"Leader, notify me of any new missions through your usual methods."

With that, Itachi turned and walked out of the Akatsuki base without a backward glance. He had not been back to the Uchiha clan's settlement for a long time, and he was anxious to see what had become of his people. More importantly, he missed his brother. I haven't been there, he thought. I don't know how Sasuke is faring.

Kisame said nothing, silently releasing the grip he had on Samehada. He shot a contemptuous smile at Sasori and then left, following Itachi into the shadows.

"Boring! That man is so utterly boring!" Deidara's passion was instantly extinguished, and he cursed in frustration.

"Forget it, Deidara," Sasori's voice rasped from within his puppet. "There will be other chances." As he spoke, he manipulated his puppet body toward his workshop. "Leader, that last mission cost me several of my puppets. I must retreat for a day to replenish my collection. We can discuss our next assignment after I emerge."

Deidara huffed, "Fine. Then I'll go back to my room and continue perfecting my new technique. You won't escape me next time, Itachi! Hn!" With that, the artistic duo returned to their respective rooms, each to their own obsessive work.

"Come, Hidan," Konan said, her voice soft. "I will show you to your room. It is next to Kakuzu's."

"The room doesn't matter!" Hidan replied, his voice buzzing with restless energy. "Didn't you say there was a mission? Give me one! I didn't get to kill enough people just now!"

"What's the rush?" Kakuzu growled. "Be quiet for once. Our team can't take on any missions at the moment. We have more important things to do."

Hidan raised an eyebrow. "Oh? And what might that be?"

"If things proceed as I expect," Kakuzu explained, "Shiro will be coming to collect the funds. Then, I will go to the Uchiha clan's current location myself." Kakuzu was exceptionally cautious. This was a considerable amount of money, after all. Even with the leader and Konan's approval, he still felt uneasy. He wanted to see with his own eyes whether the Uchiha truly had the ability to serve as the Akatsuki's mercenary force. If he was going to spend money, he had to be absolutely certain it was a sound investment.

Half an hour passed.

With a familiar ripple in space, a vortex appeared, and Obito and Shiro emerged into the main hall of the base. White Zetsu followed a moment later, rising from the stone floor.

"You've returned," Pain said, his head turning expressionlessly. "Madara, I have completed the task you assigned me. Kakuzu is waiting for you in the finance office. No, to be exact… he is waiting for Shiro."

Obito nodded, satisfied. "Yes. Very good."

Konan walked over to Shiro, her usually stoic face breaking into a doting, undisguised smile. "My dear little Shiro, we meet again. Do you remember what you're supposed to call me?"

Shiro looked up at her, his own smile bright. " Konan nee san"

"Mm, so cute," Konan cooed, happily pulling the boy into a hug. A delicate fragrance, like that of blue roses, drifted into Shiro's nose. She smells really nice, he thought, his face turning a bright shade of red.

Obito cleared his throat lightly. "Ahem. Konan, please put shiro down. Time is short, and we have business to attend to."

"Hmph," Konan pouted, but she reluctantly released Shiro. Obito took the boy's hand and led him toward the finance office.

As Konan watched them go, a shadow of loneliness flashed in her eyes. "Nagato," she said quietly, "if there were no war in this world… I think my child would be about his age now."

"I know," Pain replied, his voice softer than usual. "Don't worry, Konan. I will create that world for you. A world without war."

"It was Yahiko's dream."

__________________________

"Thank you for reading! If you enjoyed the chapter, please consider donating Power Stones and joining our patreon

[patreon.com /coolperry]

for early access to future chapters.(+30 chapters)