Starting with the usurpation of Akatsuki, the ninja world was overthrown.

Chapter 15 Friendship and Bonds: A Must-Try

Chapter 15 Friendship and Bonds: A Must-Try

As Shiba Kiyokawa had predicted, things unfolded exactly as he had foreseen.

Kenshiro did not disappoint him; that very night, he delivered the message to Nagato.

Shortly after they set off for Kusagakure, Nagato indeed secretly followed them.

Everything is going smoothly.

Shiba Kiyokawa stayed alone in his room in town, humming a little tune about life as he cooked dinner, intending to deliberately lag behind and wait until after he had eaten before going up to check on things.

However, things are not that simple.

Just as he was elegantly preparing various beef and pork dishes according to Uncle Mads' recipes, there was a sudden knock on his door.

His ninja training allowed him to quickly recognize the identity of the person outside the door.

Is it Sister Xiao Nan?

Why did she suddenly come over?

This was not part of his plan.

Shiba Kiyokawa didn't have time to think much, because Konan had already pushed the door open and come in.

"Sister Xiaonan, what's up? By the way, have you eaten? Would you like to try my cooking?"

Shiba Kiyokawa greeted him warmly, his smile as impeccable as ever.

He believed his performance was flawless, but the next moment, Xiao Nan exposed his pretense with just one sentence.

"Nagato just left. He left quietly, even keeping it from me. This must be another one of your schemes, right, Qinghe?"

Shiba Kiyokawa's expression stiffened slightly.

I was a bit careless; I didn't expect my colleague, Sister Nan, to be so perceptive.

Before he could quickly come up with a new excuse, Xiao Nan spoke up again, completely sealing his suspicion.

"Before Nagato set off, I 'saw' Kenshiro coming to see me using a paper butterfly."

You probably don't know this, but Kenjiro came to Yahiko many times in the past month to complain that you are very good at manipulating people's hearts and often use cunning words to coerce others to do things for you, saying that you are like a devil who plays with people's hearts.

Qinghe, you don't need to lie to me, I'm sure this is all part of your scheme.

I haven't told Nagato about this yet; I just came to you seeking an answer.

At that moment, Shiba Kiyokawa was unusually at a loss for words.

We were really careless!

Not long ago, he had been repeatedly reminding himself: Xiao Nan is not just a pretty face! I must value and win her over!

However, he ultimately underestimated the Akatsuki leader, who had left a significant mark on the original work.

Perhaps all of this stems from the fact that Xiao Nan has been too obedient ever since that day.

She listened to him throughout the battle and was willing to give him her complete trust. After returning to the Akatsuki base, she repeatedly spoke up for him.

At one point, Shiba Kiyokawa thought he had successfully won over this fourteen-year-old girl.

Unexpectedly, the other party maintained a valuable level of composure at the crucial moment.

"Sister Xiaonan, what answer do you want to ask me?"

At this point, there was no point in trying to be clever; Shiba Kiyokawa felt it was better to be honest.

He no longer denied Xiao Nan's accusations, which was tantamount to admitting his own scheme.

Furthermore, judging from Konan's last sentence, "I didn't tell Nagato about this," she must have had her own purpose and thoughts.

I should still have a chance to defend myself.

Sure enough, the next moment, Konan unleashed her paper magic in the room. As paper butterflies fluttered around her, she stared intently at Shiba Kiyokawa and asked in an extremely serious tone.

"Qinghe, I thought about it for a long time after the mission ended that day. I must admit that your thoughts are indeed more mature than Yahiko's, and more mature than all of ours."

But I need you to answer me honestly! To achieve your goals, for what you call true peace, will you one day betray Akatsuki, abandon the Land of Rain? Perhaps even turn around and use Nagato, use Yahiko? Use me?

At that moment, the paper butterflies fluttering around him were brewing a terrifying killing intent, but Shiba Kiyokawa's heart unexpectedly calmed down.

At this point, he was no longer worried.

Because he finally realized that he understood Sister Xiao Nan!

Konan, the girl who never had a high profile among the original three leaders of Akatsuki, is actually the most normal one of the three!

Her obsession with ideals wasn't as deep as Yahiko's or Nagato's; what she cared about most were the people around her, her friends, her partners, and her place of residence.

In the future, when Nagato decides to make the world feel pain, she will support him unconditionally.

However, when Nagato was defeated by Naruto and persuaded to give up his life, she did not choose to take over Nagato's ideals and inherit the Akatsuki's cause. Instead, she tried her best and disregarded everything to take away Obito, who had been using Nagato.

Ultimately, Xiao Nan never really cared about Xiao's ideals.

All she cared about were her companions and the few friends she had.

That's a normal person now!!

However, compared to the first generation of Akatsuki's saintly mother, the second generation's madman, and later a bunch of psychopaths, paranoiacs, and abnormal scientists, she, the only normal person, seemed so out of place.

She often felt out of place because she wasn't eccentric enough.

Having understood these points, Shiba Kiyokawa immediately knew how to break the deadlock.

"You can rest assured, Sister Xiaonan, I have never thought of betraying the Akatsuki organization."

And Sister Xiaonan, aren't we companions? Why do you see me that way?

He wasn't lying, because how can usurping the throne be called betrayal?

Since the Akatsuki organization needs a leader, why can't it be me?

As for the following line, "Aren't we companions?", it perfectly struck a chord with Xiao Nan's sensitive and lonely heart. A faint sadness and confusion mixed on her face, which in turn made Xiao Nan feel a little guilty in an instant.

Shiba Kiyokawa then pressed his advantage, relentlessly pressing forward, showcasing his life's worth of acting skills within a limited space!

"Sister Xiaonan, although I do not agree with Yahiko and often think his ideas are too naive, I have never forgotten for a moment: it was you who saved me, it was your helping hand that prevented me from freezing to death in that cold and rainy weather."

I have always regarded everyone in the Akatsuki organization as my comrades, especially you, Konan-nee!

All I did was to prevent the Akatsuki from being destroyed by Yahiko's wishful thinking.

Sister Xiaonan, I will never abandon you, never! Don't you believe me?

As the saying goes—if you are engrossed in your thoughts, then we can talk about change and peace;

If you are lonely and lack love, then let's talk about bonds and friendship!

In the world of Naruto, there's bound to be one that suits your taste!

The continuous attacks successfully broke through Xiao Nan's defenses. She took a step back, retrieved most of the paper butterflies, and the murderous intent in the room vanished in an instant.

"I'm sorry, Qinghe, that's not what I meant. I believe you are our comrade!"

I'm just a little scared!

Your ideas are far beyond ours, and you are so opposed to Yahiko. I'm afraid that one day you will use Nagato, or someone else...

Shiba Kiyokawa smiled softly.

Konan was very perceptive, and to some extent her judgment was correct: Shiba Kiyokawa did indeed want to take advantage of Nagato.

But considering the tragic ending in the original work, who can say that exploitation isn't another form of salvation?

So the next moment, he boldly walked up and reached out to touch Xiao Nan's cheek.

The touch was warm. Because Konan had already put away her paper ninjutsu, the touch that Shiba Kiyokawa felt in his palm was soft, tender, and a little bouncy.

Just seconds ago, Shiba Kiyokawa was terrified when Konan walked in, but now he suddenly felt that today's move might not have been a bad deal after all.

Whether out of guilt or a desire to make amends, Xiao Nan did not pull away from his hand, but let him gently stroke her cheek.

"Believe me, Konan, this ninja world is very dangerous, and our situation is not as optimistic as you think. Everything I do is to try to save everyone and save Akatsuki!"

Because we are each other's most important partners!

Friendship and bonds are something you can't miss, because this is the world of ninjas!

After saying that, the crisis in the room was completely resolved!

Konan lowered her head, seemingly to hide her blush, and after a long while, she raised her head and asked in a very low voice, "Do you still want to go to Nagato's place? I can fly you there."

"it is good."

Shiba Kiyokawa nodded decisively, letting out a sigh of relief.

He knew he had finally passed the test completely!

(End of this chapter)