Curly-Haired Boy: "What do you mean? Have you met Konan-neesan?"
Hoshigaki Kisame was not currently a member of the Akatsuki; his activities should still be centered within Kirigakure. Logically speaking, it was impossible for him to have met Konan.
Shark Face: "Yes, I saw her. It was when she defeated Utakata and retrieved the Six-Tails."
Angel of the Hidden Rain Village: "???"
Konan's eyes widened in disbelief. She had repeatedly verified her surroundings that day through her spiritual perception; besides herself and Utakata, there had been no other life signs. How did Kisame know about this?
[System Hint: 'Shark Face' has shared memories related to the Naruto world.]
Shark Face: "See for yourself."
Skirt-Lifting Maniac: "Hiss, that guy Aizen was also there?"
Scarlet Snake Fairy: "Come to think of it, they must have used some kind of concealment method."
Book Artist: "Wait... does that mean he already knew Konan-sama possessed Hyorinmaru that day?!"
Curly-Haired Boy: "Oh no, this is terrible! All your cards are exposed, you bastard!"
Skirt-Lifting Maniac: "What should we do now? Is Konan-neesan in danger?"
Angel of the Hidden Rain Village: "Probably not. Even if he discovered I possessed Hyorinmaru, he hasn't shown any unusual behavior. These past few days have been no different from usual."
Konan wiped the cold sweat from her forehead and forced herself to remain calm.
Scarlet Snake Fairy: "Even so, we can't let our guard down. That man must be plotting something in secret."
Book Artist: "I've noticed something very strange. From Kisame-san's memories, we can see that Aizen seemed to know Obito would eventually come for Kisame. That's not right—we only know that because we've seen the Naruto plot. Does Aizen have foresight?"
Angel of the Hidden Rain Village: "It is indeed very strange. Even Aizen shouldn't be capable of that level of prediction, right?"
Konan framed her thought as a question, betraying her own uncertainty. After all, this was an Aizen living within the Naruto world. Considering his endless stream of research and experimental methods, who was to say he hadn't truly acquired predictive abilities akin to the Great Toad Sage?
Skirt-Lifting Maniac: "Maybe it's not that complicated? Maybe Obito just told him?"
Shark Face: "That's a possibility."
Having seen Konan's supplementary memories, Kisame knew well that it was Obito who had introduced Aizen to the Akatsuki. Perhaps they shared a closer bond than they realized.
Curly-Haired Boy: "Aaagh, damn it! There are so many things I can't wrap my head around! Why did a complicated guy like Aizen have to appear in the relatively simple world of Naruto?"
This is an Actor: "Perhaps it's fate?"
In truth, An Ran himself didn't know why he had manifested in the Naruto world. Even he couldn't explain how he managed to traverse space-time in his sleep.
Book Artist: "The world of Naruto isn't exactly 'simple' either, is it? It's full of conspiracy, betrayal, lies, and slaughter."
Skirt-Lifting Maniac: "But to sum it up, the entirety of Naruto is basically just Black Zetsu trying to save his mother."
Curly-Haired Boy: "What a legendary roast! That's exactly how you should deliver a soul-piercing jab, Ruiko-chan! One day, you'll be a true master of the craft! A highly anticipated tomorrow awaits you!"
Skirt-Lifting Maniac: "Eh? Me? Really?"
Curly-Haired Boy: "Believe in yourself!"
Book Artist: "Ruiko-chan, please don't let this pervert influence you! Let the pathetic 'Straight Man' character do his own thing."
Shark Face: "Black Zetsu simply saving his mother... if you think about it that way, it's true. The fates of all of us are just byproducts of others' goals. I can understand why Lord Aizen wants to completely overturn the shinobi world."
Curly-Haired Boy: "Konan, this guy is definitely your colleague. His ideas align perfectly with yours!"
Book Artist: "Kisame-san, it's better not to trust Aizen too much. Uchiha Shisui is the perfect example. He was sold out and probably thanked Aizen for the privilege."
Scarlet Snake Fairy: "Speaking of which, how is Shisui now?"
Angel of the Hidden Rain Village: "Hmm, it seems he has fully mastered the power of Hollowification."
Konan glanced at her monitor. Shisui had returned to human form, and his eyes had become remarkably determined. At that moment, he was engaged in a serious conversation with Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Shark Face: "The power of a Hollow. A gift bestowed personally by Lord Aizen must be something special."
This is an Actor: "Aizen likely intended to mold Shisui into a version of Kurosaki Ichigo."
Book Artist: "???"
Curly-Haired Boy: "Kurosaki Ichigo?!"
This is an Actor: "Yes. We can see this from the established dynamic between Shisui and Aizen. They are not just close friends, but predestined enemies. This relationship wasn't Shisui's subjective assumption; it was deliberately engineered by Aizen. He has been consciously cultivating Shisui."
Skirt-Lifting Maniac: "It certainly seems that way."
Angel of the Hidden Rain Village: "What was that An Ran-san just said?"
This is an Actor: "Yes. However, Aizen seems to have realized that Uchiha Shisui lacks the potential to become a true Ichigo. This was inevitable; Ichigo's growth was a fundamental anomaly. That state is impossible to replicate."
Book Artist: "That's true. In the original Bleach, Ichigo is practically a walking cheat code. Others train for centuries and still can't match what he achieves in a few weeks."
Shark Face: "The group leader is truly amazing. He analyzes Lord Aizen's thoughts so effortlessly."
Curly-Haired Boy: "That's not analysis. Let me tell you a secret: our group leader is actually Aizen himself!"
Shark Face: "???"
Kisame froze, a look of pure astonishment on his face. Could it be true? No, it couldn't be!
Curly-Haired Boy: "Hahahaha! Look at you, you're terrified! I knew it!"
Book Artist: "You have terrible taste, Gintoki—bullying the newcomer like that."
Shark Face: "So... it's a joke?"
Scarlet Snake Fairy: "Of course it's a joke. How could Aizen be in our group?"
Angel of the Hidden Rain Village: "It seems Kisame has also been traumatized by Aizen. But don't be too afraid. We currently have no conflict of interest with him, so he shouldn't make things difficult for us. Use this time to accumulate your own strength."
Book Artist: "Exactly! When the time is right, we'll give him what's coming!"
Shark Face: "Is that really possible? Honestly, when I'm around Lord Aizen, I feel as if I've fallen into a dark abyss. That man might smile at you, but he's ready to devour you the next second."
This was Hoshigaki Kisame's genuine feeling—a truth he had never confided to anyone in his real life, yet vented here without hesitation. He was clearly exhausted from maintaining his facade. He even began to hallucinate, feeling as though the boy named Aizen Sosuke was standing right in front of him.
Wait. It didn't seem to be an illusion.
Kisame stiffened. A second later, Aizen's soft, melodic voice rang out in the physical world: "So, do I really appear so cold and heartless, Kisame?"