Chapter 82: Unknowingly Becoming a Time Management Master!
Oborotsuki returned home when the eastern sky had already begun to brighten with the first light of dawn.
He yawned, preparing to head back to his room to sleep.
Staying up all night and continuously interrogating had left his body feeling just a little fatigued.
Of course, the main reason was his biological clock telling him it was time to rest properly.
Just as he stepped through his bedroom door, he heard the sound of another door opening across the hall.
It was Konan's room.
He suddenly remembered that he hadn't really had a proper conversation with Konan and the others for two or three days now.
He had been so rushed that he barely even had time to see them.
So Oborotsuki stopped in his tracks and looked back toward the opposite door.
Sure enough, Konan walked out wearing loose pajamas.
Her graceful figure made her appear especially tall and elegant. The oversized sleepwear only added an extra layer of allure to her right now.
Well… looks like there won't be any sleep after all.
Oborotsuki sighed helplessly to himself.
Somehow, without even realizing it, he had become a master of time management.
"You just got back now?"
Konan looked up, saw Oborotsuki, immediately walked over, and asked with concern.
"Yeah…"
"Work's been pretty busy."
Oborotsuki nodded casually.
"Mei must have pulled an all-nighter too, right? With Kirigakure in its current state, there must be so many things to handle."
"You guys have really been working hard."
Konan reached him, gently touched his face, and spoke with a soft smile.
"Why are you up so early?"
Oborotsuki's eyes flickered. He changed the subject while crouching down, pressing his ear gently against Konan's belly to listen to the strong heartbeat of the little one inside.
"I was worried since you hadn't come back… so…"
"So you didn't sleep all night?"
Oborotsuki immediately frowned, his tone carrying a hint of reproach.
But Konan shook her head:
"I did sleep… just on and off, half-asleep, always having nightmares…"
She finished, rubbing her temples lightly.
"You're too tense."
"Relax…"
Oborotsuki moved behind her and began gently massaging her shoulders to help her unwind.
But Konan let out a quiet sigh.
"I heard about it."
She said softly.
"Heard about what?"
Oborotsuki's hands paused. His eyes flickered again, but he continued massaging as if nothing was wrong.
He already knew what Konan was about to bring up.
"You brought both Sasori and Orochimaru into the village…"
Konan lifted her head and met his gaze.
Seeing the surprise and shock on Oborotsuki's face, she couldn't help but purse her lips and smile:
"What? Did you forget what my job was in Akatsuki?"
Mentioning Akatsuki caused a slight flicker in Konan's eyes—she looked a little uncomfortable.
"I know—you were in charge of intelligence and coordination, right?"
Oborotsuki laughed along, gently stroked her hair, then turned serious:
"You don't need to worry. I know exactly what I'm doing."
Since Konan already knew that both Orochimaru and Sasori had joined Kirigakure and were now working under him,
There was no need to hide it anymore.
What she was worried about was already crystal clear.
Sure enough, Konan took a deep breath and looked at Oborotsuki helplessly:
"What you're doing… could very well completely enrage Uchiha Madara and Nagato."
"If Nagato really comes to Kirigakure… we might…"
Thinking of the terrifying power of the Rinnegan, Konan felt deep worry.
If Oborotsuki had only recruited the defected Orochimaru and forcibly brought Sasori over,
Perhaps it wouldn't have completely enraged Nagato and Madara.
But Oborotsuki had done far more than that—he now controlled both the Three-Tails and the Nine-Tails.
That was simply intolerable.
Akatsuki's goal was to gather all the tailed beasts. Only with the combined power of all nine could they carry out their ultimate plan.
That meant—sooner or later—Akatsuki and Kirigakure would have to fight head-on.
Konan wasn't worried for herself, nor for the shinobi of Kirigakure.
She was worried about the baby still growing in her womb, about Kushina's son Naruto, about Mayumi's daughter Karin…
And recently she heard that even Yūhi Kurenai might be pregnant too. If that was true, then there were four babies to consider.
If Nagato really came to attack Kirigakure, this place would become a living hell…
Hearing Konan's words and seeing her worried expression, Oborotsuki felt a pang of heartache. He reached out and gently caressed her lovely face:
"I already told you—no matter what happens, I will take care of all of you."
"I promised you, and I will keep that promise."
"Trust me. During this time I've just been preparing. Once I'm fully ready, I will settle all these troubles once and for all!"
"After that, no one will ever be able to threaten us—or our children!"
Oborotsuki said softly, comforting Konan.
But just as he finished speaking, a soft "pfft" sound of stifled laughter came from somewhere.
Oborotsuki frowned and turned toward Yūhi Kurenai's room.
Sure enough, the door opened, and Red walked out with a teasing tone:
"So early in the morning and already saying such cheesy things… you gave me goosebumps!"
The originally serious atmosphere was instantly broken by Red's appearance.
Oborotsuki continued hugging Konan with his right arm, comforting her and telling her not to worry so much.
At the same time, his left hand beckoned to Red.
Red obediently—and with a hint of playfulness—walked over cheerfully:
"By the way… where did you sneak off to last night?"
"Sneak off? I was working!"
Oborotsuki rolled his eyes helplessly.
But Red gave him a look that said "I've seen through your lies," pointing her finger teasingly at him:
"You're lying~"
"At 1:30 in the morning I specially went to the Mizukage office to bring you guys a midnight snack, but only Mei and Risa were there. You weren't there at all!"
Faced with Red exposing his lie, Oborotsuki could only laugh awkwardly.
Konan looked at him in surprise:
"You weren't in the office? Then where were you last night?"
"Who said missions have to be done in the office?"
Oborotsuki asked back with righteous confidence.
"But I asked Mei, and she said…"
"Said what?!"
"Early in the morning and you already want to eat apples?"
Oborotsuki interrupted her impatiently, giving Red a light knock on the head.
"Eat apples?"
Red paused in confusion.
"Oh right, Oborotsuki, I actually wanted to mention this too… lately I've been craving things. I don't know if it's because of the baby, but I just keep wanting to eat."
"You should buy some fruit later, okay?"
Konan looked up at Oborotsuki and reminded him.
"Oh? You want apples too?"
Oborotsuki immediately grinned wickedly.
"Apples are fine, pears too… but what I really want is something sour, like oranges…"
Konan answered seriously and earnestly.
"No need to go through all that trouble. I've got apples right here in my room."
Oborotsuki said with a mysterious smile.
"Really?"
Both women looked at him in surprise.
"Why would I lie to you? Come in and see for yourself."
With that, Oborotsuki turned and walked toward his room.
Konan and Red exchanged a glance, half-believing and half-doubting, then followed him.
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