In truth, Konan had sustained some injuries. Even a ninja skilled in Earth Release would find their ground turn to mud under Hidan's self-inflicted chaos. When Konan landed, she twisted her ankle, though it wasn't serious enough to keep her bedridden—just swollen for a few days. Compared to the rest of the team, she was lightly hurt.
Itachi, having overused Susanoo on the return, could barely move. Kisame had two ribs broken by the so-called village chief, plus a large gash. Kakuzu shattered three masks under attack by dozens, and Hidan… he simply enjoyed the pain.
Konan's ankle was wrapped neatly in snow-white bandages. Nagato held an ice pack against the slight swelling, a hint of reproach on his face.
"What were you thinking? I sent you instead of the others to avoid making a scene. And what did you do? Blew up half a mountain! Might as well have sent Deidara. You just explode everything and hurt yourself. How old are you? Don't you know to be careful…"
Nagato's endless scolding sounded less like the leader of Akatsuki and more like the Nagato of years past. Konan sat silently on the sofa, a fruit platter in hand, mostly expressionless. A slight wince betrayed the pain as she finally spoke in a soft voice, "Gentle… hurts."
Nagato immediately lightened his touch, looking at her. "Better?"
"Alright." Konan replied, popping a grape into her mouth. "This was my mistake. I lost control for a moment." She explained to Nagato while he shifted the ice pack to a different spot on her ankle. "I heard from Obito… things weren't looking good."
"Humans… really can't be trusted." Konan swallowed the grape and murmured. "False Valley… it truly lives up to its name. Everyone shouting for peace, yet none can show their true selves. Stabbing others in the back, one after another, each act sharper than the last."
She remembered that day in the valley: people chatting one moment, then using others as shields the next, all while preaching peace and happiness. Hypocrisy so suffocating, calling it a 'Peach Blossom Land' was an insult to any real sanctuary. Everyone disguised themselves, unable to face what they had done. Humans… they really know how to run.
"Today, like yesterday… the world is still full of trash." Nagato's words were more reassuring than observation. Konan looked down at him carefully holding her injured ankle, the care in his hands delicate to the extreme.
"Fortunately, the organization is made up of capable people. Even if they're scum, they're tolerable."
"Hah, are you complimenting them indirectly? That's rare."
Nagato chuckled. Konan remained silent, her appetite for grapes gone. She placed the platter on the table and spoke quietly.
"When you kill, you must be ready to be killed. But those people weren't. I saw a boy named Ishisetsu… an Earth Release ninja."
"Earth Release?"
"Yes… a kekkei genkai combining Water and Earth Release. He was discriminated against in his village for both his power and its very existence. Only one boy was his friend. One day, bandits raided the village. Ishisetsu used his power to drive them away, yet the villagers feared him. They planned to kill Ishisetsu, and to prevent his friend from warning him, killed that friend. When Ishisetsu found out… he slaughtered the entire village and became a wanted criminal. His dearest friend… was gone forever. Ridiculous… Nagato, those who hurt him were the ones he risked his life to protect. Why can such people be called human? Why does the world have so many scum?"
"No." Nagato didn't look up. "Those people are dead. Otherwise, Ishisetsu wouldn't be a wanted man."
Konan froze, then nodded awkwardly.
"That's true. This time, Ishisetsu led us in. He used a clone to look like his friend—he alone didn't disguise himself. When his friend died, he died too. Only an empty shell survived. Death… is probably liberation for him."
Nagato paused his movements, setting the ice pack aside, gently massaging her ankle. Looking at her, his Rinnegan eyes softened in a rare display of warmth. "Konan… what's wrong?"
Konan shook her head. "Nothing… I just don't understand why scum always seem to survive better than anyone else."
"At least the scum are dead now." Nagato said, turning to her. "What exactly happened? Why so upset?"
Years of friendship allowed him to read her without expressions. Even if she tried to hide it, it was useless. Konan raised a hand to cover her face, a soft whisper escaping her lips.
"I… I just… suddenly wanted… wanted Kita so badly."
Nagato was silent.
"Itachi called Kita's name. I only overheard, and forced myself not to think of her on the way. But in False Valley… watching those people run, I couldn't stop thinking about her. Why was I so foolish before? Why didn't I hide her identity like they did? If I had been firm and protected her identity, maybe many things wouldn't have happened. She joined the organization early—maybe she wouldn't have faced Uchiha Madara directly. Why did I let her run wild? How could I be so stupid… Yahiko too, Kita too…"
"Konan… what happened with Yahiko and Kita isn't your fault." Nagato said firmly. He grabbed her hand, gently but decisively removing it from her face. He saw her faintly reddened eyes. Even in tears, her expression remained cold, emotionless—as if the face of a non-human Kita had shattered all expressions. No smiles, no warmth, only pain and despair buried beneath.
"If anyone is to blame… it's this world's fault. It's Madara's fault. None of it is yours. Yahiko, Kita… they would never think it's your fault. They would never see you like this. So stop tormenting yourself. Understand?"
His voice was gentle yet unwavering, eyes terrifying but comforting. Konan neither shook nor nodded. She simply looked at Nagato, then wiped the tears lingering in her eyes, whispering, "Sorry… for worrying you."
The emotions, pain and despair, were withdrawn. Even Nagato couldn't read anything more from that calm, well of a face.
"Konan, you—"
"Even if many bodies were unidentifiable, the client didn't withhold a single penny. Don't worry. There will be no complaints this time." She spoke of other matters, slowly retracting her injured leg onto the sofa. Though moving it caused a faint twinge, it was nothing serious.
"Awful… first injury in all these years."
Nagato pursed his lips, then nodded. "You know your limits. Rest a few days. Give the work other people."
"No need. It's minor. Want to eat? Let's order takeout."
"Fine. What do you want?"
"Tuna rice bowl. Can you get it?"
"Mm."
Nagato stood, heading out. Itachi… probably has some tricky missions to handle.
━━━━ ❖ ━━━
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