Chapter 8
He takes her to a cafe on the east side of the city; far from Akatsuki territory. It’s a civilian-run restaurant; clean money, no allegiances posted on the outside. A showa-style place, with dark fabrics reminiscent of the way Tokyo imagined Italy in the 30’s. There’s fresh flowers on every table, with a large arrangement in the entrance. Kisame orders coffee for them and tells her the place has great spaghetti if she feels up to eating.
Konan swirls cream into the thick porcelain cup and takes a sip, finding that it’s actually quite good. There’s only a handful of people in the cafe. Somehow they’ve gotten good seating near the back, with a clear line of sight to the entrance. Kisame’s cup clinks as he sets it on the saucer.
“Ma,“ He chirps. “It’s about time you start talking, Konan-san.”
She looks at him with suspicion. “Talk about what?”
“About what Akatsuki’s next moves are. We’re still in the middle of a crack-down from Konoha and NPA. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you’re just about to give it all up.”
He's not far from the truth.
"I'm leaving Akatsuki." As Konan says it out loud, it feels more and more solid.
They're down to three members. Herself, Kisame, and that bastard Madara. It's true that the final push to the Konoha group would no doubt topple the yakuza. All the damage they've caused to the other groups have certainly hampered their ability to intervene. Akatsuki owns 80% market share of all heroin trade in Japan. Why not go for that last 20%? Madara's plan will work, even if their organization is down to a skeleton crew. This is what Kisame must be thinking as he gives her a blank stare.
"What has this war brought to us other than pain? … Yahiko, Nagato, – they didn't want this." She folds her hands on the table. "Before he died, Nagato met with one of the Konoha Lieutenants. The boy was … " She can't find the words. "I tried to kill him, Hoshigaki-san. But he wouldn't let me do it."
"Who is this Lieutenant?"
"His name is Naruto. … In fact, he's another Uzumaki." A rarity in the yakuza world. An old family, but one with few members left. Naruto might be the only one. She smiled, looking into the distance. "He reminds me of Yahiko."
Kisame is becoming on edge; eyes hardening as he leans forward onto the table. He slips on his brass knuckles. An open threat.
"So you're working with Konoha now?"
Maybe she should die at Kisame's hands.
"He wants to end the heroin trade; and bring peace to the Yakuza families."
"He sounds like a fool."
(Then Yahiko was a fool too.)
"Do you think Madara will bring peace?" She asks. "Do you even want peace?"
The question seems to catch Kisame off-guard. Konan continues.
"Madara is only interested in control. If you think following him will bring peace, you're going to your grave."
Perhaps Kisame's not interested in peace either; because her argument changes nothing in his demeanor.
"Get out." His voice turns to a snarl. "Before I kill you here."
(Where does Kisame's loyalties lie?)