Scarlet Snake Fairy: "So, what is Konan going to do next? Is she actually going to carry out Aizen's plan?"
Curly-Haired Boy: "With a guy like that, even if you don't want to do it, you don't really have a choice. The consequences of resisting Aizen might be even worse. You never know what he'll do to you."
Book Artist: "Bah! They say you shouldn't expect others to be as filthy as you!"
Skirt-Lifting Maniac: "But what Gintoki-san said is true. Aizen monitors almost the entire Shinobi World; there is nowhere to hide."
Angel of the Hidden Rain Village: "I have conveyed the message to Nagato. He has agreed."
Scarlet Snake Fairy: "Alas, I feel like we're all being led by the nose."
Book Artist: "Yes, we have to admit that Aizen's control is incredibly absolute. Once the script is written, everyone has to jump into their roles, whether they like it or not. He always finds a way to make people obey."
Curly-Haired Boy: "Tsk, this feeling of powerlessness."
Book Artist: "Oh right, why doesn't Konan-sama recruit Nagato as well? I don't think Aizen would refuse an offer of service from the Akatsuki leader."
Skirt-Lifting Maniac: "If you can't beat them, join them?"
Angel of the Hidden Rain Village: "This..."
To be honest, Konan was somewhat tempted by the proposal. If Nagato were brought under Aizen's command, it might ensure that Aizen wouldn't view him as an eyesore to be eliminated. However, there was a glaring problem: Nagato's own pride. How could Nagato, who called himself a "God," ever be willing to serve as someone else's subordinate?
This is an Actor: "If he wishes to join the group, the time is not yet right."
Book Artist: "Why do you say that?"
This is an Actor: "Aizen allowed Konan to approach him because he was curious and interested in her. But Nagato is different. Aizen has been monitoring him for a long time and has a deep understanding of him. In this situation, taking the initiative to approach would definitely arouse Aizen's suspicion. Besides, Nagato would hardly want to be the subordinate of a young boy, would he?"
Angel of the Hidden Rain Village: "Then, An Ran-san, when do you think is the right time?"
Konan had clearly come to regard An Ran as her backbone. To her, he was like the brilliant military strategist described in chronicles and novels.
This is an Actor: "Once the incident Aizen is orchestrating in Konoha is concluded, the time should be ripe. At that point, Aizen might surprise the entire Shinobi World."
Book Artist: "An Ran-san, are you saying Aizen will step out from behind the scenes after this incident? Is that true?"
This is an Actor: "Aizen is that sort of person; he will not be content remaining in the shadows forever. As long as there is an opportunity and sufficient confidence, he will make a grand transition to the front stage—just as he did in Soul Society."
Angel of the Hidden Rain Village: "A stage? Could the events about to happen in Konoha be a stage deliberately set by Aizen?"
This is an Actor: "It is not a possibility, but a certainty."
Curly-Haired Boy: "Ha! Aren't you sounding a bit too confident? Ultimately, these are just theories. Where's the evidence? Where's the proof?!"
This is an Actor: "No evidence is needed, because I am Aizen."
Skirt-Lifting Maniac: "Uh, An Ran-san is joking again."
Book Artist: "Such a domineering person—he doesn't even need evidence! Even if it's just a deduction, it's well-reasoned and convincing enough. Unlike a certain troublemaker who can do nothing but stir the pot."
Curly-Haired Boy: "Who are you calling a troublemaker, you brat!"
Book Artist: "Hmm, that's weird. I didn't mention anyone by name, so why are you so defensive? Does our Gintoki-san actually have some self-awareness?"
Curly-Haired Boy: "Very good, you bratty sister! Gin-san will remember this! Just you wait until I get the chance!"
Book Artist: "Haha, I'm so scared."
Scarlet Snake Fairy: "Were you two enemies in your past lives? You seem uncomfortable if you don't bicker every day."
Skirt-Lifting Maniac: "By the way, am I the only one who thinks An Ran-san is getting too immersed in the role? Will that cause problems? I heard that if you constantly imagine yourself as someone else, you can develop symptoms of schizophrenia."
Angel of the Hidden Rain Village: "Is it that serious? It seems An Ran-san should be a little more careful."
This is an Actor: "Thanks for the reminder."
Sure enough, no one believed him.
However, Aizen had anticipated this. He looked calmly at the setting sun, the afterglow casting a golden veil over the entire village. He couldn't help but sigh softly. "What a beautiful sight."
It was a pity that he likely wouldn't see such a peaceful scene again for a long time. And the one who would destroy it was himself.
"Sosuke-kun! Sosuke-kun!" A voice calling from behind interrupted his thoughts. Turning around, he saw two beautiful young women with very different styles. One was gentle and graceful, looking quite serene; the other appeared uninhibited and carefree.
"Ah, Mitarashi-san and Yuhi-san," Aizen said, his magnetic voice smooth. "Are you two out shopping?" He noted the bags in their hands.
"How many times have I told you not to use honorifics with me?" Mitarashi Anko, wearing her hair in its signature ponytail and sporting her mesh-lined windbreaker, seemed dissatisfied. She rolled her eyes. "And you're so formal with me, yet you're just as polite to Kurenai? Are you a blockhead?"
"Anko, that's rude!" Yuhi Kurenai, her cheeks flushing red, quickly pulled her friend back. "I'm sorry, Sosuke-kun. You know how Anko is, but... she's right, you really don't have to be so formal."
"It seems I was in the wrong," Aizen admitted with sincere humility. He took the initiative to invite them. "To express my apology, let me treat you both to some dango."
"I want some too!"
Just as Anko and Kurenai were about to agree, a cheerful voice rang out from the side. "Aizen, I want dango too!" A black-haired boy with a short sword strapped to his back strolled toward them.
"Uchiha Shisui?" Anko huffed. "Sosuke invited us. Why are you crashing the party?"
Anko was very dissatisfied with the interloper. she had finally found a good opportunity to play matchmaker for her best friend and Aizen, but this "human spotlight" didn't know how to take a hint.
"Aizen is my best friend. Why can't I come?" Shisui asked righteously, throwing a demonstrative arm over Aizen's shoulder.
"You bastard!" Anko's temper flared instantly. She clenched her fists at Shisui. "You want to go? Right here?"
"Bring it on," Shisui retorted.
"Now, now," Aizen sighed helplessly. "I—"
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Before Aizen could finish, a shrill, rhythmic alarm blared throughout Konoha. Uchiha Shisui's expression shifted instantly. "Is that... an emergency summons for the Jonin level?"
"Did something happen again?" Kurenai's face paled with nervousness. The last time they had heard that specific call to arms was five years ago during a major border crisis. Was another village attacking?
"I'm sorry, Kurenai," Aizen said, looking relieved to drop the social pretense as he spoke apologetically. "It seems treating you to dango will have to be postponed."
"It's okay, Sosuke-kun," Yuhi Kurenai replied softly, clearly pleased by Aizen's sudden drop of formal honorifics. "There will always be opportunities in the future."
"That's right," Anko added with a wink. "There's a long way to go."
"Ah... there is a long way to go."
No one noticed the strange, unreadable quality in Aizen's tone as he repeated those words. He turned and began to walk away, his back gradually disappearing into the distance.
Kurenai suddenly frowned, an ominous premonition blooming in her heart.