It was not inappropriate for management to arrive a little late to a team-building event. However, when Itachi saw Konan arrive, his mood worsened even more. As part of management, she clearly had not climbed the six hundred-plus steps. Her paper wings fluttered as she descended. The moment her feet touched the ground, the chakra paper vanished seamlessly back into her body. The movement was clean and elegant, truly befitting Angel-sama.
"You're here too. Are you enjoying the food? Kakuzu's cooking is excellent," Konan said.
Her voice lacked its usual chill and carried a touch of softness instead. At least to Itachi, the Konan he saw today felt like a completely different person from the one he had met when he first joined the organization. The arm casually draped over his shoulder and her close proximity made him distinctly uncomfortable. Even back in Konoha, no one would dare treat him this way. Itachi wanted to say something. Kisame did too. But when facing Akatsuki's management, both of them instinctively backed down.
"It's just a barbecue. No matter how good it is, how good can it really be?" Kakuzu commented.
Konan shrugged. "Isn't it said that the more ordinary the dish, the easier it is to tell a master from an amateur?"
"Mhm, mhm! Sister Konan, it's super delicious! This is the best open-air barbecue I've ever had!" Deidara said with complete sincerity, without the slightest hint of exaggeration. Children really were that straightforward.
Konan smiled. "If it's good, eat more. By the way, is Kita not here?"
"She's in the back," Kakuzu said, pointing behind Konan.
Konan turned her head and saw Zaraki Kita in white, sitting on the edge steps with her legs swinging leisurely as she drank. From this angle, no one would ever guess her status was so low.
"Oh? Does it bother you that much?" Konan asked, directing the question at Kisame and Itachi.
Itachi did not know whether to say he did not care or that it was irrelevant. Kisame recalled Pein's warning when he first joined. In the span of a few seconds, neither of them came up with an answer.
"Even if you care, learn not to," Konan said lightly as she patted their shoulders. "This is not a request. It's an order."
She smiled, gentle and harmless.
Then she turned and walked toward Zaraki Kita.
Kakuzu was the first to laugh. His normally fierce expression broke abruptly, and he laughed out loud. Then someone else laughed too. Unlike Kakuzu, it was only a slight curl of the lips, revealing a mild, gentle smile.
"I just remembered something from two years ago. Heh."
"Was his name Chongjie?"
"Probably. I forgot."
"Huh? What, what? Old man, what happened?" Deidara asked eagerly.
"An old member," Kakuzu replied with a grin. "He had more guts than you two. Said he couldn't take it anymore. Konan beat him until he cried."
"And then?" Itachi asked.
"He died," Kakuzu waved it off. "First time I ever saw a ninja cry like that. He yelled so much I thought he was someone impressive."
"The weaker the person, the louder they shout. That's how the world works," Konan said calmly.
By the time she finished speaking, she was already pulling Zaraki Kita back over. Their hands were clasped together as she sat down, and Zaraki Kita followed with a slight bow before taking her seat.
"What are you talking about?" Konan asked as she opened a can of beer. After taking a sip, she set it aside and picked up her chopsticks.
"Chongjie. Your glorious achievements," Kakuzu replied casually as he grilled fish and shrimp. There was little difference between subordinate and superior, more like a conversation between friends.
Konan stuffed a slice of grilled meat into her mouth and spoke indistinctly. "You flatter me. That hardly counts as a glorious achievement. Ugh, why is there so much chili? Are you all sick?"
"Huh? Sister Konan, you don't eat spicy food?" Deidara asked with wide eyes.
"I do, just not this spicy," Konan replied, forcing the heat down before grabbing her beer and chugging several mouthfuls to ease the burn.
Zaraki Kita smiled and signed.
Is it really that spicy?
Konan nodded, picked up another slice of meat, and held it to Zaraki Kita's mouth. "Try it."
Zaraki Kita shook her head slightly.
"Tsk, stop wasting time," Konan said.
Perhaps afraid of angering her, or unwilling to disobey a superior, Zaraki Kita finally opened her mouth and bit down on the meat.
"Spicy, right?"
Zaraki Kita nodded and drained the beer Konan handed her in one go.
"Is it really that spicy? I don't feel it at all," Deidara said.
Konan shrugged. "Then these are all yours. Eat everything. No wasting food. Kakuzu, grill something less spicy."
"Sure. What do you want? Beef? Lamb?" Kakuzu asked.
Konan looked at Zaraki Kita and nudged her. "I'm asking you. What do you want to eat?"
Zaraki Kita shook her head and lifted her beer.
I'll eat what you eat. I'll just drink.
"Then eat fish with me," Konan said.
Zaraki Kita nodded.
Kakuzu said nothing more. He took out prepared saury and laid it on the grill. "Deidara, finish your pile. It's too spicy."
"OK! I'll eat it all, mm!"
Aside from Deidara, no one else seemed capable of enjoying that level of spiciness.
While waiting for the food to cook, Konan performed the expected duty of management by showing concern for subordinates, especially the three who had joined less than half a year ago.
"Itachi, Kisame, Deidara. Are you getting used to the mission pace?"
Akatsuki was different from a ninja village. There was considerable freedom. Compared to village life, it was far more relaxed. On average, there were four missions a month, ranging from A to S rank. Missions were assigned through ninjutsu, so there was no need to stay at headquarters on standby. Members could go wherever they wanted, as long as they acted with their partner. Even going out to eat required staying together. If they stayed at the base, however, there were no such restrictions.
Compared to Konoha, Itachi felt much more at ease. At least outside of missions, he could sleep as long as he wanted.
"One mission a week. This really feels like a retirement home," Kisame complained in his own way.
Konan nodded. "Akatsuki doesn't take every job. For now, we keep a low profile. And while you're members of Akatsuki, I have no interest in squeezing you dry. Having more time to do what you want is better. Thinking of this place as a retirement organization is not wrong."
"That's surprising," Itachi said cautiously. "I thought you'd demand absolute dedication."
"People aren't tools," Konan shook her head. "Our goal is to conquer the world, but you have your own goals too. Come to think of it, we haven't really asked why you three joined. If you don't mind, tell us your goals."
"I want to become a great artist and pursue my art. Art is an explosion, mm!" Deidara declared eagerly.
"Only eternity can be called art. Fleeting things are just childish tricks," Kakuzu said dismissively.
"Old man! Even if you're stronger than me, you can't insult my art! Apologize!" Deidara snapped.
Kakuzu did not even look at him. There was no chance of an apology.
Konan smiled. "I knew you two were a perfect match."
"How are we matched?" Kakuzu asked irritably.
"An artist paired with an artist. Sounds fitting," Konan replied, then turned to Itachi. "What about you? Your goal. Or, as Konoha likes to call it, your dream?"
His dream was for Konoha to be safe. For Sasuke to be safe.
He could not say that.
After a moment of thought, he said, "Capacity."
"Mm. Still at that chunni age," Konan concluded succinctly.
Itachi froze and looked at her in surprise, but she had already turned away.
"And you, Kisame?"
"Do I have to say?"
"Doesn't matter," Konan shrugged. "Your goals don't matter. But since you're Akatsuki members now, I have a few requirements. As long as missions are completed, I don't care what you do. But if your actions bring trouble to Akatsuki, even if I don't mind cleaning up after you occasionally, Pein does. In short, don't cause me trouble, and I won't interfere. Understood?"
Kisame and the others nodded.
"All of you here are rogue ninjas. Calling you insane wouldn't be wrong," Konan continued calmly. "But there must still be a human bottom line. We once had a member with dirty habits. He liked children. Pein was furious when he found out. I'm reminding you. If you anger Pein, the consequences are not pleasant. If you happen to encounter such situations, help if you can. Just don't delay missions."
Even Akatsuki had lines that could not be crossed.
Itachi did not think this rule was unreasonable. He had witnessed such scenes during missions before. Because they were unrelated to the task and exposure was forbidden, he had failed to intervene. Sometimes, in the dead of night, he still remembered those eyes filled with despair and loneliness.
He took a sip of lime juice. Not too sour. Surprisingly sweet.
"Alright, lecture time is over. Eat, drink, and relax. From now on, you'll be training your bodies a lot. You'll need it."
Konan clapped her hands, signaling the end of management talk. She turned toward Zaraki Kita, who was smiling quietly, and smiled as well. Noticing a small dark speck on Zaraki Kita's pale face, she reached out and wiped it away, realizing it was just a bit of seasoning.
"What are you smiling about, substitute member?"
Zaraki Kita dodged Konan's overly intimate gesture and waved her hands quickly.
Stop messing around.
"Tsk, who's messing around?" Konan replied, though her tone was playful.
Kakuzu and Tobi were long used to this. Deidara, however, looked back and forth before cautiously whispering, "Sister Konan, is Big Sister Kita your… that?" He hooked his pinky finger meaningfully.
Itachi realized the question mirrored his own thoughts.
Konan smiled and nodded openly.
Deidara's mouth fell open. "That's amazing!" Then he asked instinctively, "So, which one of you is on top?"
The question caught everyone off guard. At least Itachi had no idea what he meant.
Konan laughed, wrapped an arm around Zaraki Kita's shoulders, and asked Deidara, "Who do you think?"
Deidara glanced at them and shook his head helplessly.
Zaraki Kita was extremely embarrassed. With her head lowered, her beautiful eyes were hidden from view. She broke free from Konan's arm and signed quickly.
I have something to do. I'm leaving first.
Konan realized the joke had gone too far. "Hey, I won't say anymore. Come back."
Zaraki Kita smiled apologetically and shook her head.
I really have something to do. Sorry. I'm leaving.
With that, she leapt off the rooftop and vanished into the endless rain in the blink of an eye.
Konan sighed softly, picked up her chopsticks, and began eating the grilled fish.
"You're not going after her?" Kakuzu asked.
Konan shook her head.
"Is Big Sister Kita angry?" Deidara asked, still confused.
"She's not," Konan replied with a smile. "She just doesn't like others knowing about our relationship."
"Why? We have same-sex couples in our village too," Deidara said seriously.
Konan glanced at him and smiled again. Deidara was capable, just childish. But then again, he was only thirteen.
"Her status isn't very good. She always thinks she's dragging me down."
"Why? Did she betray Amegakure?" Deidara asked innocently.
Konan sighed and looked at him. "Haven't you ever heard of the surname Zaraki?"
"Nope."
Konan pressed her fingers to her forehead.
"Then you've at least heard of Kita, right?" Kisame interjected.
Deidara nodded.
"Same concept," Kakuzu said, adding more meat to the grill.
Konan nodded and sighed. "She is a pariah. When she was young, she fled from the Land of Water to a war zone, hoping to live more comfortably."
"That was during the Second Shinobi World War, right?"
"Yes."
"Running into a war zone? One wrong step and you're dead. Were her parents idiots?" Deidara blurted out thoughtlessly.
Konan smiled faintly at his innocence. "You really are a child."
"Hey, Sister Konan, how can you say that? I will complete my missions properly!"
"You've heard of the non-human caste, right?" Tobi said, shaking his beer can. "I remember the Land of Water didn't allow non-humans on land before. Later they did."
"Things didn't improve much," Kakuzu said calmly. "Killing non-humans wasn't considered murder. In our era, they were used to test blades."
❖━━━━❖
Note: Konan and Kita are both names with directional meanings in Japanese:
Kita (北) means north.
Konan (小南 / 子南) can be interpreted as "Small South" or "Child South."
Regarding the term "non-human": This story borrows the concept loosely from ancient Japanese social history. Historically, groups such as the Hinin and Burakumin were labeled as "non-human" or outcast classes. This term did not mean they were literally non-human; rather, they were excluded from mainstream society, denied rights, and forced into marginalized roles. It was a social classification rooted in discrimination, not biology or reality.
In this fic, references to "non-human"—especially in relation to Zaraki Kita—are symbolic and societal, not literal. It reflects how certain people are viewed, treated, or pushed to the edges of society. Zaraki Kita is fully human; the term is used to explore themes of exclusion, prejudice, and identity, highlighting that she was treated beneath society's standards, hence described as "non-human."There will be frequent mentions of this concept throughout the story.
Additionally, Zaraki Kita is mute due to circumstances that occurred in her past, which affects how she communicates in the early parts of the story. This condition is temporary, later in the story, she will recover her voice and be able to speak again.
Despite these challenges, the main character is far from helpless. She is fierce, not easily bullied, and a revenge seeking person. Her determination and strength are central to her character, even as she navigates a world that has treated her unjustly.
Thank you for reading, and I hope this clarification helps you enjoy the story more.