Hidan, in an attempt to prove his innocence, lifted his shirt, revealing a toned abdomen devoid of any injuries. "See! I wasn't lying! Lady, you must be mistaken."
"The pain isn't… that kind of pain," Konan groaned, clutching her stomach.
"Maybe you ate something bad. Anyway, it's not my fault!" Hidan protested.
As Konan writhed in pain on the ground, Hidan continued to deny any involvement. Kakuzu, indifferent, looked on, while Itachi observed a crow perched on a nearby branch. This wasn't an ordinary crow—it was the one used for his communications with Natsuo.
Itachi had already sensed Natsuo's presence through the crow, but he wondered why Natsuo hadn't shown himself yet. "Natsuo, could this be your doing?" Itachi mused silently. He couldn't understand why Natsuo would go to such lengths just to cause Konan discomfort.
Before he could analyze further, the crow disappeared along with Natsuo.
"Konan, you're one of the few female ninjas I respect. This is just a stomach ache. Don't act so weak," Kakuzu scoffed. "Get up. We have work to do, and wasting time here will only cost me money."
Konan's forehead was slick with sweat, her cheeks flushed. "I can't move… It's not just the pain; my consciousness and body… they're going numb…"
Before she could finish, Konan fainted.
"Women are so troublesome!" Kakuzu grumbled, his killing intent flaring. "Itachi, don't stop me. I'll remove her head and give you a share of the bounty. How about two percent?"
"It's not wise to act against Konan, given her relationship with the leader," Itachi advised.
"Are you scared?"
Itachi ignored Kakuzu, gently lifting Konan onto his back. "Let's head back to the base."
Late that night, Natsuo returned to Konoha, exhausted from his journey.
[Ding! Uchiha clan member +1. Comprehensive potential rating: B. Chakra reserves doubled.]
"Double? What's going on? Did I hit a jackpot?" Natsuo wondered.
[With the system at Level 2, rewards are more substantial. The higher the system level, the greater the rewards. So keep it up, kid.]
"Yeah, yeah. I'm always working, aren't I?"
[By the way, that blue-haired woman seemed promising. I have a feeling her child will be exceptionally powerful.]
"Of course. Konan is among the top five kunoichi in the ninja world. Otherwise, I wouldn't have traveled so far."
Natsuo looked forward to seeing Konan's child in ten months, believing it could greatly enhance his abilities. He planned to have Itachi keep an eye on her to ensure the child's safe birth.
As he mused over these thoughts, Natsuo failed to notice an obstacle in his path until he collided with something soft.
"Ah!" A woman's startled cry rang out as she stepped back.
"I'm sorry! I wasn't paying attention. Are you okay?" Natsuo apologized, looking up to see a striking woman before him.
Unlike Kurenai's gentle, girl-next-door charm or Anko's playful cuteness, this woman possessed a unique blend of elegance and strength. Her striking purple hair, tied in a high ponytail, and her pink kimono highlighted her beauty.
"Uzuki Yūgao… it's you?" Natsuo recognized her immediately. "Why are you out here so late?"
If she had been an ordinary woman, she might have already been targeted by the village's unsavory characters. Fortunately, she was a skilled kunoichi.
"I… I…" Yūgao hesitated, biting her lip as she struggled to find her words. Gathering her courage, she looked Natsuo in the eyes and confessed, "Natsuo… I'm here to tell you that I like you. I want to marry you…"
"Uh…" Natsuo was stunned.
Itachi, carrying Konan, reached the base without incident. "Konan needs medical attention," he informed Pain, who quickly called for a medic. Konan's condition puzzled them, as it didn't match any known illness or injury.
Back in Konoha, Natsuo was still processing Yūgao's confession. "Yūgao… I didn't know you felt this way…"
"I've admired you for a long time, Natsuo. You're strong, kind, and everything I've ever wanted," Yūgao said, her voice trembling but determined. "I know this is sudden, but I couldn't keep my feelings hidden anymore."
Natsuo felt a mix of emotions. He hadn't expected such a direct confession, especially from someone like Yūgao. "Yūgao, I'm honored by your feelings. But this is a lot to take in. Can we talk about this more?"
"Yes, of course," Yūgao replied, her relief evident. "Thank you for listening to me."
As they walked back to the village, Natsuo's mind raced with thoughts about the future, his responsibilities, and how Yūgao might fit into his plans. He realized that his life was becoming increasingly complicated, but he couldn't deny the warmth he felt from Yūgao's words.
At the Akatsuki base, Konan slowly regained consciousness. "What happened?" she asked weakly.
"You fainted from severe stomach pain. We're investigating the cause," Pain explained, his voice calm but concerned.
Konan nodded, grateful for the care but also worried about the mysterious ailment. She couldn't shake the feeling that something unusual was happening.
As Natsuo and Yūgao reached the village, they parted ways with a promise to talk again soon. Natsuo knew he had to navigate this new development carefully, balancing his personal feelings with his greater goals.
The next day, Natsuo visited Itachi. "I need you to keep a close watch on Konan. Ensure she's safe and monitor any changes."
Itachi nodded. "Understood. What about Yūgao?"
Natsuo sighed, "I need to figure that out. For now, let's focus on Konan and the bigger picture."