The night hung heavily over Konoha as Uchiha Hikaru and Saya spoke in low voices, sharing idle chatter.
They talked about which snacks in Konoha were the best, how Kisame had ended up joining the village, and what kind of ninja Maruboshi Kosuke really was.
Finally, after more than an hour of casual conversation, Uchiha Hikaru suddenly spoke with sharp clarity:
"Konan of the Hidden Rain Village... how long do you plan on hiding?"
"It's exhausting pretending I don't notice you, you know?"
"If you have something to say, just come out and say it. It's tiring for everyone to keep pretending."
His tone carried a trace of weariness and resignation.
Only then did Konan realize she had already been discovered.
But when exactly? Was it when she instinctively covered her eyes?
She'd looked away from him for just a moment—was that really enough?
As she tried to process it, the paper dove she'd sent fluttered apart, disassembling into white sheets that swirled together and reformed behind Hikaru and Saya.
Both stood up from the edge of the cliff, brushing dust off their clothes as they turned to face Konan.
Hikaru observed her—Konan's long black hair, her unfamiliar appearance. She had removed her usual purple lipstick and eyeshadow, and even the stud at her lip was gone. Somehow, she looked different. Raw. Real.
Without makeup, Konan had a distinct charm that couldn't be ignored.
"So," Hikaru asked with a slight smirk, "what's the leader of the Hidden Rain Village doing following me—Konoha's Assistant Hokage—at this hour of the night?"
"Don't tell me you're trying to get close and stir up some feelings?"
He studied her reaction, clearly amused and curious about how she would respond.
Normally, if anyone dared to speak to Konan like this, she would have attacked them without hesitation. But facing the man before her… she couldn't bring herself to be angry.
After a brief silence, just as she was about to open her mouth and speak, Hikaru casually said:
"According to what Jiraiya and Orochimaru told me, I remember you having purple hair. Was that just makeup?"
The sudden shift in topic caught Konan off guard. It threw off her rhythm—and reminded her that Orochimaru may have already revealed more about the Akatsuki than she had expected.
Still, she asked the question anyway.
"How did you recognize me?"
"In the entire shinobi world, there's no one else who uses origami as ninjutsu. That alone gives you away," Hikaru replied calmly. "Add in the fact that you're the leader of the Hidden Rain—how could I not know?"
"Even if your goal is to capture the Tailed Beasts, you were still Jiraiya's students. As long as you haven't acted against the shinobi world or against Konoha—"
"—for Jiraiya's sake, Konoha will not move against the Hidden Rain or the Akatsuki."
Konan exhaled slowly, quietly relieved. When she was first exposed, she feared a direct confrontation. If a fight broke out and she injured the child of the masked man, that would be unforgivable.
Luckily, it seemed this man—Uchiha Hikaru—was willing to leave the door open for dialogue. For Jiraiya's sake.
"Since you already know who I am, I won't pretend anymore. You've probably also heard from Jiraiya-sensei about Nagato's eyes," she said slowly. "I only want to know—was Nagato's Rinnegan really transplanted into him by someone else?"
"In return, the Akatsuki will hand over both Obito and Black Zetsu to Konoha."
Hikaru paused, evaluating her words. From the way she spoke, it was clear: Konan had gained considerable influence within the Akatsuki—perhaps even enough to overrule Nagato.
This was very different from the original timeline, where Konan had abandoned her own dreams and simply followed the will of Nagato and Yahiko.
But now... she was acting more like an elder sister, or even a leader herself.
It seemed the training he'd given her during those three months had paid off. It had given her a stronger backbone, a will of her own.
The fact that she was willing to hand over Obito and Black Zetsu was proof. In the original story, even after Yahiko's death, Nagato still intended to follow Obito—disguised as Madara—and pursue a twisted version of peace through pain.
"I can tell you clearly," Hikaru said. "Nagato was a war orphan from the destroyed Land of Whirlpools. There's no way he could've awakened the Rinnegan naturally."
"There's only one possibility: Uchiha Madara transplanted his own Rinnegan into Nagato when he was a child."
"And when Nagato uses that eye... don't the intense chakra consumption and side effects prove that it's not truly his?"
As he finished speaking, Uchiha Hikaru's eternal Mangekyō Sharingan shifted in his eyes—blue, gleaming, tranquil... and terrifying.
"Though my Rinnegan hasn't fully awakened yet, I can open and close it at will. It doesn't constantly drain my chakra."
Konan stared into those eternal eyes. The last of her doubts faded.
Yes... behind Nagato's Rinnegan, there was a hidden truth. A conspiracy. A manipulation.
"About the contents of the Uchiha stone tablet," she continued, "I want to know what's really written on it."
"You and Madara mentioned it during the battle. Something about the Ten-Tails and the Eye of the Moon Plan."
"We know the Ten-Tails is the original form of the Tailed Beasts... but what exactly is the Eye of the Moon Plan? And why did you say it's a false peace?"
Hikaru shook his head silently.
"I answered your first question. This is your second—it'll cost you."
Konan hesitated for only a moment. But in the end, she clenched her fists and pushed forward.
If it meant protecting Nagato—her brother in all but blood—she'd give up anything.
"What does Konoha want?"
"We're not asking for much," Hikaru replied. "We want the Hidden Rain to form an alliance with Konoha. Sign a trade agreement. Allow us to establish an orphanage in your village."
"That's it? Nothing else?" Konan asked, stunned.
That was all?
She had already been thinking of proposing a trade contract. Konoha's manufacturing industry was far beyond what the Hidden Rain had. She wanted her people to live better—have enough food, access basic goods, live with dignity.
And now... he was even offering to build an orphanage in the Hidden Rain?
Her heart softened.
That same warmth—compassion and strength—was exactly what she remembered from the masked man and woman who had saved her all those years ago.
There was no longer any doubt in her mind.
This Uchiha Hikaru... he had to be their son.
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Bonus Chapter at 150 Power Stone
Second Bonus Chapter - 300 Power Stones
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