"Where do you think you're looking?" A cold voice rang out behind Konan.
Konan's expression changed drastically. Her white wings fluttered as she tried to leave the area, but a tremendous force suddenly seized and tore at her from behind. Gritting her teeth, Konan rapidly formed hand seals.
"Boom!" A violent explosion erupted around Konan.
"Cough, cough..." Konan fell awkwardly from the air to the ground. Her black cloak with red clouds had been blasted full of holes, revealing her fair skin beneath—an alluring sight. Yet Ueno Kei showed no trace of mercy.
A fierce glint flashed through his eyes.
"Lightning Release—Thunder Roar!"
"Rumble!" A violet-blue bolt of lightning flashed through the sky and struck Konan before she could evade it. Her body instantly stiffened.
She began convulsing uncontrollably.
"Clang!"
A flash of cold steel arrived first, cleaving Konan's body in two. Yet her severed form turned into a pile of white paper scraps and scattered away.
To his left, Konan reappeared, lingering fear written across her face. She could no longer maintain her usual calm expression, and horror filled her eyes.
She had already rated Ueno Kei's strength highly, yet she had never expected herself to be completely outmatched. The wariness in Konan's eyes grew stronger. No, she had to hold Ueno Kei back. She absolutely could not let him reach the place where Jiraiya and Pain were fighting.
Pain would never be a match for those two working together. A resolute look appeared on Konan's face.
"Forget it. Since I can't kill you, there's no point wasting time and chakra." Ueno Kei suddenly frowned and spoke with a hint of displeasure.
"What?" Konan froze slightly. At that moment, Ueno Kei's figure vanished in a puff of white smoke.
"A Shadow Clone?!" Konan said in disbelief. "When?"
Could it