Konan's Death?

"Yahiko, be careful!"

Just as Yahiko was about to give up resisting and accept death, Konan made her move!

Konan raised a hand, and a mass of paper slips drifted from her sleeves, whipping up a gale that blocked the flames in front of Yahiko!

Though the paper was swallowed by the flames moments later, causing the fire to burn even more fiercely, those brief moments still bought Yahiko a chance to catch his breath!

"Water Style: Water Prison Wall!"

Yahiko retreated, breaking free from the encirclement of flames. At the same time, his hands rapidly formed seals, using the Water Prison Wall to delay the fire's spread!

Yahiko darted away in quick succession, finally escaping the range of the Fire Dragon Flame Bullet.

But before Yahiko could steady himself, Uchiha Obito appeared right in front of him!

"Die!"

Uchiha Obito swung the kunai in his hand and thrust it at Yahiko's neck!

Yahiko barely twisted aside to evade Uchiha Obito's attack, but Obito reacted swiftly. When his first strike missed, he immediately thrust at Yahiko again!

This time, however, Yahiko could no longer dodge. His body simply could not react in time!

Am I... going to die again?!

"Paper Style: Shuriken!"

At that moment, Konan acted again!

Several dozen shuriken folded from paper slips shot toward Uchiha Obito!

Uchiha Obito's body stiffened. In the end, he abandoned his attack on Yahiko and leaped back to evade Konan's assault!

"What a nuisance!"

Faced with Konan's attack, Uchiha Obito instinctively wanted to use Kamui to phase through it. But phasing was far too recognizable; unwilling to expose his identity, he had no choice but to abandon the idea.

Konan took the opportunity to rush to Yahiko's side and asked worriedly, "Yahiko, are you all right?"

"I'm fine!" Yahiko's expression was grim as he stared at Uchiha Obito. "So this is Konoha's Anbu? He's really strong!"

Since making his debut, Yahiko had mostly encountered only lowly wandering ninja. Even while mediating between and aiding the ninja of Konoha and Iwagakure, no conflicts had broken out.

The last time he had been surrounded by "Iwagakure Ninja," Nagato had resolved the crisis.

This was the first time Yahiko had encountered such a powerful opponent. Before Uchiha Obito, he felt utterly incapable of fighting back!

Yahiko's nails dug deeply into his palms.

That sense of powerlessness filled him with bitter hatred for himself.

"Yahiko..."

Konan noticed something was wrong with Yahiko and called to him softly in concern.

"I'm fine." Yahiko slowly exhaled a breath of turbid air and said seriously, "Konan, I'm his primary target! I'll do my best to hold him back later. Take the chance to escape!"

Konan froze, then immediately shook her head. "No! I will never leave you behind!"

If anything, Konan had known Yahiko for even longer. Mixed into her bonds with Yahiko was a certain affection.

No matter how one looked at it, Konan would never abandon Yahiko and flee alone!

Yahiko looked at Konan and said earnestly, "Konan, whether it's you or me, there's no meaning in either of us dying here!"

"But if I die protecting you, then at least my death will have been worthwhile!"

"Besides, I promised Nagato that I'd protect you!"

Seeing the resolve in Yahiko's eyes, Konan stood there blankly, unable to say a word.

"Have you two finished discussing it?" Seeing Yahiko's resolute expression, Uchiha Obito became interested. Rather than attacking immediately, he pinched his throat and said, "I have a suggestion. If you tell me where that Red-haired Kid is, I can let you go."

"Dream on!" Yahiko rejected Uchiha Obito's proposal without a second thought. "Even if I die, I will never betray Nagato!"

The corners of Uchiha Obito's mouth curled slightly beneath his mask. "You may not care about your own life, but what if I use hers in exchange?"

As he spoke, Uchiha Obito flashed forward and appeared in front of Konan, reaching for her neck!

Uchiha Obito was too fast. Yahiko did not react at all!

Though Konan barely managed to react and tried to use Paper Substitution to evade Uchiha Obito's grab, he seemed to have seen through her intentions long ago. A sharp Black Iron Rod suddenly extended from his palm and pierced Konan's shoulder!

Drops of blood scattered. The Black Iron Rod seemed to contain some special substance, throwing the Chakra inside Konan's body into disorder and making her unable to use any ninjutsu at all!

With a crack, Uchiha Obito snapped the Black Iron Rod in his hand, leaving a section inside Konan's body to continue restricting her Chakra.

At the same time, he pulled Konan over and pressed the remaining short section of the Black Iron Rod against her neck!

Everything happened far too quickly, almost in an instant!

By the time Yahiko reacted, it was already too late!

"Don't move!" Uchiha Obito stopped Yahiko, who was about to rush forward, and said coldly, "Make your choice now! Do you want this girl, or that Red-haired Kid?"

Yahiko stood frozen in place, trembling all over! His eyes were filled with pain and struggle!

If he were the one who had to die, Yahiko would not hesitate in the slightest! But both Konan and Nagato were his companions—how could he possibly choose between them!

Yet beneath his mask, Uchiha Obito wore a satisfied smile at the sight!

That's it!

Feel pain! Understand pain!

Only then could you see this world for what it truly was!

A world filled with every kind of tragedy had no reason to continue existing!

What a pity Nagato wasn't here. Otherwise, it would have been even better!

"Yahiko..."

Seeing Yahiko's agony, Konan's heart twisted. This choice absolutely could not be left to Yahiko!

With that thought, a trace of resolve flashed through Konan's eyes!

Yahiko noticed the change in Konan's gaze, and his heart lurched!

"Konan, don't—"

Yahiko spoke, but before he could finish, Konan deliberately threw herself against the Black Iron Rod in Uchiha Obito's hand!

"Pshk!"

Warm blood sprayed from Konan's neck, drenching Yahiko from head to toe!

Yahiko's eyes widened, but his gaze was blank and lifeless!

Yahiko lowered his head, staring at the blood staining his hands as his body trembled uncontrollably!

"Ya... hiko..."

The light gradually faded from Konan's Eyes, and she collapsed limply to the ground.

"I..."

"Why did I..."

"Konan..."

"AAAH!!!"

Yahiko's heart hurt so badly he could barely breathe. He had completely lost the ability to speak, dropping to his knees and letting out a tortured roar!

If Yahiko had been a member of the Uchiha Clan, this pain might have already awakened his Mangekyō Sharingan!

Uchiha Obito silently took several steps back, his One-Eyed eye beneath the mask fixed firmly on Yahiko.

"Let me see what choice you'll make!"