Chapter 318: Resuming the Joint Chunin Exams; Konan, One of a Kind [HN]

Three days later, Konoha was filled with a festive atmosphere.

A distinguished guest from the Land of Rain, the Angel of the Akatsuki, Konan, was about to arrive to discuss major cooperation plans with Konoha.

The well-informed villagers had already been eagerly waiting.

After all, this was an important moment that symbolized peace and friendship.

Inside the Hokage’s office, Chiya was unusually distracted, unconsciously tapping his fingers against the desk.

Even Kushina, who had come over to help organize some documents, noticed something was off.

She came closer and blinked at him.

“Chiya-nii, are you looking forward to Konan’s arrival?”

Chiya came back to his senses and laughed as he gently rubbed Kushina’s fiery red hair.

Deep down, however, he had to admit that the anticipation was indeed there.

That cool-looking girl with an exceptionally strong gaze.

It had been a long time since they had met, and he wondered what she looked like now.

Soon after, the sound of approaching footsteps could be heard.

When Konan’s figure appeared in front of the Hokage Building, everyone’s attention was instantly drawn to her.

She wore a simple and elegant robe, with a light blue paper flower adorning the right side of her head.

The design of her clothes was exquisite, and her light purple sleeves fluttered gently in the breeze.

They complemented her snow-white skin, while her blue-purple hair was simply tied behind her head, revealing her smooth forehead and calm eyes.

Time seemed to have treated her especially well.

Compared with her youthful appearance from before, she had matured considerably.

That unique cool temperament of hers had become even more prominent.

“Konan, welcome to Konoha.”

Chiya stepped forward with a gentle smile.

Konan raised her head and looked at the man before her.

Compared with the one in her memories, he was taller and more imposing, with an even steadier air about him.

Her heart involuntarily skipped a beat.

She tried to maintain her outward calm and gave a slight nod.

“Hokage-sama, it has been a long time.”

“Why are you still being so formal with me?”

Chiya walked up beside her and naturally turned to walk alongside her toward the meeting hall.

“Was the journey smooth?”

“Very smooth.”

Konan answered softly.

She could feel the warmth radiating from the person beside her.

The tension that had built up because of the formal meeting gradually relaxed without her realizing it.

‘Chiya is still the same Chiya I know!~’

The two entered the meeting hall, and the atmosphere immediately became solemn yet enthusiastic.

Representing Amegakure, Konan did not waste any time on unnecessary words.

She clearly explained their intentions for cooperation.

Her voice was cool and pleasant, and her presentation was well organized.

The cooperation plans she proposed were both practical and far-sighted, earning frequent nods from Konoha’s senior officials.

“…Therefore, we hope to establish a long-term and stable comprehensive partnership with Konoha. In particular, regarding education and cultural exchanges, we propose sending students to each other’s villages and sharing educational resources. In the future, we could even consider resuming the joint Chunin Exams, allowing the younger generation to grow together through friendly competition.”

“Resuming the joint Chunin Exams?”

The proposal made everyone present feel both surprised and excited.

A smile appeared at the corner of Chiya’s mouth as he looked at Konan confidently speaking before the meeting.

His eyes were filled with appreciation.

He appropriately took over the conversation.

“I think Konan’s proposal is excellent. The joint Chunin Exams are not only a stage for testing the strength of our shinobi, but also a symbol of the friendship and cooperation between our two villages. Konoha fully supports this idea!”

The Hokage’s statement settled the matter.

The atmosphere of the meeting became even more harmonious.

The subsequent discussions regarding cooperation in areas such as economics and medicine also progressed exceptionally smoothly.

Minato and Uchiha Fugaku looked at Chiya happily discussing matters with the representative of Amegakure, then looked at Konan, whose bearing was exceptionally graceful.

Both their eyes revealed pleased expressions.

Peace was built through sincere cooperation like this, time and time again.

The cooperation agreement was officially signed in a friendly and enthusiastic atmosphere.

After the meeting ended, the setting sun had already covered Konoha in a layer of golden light.

“Thank you for your hard work.”

Chiya walked over to Konan.

“I know a very good barbecue restaurant. The food is excellent. Would you like to go and try it? Consider it my way of welcoming you, and also… celebrating our reunion after such a long time.”

He lowered his voice slightly on the last few words.

Without either of them realizing it, a faint intimacy had appeared between them.

Konan’s heart stirred slightly.

A very faint blush appeared on her cool face as she gently nodded.

“Okay.”

Without bringing any attendants, the two walked through Konoha’s bustling streets like ordinary friends.

The setting sun stretched their shadows across the ground, occasionally making them overlap.

Konan quietly walked beside Chiya as he introduced the changes along the streets, telling her which shops had recently opened and which old establishments still tasted just as good as before.

As she felt Konoha’s vigorous life and peaceful atmosphere, a sense of long-lost tranquility and warmth gradually surrounded her.

When the owner of the barbecue restaurant saw Chiya, he greeted him enthusiastically.

“Hokage-sama, it’s been quite a while since you last came!”

The owner looked at Konan and gave him a knowing smile.

“Please come in. I’ve saved the best seat for you!”

Inside the private booth, the grill soon burned with a warm flame.

Various fresh slices of meat and vegetables were neatly arranged.

The sizzling sound of the barbecue and its tempting aroma quickly filled the small room.

Chiya skillfully grilled the meat and placed the first pieces of juicy beef into Konan’s plate.

“Try this. It’s their specialty, and the heat is just right.”

Konan looked at the pile of grilled meat in her bowl, feeling warm inside.

She picked up a piece, carefully blew on it, and put it into her mouth.

The meat was tender and juicy, and the seasoning was just right.

Her eyes narrowed in satisfaction.

“It’s delicious.”

“If you like it, eat more.”

Seeing her rare expression of satisfaction, which was almost cute, Chiya’s smile deepened.

He placed several more pieces into her plate.

“Looks like you don’t get much time to enjoy yourself in Amegakure.”

Konan lightly glared at him.

Rather than anger, the look was closer to a coquettish complaint.

“There isn’t much time to enjoy good food in Kirigakure.”

Even so, she obediently ate the food Chiya had placed in front of her.

After a few cups of sake, the atmosphere became even more relaxed.

Konan gradually became more talkative.

She was no longer the serious Angel from the meeting hall.

Instead, she revealed some of the lively side that belonged to a woman her age.

“Speaking of which, I still have to thank you, Chiya-nii. If it weren’t for your help back then, and later your support for Morita Shin, the Akatsuki, meaning the few of us, would never have had a chance to enter the center of power in Amegakure, much less establish ourselves there so quickly afterward.”

She began talking about the Akatsuki’s experiences over the years.

Her tone became much lighter.

Those hardships and difficulties from the past now seemed like interesting memories worth recalling.

“That guy Yahiko used to stammer from nervousness whenever we had meetings! Now he actually looks like he knows what he’s doing and can hold the room together.”

“Nagato is still the same. He doesn’t like talking much, but no one is more reliable than him when it comes to carrying out missions. He just pushes himself too hard sometimes, so I have to keep an eye on him.”

“The Land of Rain has changed a lot. We’ve built new irrigation facilities, the rebellions have already been put down, and the children can finally attend school without worrying. We’re still very busy, but whenever I see the village getting better day by day, I feel that everything is worth it.”

Chiya listened attentively, occasionally refilling her cup and handing her freshly grilled meat.

He was the perfect listener.

He could feel that Konan truly loved the Land of Rain and the Akatsuki that she had devoted herself to.

That persistence and love made her seem to shine.

“You’ve all done very well. Even better than I imagined.”

Chiya praised her sincerely.

“Seeing you now and seeing how much the Land of Rain has changed, I’m genuinely happy for you.”

His affirmation flowed into Konan’s heart like a warm current.

She looked at Chiya’s profile, which seemed especially gentle amid the warmth of the restaurant.

She watched him attentively grill meat and pour her drinks.

The emotions she had accumulated over many years finally began to quietly reveal themselves at this moment.

“Chiya-nii.”

She put down her cup, her voice soft but clear.

“Do you know? Actually… I’ve always been very envious of Tsunade-sama and Mikoto-san.”

Chiya’s movements stopped.

He looked at her.

Konan lowered her eyes slightly, her long eyelashes casting faint shadows beneath them.

Her tone carried a trace of shyness, yet she was unusually honest.

“They can naturally stay by your side like that and share your happiness and sadness. I… sometimes wonder, if I had met you earlier, or… if I had been a little braver back then…”

Her voice gradually became quieter.

Her cheeks were flushed, whether from the alcohol or embarrassment.

Chiya’s heart was touched by her direct yet somewhat clumsy confession.

He put down his chopsticks and looked at her seriously.

“Konan…”

Konan raised her head instead.

A firm and clear light shone in her ice-blue eyes, and she interrupted him.

“Chiya-nii, please let me finish.”

She took a deep breath as though gathering all her courage.

“I know that someone as outstanding as you will never lack people who admire you. Tsunade-sama and Mikoto-san must be very important to you. I… I’m not asking to replace anyone, and I’ve never thought about having you all to myself.”

Her gaze was gentle yet persistent, like a tranquil lake reflecting Chiya’s figure.

“I just… I just want you to know that somewhere in this world, there is a person named Konan who, even from far away, has always… always kept you in a very important place in her heart. I don’t care what other people think, and I don’t care about so-called status. I only want to be… the most special person in your heart. Someone different from your comrades, different from your friends, and different from them… a one-of-a-kind existence.”

After saying all this, Konan felt that her cheeks were burning.

Her heart was beating so fast that it felt as though it might leap from her chest.

She did not dare look into Chiya’s eyes and instinctively picked up her cup to hide her nervousness.

Chiya was stunned.

He had imagined many possibilities, but he had never expected Konan to be so honest and so pure.

She did not care about worldly judgment.

She did not demand equal affection in return.

She simply wanted to occupy a special place in his heart.

That feeling was so pure that it hurt, and so precious that he could not easily respond to it.

He looked at Konan’s flushed profile and at her fingers trembling slightly as she tried to remain calm.

A feeling of indescribable tenderness rose in his heart.

He reached out and gently covered the hand she had placed beside the table.

Konan’s body trembled, but she did not pull away.

“Konan!”

Chiya’s voice was low and gentle, carrying unprecedented seriousness.

“You have always been special.”

Konan suddenly raised her head and met his deep, warm eyes.

Chiya slowly spoke, his thumb gently rubbing the back of her hand.

“All these years, I’ve watched you fight for your ideals in the Land of Rain and watched you grow into such an outstanding woman. I admire you, I respect you, and… I’ve never forgotten you.”

He paused and looked into her eyes before speaking word by word.

“You don’t need to compare yourself with anyone. You are you, and you are the one and only Konan. In my heart, you have long occupied a special place that no one else can replace.”

It was not a promise.

Yet it touched Konan’s heart more deeply than any promise could have.

It acknowledged her uniqueness, affirmed her worth, and answered the cautious yet completely sincere feelings she had carried in her heart.

A huge mixture of joy and bitterness rose to the tip of her nose, and Konan’s eyes became slightly moist.

She turned her hand over and tightly grasped Chiya’s hand, as though she had caught hold of the most important thing in her life.

“Really?”

Her voice carried a trace of a sob, yet she could not stop herself from smiling.

That smile was like ice and snow melting for the first time in spring, like flowers blooming.

It was breathtakingly beautiful.

“Of course.”

Chiya smiled as well.

“So, from now on, when you come to Konoha, don’t just talk about official matters. Remember to come here and eat barbecue with me, tell me what interesting things have happened in the Land of Rain, or… just stay quietly for a while, like this.”

“Yes!”

Konan nodded hard.

The tears finally slipped down her cheeks, but they were tears of happiness.

At this moment, the noise of the barbecue restaurant seemed to become nothing more than background music.

The fire crackled, the aroma of grilled meat filled the air, and in the eyes of the two people looking at each other, there was only the other’s figure and the warmth they shared without needing to put it into words.

Beauty and excitement quietly flowed through the air, creating a warm and sweet atmosphere.

There was still a long road ahead.

Their relationship might be complicated, but at least at this moment, they had confirmed that they held a special place in each other’s hearts.

For Konan, that was enough.

To be the one and only person in his heart.

Just like a paper crane, with wings made of paper, she still wanted to soar through the sky that belonged to them.

That was her greatest happiness.