Hidden Rain Village.
Konan stared at the doctor before her, her expression a mask of bewilderment.
"What did you say, Doctor?"
"Congratulations, Lady Angel. You are pregnant." A female doctor in a white coat stood before Konan, holding a medical report and offering a respectful smile.
"How... how can that be?" Konan's eyes widened.
How could she be pregnant? She had only experienced it once. A single night, and she had conceived? This was far too accurate!
Konan felt herself drifting. Her mind involuntarily flashed back to that night before she parted ways with Uchiha Raizen. They had both drunk too much, and somehow, they had ended up together. It was a night of dry wood meeting a fierce fire—an absolute blaze.
Holding the report, Konan walked out of the hospital with complicated emotions. She never imagined she would carry Raizen's child.
Just one night was all it took.
Stroking her abdomen, she couldn't help but feel a surge of longing for him.
The Angel's Doubt
Back atop the high tower, Konan stood at the edge of the balcony, gazing toward the Land of Fire. Her eyes were filled with nostalgia.
"What's wrong, Konan? Something on your mind?" The Deva Path stepped up behind her, his tone laced with concern.
"It's nothing. I'm just wondering... is everything we've done so far meaningful? Is the path we're following truly the right one?"
"Nagato, tell me... who have we saved? Everything we've done has only brought pain to others. Will this really lead to a peaceful world? Aren't we just inflicting the same trauma on others that we once endured?"
After discovering her pregnancy, she suddenly felt that her past actions lacked purpose.
"Konan, you've changed!!" The Deva Path looked at her with a complex gaze. "Have you forgotten the pain we suffered? Have you forgotten Yahiko's dream? Every step we've taken has been to realize the world he wanted! How can you say it's wrong or meaningless?"
"Only when they feel pain will they understand the value of peace. Only by experiencing what we went through will they truly desire it."
"Peace... will it ever truly come?" Konan sighed. "With so much hatred between the Great Villages, can there ever be a day of peaceful coexistence?"
Nagato, through the Deva Path, replied: "That is why we need ultimate power. To sweep across the villages, dismantle their orders, and establish a new one. We will bring peace ourselves."
"Then how are we any different from the Five Great Nations of the past?" Konan shook her head and turned to leave.
The Secret Investigation
Nagato watched her retreating back, his mind racing. Soon after, another figure appeared at the hospital: the Human Path.
"My Lord, how can I help you?" the female doctor asked respectfully.
"Why was the Lady Angel here?" the Human Path asked tonelessly.
"The Lady Angel came for a physical check-up!"
Deep within his secret chamber, Nagato froze. He channeled his voice through the puppet: "Is she ill?"
"The Lady Angel is in excellent health!"
"Then why come to the hospital?"
"The Lady Angel is pregnant!"
"What!?"
In the hidden room, Nagato's eyes nearly bulged out of his head. Konan is pregnant? How is that possible?
He suspected he had misheard. He forced the Human Path to ask again: "Are you absolutely certain?"
The doctor nodded. "Quite certain. There is no mistake."
Nagato found the fact impossible to digest. How could Konan be pregnant!? No wonder she's been so sentimental lately... she has a new attachment!
He let out a deep, pained sigh. Who? Who won her heart? Was it a member of Akatsuki? Or someone else?
Nagato racked his brain. Konan was always by his side. Wait... Konan went on a mission recently. Could it have happened then? Her most recent long-term assignment was in Konoha, acting as a bodyguard.
Did it happen there?
Recalling Konan's recent morning sickness, he calculated the timing.
Did someone in Konoha bully her? Did they force themselves on her...?
Nagato's gaze turned frigid, his killing intent leaking out. Whoever dared to touch Konan, I will see you dead!!!
In his mind, it was impossible for Konan to have fallen in love. It had to be an assault—someone taking advantage of her.
Damned wretch. I, Nagato, will never forgive you.
With a thought, the Six Paths of Pain converged on his location. A moment later, one of the puppets hoisted Nagato's emaciated, paralyzed body onto its back.
"I'm going to see for myself who dared to lay a hand on Konan."
Bristling with murderous intent, Nagato began his trek toward Konoha. To him, Konan was his most precious family. If someone hurt her, he would risk everything for vengeance.
Awkward Mornings
In Konoha, Raizen had spent the night at Shizune's house. When he stepped out the front door the next morning, he found Tsunade standing there with a knowing, mischievous smirk.
Raizen felt a wave of embarrassment wash over him.
"Good morning, Sister Tsunade! Why aren't you spending time with Nawaki? You're here quite early."
"Nawaki is still asleep," Tsunade replied, her eyes twinkling. "I came to invite you to my place for breakfast. I've prepared a feast to thank you properly."
She leaned in and gave him a wink. "You're quite the worker, Little Brother! I heard everything last night!"
Raizen's eyes went wide. "Sister... you weren't eavesdropping at the door, were you?"
"Who would be bored enough to do that!?" Tsunade huffed. "The sound carried over to my house, okay? Did you think I was listening on purpose?"
Raizen was stunned. "It carried to your house? Sister, where exactly do you live?"
Tsunade pointed to the building right next door. "I live right there. Didn't you know?"
Raizen looked at the house. He truly had no idea Shizune's place was adjacent to Tsunade's.
"Uh... Sister Tsunade, my apologies. I'm sorry if we kept you awake last night!"