Konan's Challenge

Jin's words deeply moved the three of them.

"Then what should we do?" White asked.

"We're all still weak! We need to train without wasting a moment. Once we have the ability to protect ourselves, we'll choose a place outside and break away from Konoha, but we must maintain a good relationship with Konoha. For now, only the few of us can know about this. Don't tell the children—they shouldn't have to bear such a heavy burden. Now, let's head to our new home while we think through the details. Once everyone has the strength to protect themselves and reaches the level of a Chunin, we'll discuss this again," Jin said with a smile.

The group headed toward their new home. Though the fifty children behind Jin knew they were about to move into a new house, they did not seem particularly happy.

Just as they reached a residential area, a paper crane drifted into view and gently landed before Jin.

Jin lowered his head and reached for the paper crane. At the same time, he activated his Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan. The six-pointed star began to spin as he thought, They really are impossible to shake off! Aren't they afraid Konoha's ninja will wipe them out? He gently picked up the paper crane, deactivated his Sharingan, and unfolded it. It turned out to be a letter of challenge. Its target was "Short-legged Steelyard Weight," Jin's disguised identity.

"Aunt Lanhui Zi, take them inside first! You're in charge of everything!" Jin instructed.

"What happened?" the three asked at once.

"A formidable opponent has arrived!" Jin said, then scampered off toward a secluded spot. When he emerged again, Jin had transformed into "Short-legged Steelyard Weight," complete with the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan.

Gale Technique!

"You arrived early, didn't you?" Jin revealed himself after reaching a forest outside Konoha Village, where Konan had just arrived.

"Impressive! You got here so quickly! I see you've fooled everyone. They all think you're merely at the peak Chunin or Jonin level, but you've actually reached the quasi-Kage level. You're only one step away from becoming Kage-level! And your hand speed is incredible—you can complete all kinds of hand seals almost in the blink of an eye. That unique space ninjutsu of yours is truly troublesome. I don't think anyone could catch you. Are you interested in joining Akatsuki? Our terms are quite generous!" Konan stared intently at the diminutive Jin.

"You think too highly of me. My strength really isn't much. I'm not interested in Akatsuki," Jin stated honestly, because he had discovered that the more truthful he was, the less people believed him.

"Modest! You're far too modest! Our organization needs talent like you. After we have a match, perhaps you'll reconsider!" Konan said.

"Oh? Are you going to force me with violence? Then let's give it a try!" Jin answered indifferently, though he was nervous as hell inside.

The two exchanged a glance. Then they began forming hand seals at the same time, but Jin's sealing speed was no joke. He struck first.

Water Release! Water Dragon Bullet! Fire Release! Phoenix Flower! Jin's Water Dragon attacked from the middle while the scattered fireballs of Phoenix Flower attacked from both sides.

Paper Sword Rain! Konan unexpectedly launched countless paper kunai from Jin's right.

Jin immediately realized that the one he had attacked was merely one of Konan's clones. In his urgency, he completed his hand seals in an instant. Ice Formation Wall! It was a composite ninjutsu Jin had recently figured out, one that worked on the same principle as Water Formation Wall. It could also be called an upgraded version of Water Formation Wall.

Bang! Bang! The sounds rang out. Konan had already begun her second wave of attacks. Paper Spear!

The Ice Formation Wall before Jin vanished after completing its task. At the exact instant it disappeared, a paper spear flew toward Jin.

Jin no longer had time to form hand seals. In his desperation, he used the chakra-draining Instant Movement Technique and barely dodged the fatal strike. Standing some distance away, Jin thought in astonishment, The Sharingan actually couldn't see through her clone. Her movements just now were so fast! How did she do it? A string of questions filled his mind, but Konan was not about to let him think in peace.

Paper Shuriken Shadow Clone!

Suicide Decapitation Technique! Jin instantly burrowed underground, evading the paper shuriken attack, then tunneled toward Konan's feet. He burst out of the ground in an instant, only to discover Konan rapidly forming hand seals not far away. Even an idiot would know that his previous attack had failed and that his intentions had been seen through. She was now unleashing a major technique.

Jin rapidly formed a hand seal, finishing almost at the same time as Konan.

Paper Prison Technique!

Water Prison Technique!

Both were caught by the other's technique. Then, because their casters had been trapped, the paper prison and water prison around them both vanished.

Jin was overjoyed. Hahaha, fast hands really do come in handy! The moment Konan's Paper Prison attacked me, I already collected her chakra signature. Finding her again will be easy from now on!

"You're very skilled! My mission is complete! Your strength is good. What do you think now? Will you join Akatsuki?" Konan stopped attacking and asked.

"What? Just good? Does she still have some major technique she hasn't used yet? My god, I was already run ragged just now!" Jin complained inwardly. "I'll say it again: I have no interest in Akatsuki! My own objective has been achieved as well. We'll meet again next time. Fighting you was truly satisfying," Jin said smugly.

"Very well! I hope you won't regret it. The next person who invites you won't be as easy to talk to as I am," Konan said with immense regret.

The two turned and left at the same time.

He's truly formidable! Although I haven't used my full strength yet, his reaction speed is simply too fast! Especially that terrifying hand-seal speed. It's obvious he still has many ninjutsu hidden away. It's just that his coordination between techniques is very unpracticed. Could he be a novice? Impossible! Konan thought in amazement.

Jin was considering Konan's words. Who else will come? Could it be Pain? That would really be troublesome to deal with. Whatever comes, comes!

"How strong is he?" Pain asked.

"Strong! Very strong! His hand-seal speed has reached a terrifying ten per second! He can use Fire, Water, Ice, Wind, Earth, and Wood Release. I suspect he can use ninjutsu of every attribute. He has also created many ninjutsu and composite ninjutsu himself. He's very fast and can use a special form of invisibility—even we can't detect him. Only when he attacks and releases killing intent can we sense his presence. He's an extremely dangerous person. I don't think anyone can defeat him, because he can use a hand-sign-free Instant Movement Technique to teleport somewhere," Konan answered Pain.

When Itachi heard that Jin could form ten hand seals per second, his eyes had already widened in disbelief. He simply could not believe it.

Pain fell silent for a while, then sighed. "No matter what, we must determine whether he is our friend or enemy. If he is an enemy, we must kill him as soon as possible. Otherwise, the consequences will be unimaginable."

"Yes, you're right. But how can we test him?" Konan asked.