The morning air was crisp as Neya approached Madara, her voice quiet but determined. "Master… may we take a trip? Just for a few days?"
Madara's Eternal 16-Tomoe Rinnegan lingered on her, curiosity flickering in the faint crimson light. "Very well," he said slowly. "A trip it shall be."
Obito grinned. "A trip? You letting her boss you around now?"
Madara's gaze sharpened. "Do not test me, Obito."
Obito chuckled. "Oh, I do like testing people."
The rest of the Akatsuki prepared in silence. Hidan stretched lazily, Konan meticulously packed supplies, Pain coordinated strategies, Kisame smirked at the thought of a break, and Itachi simply observed, calm as ever. Their destination: Sirian Island, a hidden paradise far from the Land of Fire, a place Neya had longed to see.
The first glimpse of Sirian Island took their breath away. Crystal-clear waters lapped at the white sands, towering cliffs rose along the coast, and the air carried a mix of salt and wildflowers.
Neya's eyes sparkled. "It's… beautiful," she whispered.
Madara walked behind her, arms crossed. "Careful. Curiosity can be dangerous."
"I've survived your training. I can handle a few trees," she said, grinning.
Obito nudged Madara. "See? Fearless. Maybe too fearless for you."
Madara huffed. "Do not compare. She is learning restraint."
Obito rolled his eyes. "You two argue too much to be teacher and student."
"Silence," Madara replied. "Or I'll make sure you regret your amusement."
The group hiked along cliffs and through forests. Waterfalls spilled into hidden pools, inviting a brief detour. Hidan trailed behind with supplies, occasionally teasing Neya.
Meanwhile, Madara and Obito sparred lightly, each movement measured, exchanging strategies in whispers and half-jokes.
"Your stance is sloppy," Obito teased. "Even for you."
"I do not need perfection," Madara replied coldly. "Precision comes when it matters."
Obito rolled his eyes. "Typical. Always so dramatic."
Neya laughed quietly, enjoying the rare sight of Madara smiling faintly at Obito's antics.
Steam rose from a hot spring as the group soaked, tension from travel easing. Hidan tested Neya's reflexes with minor chakra exercises. Obito playfully splashed water at Madara.
"Stop that!" Madara barked, though a faint smile betrayed amusement.
"You're too serious," Obito said.
"I am serious about discipline," Madara replied sharply.
Neya silently thought how strange and warm it felt—Madara and Obito, bickering constantly, yet caring deeply in their own way.
At sunrise on the second day, the group reached a plateau overlooking valleys and hidden villages. Obito nudged Madara again.
"You know, if you smiled more, she might respect you," he said, nodding toward Neya.
"I do not require respect," Madara snapped.
"Sure you don't," Obito said, grinning. "You just want to scare everyone into obeying."
Neya trained under Hidan's watchful eyes, practicing precise chakra control. Madara occasionally offered advice, harsh but instructive.
"Focus, Neya. Power without control is chaos," he said.
"Yes, Master," she nodded.
Obito chimed in, "Even chaos can be fun. Balance it."
Madara's eyes narrowed. "Do not encourage disobedience."
Obito laughed. "You're impossible."
Evening fell, and the group shared meals while watching the sun dip behind the horizon. The bond between Madara and Obito grew stronger—they bickered like family, teasing each other relentlessly, yet clearly attached.
The next morning, the group arrived at Westalis, one of the island's three nations. The city was bustling, but oppression ran deep. Citizens whispered, eyes wary.
A young boy struggled with an adult over a loaf of bread. The man struck him, sending the boy running through narrow alleys.
Neya's heart clenched. "That boy…" she muttered.
That night, Neya sneaked to the shore and found him, shivering under the moonlight.
"What's your name?" she asked.
"Yuri," he whispered.
"Where do you live?"
"I… I have no home. My parents… they were killed by the Federation for having the Songeku clan's kekkei genkai. I have to save my friend, Aiori. She was taken a week ago."
Neya's eyes widened. "That's terrible. I'll help you."
Hidan appeared silently. "So, you're the one causing all this trouble?"
"I… I need your help," Neya said. "Please."
Hidan smirked. "Do you want me to come?"
"Yes," Neya replied firmly.
The following day, Neya and Hidan observed the Federation's control:
Patrols monitored every street.
Food and water were rationed to loyal citizens.
Fear ruled quietly, whispers of the Songeku and Raiku clans floated among the population.
Yuri revealed more of his story in hushed tones. "Aiori… she is the reincarnation of Zelda, the one who defeated my clan a thousand years ago. I am Lei, the Songeku reincarnated. The Federation wants our power to conquer the island. They took her first, but I will save her—and destroy them."
Neya nodded. "Then we'll help. Together."
At dawn, Neya and Hidan climbed the mountains where Aiori was held. The path was treacherous, winds icy and fierce. Hidan trained Neya in stealth, while Yuri unleashed his Ice Sage Mode below, crushing Federation patrols with precision.
At the summit, Garma, the Federation enforcer, awaited, channeling Aiori's energy into a massive device. Hidan told Neya to stay back as he killed nearly 111 soldiers with the Seal of Death.
Garma absorbed Aiori's energy, wielding fire and ice together. Hidan formed a dark chakra orb, destroying Garma's body—but Garma regenerated instantly.
Yuri arrived, unleashing a torrent of ice and water attacks. He fought Garma in a titanic struggle, every strike met with counter. Neya, sensing openings through her five senses, struck critical points with precise chakra strikes.
Finally, Garma fell, defeated. Aiori was freed, exhausted but alive.
Back at the hotel, Obito casually asked, "Where have you two been?"
"Just a morning walk," Neya and Hidan replied, sharing a small smile.
The Akatsuki and Neya returned to Budekan, victorious. Bonds were stronger, lessons learned, and shadows of Sirian Island lingered in their minds.