"Tell me, why did you come to my room?"
Ryosuke was not stupid, so he naturally wouldn't think that Konan had fallen for him and had come to offer herself.
Although he is quite attractive, and most girls like him…
But he had only met Konan for a short while, and she had become his maid through a transaction.
It was already a stretch to think she didn't resent him.
Liking him?
That was impossible.
So—
When he saw Konan appearing by his bed, Ryosuke immediately realized that she must want something from him.
Considering Konan's current situation, Ryosuke quickly deduced what she was asking for.
To be honest, Ryosuke didn't mind helping Konan. He had a soft spot for her and a favorable impression, so doing her a small favor wasn't a big deal.
But only if it was convenient and nothing impossible!
Moreover, he one who had killed Nagato was, in all likelihood, Obito.
After all, Nagato's pair of Rinnegan was something Obito had his eye on, and he might have taken action himself.
And Obito wanted to become the Ten Tails Jinchūriki to complete the Eye of the Moon Plan.
That was something Ryosuke wanted to prevent.
Even though Ryosuke had played a role in pushing certain events forward, it was only to create more golden opportunities for himself.
He had no interest in playing the villain. It just so happened that someone else was taking on that role.
So Ryosuke gave a slight push here and there, which didn't take much effort.
But in the end, Ryosuke would definitely send both Obito and Madara to the grave.
Therefore, if Konan wanted him to avenge Nagato, that was something Ryosuke was already planning to do.
Whether she begged him or not, it made no difference!
But Konan didn't know that. That's why she had appeared in Ryosuke's bedroom tonight.
That's why she had approached him in this way.
Konan couldn't think of any other way to make Ryosuke agree to her request.
Since Ryosuke had exchanged two tailed beasts for her, he must be interested in her.
So, Konan gritted her teeth and made her decision.
"I want to ask you something." Konan spoke up.
As expected!
Ryosuke had guessed correctly.
"I beg of you to avenge Nagato and kill that man!"
Konan's eyes burned with resentment—not toward Ryosuke, but toward the one who had murdered Nagato.
If her guess was right, then the killer must be that masked man who called himself Uchiha Madara.
In truth, Nagato and Konan had never fully trusted that man.
They had always suspected he was scheming something.
But Nagato had always been confident in his own strength, believing that any conspiracy would crumble before absolute power.
Unfortunately, Nagato miscalculated one thing.
He didn't have absolute power!
Ryosuke asked, "To avenge Nagato, you would rather sacrifice yourself?"
Ryosuke looked at Konan. Sometimes, he really couldn't understand the friendship these people had.
What kind of bond made someone willing to go this far?
Either way, Ryosuke didn't have such close friends.
Even Shikamaru and the others—though they were friends, were just that: ordinary friends.
If they needed help, Ryosuke would assist them. If they were in trouble and asked for his support, he would help.
But only if it didn't harm his own interests.
Maybe Ryosuke wasn't the kind of person who would sacrifice everything for others.
Either way, he didn't understand it.
"Anyway, I'm already your maid. Would you really let me go?" Konan asked in return.
Well…
When she put it like that, Ryosuke didn't know how to respond.
Would he let Konan go?
Of course not.
Seeing that Ryosuke didn't answer, Konan chuckled.
She said, "See? Since the outcome is the same, the only difference is time."
"If I can trade something inevitable for Nagato's revenge, I think it's worth it."
You really know how to bargain!
Ryosuke shook his head in exasperation.
Ryosuke said, "I can avenge Nagato, but you don't have to do this."
He didn't like forcing people. Even indirectly pressuring someone into a decision left a bad taste in his mouth.
Ryosuke wasn't short on women. Konan was offering herself as a price for his help.
To be honest, that didn't make him happy.
On the contrary, it irritated him.
As if he was the kind of man who would do anything for a beautiful woman.
Ryosuke was definitely not that kind of person.
Ryosuke said, "Alright, you can go now. I'm going to rest."
However, Konan shook her head and said, "I've made my decision, and I won't change it."
'Wait, I just told you to go, and you're still unhappy?'
Ryosuke really didn't understand Konan's way of thinking.
Ryosuke said, "Since I promised you, I'll keep my word. You don't need to worry that I'll go back on it."
Was Konan afraid that he would say one thing and do another?
Maybe she felt uneasy since she hadn't paid a price.
"I know you'll keep your word."
Konan looked at him.
"Then why—"
Ryosuke was about to speak when he saw the sorrow in Konan's eyes.
The words caught in his throat.
"I have nothing left."
Konan said, tears slipping down her face.
Ryosuke sighed and gently wiped them away.
"Don't chase me away, okay?"
Konan looked at him, her hand softly grasping his.
"...Fine, I won't send you away." Ryosuke said.
Hearing that, Konan couldn't help but cry with relief.
She sat up, wrapped her arms around him, and leaned in.
Ryosuke only felt a cold, soft touch. Then he held Konan gently.
Ninja were strange people.
It seemed they needed something—some kind of spiritual anchor—to keep going.
Some called it "ninja way".
Like Naruto!
Like Rock Lee!
Others called it "bonds".
Or… "faith"?
Like Kimimaro, who saw Orochimaru as his reason for living.
Or Haku, who saw Zabuza as his master, willing to exist solely as a tool for him.
For Konan, the tragic experience in her childhood had long shaped her current character.
The friendship between Nagato and Yahiko had always been her belief in living in this world.
She lived for others!
If she had been alone, she might not have survived in this ninja world long ago.
Just like Haku and Kimimaro.
And now, both Yahiko and Nagato were dead. Konan had also lost the belief and meaning of living.
Under normal circumstances, she would desperately seek revenge on that "Uchiha Madara".
Even if she knew the probability of failure was very high, she would do it at all costs.
Just like her fate in the original story.
But now, Konan had another choice. This choice was Ryosuke!
In fact, she hadn't come tonight only to ask Ryosuke to avenge Nagato.
More than that, she wanted to find a new spiritual sustenance.
Even Konan herself might not have fully realized this.
It was only when Ryosuke asked her to leave that she suddenly understood, leading to everything that followed.
Ryosuke had lived in this world for a long time, and on the surface, he was no different from other people in this world.
But in reality, the experience of his previous life still had a profound impact on him.
This made him fundamentally different from these ninjas.
For example, he found it difficult to understand why bonds were necessary.
Some people seemed unable to live without someone else.
He didn't get it. Everyone was human—why must they live for others?
So he hadn't thought about it before.
He had simply assumed Konan had come to make a deal, which had left him feeling uneasy.
But after Konan revealed her true feelings, Ryosuke suddenly understood.
He had become her new spiritual anchor.
From now on, Konan would live for him.
If one day Ryosuke died, Konan might follow, unwilling to live alone.
That was strange.
Even though Ryosuke understood it, it still felt unbelievable.
He couldn't grasp the way these ninjas thought.
Perhaps, this was a common flaw of transmigrators?
Could they never truly empathize?
However, while Ryosuke might not fully understand, it didn't stop him from accepting Konan's bond.
He would become her belief in the future.
...
The sky was clear, and the sun shone through the bedroom curtains.
On the bed, Ryosuke woke up drowsily.
He opened his eyes, and the first thing he saw was Konan nestled beside him, awake but with her eyes closed.
Her long blue-purple hair cascaded down, with a few strands resting against her cheek.
Ryosuke reached out, brushing the stray strands away with his fingers and lightly tracing Konan's porcelain-doll-like face.
"Mm?"
Konan furrowed her brows slightly, slowly opening her eyes.
"Did I wake you?" Ryosuke asked softly.
Konan looked at him. After a brief pause, as if recalling something, she shook her head slightly.
"Sleep a little longer, idiot."
Ryosuke wrapped an arm around her, gently stroking her hair.
Konan responded with a soft hum, resting her arm lightly on his chest.
She closed her eyes, leaning her head against his shoulder, enjoying the peaceful moment.
After a while, Konan suddenly opened her eyes and gazed up at Ryosuke.
"That… that was an instinctive reaction." Ryosuke said, slightly embarrassed.
Konan stared at him before suddenly bursting into laughter.
"We can get up later." Konan whispered in his ear.
Hiss~!
How could Ryosuke refuse?
In fact, if he weren't worried about Konan's condition, he wouldn't have resisted at all.
And so, another two or three hours passed.
At nearly lunchtime, the bedroom door finally opened.
Ryosuke and Konan stepped out.
"Ryosuke!"
Yugito had been up early. She had noticed that Ryosuke's bedroom door remained shut for a long time.
She wanted to check if he was awake—only to realize Konan wasn't in her room either.
She immediately understood what had happened. She couldn't help but feel relieved.
'Good thing I acted fast, or else wouldn't I have been overtaken by Konan, who had come later?' Yugito thought to herself.
Seeing Ryosuke and Konan walking out together, Yugito didn't show any surprise or jealousy.
Instead, she walked up and wrapped her arms around Ryosuke's other arm.
"Ryosuke, are you hungry? I made your favorite dish!"
Yugito chuckled, casting a casual glance at Konan.
"Konan, are you hungry? Would you like to eat together?"
Konan looked at Yugito.
Her heart now belonged entirely to Ryosuke, so she felt no hostility toward Yugito, who was also his woman.
"Okay," Konan replied simply.
This was just her nature.
Graceful and reserved.
She didn't like competing with others.
Seeing them getting along, Ryosuke let out a sigh of relief.
"Alright, let's go try my cooking!"
Yugito laughed, pulling Ryosuke along toward the dining room.