The moment those words were spoken, Kakashi and Sakura were frozen in shock. Only now did Sakura realize how foolish her previous words had been; she finally understood just how much Kanon meant to Naruto.
Tears welled up in Sakura's eyes once more at the realization that Naruto was willing to give his life for Kanon.
Kanon, however, remained silent. Nothing Naruto said now would make a difference. Looking at Naruto's smile, Kanon only felt as though he were mocking her, mocking her former weakness, her past soft-heartedness, and her failed history.
"Once the war begins, I will kill you, Naruto," Kanon said with a cold snort.
She immediately thrust a Rasengan toward him. The massive explosion sent Naruto flying, slamming him deep into the stone wall.
"I will not change my mind! Nor do I intend for us to understand one another."
"I've had enough! I will complete the Eye of the Moon Plan. Only in that world will I never lose everything I care about!"
"The only one who is going to die is you, Naruto."
"If we die... we die together... Kanon," Naruto wheezed.
"I'm tired of trying to reason with you. You aren't worthy of listening," Kanon spat. She turned away as a rose-colored vortex began to spiral into existence behind her.
"Kanon, you were the first person in the world to acknowledge me. I'm not giving up on you or Sasuke."
"Enough, Naruto!" Kakashi interjected, stopping him. "I'll deal with Kanon. You have a great dream of becoming Hokage; there's no need for you to go down with her."
"How can someone who can't even save a comrade become Hokage? I'll handle Sasuke and Kanon myself!" Naruto declared with unshakable resolve.
Watching Naruto's steadfast expression, Sakura wiped the tears from her eyes. As a member of Team 7, she had been powerless to act or speak until now. All she could do was believe in the two of them.
"I understand, Naruto. I'll leave Kanon to you. Sakura, please take care of my body." Kakashi stepped forward.
"What are you doing, Kakashi-sensei?"
"I'm going to finish Madara right here!"
"Kamui!"
Instantly, a spatial distortion manifested before the masked man, but he dismissed it with a wave of his hand.
"Stop it, Kakashi. That technique won't work on me."
Kakashi froze. His Kamui truly had no effect on the masked man.
"Let's go, Kanon."
"Madara, I have something to ask you in a moment."
"Understood. Let us depart."
The rose-colored vortex swallowed Kanon as Zetsu vanished into the ground. The masked man followed, spiraling into his own spatial distortion. In an instant, the three were gone.
Though blood leaked from the corner of his mouth, Naruto looked toward the direction where they had vanished and smiled.
"Come for me whenever you like, Kanon. Maybe I can't forgive you, and maybe I'm not your match, but... I'll die with you," Naruto said softly.
"But Kanon isn't the same as she used to be..." Sakura said, looking down.
"Even so, Kanon is still Kanon!" Naruto grinned, giving them a thumbs-up.
"Kanon is still Kanon, huh?" Kakashi nodded helplessly.
…
After arriving at the Akatsuki hideout, Kanon and the masked man walked slowly through the corridors.
"What did you want to ask?"
"What is my foolish brother doing?"
"He seeks power. He is preparing to transplant Itachi's Sharingan."
"So, he finally wants to become stronger?"
"Yes. He overused his Susanoo."
"I will perform the transplant for him. Though he is one of the bastards I hate most, he is also the person Itachi cherished above all else. I don't want him to die."
Konin had already taught Kanon the surgical techniques for the transplant. She was now qualified to help Sasuke obtain the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, and more importantly, she didn't trust the masked man to do it.
"Why?" the masked man asked with a hint of curiosity.
"Because he is my only remaining family. I want him to live until the day we activate the Infinite Tsukuyomi, so he can be immersed in that perfect dream world! Let him reunite with his 'dear' brother there. Though... in that world, perhaps there is no need for my existence."
Kanon walked inside with the masked man following.
"By the way, Izumi's Sharingan and remains are inside. I'll give them to you shortly."
…
One day later.
Inside the Flower Realm, a fourth crystal coffin manifested. The pristine body of Izumi Uchiha was laid to rest there.
Looking at Izumi's closed eyes and the wound on her brow that Kanon had already repaired, Kanon burst into tears. Recalling Izumi's past smiles and her concern for her even in her final moments, Kanon collapsed to her knees.
Kanon didn't know how many tears she had shed since birth, but looking at Izumi's body, she found it impossible not to grieve. Although it was the masked man who had struck the killing blow, Izumi would have undoubtedly been killed by Itachi anyway. This tragedy was the indirect result of Konoha's corruption; the masked man, Itachi, and Konoha were all complicit.
"Izumi-nee, you've worked hard all these years... Sleep for a while in this warm field of flowers."
A warm breeze blew past, sending the white flowers nearby into the air. Petals drifted past Kanon's eyes, fluttering against her dark hair.
The scene was beautiful, yet profoundly lonely and heartbreaking. Kanon could not kill the masked man yet, the Fourth Shinobi World War was looming. Once she achieved the goal Konin desired, she would personally see to his end.
After emerging from the Flower Realm, she found a blinded Sasuke lying on a stone bed, currently unconscious under the effects of anesthesia.
"You've arrived?"
"Yes. How is Kisame-nii?"
"Due to the Raikage's arrival, the capture of the Eight-Tails failed."
"What?!" Kanon stood up abruptly. She moved to leave, but the masked man caught her wrist.
"He isn't dead. The mission was a success. I assigned him to infiltrate the enemy and gather intelligence."
Kanon nodded slightly upon hearing this. She looked at the masked man with a solemn expression and said, "Give me his location. I will go to his aid if things turn critical. Akatsuki cannot afford to lose anyone else."
Kanon looked at him, waiting for his answer.
"Fine," the masked man replied helplessly. Kanon had begun to treat Akatsuki like a family. In truth, he didn't want to lose any members either, so their goals aligned.
"In that case, Kanon, there is one more thing I must ask of you."
"What is it?"
"I need Nagato's Rinnegan."
"Senpai's Rinnegan? You intend to use them to cast the Infinite Tsukuyomi?"
"Correct," he nodded.
"Fine. I will discuss it with Konan-nee when the time comes. Let's begin the transplant for this guy."
"By the way," the masked man asked as he nodded, "what is the purpose of the shadow clones you sent to the various hidden villages?"
"I'm just going to let them feel a little pain. It's also preparation before the great war. I will never forgive those who dare to make an enemy of the Uchiha!"
"So, you're settling the score for Sasuke."
The masked man shook his head with a light laugh. Though this pair of siblings had officially broken ties, they still fretted over one another's lives. Perhaps this was what it meant to be family.
…
Kumogakure.
A and Killer B were walking together. Darui followed behind, carrying a body wrapped in white cloth. It was C, who had been killed by Kanon.
At this moment, many ninjas from across the village had gathered to welcome the Raikage.
"I'm back!" Killer B shouted, carrying Samehada on his back as he entered Kumogakure.
"B-sama!"
"Oh! Omoi! Karui! Long time no see, yeah! Are you feelin' fine? Stayin' cool, keepin' it sunshine?" B laughed.
Omoi had tears in his eyes. "How could we be fine?! You suddenly vanished from the village! Everyone was so worried!"
Karui, however, took a different stance. "As long as he's back alive, it's fine."
Mabui walked up to the Raikage and bowed. "Welcome back, Raikage-sama. We will take care of the funeral arrangements for the remains."
"The situation is urgent. Convene a meeting immediately based on the results of the Five Kage Summit."
Darui sighed. He had hoped to rest, especially since he had been severely injured. "Things are only going to get tougher from here..."
"Wh-What do you mean?" Omoi asked, confused.
"I heard it's the Fourth Shinobi World War," Darui said plainly. "We're forming a Shinobi Allied Force."
The Raikage raised his hand and spoke solemnly to everyone present, "I will give you the details during the briefing. Also, I must hold a consultation with the Daimyo."
"I will arrange the audience for you," Mabui said, bowing.
It was at that moment, in the skies above Kumogakure, Deidara flew by on a clay bird, carrying one of Kanon's shadow clones.
"Kanon-chan, can we really perform our art down there?"
"Don't worry, Deidara-nii. You can cut loose here." A twisted smile crept onto Kanon's lips. Within her hollow eyes, a thick surge of killing intent radiated.
Those Kumogakure bastards dared to lay a hand on her brother. No matter how much of a loser he was, he was still an Uchiha. Kanon would never allow the Uchiha name to be insulted.
"Even though you want to let them feel pain, and my art is indeed a viable way to do it... you're just a shadow clone right now. Can you really pull it off?"
"Yes. Deidara-nii, I'll give you one chance to display your art, and then you can retreat. Thank you for making me these five Giant Clay Birds."
"Whatever! There's no need for 'thanks' between us. Do you need me to help you take out Sasuke? That guy had a lot of nerve treating you like that."
"No need, Deidara-nii. Your art should truly shine during the Fourth Shinobi World War, right?"
"True enough. I need to prepare properly," Deidara chuckled coldly.
"Are you ready? Let's begin letting Kumogakure feel pain."
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