Naruto: reborn as an Uzumaki

Kenshin's heart clenched unexpectedly as his eyes lingered on Konan. He didn't understand why, but a strange, inexplicable ache lingered in his heart.

He shook it off quickly, chalking it up to seeing someone he considered family as part of a terrorist organization, one he'd inevitably come into conflict with—despite knowing this was inevitable.

Focusing on the mission, Kenshin noted that his shadow clones reported no other presences within a one-kilometer radius. That confirmed it: Konan was alone.

Kenshin's gaze sharpened. He activated his ANBU uniform's special ability, completely concealing his chakra and rendering himself undetectable.

He moved silently, weaving through the trees and approaching the clearing. As he neared Konan, he slowed his breathing, each step calculated. Finally, he was close enough. With deliberate precision, he extended his hand and slid his index finger down the nape of her neck.

Konan stiffened, a startled shudder running down her spine as the unexpected touch broke her focus. She spun around with lightning speed, her palm connecting sharply with Kenshin's cheek before she even processed who it was.

The sound of the slap echoed in the quiet clearing, and Kenshin staggered back slightly, holding his tingling cheek with his left hand. A wide grin spread across his face as he looked at her.

"It's good to see you too, onee-san," he said, his tone teasing. "And honestly, that reaction was worth the slap."

Konan's eyes widened as recognition dawned, and her face flushed crimson. "Kenshin?" she whispered, her voice barely audible. Her hands trembled slightly as she reached up, pulling off her mask to confirm what her eyes were telling her. "What the hell?"

But as she realized what she was wearing—the unmistakable Akatsuki cloak—her expression changed. Her cheeks burned with embarrassment as panic set in. "It's not what it looks like! I— Kenshin, I can explain—"

Kenshin cut her off with a casual wave of his hand. "Relax, I already know everything," he said, his voice calm but tinged with amusement. "I'm not here to judge. Though I'll admit, I'm more surprised Nagato sent you alone on a dangerous mission like this."

Konan's mouth opened as if to reply, but no words came out. Her face paled, the embarrassment from a moment ago shifting into an unsettling mix of confusion and dread.

'He knows everything?' she thought, her mind racing. 'But how? He shouldn't know about me and Nagato being in the Akatsuki.'

Kenshin, sensing her inner turmoil, leaned casually against a tree. His grin softened into something more sincere as he added, "It's just like you, though. Always taking on the hard jobs yourself. But still, onee-san… you should be more careful. You never know who might sneak up behind you."

Konan spoke up, her voice low but steady. "How do you know about me being part of the Akatsuki, Kenshin?" she asked, narrowing her eyes slightly. Her body tensed as if bracing for an explanation she wasn't prepared to hear.

Kenshin tilted his head, his teasing grin softening into a knowing smirk. "Come on, onee-san. You should be able to figure this out yourself. You know I've always been good at putting pieces together."

Konan's eyes flickered with recognition, her memories dredging up the time Kenshin had uncovered Pain's secret and forced Nagato to reveal himself.

The tale Kenshin had told back then, about deducing that Pain was real and probably had some sort of Dojutsu based on the unnatural chakra he sensed at the center of the village seemed plausible enough to her, even if it had unsettled Nagato.

"I see," she murmured, though doubt lingered in her mind. She decided not to question it further. Kenshin's ability to uncover truths, no matter how improbable, had been proven time and again.

Turning toward the clearing, Konan's expression darkened as her gaze landed on Danzo. Realization struck her like a bolt of lightning—her identity was exposed to one of Konoha's most dangerous figures. Her efforts to keep her affiliation hidden from the Leaf, especially someone like Danzo, had been wasted.

Kenshin noticed the flicker of panic in her eyes and let out a quiet sigh. He stepped forward, his tone turning commanding. "Danzo," he said, his voice cutting through the air like a blade. "Remove your top. Show the lady your back."

Danzo stiffened, his eyes narrowing with indignation, but his body obeyed without hesitation. The slave seals etched into his skin glowed faintly in the pre-dawn light as he removed his top, baring his scarred, pale back to the freezing air.

Konan's eyes widened slightly at the sight. The intricate sealing marks pulsed faintly, a visual reminder of the absolute control Kenshin had over the man.

"They're Uzumaki slave seals." Kenshin said casually, gesturing toward the seals. "Danzo can't defy a direct order from me, no matter how much he'd like to. You don't need to worry about him running off to report anything to the Leaf."

Konan's gaze lingered on the seals, her sharp mind processing the implications. The visible strain on Danzo's face as he endured the cold without resistance confirmed Kenshin's claim.

"And the other one?" she asked, her eyes darting to Sai, who stood silently nearby, his expression unreadable.

Kenshin chuckled softly. "Sai won't say a word. He knows better." He glanced at Sai, whose blank expression remained unchanged. "Right, Sai?"

Sai nodded slightly. "I'm just here to follow orders."

Konan relaxed slightly, though her unease didn't entirely dissipate. She turned back to Kenshin, her voice lowering to a near whisper. "You always have a way of complicating things, Kenshin."

Kenshin gave her a wry smile. "What can I say? It's a gift. But don't worry, onee-san. As far as I'm concerned, nothing about this meeting leaves this clearing. You have my word."

Konan's expression shifted, the familiarity and vulnerability of moments ago giving way to a composed, professional demeanor. Her gaze sharpened as she met Kenshin's eyes. "What are the mission details?" she asked, her voice steady and authoritative.

Kenshin took a deep breath, steadying himself before beginning. "As you know, there was a coup d'état in the Land of Grass recently," he started. "The Hidden Grass Village's leader—Tetsuya Kuroko—was behind it. He orchestrated the overthrow of the daimyo and replaced him with a puppet acting daimyo. But there's more to it."

Konan crossed her arms, her brows furrowing as she listened.

"In the guise of a political alliance, Tetsuya secretly formed a military alliance with the Hidden Stone and Hidden Cloud to stand against the Hidden Leaf." Kenshin continued. "As part of his plan, he handed over one of his subordinates—a young kunoichi named Karin Uzumaki—to Orochimaru in exchange for forbidden jutsu."

Konan's eyes widened at the mention of Uzumaki. "Uzumaki?" she repeated, her voice carrying a mix of recognition and disbelief.

Kenshin nodded grimly. "Yes. Karin Uzumaki. She's Aunt Yukari's daughter."

Konan's stoic mask cracked for a moment, her lips parting in surprise. "Yukari?" she echoed. "Kana told me about her once—her childhood friend and attendant. So Yukari… she survived the destruction of your village?"

"She did," Kenshin confirmed. "She was taken to the Hidden Grass, where she became the village healer for decades. Karin is her daughter, which makes her my cousin."

Konan's expression softened briefly, a flicker of sympathy passing through her eyes before she regained her focus. "Go on," she said.

"The former daimyo of the Land of Grass is still alive, but he's been imprisoned," Kenshin explained. "Somehow, he managed to get a secret message to the our Daimyo, which is how the Leaf learned about all of this."

Konan nodded, her analytical mind processing the implications. "What about the forbidden jutsu Tetsuya received from Orochimaru?"

Kenshin's gaze darkened. "We don't know the specifics yet, but considering it came from Orochimaru, we have to assume it's dangerous. I'm estimating Tetsuya's power to be on par with the Sannin, at least temporarily or situationally."

Konan's eyes narrowed. "And your plan?"

"I want to use you to gather intel," Kenshin said bluntly. "Specifically, I need to know where the former daimyo is being held. Once we have that information, I can move to rescue him. After that, I can eliminate both the puppet daimyo and Tetsuya from a distance with my jutsu."

Konan frowned slightly. "Why not send the Leaf's intelligence division? Why come to me?"

Kenshin crossed his arms. "This mission requires someone who can move unnoticed and leave no trail. I can't risk anyone finding out the Leaf is involved. The Leaf's hands are tied politically, and they'll avoid open conflict with the Grass unless they're forced into it. You, the Akatsuki, on the other hand, can operate without drawing suspicion."

Konan considered this, her gaze steady. "You're asking me to risk exposing myself to the Grass leader's forces. And if I get caught?"

"You won't," Kenshin said confidently. "I trust your abilities, onee-san. Besides, I'm not asking you to fight—just to find out where the daimyo is. Once I have the location, I'll handle the rest. I can eliminate them from more than a mile away."

Konan exhaled slowly, her expression unreadable. After a moment, she gave a slight nod. "I'll do it. But, Kenshin…" She fixed him with a pointed look. "You owe me an explanation when this is over. About why you're so willing to risk everything for this mission."

Kenshin smiled faintly, though his eyes carried a hint of sadness. "You'll get your explanation, onee-san. When the time is right."

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