"Alright, now that everyone's satisfied, it's time to move on to the next matter."
Uchiha Gen's tone shifted, drawing everyone's attention.
"Other than the Nine-Tails and the One-Tail, I want you to capture as many remaining Tailed Beasts as possible. Weakening the strength of Kumogakure, Iwagakure, and the Hidden Mist will give us a considerable advantage."
Tendo Pain nodded solemnly. "Understood."
"But don't force anything. Act according to the situation."
"Yes."
"Even if those three villages still hold some of the Tailed Beasts, they can't stir up much trouble."
"Yes."
Gen continued, "How are the Four-Tails' jinchuriki and the Six-Tails' jinchuriki you captured?"
"Since we planned to seal the Tailed Beasts into the Outer Path Demonic Statue all at once and we're short on people we're still holding them."
Extracting a Tailed Beast and sealing it into the Demonic Statue required multiple people performing the Phantom Dragon Nine Consuming Seals. Neither Nagato nor Obito could do it alone.
"Take me to see them."
"Yes. This way."
Tendo Pain turned to leap forward.
"Wait. We'll all go. You lead."
Gen flicked his sleeve. The thick moisture in the air surged toward him, condensing rapidly into a white cloud ten meters wide. It floated a foot above the ground, its form shifting and rippling like living mist.
Gen stepped lightly onto the cloud. The others followed, astonished as the soft, shapeless mass effortlessly supported their weight and then rose into the sky.
Mei Terumī finally couldn't hold back her curiosity. She slipped her arm through Gen's and asked softly, "Husband, what kind of Water Release technique is this?"
"You created a new one?"
"This isn't ninjutsu," Gen replied. "It's a spell cast using natural energy."
"A… spell?" she repeated.
"Using chakra is ninjutsu. Using chakra combined with natural energy is Sage Art. Using only natural energy is a spell."
"Spells really can do things ninjutsu can't…" Mei murmured, reaching out to feel the high-altitude raindrops brushing past.
"It depends on how much natural energy you can control," Gen explained. "If you can't control enough, it won't necessarily surpass ninjutsu or Sage Art. But spells usually hold more raw power and far more potential."
"Because ninjutsu draws only on one's own strength. Spells let you use your own strength plus the power of heaven and earth."
Mei's eyes sparkled. "Can I learn it?"
"It's difficult," Gen said. "But I'll teach you when I have time."
She nodded happily and held onto his arm like she had discovered her favorite place in the world.
Konan saw this and quietly pouted. The rest pretended not to notice.
A short while later, they entered Hidden Rain Village—towering structures, crossing pipes, scattered graffiti, the entire place carrying a distinct cyberpunk gloom. They went straight to the tallest tower.
Tendo Pain entered first. When the others took their seats in the hall, he personally went to retrieve Roshi, the Four-Tails jinchuriki, and Utakata, the Six-Tails jinchuriki.
Both were unconscious, battered, and heavily wounded. Pain carried one in each hand.
"Open their eyelids."
Gen sat at the main seat—Tendo Pain's usual position—leaning back with one leg crossed.
Konan immediately stepped forward. She and another member opened the jinchuriki's eyelids. Both pairs of eyes were bloodshot.
Gen's eyes shifted, dark irises warping into the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan. With a single sweep of his gaze, his overwhelming ocular power seized control of both the jinchuriki and the Tailed Beasts within them.
"Good. From now on, they'll serve as enforcers for Akatsuki. Treat their injuries and feed them well."
"Take them."
"Yes," Pain replied.
A moment later, Pain returned and sat opposite Konan.
"It's almost noon," Gen said. "After we eat, I'll return to Konoha. I'll notify you when missions come up."
He looked at Mei and Konan. "You two haven't visited Konoha, right? Want to go?"
Mei smiled. "I'd like that."
Konan didn't answer immediately; she looked to Tendo Pain. When he gave a small nod, she agreed as well.
They ate lunch together, the atmosphere relatively calm, except for the two who couldn't eat: Tendo Pain, who was a corpse, and Sasori, who was essentially a puppet. Kakuzu, thanks to his Earth Grudge Fear technique, was able to eat normally.
After lunch, Gen didn't linger. He immediately took Mei Terumī and Konan, now in fresh outfits, back to Konoha.
....
From then on, Gen would take Konan out alone from time to time, either around Konoha or elsewhere.
Naturally, their relationship grew closer.
That night, on a secluded, quiet beach along the eastern coast of the Land of Fire, a blazing bonfire flickered against the dark.
The sky was clear, jeweled with stars. A bright full moon hung above the sea, reflecting countless shimmering points of light on the gentle waves. The beach and the forest behind were wrapped in a thin layer of silvery mist.
A cool sea breeze rolled through, carrying moisture and a faint hint of salt. The bonfire crackled softly. Nearby, a tent stood like a small house, its orange glow spreading warm light across the sand.
Beside the fire, two figures sat together, grilling fish over the flames. Around them were bottles of red wine, purified water, and scattered seasonings.
Both wore black cloaks with red clouds, Uchiha Gen and Konan.
They turned the skewers, chatting lightly. Occasionally they sprinkled seasoning, letting the savory smell drift into the wind.
When the fish were done, Gen suggested they exchange a couple of skewers. They ate slowly, the simple meal surprisingly peaceful.
Konan had already guessed Gen's intentions for the evening. The bonfire, the tent, the wine, nothing felt accidental. The anticipation made her a little tense.
Grilled fish was her favorite food.
Gen noticed her unease and gently steered the conversation to lighter memories—stories of the days when Jiraiya taught her, Nagato, and Yahiko. Konan reminisced, her voice softening with each memory. They laughed. Her tension gradually faded.
Unnoticed, the fish disappeared, and half a bottle of strong wine went with them. With the sea breeze, the alcohol quickly rose to her cheeks.
Konan's face was flushed, glowing beautifully in the firelight. Her clear eyes had turned hazy, the surface shining with moisture that reflected the flames like tiny stars.
Gen placed his cup down and gently took her hand. Konan glanced at him, then turned away shyly, pretending to drink.
Gen set his bottle aside, shifted closer, and wrapped an arm around her waist. He leaned in and brushed his lips against her warm, wine-tinted ones.
The bottle in her hand dropped softly into the sand. Her eyes widened, her body stiff for a moment but she didn't resist.
She didn't say it aloud, but she was relieved that Gen hadn't rushed things. Over the past few months, he had taken his time, earning her trust instead of pushing for results.
That alone told her she wasn't just a passing amusement to him.
Gen lifted her gently, and together they stepped into the softly glowing tent, leaving only the flickering bonfire to stand guard over the quiet, moonlit beach.