Amegakure.
"Nagato, we've lost contact with every one of the informants we planted in an instant."
"Does that mean she made her move?" Nagato asked.
"Yes, it's highly likely. We investigated the area afterward and found traces of a devastating Fire Release attack," Konan said softly.
"Then it's time. We're going to find her."
Looking at the emaciated Nagato, Konan asked with a touch of concern, "Nagato, two years have passed. Have you decided how you're going to recruit her?"
Nagato shook his head slowly.
"In the past, we used force to compel others to join. But this time, I want to talk to her."
"Talk to her about the peace that Akatsuki aspires to."
"Are you certain you can actually recruit Kanon?"
"If she truly thirsts for peace, joining Akatsuki is undoubtedly her best choice. Besides," Nagato's gaze hardened, "according to that guy, the technology and conditions for a Mangekyo Sharingan transplant are ready. She has no reason to refuse us."
Watching Nagato's confident display, Konan voiced a question that had been troubling the group for a long time.
"But we can't exactly let her meet Itachi Uchiha, can we?"
Nagato glanced at Konan and let out a soft sigh. It was indeed a thorny issue. However, Deidara and Itachi also shared a mutual grudge; as long as they were kept apart, it shouldn't be a problem.
"I plan to go personally this time. This child is our fellow student. Since we intend to bring her into Akatsuki, we must show her our sincerity."
"As for Itachi Uchiha, we'll simply ensure their paths don't cross. The ritual for the Nine Phantom Dragons doesn't require that child anyway."
"I have high expectations for her. Konan, take me to her. Let's find Kanon Uchiha."
"Wait, I have one more question before we go."
"Ask," Nagato said, looking at the puzzled Konan.
"Which team do you plan to assign Kanon to?"
"Since she'll be a new member... hmm, let's put her with Deidara and Sasori. Deidara and Kanon share the same goal—they both want to take down Itachi. They should get along well enough."
"Anything else, Konan?"
"No. But... is your body really up for this?"
"I'll be fine. After all, she is our junior. Like us, she learned her ninjutsu from Jiraiya-sensei."
With that, Nagato and Konan set out. Their target was Kanon Uchiha. Since they aimed to show sincerity, it was only fitting that the leader of Akatsuki go himself.
…
Walking through a dense forest, Kanon pondered her next destination. Unconsciously, Sasuke's face drifted into her mind.
She missed her brother. Two years had passed, and she wondered how much he had changed. He was her only living relative in this world; she wanted to see him.
Picking up her pace, she traveled for a full day before arriving at a small town.
The town was mostly populated by civilians with very few shinobi in sight. After purchasing some daily necessities, Kanon made her way to a nearby Bounty Station.
There, she picked up a new Bingo Book. As she flipped through the pages, a slight smirk played on her lips. There it was: her own S-Rank bounty.
Kanon Uchiha. Bounty: 50,000,000 Ryo.
"So, those people in Konoha finally did it."
"In that case, don't blame me for what comes next..."
Kanon closed the manual, her expression turning cold.
…
That night, a young Konoha shinobi wearing a standard green flak jacket passed through the town. He was traveling alone on a mission.
"I can't believe Tsunade-sama keeps giving me missions like this..." he grumbled to himself. "I'm capable of so much more."
He ducked into a local tavern and shouted, "Proprietor! Bring me two bottles of sake!"
An hour later, he stumbled out of the tavern, head spinning, barely able to keep a straight line.
It was late, and the streets were deserted. The Konoha Chunin looked up at the moon and grinned foolishly.
"Ah... Tsunade-sama... if you would only marry me... I'd die a happy man!"
He thought back to the "ample assets" he'd seen while reporting to the Hokage, and a bit of blood trickled from his nose. Only the alcohol gave him the courage to harbor such private fantasies.
But as his gaze drifted downward, away from the full moon, he saw a young girl in a red coat approaching him silently. She wore her hair in twin tails, carried a Kusanagi sword at her waist, and wore a fox mask.
"Hayato Yamazaki. Chunin of the Hidden Leaf. Bounty: 5.5 million Ryo. Yes, you're the one."
Kanon checked the headshot in the Bingo Book against the drunkard in front of her as she walked.
"Me? Beat it, kid. Don't annoy me."
Behind her mask, Kanon's expression remained flat. She continued to walk directly toward him.
"I told you to get lost! What do you think you're doing?!"
Seeing that she wouldn't answer, the man flew into a rage. Hayato Yamazaki drew a kunai and lunged at Kanon. Even in his drunken state, he figured dealing with a mere child would be trivial.
However, his blade passed straight through the fox mask as if it were air. The lack of resistance instantly snapped him out of his stupor.
But it was too late. Before he could process what was happening, a piercing pain erupted in his chest.
Kanon's slender right hand had passed through his chest, phasing directly into the center of his heart.
"Don't worry, old man. The pain only lasts a second."
"You... what are you—!!"
Krrushht.
It was the sound of a heart being crushed.
Kanon's phased hand had squeezed the organ into pulp. There were no external wounds; in a single instant, the battle was over. His heart was nothing more than a bloody mess.
As she withdrew her hand, not a single drop of blood stained her skin. She watched coldly as the Konoha shinobi's eyes went dull. He slumped to the ground, lifeless. Kanon knelt down and gently closed his eyes.
"Done," she whispered. She sucked the corpse into her Flower Realm space and vanished from the spot.
When she reappeared, she was back at the Bounty Station.
After turning in the body and collecting the reward from the broker, Kanon finally decided to go find Sasuke. Fresh from her training at Ryuuchi Cave, the first person she wanted to see was her only family, her beloved older brother, Sasuke Uchiha.
Walking out of the Bounty Station, she bit her finger and slammed her palm onto the ground.
"Summoning Jutsu!"
POOF!
A massive cloud of white smoke erupted, and Gamabunta appeared.
"Where is this? Who summoned me?!" Gamabunta growled, sensing neither Naruto's nor Jiraiya's chakra.
Kanon, standing atop his head, blinked in surprise. She had messed up the summon.
"Oh, sorry. My mistake."
Hearing that sweet, melodic voice, Gamabunta froze.
"You... you're Kanon Uchiha?!"
Before he could finish, the Summoning Jutsu was released. Memories of training with Jiraiya and Naruto flooded Kanon's mind.
"Those really were unforgettable times. Well, no use dwelling on it. Let's try again."
"Summoning Jutsu!"
POOF!
A blue snake, massive as a mountain, appeared in a cloud of smoke. Kanon stood firmly atop its head.
"Kanon-sama, what are your orders?"
"Aoda, can you take me to see my brother Sasuke? And hey, we're friends, you can just call me 'Kanon-chan'!"
"Of course, Kanon-chan! It would be my honor."