The story truly began with the battle between the Sage of Six Paths and Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki against Kaguya, stretching all the way to their journey onto the moon. It was a tale long enough to exhaust even the most patient listener. Obito, parched from explaining, downed his third can of lime juice as the beef hotpot nearly ran dry, the fire beneath it sputtering out.
"So that's why," he continued, voice hoarse, "we're collecting the tailed beasts. Only by doing this can we hope to seal the space-time rift. Understand?"
Naruto, forbidden from asking questions the entire time, had already been lost when Obito mentioned Ashura and Indra. Jiraiya listened, trying to keep up, but the sheer amount of information left him at a loss. He had no idea how to respond to what had been revealed, nor how to comment on the acts of Madara Uchiha.
Nagato, understanding her teacher's overwhelm, patted Jiraiya's shoulder with a comforting smile. "Sensei, I understand. Now, the question is—where did that half of the Nine-Tails go?"
At that moment, the Gedo Statue appeared, summoned into the room. Eight of its eyes were fully open, but the ninth was only half-lidded.
Jiraiya blinked. "I… I don't know."
He instinctively responded, then froze, gripping Nagato's shoulder. "You really extracted the Nine-Tails? A tailed beast dies if removed from its Jinchūriki… how is this possible?"
"It's safe to leave one-twentieth of the beast's chakra in the host. It doesn't affect the Gedo Statue," Karin interjected. She then, under Jiraiya's watchful gaze, formed a hand seal and summoned a miniature Three-Tails.
"See? I'm the Three-Tails Jinchūriki. Isobu and I are fine."
"Is something wrong, little one?"
The Three-Tails, Isobu, spoke. Karin shook her head, placing a hand on Isobu's head. "It's nothing. Sorry for disturbing you."
"No, I just woke up. Beef… so boring," Isobu grumbled, sniffing the now-empty table.
"You're hungry?" Karin's voice was gentle, soft, the kind of tender tone she reserved for Isobu alone. The Three-Tails swished its three prominent tails but didn't answer.
"I understand. Boss, let's go eat."
Nagato nodded. Karin, cradling Isobu, rose from the small stool and strode out. Naruto, jaw agape, watched her leave, speechless.
Jiraiya, overwhelmed by the torrent of information, finally voiced his doubts.
"This is all just your side of the story, isn't it?"
Just as expected, Nagato thought. Konan shrugged. "Then, Sensei, see for yourself. You'll understand. We only decided to collect the tailed beasts after seeing the situation ourselves."
"Huh?" Jiraiya and Nagato emitted a shared monosyllable. Konan stood, speaking calmly.
"Naruto will stay here temporarily. Don't worry. The tailed beast has been extracted, so he's no longer of use to us. We won't kill him."
Itachi, seeing the unease in Jiraiya, decided to clarify.
"Konan means that as long as we take the beasts but spare the Jinchūriki, the One-Tails through Eight-Tails should still be alive, assuming their villages didn't abandon them."
Harsh as his words sounded, Jiraiya had to admit the logic. Naruto, fully alert yet wary, was still alive—so the statement held.
"Alright, Nagato. Let's confirm the facts upstairs," Jiraiya said, looking at Naruto. "Naruto, stay here. Konan, I trust you."
This wasn't a lie or a strategy. Konan nodded to her teacher calmly. "Sensei, rest assured. No one will harm Naruto." She swept her gaze over Kakuzu, Hidan, and Deidara. They instinctively stepped back and raised their hands in surrender.
"Obito, let's go."
"Oh~"
The world spun, and they landed on the moon.
Nagato hadn't expected what awaited her. She only anticipated encountering clingy subordinates and rows of puppets. She never imagined seeing snow-white hair, someone missing for nearly seven years, a blue-patterned white yukata, or a scarf as white as snow.
Neither did Konan.
The last meeting had been two years prior. She had prepared to never meet again, yet fate had other plans. After years of careful avoidance, she unexpectedly experienced a reunion. A red head shone as brightly as ever, the youthful face untouched by time.
Nagato didn't dwell on the past. She didn't scold Konan for hiding, nor for her disappearance. Instead, she grabbed Obito by the collar, holding him with her piercing, icy gaze. Her voice cut out each word with precision.
"Wha… what… is… going on?!"
Her tone was measured, not furious—yet beneath the thin layer of calm, a volcano of anger simmered. Her power was overwhelming, enough that Obito couldn't even evade with Kamui. Even the usually timid Subordinate trembled in place.
"I warned you," Nagato continued, "for hiding what shouldn't be hidden, you risked more than just the Infinite Tsukuyomi! Obito, why is Konan still alive?!"
"I-I'm sorry," Obito replied. Held by Nagato, he showed little fear, only a slight lowering of his eyelids, reflecting a genuine sense of loss and guilt.
"Answer me!!!"
Her voice rose, chakra radiating instability.
"Nagato, what's wrong?"
Jiraiya, utterly confused, could only watch.
Nagato, gentle yet unforgiving, reserved her anger for the culprit. To those she cared for, she protected them fully—even the one responsible. So here, the only grievance was Obito's silence and deceit.
"K-Konan… it… it wasn't Obito… she told you, it's yours," Karin spoke.
The shock echoed through Jiraiya and Nagato. Karin's voice, so long unheard, stunned them—not only because she could speak, but because of what she revealed.
So that's it… two years ago… that person…
"Konan… why…"
Nagato could only ask.
"A-alot… happened. It… it's hard to explain," Konan said. Nagato stepped forward, placing hands on her shoulders.
"Then explain! If you're alive, why didn't you return? Do you know how much pain Konan went through? Why lie about your death? We are friends, aren't we?"
No. More than friends—family.
"L-Later… we'll talk about that. B-But… why… bring him up here? And… the Nine-Tails?"
Konan spoke, stepping back from Nagato's hands, avoiding her gaze. Obito's voice followed, low and hesitant.
"The Nine-Tails is sealed, but half is missing. Jiraiya found the village. We explained, then brought him here. How did you get up here?"
Her words explained the process. Nagato paused. Konan simply nodded.
"J-just… couldn't relax," she said, stepping forward. "Subordinate, come."
The Subordinate snapped out of his daze, nodding, and timidly tapped Nagato's arm.
Nagato looked at him, then at Konan, understanding the few who had truly been kept in the dark.
"Konan, whatever the reason, it cannot justify leaving Konan and us behind."
Nagato watched as Konan's figure moved steadily forward. No words, no hesitation—just forward, until she disappeared from sight.