orochimaru.
A cold killing intent flickered in Itachi's eyes.
He couldn't understand—
what Gen had done to Orochimaru—
to make someone so cunning, so ruthless—
play along so obediently.
Before—
Itachi had only been observing.
Weighing whether Gen posed a threat.
Now—
if the opportunity arose—
he would kill him.
Eliminate all threats to the village.
That was the only way—
to stabilize his resolve.
To preserve his ninja way.
Everything—
for Konoha.
But until that opportunity came—
he had to endure.
Remain within Akatsuki.
Avoid tearing things apart with Gen or Orochimaru.
If necessary—
he would even play along.
Feign compliance.
But—
he would keep his distance.
Because that man—
had the power to shake his beliefs.
…
…
Outside Amegakure, in the wilderness, stood the original Akatsuki hideout—a damp, shadowy cave.
Rain poured relentlessly outside.
Inside—
it was cold.
Wet.
Obito sat in silence—
then cursed.
"Bastard!"
He thought of a certain someone's luxurious residence—
then looked around his own miserable dwelling.
The contrast—
infuriating.
It wasn't that he couldn't live comfortably.
He chose not to.
He refused to let comfort dull his hatred.
He had to remain in hell—
to remember it.
To remember the pain this broken world had given him.
Only then—
could he remain resolute.
Only then—
could he create a world with Rin.
That—
was his ninja way.
And he would not allow it—
to be shaken.
The ground shifted.
Mud rippled.
Zetsu emerged silently behind him.
"Obito," White Zetsu said, "Kamizuki Gen hasn't left the Demonic Statue Tower this week."
"In the mornings, he reads."
"In the afternoons, he trains intensely."
"At night, he takes a hot bath."
"Before bed, he drinks milk."
"No smoking."
"No alcohol."
"No staying up late."
"He's so disciplined it's terrifying."
Obito cut him off.
"You said you were too afraid of Nagato to infiltrate the tower."
"So how do you know all this?"
White Zetsu gave him a strange look.
"I bribed the maids taking care of him."
"…."
Obito fell silent.
Then asked—
"…Has he left the tower at all?"
"Yes, yes," White Zetsu nodded. "Yesterday. But he stayed with Konan the entire time."
Obito sneered.
"…Is he afraid of me?"
"Keep watching."
White Zetsu grinned.
"I've got good news."
Obito turned.
His lone eye glinted coldly.
White Zetsu straightened.
"Today—Kamizuki Gen left Amegakure."
"Oh?" Obito's interest piqued. "Where to?"
That didn't match Gen's behavior.
He didn't seem like someone who would stay still for seven days straight.
White Zetsu shook his head.
"Unknown destination."
"But—he took Orochimaru and Uchiha Itachi with him."
"Want me to set up an ambush?"
Obito threw his head back and laughed.
"He needs bodyguards just to leave the village?"
"What a joke."
"So much for being 'strong.'"
White Zetsu: "…."
If only they had a recording jutsu—
he would've shoved the footage of Gen fighting the Deva Path in Obito's face.
Over and over.
This man—
was too arrogant.
Obito waved it off.
"With Orochimaru and Itachi there, it's inconvenient."
"Keep watching."
"I'll be heading back to Kirigakure."
"…Alright."
White Zetsu lowered his head.
He wanted to say—
there were ways to lure them away.
But—
Obito wouldn't listen.
…
…
At the Demonic Statue Tower, the Deva Path sat atop the grotesque, red tongue extending from the statue's mouth.
Rinnegan eyes—
cold.
Emotionless.
Watching the rain.
Konan stepped out beside him.
Rain soaked her short purple hair—
her calm face.
"Kamizuki Gen has left the village," she said.
Pain nodded.
"I know."
He had sensed it.
This time—
Gen had left openly.
Not like before.
Not sneaking in.
Konan had once asked—
why he had concealed himself so thoroughly that first time.
Gen's answer?
Amegakure was too damp.
He had rheumatism.
Of course—
she didn't believe a word of it.
What kind of shinobi had rheumatism as a teenager?
She pushed the thought aside.
"He took Orochimaru and Itachi."
"They've been getting close lately."
Pain fell into thought.
"That may not be a bad thing."
"With him, the Konoha defectors could unite."
"A force to counter 'Madara.'"
Konan paused.
"…You're not worried?"
"That he'll leave—and never come back?"
"…."
Pain answered plainly.
"I trust your intuition."
Worry was meaningless.
If Gen truly chose to leave—
Nagato couldn't stop him.
At best—
it would expose Orochimaru and Itachi early.
As for Gen—
they had chosen their approach carefully.
Not control—
but trust.
To make him believe in Yahiko's ideals.
To treat him as one of their own.
To exchange sincerity—
for sincerity.
After a moment, Pain asked—
"…What is he going out to do?"
With that lineup—
they could capture a Tailed Beast.
Easily.
Konan sighed softly.
"…Team building."
"…Team building?"
"Brothers."
"…Brothers?"
Konan rubbed her temple.
"He said the three of them became sworn brothers last week."
"This trip is to strengthen their bond."
"And… pick up some missions at the black market."
For a rare moment—
Pain's lips moved.
And behind him—
Nagato let out a quiet chuckle.
"Heh… brothers?"
"Orochimaru is old enough to be their uncle."
"And yet he's willing to go along with this."
Hearing that laughter—
Konan's lips curved slightly.
Inside, she thought:
That boy…
There's something about him.
Something intangible…
that draws people in—and changes them.
◇ BONUS & SUPPORT ◇
◇ 1 bonus chapter for every 10 reviews — drop a comment!
◇ 1 bonus chapter for every 100 Power Stones.
◇ Read chapters ahead on Patreon → patreon.com/c/MythArcStudio