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Chapter 36: Summoning Island
Morning sunlight spilled across the horizon.
Where the Sky Fortress had once stood, there remained only a massive crater—its depth unfathomable.
At the crater's edge, a translucent vortex swirled into existence. From it stepped Obito Uchiha, his gaze cold and sharp as it fell upon the pit below.
"Tell me everything," he ordered darkly.
From the ground beside him, Black Zetsu slowly emerged from the soil like a shadowy ooze. "Lord Madara," it said with a sinister chuckle, "this used to be the outpost of the remaining Sky Ninja."
"According to the information collected by White Zetsu, they had constructed a massive airborne fortress here. Since it didn't relate to our plan, the White Zetsu network didn't pay it much attention—until yesterday, when a fierce battle drew them back."
"One side of that battle was Konan?" Obito asked coldly.
"Confirmed. White Zetsu spotted an enormous Paper Release construct in the sky. In the entire ninja world, only she wields such a technique."
Obito clenched his teeth, staring down at the crater. "What was she doing here? Was it for that fortress?"
"Judging by current intel, that's the most likely reason," Black Zetsu replied. "Though… there's also a chance she obtained something from the Sky Ninja leader, Shinnō."
Shinnō had hidden himself so deeply that even Black Zetsu, who had monitored powerful shinobi for centuries, had been deceived.
Though it still didn't consider Konan a true threat to its ultimate plan, curiosity stirred within it—what exactly was she after?
After escaping from Amegakure, she'd gone to Takigakure, then to the ruins of Soragakure. Each step was deliberate, as if collecting something specific.
A faint unease crept through Black Zetsu's mind. If she continued this way, something troublesome might happen.
But it dismissed the thought almost instantly.
How could a mere woman without any Ōtsutsuki bloodline, whose strength had already peaked, possibly hinder its grand design?
Black Zetsu smirked inwardly. I'm being paranoid.
Besides, Konan was elusive—constantly on the move, able to fly at will. Chasing her would waste more effort than it was worth.
"Keep tracking that traitor's movements," Obito ordered coolly. "Don't let her slip away."
With that, his form spiraled into a vortex and vanished.
"Heh…" Black Zetsu's laughter echoed low and eerie. Its gaze lingered briefly where Obito had disappeared before it, too, sank back into the earth.
...
Kumogakure — Office of the Fourth Raikage
Boom!
With a thunderous crash, the enormous dark-skinned Raikage smashed his desk into splinters, shards of wood scattering across the room.
"Lord Raikage," Mabui sighed from behind her file, shielding herself from flying debris, "that's the hundredth desk you've broken."
"Hmph!" The Raikage's fist tightened, rage blazing in his eyes. "Karui and the others still haven't sent their routine report. Something's wrong!"
"You think something happened with the Sky Fortress?" Mabui asked, frowning as she stepped forward.
"None of the Five Great Nations have reported Sky Ninja activity. It took us considerable time to gather intelligence on them and station our team there."
"By logic, there shouldn't be a powerful force targeting the Sky Ninja. Karui and her team are elite jōnin—they should've been able to handle anything. For them to vanish without sending even a single message…"
She trailed off, her brow furrowing deeper.
The only formidable fighter known from Soragakure was that old man—Shinnō. It was unthinkable that he could defeat or even silence three Cloud jōnin.
"The Sky Ninja Village has definitely encountered an unknown factor," Raikage growled. "Send Samui and Omoi. Two full jōnin squads are to head to Soragakure's ruins immediately. The Sky Fortress is a strategic weapon of Kumogakure—we can't afford to lose it!"
"Yes, my lord!" Mabui bowed and hurried off to deliver the orders.
...
By evening, the sky blazed crimson.
On the deck of the Sky Fortress, the sunset clouds seemed close enough to touch.
Ever since the black-clad Sky Ninja realized that their new leader enjoyed relaxing on the deck to watch the view, he'd personally ordered a pavilion built at the best vantage point.
Now, Konan sat at the stone table within that pavilion, her expression tranquil as the clouds drifted just beyond the railing.
It was the most peaceful day she'd had in a long time.
After more than a day of flight, the Sky Fortress had left the mainland behind, gliding steadily over the open sea.
The black-clad Sky Ninja approached quietly, carrying a tray. "My lady, I caught this sea fish myself. The chef prepared it with great care. Please enjoy."
He placed the tray before her like a trained attendant, then bowed and retreated several steps before turning to leave—his movements silent and respectful.
This guy really does know how to serve people... Alex thought, watching him go.
Over the day, that man—what was his name, Kameda?—had proven diligent and precise. Every order Konan gave, every meal, every detail, he handled flawlessly.
[Eat up,] Alex's words appeared across a floating sheet of paper. [We'll arrive at the Land of the Sea by tomorrow morning.]
"Then let's eat together." Konan smiled softly and patted her chest.
Heh, don't mind if I do, Alex thought, diving into her chest in a flash of light—nestling against the familiar softness.
Leisurely, he absorbed her chakra, content.
It had become a small routine between them—a quiet habit of shared meals in their own strange way.
Konan ate slowly, savoring the tender sweetness of the fish, the sensation on her chest somehow making it taste even better.
...
By the next morning, the Sky Fortress hovered above dense clouds. Below stretched the endless sea, dotted with small, scattered islands.
They had reached the skies over the Land of the Sea.
Konan stood on the deck, gazing downward as if her eyes could pierce the clouds to the small outer island below—
Summoning Island.
The black-clad Sky Ninja stepped forward quietly. "My lady, we've arrived over the Land of the Sea. Do you wish us to take any action?"
"No," Konan replied, shaking her head. "Remain here and wait for my return."
Without another word, she stepped to the edge of the deck—and leapt.
Her body dropped through the clouds at incredible speed. Just before reaching the island below, her paper wings spread wide, catching the air and halting her descent.
Moments later, she landed gracefully upon the soil of Summoning Island.