" Nagato, it's better if I keep the Rinnegan safe. Look at you now, neither human nor demon. How many years do you have left to live if you forcibly possess the Rinnegan?"
Naoki Senju's Wood Clone pursued Nagato at a leisurely pace. When one clone's Chakra was exhausted, another would take over. Whether they could catch up or not was not important, but they absolutely could not give Nagato even the slightest chance to catch his breath.
"How could this be... My information has been leaked! Damn it!" Nagato was furious that his true identity had been exposed. Besides Konan, only the Masked Man claimed to be Madara Uchiha knew his true identity. Could this also be a trap set by the Masked Man?
Konan's paper scroll curled up the weakened Nagato, which fled through the air with the desert winds, but its speed was never enough to outrun the Wood Clone behind it.
By this point, Nagato and Konan finally understood that Akatsuki's entire hunting plan had been exposed from beginning to end, and had even become a trap Naoki Senju to lure Nagato into a trap.
As soon as they tried to get close to the Six Paths of Pain, they would be caught red-handed by the Wood Clone had been lying in ambush nearby. What annoyed Nagato the most was that if Deidara's self-destruction hadn't almost wiped out the Six Paths of Pain, he wouldn't have needed to risk getting close to the Pain's Deva Path.
What can you do when you're betrayed by your own people? You can only swallow your anger and suffer in silence.
" Nagato, I'll go stop Naoki Senju's Wood Clone. You still have a chance to return to Amegakure."
After several attempts, Konan finally gave up on the idea of shaking off the Wood Clone. Their speed wasn't much faster than the Wood Clone, but they consumed far more Chakra, and they would definitely be the first to run out of Chakra.
But Konan was not a weak woman who would only cry and whine in the face of trouble. Without waiting for Nagato's response, she left behind a Paper Clone and continued flying towards Amegakure with Nagato, while her main body went to meet the pursuing Wood Clone.
" The Dance of the Shikigami "
Sheets of snow-white paper danced around Konan, as if folded and turned by skillful hands, forming sharp spikes that, following Konan's will, poured down like a torrential rain, completely covering the area where the Wood Clone was located.
Although Konan has always been by Nagato's side, almost never leaving his side, this does not mean that Konan's strength has not improved. Her strength is no weaker than any of the Akatsuki's missing-nin, and may even be greater.
She was never a supporting character, but a flower of hope blooming in the darkness, waiting for the dawn!
The paper, folded into spikes, failed to break through the Wood Release defense, but Konan's attack did not end there.
The snow-white paper pieces burst forth with extreme light and heat. Upon closer inspection, these were no longer paper pieces, but clearly Explosive Tag in an activated state!
Konan's fighting style is similar to Deidara's, both using explosive power to defeat their opponents, but Konan is much more difficult to deal with than Deidara.
While Clay Bomb come in a variety of styles and types, they rely heavily on Deidara's own improvisation and consume a significant amount of Chakra, and are also countered by Lightning Release Ninjutsu.
However, Explosive Tag do not have these drawbacks. Their power is no less than that of regular Clay Bomb, and they require almost no Chakra. They are also not countered by Lightning Release Ninjutsu. When combined with Konan's unique Paper Release Ninjutsu, she can mix the Explosive Tag with ordinary white paper, making them virtually impossible to defend against.
A single Explosive Tag isn't very powerful, but the combined power of dozens of Explosive Tag easily tore through the protection of Wood Release. In terms of this strength, Konan is stronger than Sasori of the Red Sands and Deidara. However, as a price, every battle Konan fights is a drain on the Akatsuki's coffers.
If you want to crush your opponents with Explosive Tag in battle, how can you do it without spending money? Ten taels for one Explosive Tag, Konan's full-power output in one minute can wipe out the Akatsuki's food expenses for a day.
Konan is clearly a "poor woman" who doesn't care about the cost, since the funds for these Explosive Tag all come from the Akatsuki's "hard work," and Konan finds them exceptionally convenient to use.
Just as the Wood Release's protection was breached, another wave of saturation firepower descended.
" The Paper Rain Technique."
Konan recklessly squandered the Akatsuki's wealth, unaware that every Explosive Tag contained the bitter sweat and tears of Kakuzu.
A more intense wave of explosions engulfed Naoki Senju, but Nagato, who had forcibly turned back, was far from happy.
" Naoki Senju! If you dare to hurt Konan, you can forget about getting the Rinnegan!"
A Kunai hovered three centimeters away from the Rinnegan. There was no need to get any closer. If Nagato's right hand trembled even slightly, Madara Uchiha's Rinnegan would be completely destroyed, and Black Zetsu's century-long plan would be ruined.
Nagato glared fiercely at Naoki Senju, looking as if he would destroy him if he didn't release Konan.
The tall wooden figure slowly released its grip, and pieces of paper drifted out from between its fingers, eventually coalescing back into Konan's body.
But Konan was no longer as confident as before; her chest heaved, and she was breathing slightly rapidly.
No one knows how many Wood Clone Naoki Senju left behind. The Wood Clone bombarded by the Explosive Tag below was just a decoy. Another Wood Clone actually transformed into a tall wooden figure and grabbed Konan, who had no time to dodge, in its hand.
However, Konan is not in any life-threatening danger. After turning into paper, Konan is immune to most physical damage, but she was indeed at a disadvantage in the previous contest.
After letting Konan go, the Wood Clone did not rush to attack, but instead focused its attention on Nagato, who had returned.
"You can leave the Rinnegan behind and depart safely. Konoha will also cease its attacks on Jiraiya's disciples. However, the Akatsuki must be eradicated."
Even Jiraiya- sensei knew... Konan and Nagato felt a heavy pressure. Not only was Naoki Senju incredibly strong, but he also possessed advantages far surpassing them in other aspects.
However, it would be a grave mistake to expect such empty verbal promises to subdue them. They have already learned their lesson from trusting others once, and they won't make the same mistake again!
Without much communication, Konan once again unleashed Explosive Tag, bombarding the Wood Human Technique and Wood Clone with firepower.
" The Dance of the Shikigami!"
Taking advantage of the precious time gained by Konan, Nagato awkwardly formed hand Hand Seals.
" Summoning Technique!"
Nagato barely managed to use the Summoning Technique with his emaciated body. Although Chakra, the strain of performing the Ninjutsu almost made Nagato faint.
This is why Nagato, despite being able to directly use the Rinnegan's abilities, went to the unnecessary step of manipulating the Six Paths of Pain —his body could no longer support him in high-intensity combat; a single Summoning Technique nearly cost him his life.
However, the successful execution of this Summoning Technique was enough to turn the tide of the battle, because Pain's Deva Path Nagato remotely.