"You seem to have learned a new Ninjutsu; you look quite impressive."
Konan arrived at the practice field at some point and glanced at the severed steel pipe next to her.
"Haha... This is a high-level Water Release Ninjutsu that I obtained through special channels; you can't learn it in ordinary places."
Look at Aoki Tsuki's smug expression.
It's like a child who gets a favorite toy and can't wait to show it off.
I'll reluctantly go along with you.
Konan then said, "Really? Then I'd love to see for myself. Come to think of it, we've never fought before."
"This isn't quite right. After all, this is the Land of Rain; it wouldn't be fair for me to win like this."
Aoki Tsuki shook his head and refused, explaining that he could unleash 120% of his strength in places with water.
"You really look down on people, don't you?!" Konan was so angry she laughed.
She's acting like she's got her cornered before she's even made a move. Aoki Tsuki never dared to talk to her like that before; she's been out partying for a few years and lost her bearings.
"Very well, since you insist on the challenge, I won't take advantage of you. I'll fight you using only Ninjutsu."
He tossed the Karin Futsunomitama Karin, who was standing nearby, for safekeeping, and then beckoned to Konan.
"Bring it on!"
This is a perfect opportunity to demonstrate my strength as a teacher to my female apprentice.
Konan was already immune to Aoki Tsuki's shamelessness. What did he mean by not taking advantage of her? He knew perfectly well that Aokizuki was immune to sword damage, yet he still insisted on showing off.
Whoosh whoosh whoosh...
Countless paper swords were launched from the Konan, with both speed and quantity significantly increased compared to before.
Angel Wings!
Water Release: Water Trumpet
He created a stream of water with Chakra and sprayed it from his mouth, sweeping back and forth in front of him, engulfing all the rapidly flying paper swords into the water.
The paper hardens under the enhancement of Chakra, but it softens when it comes into contact with water. Aoki Tsuki and Konan have worked together for so long, how could they not have thought of a way to deal with it?
Foolish woman.
Seeing that the paper swords were ineffective, Konan immediately flew to the top of Aoki Tsuki's head, continuing her paper sword attacks, and also conjured two large, rapidly spinning flying wheels which she then threw down.
Attack simultaneously from the left, center, and right.
Puff puff puff...
Aoki Tsuki managed to defend against the paper sword, but it was shredded into pieces by the two paper flying wheels, spraying water everywhere.
" Water Clone Technique?" Konan was stunned for a moment, then felt a line of water sweep across her body, severing her body in half.
Water Release: Water Severing Wave
Aoki Tsuki's figure suddenly appeared more than ten meters away, spitting out a high-pressure water jet that precisely cut into Konan.
Karin, watching intently from a distance, adjusted her glasses. "Are clones used to distract the opponent?"
The duel between these two will be the most important initiation battle on her Jonin.
Splash...
Konan's body turned into countless pieces of paper. She had already flown far enough, but she was still hit.
Aoki Tsuki's newly acquired Water Release Ninjutsu has an effective attack range beyond imagination.
The paper fragments reformed, Konan, wielding the spear formed from them, flapped her wings and swooped down. "Can your Water Release still stop me now?"
" Body Flicker Technique "
Aoki Tsuki's body transformed into a pool of clear water and was pierced through by the spear. His true form took the opportunity to move to the side, and his long hair swept up to wrap around and seal Konan's body.
"I was prepared for this move, explode!"
boom...
A burst of Kakkō erupted, Konan's body transformed into pieces of paper that burned fiercely; it turned out to be Paper Clone.
Whoosh whoosh whoosh...
A flurry of Paper Shuriken whistled as they attacked Aoki Tsuki from behind.
Aoki Tsuki once again used Water Body Flicker to dodge, then used Lightning Release Imperial Lightning Snake.
thunderbolt...
A thick, serpentine bolt of lightning pierced through the rain and struck Konan's body.
"Ah..." Konan trembled all over, let out a scream, and her body was covered with cracks until she was reduced to a pile of shredded paper.
"Or is it a clone?!"
"You bastard, you're really ruthless; you've killed me several times."
Konan emerged from behind the hidden steel pipes, and the papers, under the precise manipulation of Chakra, rolled into the shape of Senbon, flying out densely like rain.
" Torrential Rain Senbon "
" Water Release · Water Formation Wall "
A circular water curtain rose up from all around and rotated rapidly, providing 360-degree defense. The high-speed rotating Water Formation Wall could also break the penetrating power of the paper Senbon.
Upon seeing this, Konan immediately manipulated the paper to form a giant ring that surrounded Aoki Tsuki in the center.
Boom boom boom...
The continuous explosions finally breached the Water Formation Wall's defenses, releasing a large amount of gas.
Taking advantage of the opportunity, Aoki Tsuki used the Hidden Mist Technique to hide his figure.
The white mist spread rapidly, and with the help of the rain, it covered a wide area and had a stable effect.
Konan was familiar with Aoki Tsuki's various techniques. To deal with the Hidden Mist Technique, she chose to use the simplest and most violent method: paper airplanes carrying explosive balls to bombard the enemy.
This technique was learned from the Yatagarasu of the Animal Path.
In a short while, Aoki Tsuki hurriedly dispelled the Hidden Mist Technique and surrendered.
"Stop blowing it up! Stop blowing it up! Spare me! I give up..."
He primarily uses his mental energy to build mental barriers for defense, not to attack others.
There's really no good way to deal with an opponent like Konan who flies in the sky.
However, this also gave him a new idea: once he researched Sage Mode to the 'complete' level, would he also be able to fly on a sword?
"Hmph, I thought you could hold out in there a little longer."
"Holding on for even a second longer would be an offense to you. I was just joking with you."
Seeing Aoki Tsuki's submissive demeanor, Konan, though still angry, couldn't vent her anger any longer. This person was flexible and adaptable, and even she sometimes felt helpless against him.
Her opponent's Water Release were indeed a strong counter to her.
'Damn man'
"Tch!... What is this?" Karin walked over with a look of disdain and tossed the knife to Aoki Tsuki.
They boasted all they could before the battle, but surrendered after only a few moves. They're utterly useless.
"I'm going back now."
Karin jogged away from the practice field.
"I heard you've caused quite a stir in the Land of Fire lately, clashing with the Konoha Village's Anbu several times."
"That's true. They used the Jashin Cult to attract Konoha's attention, and then took the opportunity to spread Akatsuki's intelligence network. This strategy has never changed."
The increasingly detailed intelligence being transmitted back shows that this work is progressing very smoothly.
" Konoha has a deep foundation and isn't so easy to deal with. You'd better be careful," Konan warned.
She knew Aoki Tsuki's nature all too well; he became arrogant and overbearing once he gained power.
He used to be suppressed by Hanzō and Nagato in the village, maintaining a low profile for several years. Now that he's out in the world with no one to control him, who knows how crazy he's gone.
They've definitely gone astray.
"I understand. Right now, it's just about causing a little trouble. I wouldn't dare to confront them head-on. If I run into a tough opponent, I'll just run away."
"It's good that you know what's going on. Just don't die out there."
Aoki Tsuki quickly replied, "No, as Konan's most capable assistant, no one but you can kill me."
"Are you still holding a grudge against me?"
"No, no, I meant to express my trust in you. I don't trust anyone but you."
I'll make a note of that for now.
Splash...
Konan transformed into a butterfly, flapping its wings and disappearing into the rain.
Aoki Tsuki looked at his hair, which was now singed again, and was somewhat speechless. Konan was worried that he was out having a wild time and was deliberately trying to make him jealous.
That's true. He's the top leader of the organization, and his word is law. His secretary does the work when needed, and flirts with her when not.
Back in the village, he could only be the third-in-command, and his female boss was particularly fond of psychological manipulation (PUA).
Returning regularly to report on work is really just a way of stating one's position.
After lingering in the village for a while, they returned to their base in the Land of Fire.
After being reprimanded by Konan in the village, the first thing he did upon returning to the base was to find Kikuno Momo to conduct an obedience test.
You need to learn how to pass on pressure, otherwise you'll only end up suffering the consequences.
"Wait, what is this woman doing?"
Kikuno Momo was secretly practicing Ninjutsu behind his back, and it seemed to be progressing quite well.
A non-combatant person quitting clerical work and switching careers? There must be something fishy going on.
He's starting to resemble Danzo more and more without anyone noticing.
In a grove of trees outside the city, a training ground had been temporarily set up, with several wooden stakes and circular targets.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Six Shuriken were thrown; two missed the target, two hit the 5-ring, one hit the 3-ring, and one hit the 2-ring.
Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique
Kikuno Momo Hand Seals, took a deep breath, her chest expanded violently, and then she blew out a large fireball. The intense heat burned the wooden stake into charcoal.
"Wow... what a huge ball!" Aoki Tsuki exclaimed, his mouth agape in amazement.
Next, Kikuno Momo practiced Kunai throwing, trap setting, and Taijutsu for a while.
For some reason, Aoki Tsuki seemed to see a reflection of her past self.
"You look so beautiful when you're working hard."
Without disturbing him, he quietly left; he couldn't sabotage someone's hard work and struggle.
It wasn't until evening that Kikuno Momo returned to the izakaya and started working; she was really busy.
"Sister Mimoto, what have you been busy with lately?"
Aoki Tsuki sat on the sofa in the izakaya, patted his leg, and gestured for Kikuno Momo to sit down.
"What else could I be busy with? Just some daily chores." Kikuno Momo pretended not to see and pulled up a chair to sit down.
"If you need my help, please don't hesitate to ask. I'm your sworn brother, and you're the only person I trust."
"But I am, after all, from Konoha, and I have Uchiha blood flowing through my veins. I'm afraid I'll let you down."
Kikuno Momo chose to retreat as a strategic move.
"Your words have reminded me that if... Konoha really chooses to take action against the Uchiha, then you may be the last of the Uchiha's legacy."
"Sister Mimoto, we two will have an obligation to continue the bloodline of our clan when the time comes, don't you think?"
"Well, you're overthinking it."
Kikuno Momo reached out and smoothed a strand of hair at her temple. What kind of thought process is this?!
"Besides, my bloodline isn't pure to begin with, and I'm not fit to shoulder the heavy responsibility of carrying on the family legacy. It's more important for us to focus on the work at hand."
"Alright then, since you've put it that way, I'll just consider it me worrying unnecessarily. You need to keep a close eye on the situation in Konoha."
Tell me immediately if anything happens.
Before the Uchiha was wiped out, no one would have believed that Konoha could be so ruthless and merciless.
He was, after all, an outsider, and it was pointless for him to worry about these things. He should focus on improving himself. Even his female secretary was quietly working hard, so he naturally couldn't fall behind.
If you can't keep up your stamina during battle, you'll suffer a huge loss!
After some consideration, Aoki Tsuki decided to pass on his ' Single-Point Gaze ' meditation technique to Kikuno Momo.
Having gained many benefits from the other party, as someone who values gratitude, I cannot fail to show my appreciation.
"This is...?"
Kikuno Momo looked at the scroll that Aoki Tsuki handed her, somewhat at a loss. She was truly terrified of being deceived again.
"It's a secret technique that can hone one's mental strength. We've come this far precisely because of this. If you practice diligently, you might even awaken the Sharingan."
Hearing that it could help train mental strength, Kikuno Momo's eyes lit up.
'You actually have something this good? Hmph, at least you have some conscience.'
"Don't worry, it's a free gift. As my personal secretary, you should take some time to improve your skills and not tarnish my reputation."
"Okay, I understand."
Kikuno Momo secretly clenched her fist, 'This girl must have found out I'm practicing Ninjutsu.'
The point of this statement is simply to allow her to practice Ninjutsu openly and honestly, without having to do it secretly.