"This..."

Kaito stiffened slightly, catching the implication in Konan's words. Hikari, however, showed no signs of embarrassment at being kicked out—she kept tugging at his sleeve, her eagerness to leave Amegakure practically written all over her face.

He had indeed considered leaving before.

But now that the Secret Realm was anchored here and his entire clan was inside, leaving was no longer an option.

He had even planned to join the Akatsuki Organization after this trip—who would have thought Konan would outright ask them to leave?

For a moment, he wasn't sure how to respond. Fortunately, Pain approached them just then, stopping Konan's impolite behavior.

"Konan, leave this to me."

Pain spoke briefly before pointing at the massive tree near the village entrance.

"What do you think? The God Tree we dug out from the Secret Realm."

Konan: "..."

His tone was like that of a child proudly showing off a new toy, his usually cold voice tinged with a hint of smugness.

As if, in Nagato's heart, Amegakure would soon become the most beautiful, most desirable place in the world.

"It's a Spirit Tree."

Kaito corrected him seriously.

He felt Nagato's description was a bit off.

Thwack—

Konan and Hikari simultaneously slapped their foreheads and sighed in unison.

Both suddenly realized that the bond between them was probably impossible to sever now.

"Hm." Pain nodded, unbothered by the correction. After all, it was Kaito who had brought him into the Secret Realm...

It was only fair to let him have the naming rights.

"Come, I'll show you the core area of the Akatsuki Organization."Nagato completely ignored Konan's earlier words about shooing people away, already tacitly accepting Uchiha Kaito as a member of the Akatsuki Organization.

He even wanted to ask more about the Secret Realm, to further discuss plans for its development later.

In short.

Having seen hope of reviving his dear friend, Nagato was practically itching to drag Kaito back for days and nights of conversation.

Perhaps moved by emotion, Pain directly waved at Kaito and said, "Fellow Daoist, after you!"

Kaito was momentarily stunned for a few seconds before immediately picking up the thread.

"Fellow Daoist, you're too kind."

The two proceeded to exchange words that ordinary people would find utterly incomprehensible as they made their way toward the Akatsuki base.

Leaving Konan and Hikari standing there questioning their life choices.

Seriously.

If given another chance, they swore they wouldn't let these two meet. Just look at the mess now...

Konan was even considering whether to hire a few medical-nin in Amegakure to examine their brains in the future.

Otherwise...

She genuinely worried the entire village might adopt these two's bizarre antics.

After Kaito and Pain left, Konan began arranging for villagers to plant that so-called "Spirit Tree" in the center of Amegakure.

Hikari, currently unable to handle someone's eccentricities, chose to stay and help Konan with the remaining work.

Though "helping" mainly meant standing aside, snacking, and watching Konan and the villagers move the giant tree into position...

"I assume you understand the Akatsuki's ideals by now."

On the rooftop, Pain stared fixedly at the giant tree while casually addressing Kaito beside him.

"Understood, understood."

Kaito said this while sweat dripped from his forehead.

During their hours-long conversation earlier, Nagato—having received little formal education (like most shinobi)—kept repeating the same few points.

At one point, Kaito genuinely worried Nagato might get carried away and launch a Super-Almighty Push at him mid-conversation before finishing his spiel.

It just showed how far the Shinobi World had to go in education.

The Akatsuki's main base wasn't as mysterious as he'd imagined—just some decent buildings in the village.

Amegakure's poverty was painfully obvious.

Kaito didn't receive a uniform yet since they didn't have his size. Nagato said Konan would have some custom-made.

"We'll arrange meetings with other members when there's opportunity."

Pain paused abruptly here, his tone turning icy as he recalled that masked man claiming to be Uchiha Madara.

Uchiha Madara, his foot...

Nagato would be damned if he believed that. If that Warring States-era fossil were still alive, he'd barely have any teeth left, let alone be working with Akatsuki.

He and Konan were no fools—they only ever believed about 30% of what "Madara" said.

The remaining 97% was reserved for guarding against him.

But one thing Nagato knew for certain:

That masked man's eyes proved he was undoubtedly from the Uchiha clan.

Considering this, Pain kindly warned Kaito:

"You'd better disguise yourselves."

"And..."

"Don't trust anyone in the organization besides me and Konan. Especially some masked guy claiming to be Uchiha Madara."

Nagato's kindness earned him considerable goodwill from Kaito.To be honest...

This self-proclaimed "god" of a chuunibyou young man was really quite naive.

"We will."

Nagato's words echoed his own thoughts. For them, being exposed too early to the scrutiny of Black Zetsu and Obito was not a good thing.

Right now, Kaito just wanted to settle down in Amegakure, explore the Secret Realm, and trigger some quests between the Sect Ancestor and Nagato.

The two continued discussing many arrangements for Amegakure's future. Pain also talked extensively about his ideals of peace and the exploration of the Secret Realm, his excitement practically oozing from his words like he'd been injected with adrenaline.

Kaito found it all rather dull, yawning repeatedly during the conversation. It was then that Nagato realized the kid before him was only six years old.

It was also around 4 AM, so continuing the conversation wasn't really appropriate.

After hastily wrapping up the discussion, Pain immediately arranged a house for Kaito in the village.

"Go rest for now. In a few days, when the others return from their missions, I'll arrange for you to meet them."

[Ding—]

[Quest Triggered: Secluded Cultivation.]

[Quest: Having glimpsed the Secret Realm and on the verge of Foundation Establishment breakthrough, your fellow cultivator has arranged a secluded dwelling. To consolidate your realm, enter and cultivate in seclusion.]

[Reward: Peak Foundation Establishment.]

He had to admit, he really enjoyed being around Pain. Triggering quests with him was practically effortless.

Not that Granny wasn't good—it was mainly that Granny cared too much about appearances. When there were too many people around, she'd get too embarrassed to engage with him.

But Pain was different...

Nowadays, this guy would even call him "fellow cultivator" in the middle of the street.

"Alright, I'll head back now."

With that, Kaito teleported away from the rooftop. However, he didn't choose to return to his residence immediately, instead heading first to the village's great tree to find Granny.

At that moment, Uchiha Hikari sat atop a roof, the lively scene below seemingly unrelated to her, her entire being appearing detached from the world.

Sensing movement beside her, she didn't even need to turn her head to know which idiot had arrived.

"Finished?"

"Here." Kaito tossed her a keychain with the house number written on it. "This is our new address. If you're bored, you can head back first."

"Where are you going?"

Hikari's expression froze at these words. She stared at the key for a few seconds before looking up directly at the idiot.

"Oh?"

"Granny, are you worried about— mmmph—"

Kaito had wanted to tease her a bit more, but before he could finish, she firmly covered his mouth.

"Shut up! There are so many people here! Don't you dare act crazy now!"

Hikari's voice was quiet, but her tone was furious, as she clearly noticed many strange looks directed their way from below.

As for what Kaito had been about to say...

She wished this idiot would just die outside somewhere.

Worried?

Hmm... that didn't exist.

Breaking free from Granny's grip, Kaito gasped for breath before speaking seriously.

"I'm going back to the village for a few days to check on my foolish little brother."

That seclusion quest from the system...

Considering how cultivation seclusions in the immortal world could last for years, he needed to arrange everything before entering seclusion.

Otherwise, he might emerge only to find Madara activating the Infinite Tsukuyomi, or his foolish little brother running off to the Valley of the End to flirt with his best friend.

Hearing that he was only going back for a few days put Hikari in a much better mood, her lips curling upward involuntarily.

"Get lost."

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