Regaining his composure, Byakuya reached for a map, his brow furrowed in self-deprecation.
After a half-day detour caused by his earlier wariness, he and Konan had strayed considerably from their intended route. Reaching the black market on the border today, as they had originally planned, seemed out of the question now.
Delay was inevitable, pushing their arrival back to sometime tomorrow or the day after.
These unforeseen delays weren't entirely without merit, however. Not only had they amassed a significant amount of spoils, but they had also crossed paths with pivotal characters in the grand narrative – Kakashi and Minato Namikaze.
Byakuya noted with satisfaction that Obito hadn't awakened his Sharingan yet, indicating the Battle of Kannabi Bridge was still a ways off. This afforded him and the nascent Akatsuki more time to solidify their foundation.
More importantly, the innocent Konan by his side, having weathered this recent encounter, would hopefully develop a modicum of caution and shed some of her naivety regarding their adversaries.
Lost in contemplation, Byakuya was startled by Konan leaning in, her voice laced with suspicion. "Byakuya, about the waterproof grease you had on you earlier – how exactly did you know about the weakness of Paper Release?"
Byakuya felt a twitch at the corner of his mouth. He'd thought his earlier actions had fostered some wariness in Konan, but here she was, eyeing him with suspicion.
After a calculated pause, Byakuya spoke slowly, fabricating an explanation. "It wasn't difficult to miss your paper shurikens getting damp from the rain."
Konan's skepticism remained unconvinced, prompting Byakuya to elaborate. "Of course, the real trump card was that I, too, have mastered the Paper Release secret technique. Without it, defeating that Iwagakure jonin wouldn't have been so effortless."
Konan's eyes widened in disbelief. Paper Release was her signature jutsu, unique to her. The notion of someone else mastering it was far more astounding than the mere presence of waterproof grease.
Byakuya, maintaining his facade, offered a curt nod. "Back at the base, I would often observe you practicing Paper Release. It piqued my curiosity, and to my surprise, I managed to grasp your secret technique. Given the urgency of the situation, I didn't dare reveal it until now."
Konan's emotions churned within her. Up until today, if she'd discovered Byakuya secretly learning her Paper Release technique, she might have grumbled internally but wouldn't have hesitated to teach him properly. After all, they were comrades-in-arms.
But this new reality was far more complex. Byakuya hadn't simply learned her secret jutsu in secret – he had seemingly surpassed her in its mastery. The question loomed: who exactly was imitating whom here?
The raw shock on Konan's face was undeniable. Byakuya, too, felt a pang of unease. He knew pushing the deception this far might backfire, but revealing the truth about the system was out of the question.
Among his remaining options, feigning straightforwardness by admitting to learning the technique secretly seemed like the least damaging path.
An awkward silence stretched between them as Konan struggled to formulate a response. Finally, she stammered, "I... I wasn't aware your Paper Release skills were so advanced. It seems I have much more work to do. Speaking of, what are your thoughts on the technique itself? Is there potential for further development?"
Despite his own awkwardness, Byakuya mirrored her efforts to keep the conversation flowing. "I believe imagination is the cornerstone of Paper Release. With a boundless imagination, one could even envision paper granting the ability to fly. However, within the realm of practical applications, I find the creation of explosive tags to be the most advantageous."
Konan's eyes widened. The concept of utilizing Paper Release for explosive tags had never crossed her mind.
Seizing the opportunity, Byakuya elaborated. "Konan-senpai, explosive tags are a formidable weapon on the battlefield. Mastering their creation would grant us a virtually limitless arsenal. Even Kage-level opponents could be overwhelmed by a relentless barrage of explosions."
As Byakuya expounded on the virtues of explosive tags, a spark ignited in Konan's eyes. This novel application of her signature jutsu resonated deeply. While the explosive power was undeniable, a nagging concern surfaced in the back of her mind. Reliant solely on explosive tags for offense would severely limit versatility and control, potentially leading to collateral damage – a stark contrast to Yahiko's pacifistic ideals.
A shiver ran down Konan's spine at the thought. Yet, the logic behind mass-produced explosive tags was undeniable.
Enhanced offensive capabilities translated to defeating stronger enemies, ultimately expediting the realization of Akatsuki's goals. Additionally, whispers within the organization regarding Byakuya's origins fueled a flicker of suspicion.
Could Byakuya be deliberately manipulating her towards developing destructive jutsus, subtly pushing her away from Yahiko's vision and towards a path of bloodshed? The very thought was terrifying, yet the logic of the explosive tags remained irrefutable.
With this newfound power, she could overcome formidable foes. Akatsuki's ideals could be achieved with far greater ease.
Furthermore, Konan recalled snippets of instruction from Jiraiya-sensei pertaining to explosive tag creation. Mastering the technique wouldn't be an insurmountable hurdle.
[System Prompt: Akatsuki has added an elite Jonin. Reward: Explosive Tag Creation Method]
A satisfied smile crept across Byakuya's face upon hearing the system's chime. By subtly guiding Konan towards a jutsu she would inevitably master in the future, he had significantly bolstered her current strength, propelling her from a capable Jonin to an elite one. At this rate, achieving Kage-level power before adulthood wasn't out of the realm of possibility.
With Konan wielding Kage-level power, Byakuya's own influence within Akatsuki would undoubtedly soar. A formidable duo they would make.
After verifying they were untracked, Byakuya and Konan wasted no time, resuming their hurried journey. Their exchange regarding Paper Release concluded with a tacit understanding.
The lingering suspicion about Byakuya's clandestine acquisition of the technique was left unspoken. As comrades forged in the crucible of a recent skirmish, dwelling on such matters seemed trivial.
As they pressed towards the border town, Byakuya couldn't help but notice a stark decline in the number of travelers compared to the previous day. Whether these missing souls were wandering ninja or disguised military personnel remained unclear.
The brutal reality of war, however, was undeniable. The supposed rule safeguarding civilians often evaporated in the heat of conflict. Even collateral damage from ninja battles, with its devastating toll on civilian homes, inflicted unbearable hardship.
Ordinary people were left with no choice but to flee with their families, desperately seeking refuge from the war's wrath. Byakuya, a witness to countless such tragedies in his time here, harbored a deep-seated disagreement with Yahiko's ideals for precisely this reason.
Approaching the border town, a vague sense of unease settled over Byakuya. His premonition soon morphed into a harsh reality.
Their intended destination lay in ruins, a desolate wasteland patrolled by a smattering of hidden village ninjas and the unfortunate civilians who hadn't managed to escape in time.
The town's destruction inevitably meant the black market, which thrived on its existence, had vanished as well. Their procurement mission had reached a dead end. To secure the necessary supplies, they were forced to explore new avenues.
"Konan-senpai," Byakuya addressed her, acknowledging his role as her escort, "Where do we proceed from here?"
Confronting the devastation before her, Konan mirrored Byakuya's uncertainty. "I'm at a loss. This was the only black market in the Land of Rain. There's nowhere else to acquire the medicine and weapons we need."
The sole black market within the Land of Rain? A hint of surprise flickered across Byakuya's face. Black markets, by their very nature, operated in the shadows. In a secluded country like the Land of Rain, steeped in isolationism, rebuilding one would likely be a protracted process.
However, as his gaze swept across the sprawling grasslands in the distance, a novel idea sparked within him.
"Konan-senpai, have you considered venturing beyond the Land of Rain? Perhaps other countries might have what we seek."