…
Konan felt something was off.
…
Because in her understanding—
Madara Uchiha
…
Was a name that should make any Konoha ninja tremble.
…
Yet—
…
Shenyue Yuan
…
Showed nothing.
No shock.
No fear.
No reaction at all.
…
As if—
He had never even heard the name.
…
That didn't make sense.
…
After all—
Madara wasn't even from this era.
…
To the world—
He was long dead.
…
And yet now—
He stood here.
In the flesh.
…
Still—
This guy didn't care.
…
"Madara Uchiha…"
Yuan tilted his head slightly.
…
"Sounds familiar."
…
Then he turned toward Uchiha Itachi.
…
"Same clan as you?"
"Was he in our batch?"
"Why haven't I heard of him?"
…
"..."
…
Itachi immediately explained:
"He is the ancestor of the Uchiha…"
"The one who founded Konoha alongside the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju."
…
Before Yuan could respond—
…
"Don't compare me to that man."
…
Obito Uchiha's voice turned cold.
…
His acting—
Still stiff.
Still forced.
…
Yuan nodded seriously.
…
"Sorry."
"I never studied that period."
…
"I don't know him."
…
"..."
…
Obito's gaze darkened again.
…
Where the hell did Nagato find this freak?
…
A Konoha ninja—
Who doesn't know Madara?
…
That alone was absurd.
…
Then—
Yuan added casually:
…
"But honestly…"
…
"He doesn't look that strong."
…
"YOU—!!"
…
Obito almost exploded.
…
But—
Pain (Nagato) was right there.
…
He forced himself—
To calm down.
…
Barely.
…
"You'd better not disappoint me."
…
His sleeve flicked sharply.
…
Then—
"Zetsu. Let's go."
…
Zetsu followed.
…
They left.
…
Pain watched them go.
…
Then turned back to Yuan.
…
"You truly don't recognize Madara?"
…
Yuan shook his head—
Then smiled.
…
"Of course I do."
…
"But…"
…
"Is he really Madara?"
…
"…!"
…
That single sentence—
…
Made the atmosphere freeze again.
…
Konan's eyes narrowed.
Itachi went silent.
…
Even Pain—
Paused.
…
Because—
…
That doubt—
…
Was valid.
…
"He has the Mangekyō Sharingan…"
Itachi muttered.
…
"But that alone doesn't prove he is Madara."
…
Yuan laughed.
…
"Doesn't matter."
"He already doesn't like me."
…
"So I might as well offend him properly."
…
Konan sighed softly.
…
Only strength—
Could justify this kind of arrogance.
…
Anyone else—
Would already be dead.
…
—
Elsewhere.
…
A dark corridor.
…
Space twisted.
…
Only after moving far away—
Did Obito try again.
…
Kamui—
Activated successfully.
…
His tension eased.
…
"What happened earlier?"
White Zetsu asked.
…
Obito stepped into the Kamui space.
…
"I couldn't use Kamui."
…
"…WHAT?!"
…
"Exactly."
…
Obito's voice lowered.
…
"That guy…"
…
"There's something wrong with him."
…
White Zetsu hesitated.
…
"So what now?"
…
Obito smirked.
Cold.
…
"We don't have to deal with him ourselves."
…
"He uses others as shields—"
…
"So will we."
…
"We'll use other villages."
…
"…Ah! Genius!"
…
Obito fell silent again.
…
Akatsuki was almost complete.
…
And now—
A variable had appeared.
…
"…Do you think he's a Konoha spy?"
White Zetsu asked.
…
Obito scoffed.
…
"Isn't Itachi already one?"
…
"No need for two."
…
"…Unless…"
…
"Maybe Konoha didn't value him?"
…
"…Hah."
…
Obito shook his head.
…
"If that's true…"
…
"Konoha's move is ruthless."
…
—
Back at the tower.
…
Silence.
…
Konan turned to Itachi.
…
"Welcome to Akatsuki."
…
Servants were summoned.
…
Itachi was led away.
…
Pain disappeared soon after—
Maintaining his image.
…
Only Yuan and Konan remained.
…
"Finally quiet."
…
Yuan smiled.
…
"Any missions?"
…
Konan shook her head.
…
"No direct assignments yet."
…
"Members take bounty missions."
…
"One S-rank per month."
…
"The organization takes a cut."
…
"Fair."
…
Yuan nodded.
…
"I'll visit the black market soon."
…
Konan turned to leave—
But he stopped her again.
…
"Is there a place with jutsu scrolls?"
…
She paused.
…
Looked at him differently this time.
…
Even at this level—
He still wanted to learn.
…
"…Yes."
…
"From Hanzo of the Salamander's era."
…
"I'll take you tomorrow."
…
"Perfect."
…
She left—
Paper dispersing into the night.
…
Yuan stood alone.
…
Looking around—
At the luxurious room.
…
Then laughed softly.
…
"Hanzo…"
…
"We really are connected."
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