"Brother Mask, and Sayaka..."
"Where are you two... how much longer do I have to wait..."
It wasn't until more than an hour later that Konan slowly stood up from the ground.
The rain had long since washed away the tears from her face, but her eyes were still red and swollen.
Her gaze regained its usual coldness and calm indifference.
"Fortunately, Nagato didn't send the Six Paths of Pain with me."
"Brother Mask said that no matter what, I must learn to hide my emotions..."
The paper wings behind her folded back in, then flared with a gust of wind as she rose into the sky.
She returned to the towering iron tower in the heart of Amegakure not long after.
"Nagato, I searched the surrounding area but didn't find anything suspicious."
"My chakra's been heavily consumed, so I'm going back to rest for now."
With that, she turned and headed straight into the depths of the tower.
Nagato glanced at Konan. She looked like her usual self—expressionless, composed. Nothing seemed out of place.
He opened his mouth to speak but hesitated as he watched her fading figure. In the end, he said nothing.
"Konan..."
"Forget it. We've been combing the Land of Rain nonstop. It's no surprise she's low on chakra..."
Konan returned to her quiet room. She sat on her soft, light purple bedsheets and reached under her pillow to pull out a somewhat worn, white notebook.
She opened it slowly and began reading from the first page once again.
[June 39, Year 6 of the Ninja Calendar]
Not long ago, Jiraiya-sensei chose to stay and accept Yahiko, Nagato, and me as his disciples.
I wonder where you are now, Brother Mask... It's been two years since you and Sayaka disappeared. When will you two return?
[June 39, Year 6 of the Ninja Calendar]
Sensei built us a new house today. It's beautiful. As a girl, I finally have my own room, but...
But it doesn't feel warm like it did when I was with Brother Mask and Sayaka...
[June 39, Year 7 of the Ninja Calendar]
Today, Nagato and Yahiko were attacked by Iwagakure ninja. I was home with Jiraiya-sensei. When I arrived, I saw Nagato's eyes—Rinnegan, ringed, violet-blue. Terrifying…
I still feel safest when I'm with Brother Mask and Sayaka.
[June 39, Year 7 of the Ninja Calendar]
Sensei finally started teaching us ninjutsu today. But he trains Nagato separately every day. Is it to help him control that terrifying power?
Even though we're companions... those eyes still scare me a little.
Brother Mask... Sayaka... Are you two doing well?
[June 42, Year 7 of the Ninja Calendar]
It's been three years of training with Jiraiya-sensei. Today, he said goodbye and returned to the village.
Yahiko, Nagato, and I all felt a little empty inside...
It reminded me of the day you and Sayaka left me behind.
[June 42, Year 7 of the Ninja Calendar]
Yahiko wants to form an organization called "Akatsuki."
He says he wants to create a peaceful nation. It sounds so idealistic and naive... but if it could really come true...
I'd want to live there with you, Brother Mask. With Sayaka, too. Maybe even with Yahiko and Nagato...
[June 50, Year 9 of the Ninja Calendar]
Today, a man in a white mask appeared.
He talked about "saving the world" and called Nagato the savior. It was absurd. I could feel he was trying to manipulate Nagato—he only wanted the Rinnegan's power.
If Brother Mask were here, he'd definitely call him an idiot. Sayaka would too. I just know it.
[June 50, Year 9 of the Ninja Calendar]
Yahiko and Nagato were speaking in private today. I don't know what they said, but I think it was about that masked man.
I just hope those two idiots don't get brainwashed.
Brother Mask, Sayaka... please knock some sense into them if you see them.
[June 50, Year 12 of the Ninja Calendar]
Hanzo, the leader of the Hidden Rain Village, wants to negotiate with us.
But something feels wrong... it doesn't match what you told me, Brother Mask. Our power is nowhere near equal to Hanzo's. It reeks of a trap.
But Yahiko and Nagato believe it. I can't convince them...
What should I do?
[June 50, Year 12 of the Ninja Calendar]
Yahiko is dead.
It was a conspiracy—Hanzo and Danzo of Konoha.
I tried to warn them, but I was caught by Hidden Rain ninja.
Yahiko committed suicide to save me.
Nagato's legs were crippled. He awakened the full power of the Rinnegan... and used it to protect me.
I'm grateful. But I also hate them—for being naive. For being so... foolish!
Why were you so stupid, Yahiko?! I told you! Brother Mask told me! We can't afford to be idealistic in this world!
I hate idealists.
I hate that kind of ignorance and arrogance.
If you'd been rational, Yahiko wouldn't have died...
Brother Mask... Sayaka... what should I do?
[June 50, Year 12 of the Ninja Calendar]
Today should be New Year's Day...
But Yahiko's death hit Nagato hard. He's not the same person anymore.
He sought out the white-masked man and came up with a plan to hunt the Tailed Beasts.
It's terrifying. His mind's been poisoned. I can't reach him anymore. His thoughts are twisted—filled only with "pain" and "peace."
But... he's still my companion.
Brother Mask, Sayaka... what would you do?
[June 51, Year 13 of the Ninja Calendar]
I talked to Nagato about Yahiko today.
He still doesn't see Yahiko's ideals as naive.
He just hates the world now.
I can't reach him.
But he's still our companion...
Only you two can wake him up now. That's the only way to get through to a guy like Nagato...
[June 60, Year 15 of the Ninja Calendar]
Today, a mysterious chakra appeared on the border of the Land of Rain.
Nagato sensed it briefly... I didn't see the person myself.
But the moment he said it, I suddenly felt...
I don't know. It was like you were back.
I know that's stupid. Unrealistic. But I truly felt it in my heart...
Is this the "woman's sixth sense" you always talked about, Brother Mask?
I'm 27 now.
When will you come back to marry me?
You promised... that you'd marry both Sayaka and me.
Konan gently closed the notebook.
The worn white cover still held her warmth.
She placed it back under her pillow, lay back down, and stared blankly at the ceiling.
"...Don't leave me behind again..."
(｡•́︿•̀｡)
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