"The second house on the left after the grocery store."
Nagato, uninterested in the passersby, quickly searched for the grocery store's sign.
"Over there," Konan said, spotting the long-defunct store with her sharp eyes.
"Let's go." Nagato started walking briskly, his mind preoccupied with thoughts of that graceful figure.
After all these years, I wonder if she's doing well?
Turning left at the grocery store, the group soon stood in front of the second house. The door was patched in several places, with signs of repeated repairs visible everywhere.
Nagato took a deep breath and knocked on the door as agreed: one long knock, followed by two short ones.
Dongdongdong.
The door creaked open with barely a sound of footsteps.
A disheveled face appeared, the woman dressed like the other refugees in the area. She stared at Nagato in disbelief, rubbing her eyes as if to confirm what she was seeing. Her mouth opened as though to speak but no words ca out.
Suddenly, as if struck by a mory, she covered her face, turned abruptly, and ran back into the house.
"Why are you running?" Nagato called out, confusion filling his voice. "It's —Nagato."
Her reaction puzzled him. Could she not recognize him? Though her face was dirty and her figure had changed, he recognized her instantly—Nonō Yakushi, the woman he had thought of day and night.
His own appearance hadn't changed much over the years. His red hair was as distinct as ever; how could she not know him?
As these thoughts swirled in his mind, a surge of complex emotions rose in his chest, too tangled to identify.
"Is this her?" Yahiko asked hesitantly. He didn't know Nonō well, and her current appearance bore little resemblance to the woman he rembered. The gap was striking—her longer hair and more prominent chest were noticeable, but she didn't look good at all.
Konan glanced at Nagato, her eyes mirroring Yahiko's question.
"It's her," Nagato confird, regaining his composure. Without hesitation, he went after her.
"This is getting interesting," Kakuzu remarked with a smirk, his expression hinting at amusent. He observed Nagato, who now seed like a completely different person from the one who had once defeated him.
Inside the house, Nagato found Nonō bent over, washing her face. Slowing his pace, he approached her cautiously.
"You don't recognize ?"
Nagato's heart pounded in his chest, fearing the dreaded response: Who are you?
"Why would I?" Nonō straightened up, eting his gaze with a smile as bright as the sun. "You're my Pain."
The dust on her face had been washed away, and droplets of water slid down her fair skin. How could she not recognize Nagato? Her earlier reaction was just an unconscious desire to show her best side.
Nagato let out a deep sigh of relief, saying nothing. He stepped forward, opened his arms, and embraced Nonō tightly. Tears glimred faintly in his eyes as the joy of their reunion overwheld him.
Nonō, montarily stunned, stood still. In her mory, Nagato had never been so forward. After a brief hesitation, she wrapped her arms around his back, her chin naturally resting on his right shoulder.
The warmth they shared in that mont made them both wish ti would freeze.
"Ahem..."
"I think you've hugged enough," ca an ill-tid voice. Nonō looked up to see Yahiko's mischievous smile.
"Long ti no see, Yahiko and Konan."
"And who is this?" Nonō's cheeks flushed crimson as she quickly pushed Nagato away. Of the four people present, Kakuzu was the only one she had not t before.
"Long ti no see, Sister Nonō."
"You've gotten prettier."
Konan approached Nonō enthusiastically, putting an arm around her shoulder and staring at her chest.
How did she get so big? Why don't I have a chest like that?
If there weren't so many people around, she might have been tempted to touch it.
As for Kakuzu, Konan had no intention of introducing him.
"Long ti no see," Yahiko greeted, refraining from his usual teasing.
"This is Kakuzu," Nagato said quietly, wiping away his tears as he introduced Nonō.
"Hello, I'm Kakuzu."
Kakuzu, to everyone's surprise, didn't put on airs and even managed a smile. He understood well enough that this woman was soone he couldn't afford to offend.
"Kakuzu? The notorious bounty hunter?" Nonō's shock was evident. "I heard he'd been missing for a long ti."
"Missing? He just went to Konoha to assassinate Sensei without thinking about the consequences," Konan interjected with a smirk. "And we locked him up for a few years."
Kakuzu, who had been about to explain himself, suddenly looked annoyed. Though it was all true, Konan's jab felt unnecessarily direct.
"Assassinating Lord Kawakaze?" Nonō's disbelief was palpable. "Why would anyone attempt sothing so foolish unless they were drunk? The God of Shinobi isn't just a title—it's earned."
"Yes," Konan replied smugly. "If it weren't for Sensei's kindness, he wouldn't be alive today." Her tone carried the satisfaction of soone who had scored a victory.
"Okay, Konan," Yahiko cut in, rubbing his temple. "That's all in the past. Kakuzu is ally friend now."
"Fine," Konan relented. "If you don't want to talk about it, that's fine." Her irritation stemd more from Kakuzu controlling the group's finances than from genuine hatred.
"I was confused back then," Kakuzu said evenly. "And I've received the punishnt I deserve."
Privately, he wondered if he would make the sa choice if given a second chance. His answer was clear—he would. You don't understand pain until you've fallen.
Nonō remained silent but glanced at Nagato. His slight nod reassured her, allowing her to lower her guard sowhat. It was only natural to be cautious around soone so dangerous.
"Okay, let's not dwell on the past," Nagato said, changing the subject. "How long have you been in the Land of Rain?"
"Exactly one week today," Nonō replied. "Sit down, don't stand."
The house was small, but there were enough chairs for everyone.
"Do you have any information?" Yahiko asked after sitting down. Nonō's experience as an intelligence officer made her the best source.
"I haven't found out much, but I'll share what I know," she said, pouring everyone a glass of water. She sat down and spread out a detailed map of the Land of Rain.
"The Land of Rain is currently divided into three main forces," Nonō began, pointing to specific locations on the map.
"The largest force is right next to us, made up of a group of wandering ninja
The second group consists of the remaining ninja from the Land of Rain, situated here.
Finally, there are scattered smaller forces, but it's only a matter of ti before they're absorbed or eliminated."
The map was covered with notes, each marking a detail of interest.
Nonō explained the distribution of power and the likely moves of each faction, speaking for nearly an hour. Her analysis wasn't re speculation—it reflected careful observation and professional insight.
After finishing, Nonō took a sip of water, her voice calm but deliberate.
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