When Konan recklessly activated the Explosive Tag, trying to stop Nagato's pursuit, Naoki Senju was startled by her action and cursed inwardly:
"That crazy woman..."
But despite his anger, Naoki Senju couldn't just stand by and watch Konan perish in the explosion.
Unlike the missing-nin of Akatsuki Konan, Konan was a legitimate disciple of Konoha. According to seniority, even Naoki Senju would have to call her "senior sister."
Now that Nagato has escaped, Naoki Senju has no reason to continue fighting Konan. It's both morally and logically his duty to rescue Konan, and besides, it would be such a waste for such a cold beauty like Konan to perish in the desert...
Ahem... Of course, I'm not suggesting Konan do a full-service massage or bed warmer. Rather, Konan's Paper Release Ninjutsu is extremely valuable. It doesn't require Kekkei Genkai or have a high barrier to entry, yet it's far more powerful than common Lightning Release or Earth Release Ninjutsu!
A ANBU Anbu trained in Paper Release Ninjutsu will become a sharp weapon in Sister Tsunade's hands! As for whether to teach it to ordinary ninjas, Naoki Senju weighed the options and decided against it.
It's not that I'm worried about spies from other villages stealing my Paper Release Ninjutsu; a Cursed Seal can solve that problem, although it will take a little time.
Naoki Senju was pondering a very simple human dilemma: if they could learn Paper Release Ninjutsu and become as strong as Konan without paying any price, why would they join the Anbu?
Is it just a slogan like " The Will of Fire "?
Many Konoha Ninja have been brainwashed by the Will of Fire, but most are driven by self-interest. The unique resources that can only be obtained from the Anbu will become a strong reason for Konoha Ninja to flock to join the Anbu.
Money, secret techniques, forbidden arts... all of these will be replaced by Paper Release. In other words, Konan's Paper Release can be developed into a strategic resource!
To make the most of every resource, saving Konan is of utmost urgency!
The Three-Tails Isobu within Naoki Senju let out a mournful howl of despair. Its immense Chakra was gradually drained, condensing into a chilling liquid that surrounded Naoki Senju, shielding him from the shockwave and heat of the explosion.
More of the Three-Tails 'Chakra found Konan's location in the explosion. Konan's condition was indeed not good at this time. She had been forced to solidify from her paper-like form and was panting heavily, looking like she was running out of Chakra.
To ensure that Naoki Senju would 'confidently' step into the trap, Konan made no contingency plans and stood unsuspectingly in the center of the three million Explosive Tag.
Fortunately, to prevent Naoki Senju from escaping, the Explosive Tag were detonated from the outermost edge; otherwise, Konan would be dead.
Even so, Konan couldn't hold out for long in her current condition; the air was still filled with scorching heat and the impact of explosions.
But there is always a turning point in adversity. Like a thirsty traveler who sees a cool spring, Konan unconsciously moved closer to the Three-Tails 'Chakra. Surrounded by the cool liquid, the temperature around her instantly dropped to a comfortable level.
"Hmm~"
A suggestive moan escaped Konan's throat. Realizing her inappropriate behavior, Konan snapped out of her comfortable state, and the azure Chakra that came into view reminded her of something.
Looking down, sure enough, there was a bright blue ball of light in the explosion. She couldn't think of anyone other than Naoki Senju who could survive three million Explosive Tag.
But why did he save himself?
The answer to this question may only be found after Konan meets Guren, but at this point, she doesn't understand her own worth at all.
If Crimson Guren is a money-printing machine, capable of producing high-value crystals and providing Konoha with ample financial resources.
So, Konan's Paper Release is like a sweet pie that can make employees burn their youth and passion and contribute 200% of their surplus value to the company. But unlike the evil capitalists who should be hung on streetlights, this pie is edible.
The prerequisite is that your work is recognized and appreciated by the Hokage.
Thinking about this, Naoki Senju was almost moved to tears. Where else in the world could you find a boss who cared so much about employee welfare?
Look at the Akatsuki, they really ripped them out, sucked their marrow dry. For the sake of a so-called peaceful world, they stopped paying salaries and even made their employees earn money to support the company!
Even the cotton garden farmer, whose catchphrase was "As long as we don't starve, it's fine," felt inferior to him.
Having been used to being exploited and oppressed, Konan felt the care from the organization for the first time. The azure Chakra protected her very well, making her feel like she was in a completely different world from the explosion outside.
Three million Explosive Tag may sound like a lot, but for Naoki Senju, the actual feeling was similar to three million firecrackers, and the explosion time was even shorter.
The explosion ended when the Three-Tails had only used up about half of its Chakra. At this moment, Konan, who was not seriously injured but had very Konan Chakra left, landed gracefully, enveloped in azure Chakra.
Activating a single Explosive Tag doesn't consume much Chakra, but for someone like Konan to detonate three million Explosive Tag at once, even if not every single one needs to be activated, at least a thousand Explosive Tag would need to be activated to avoid any loopholes in the explosion. The Chakra consumed would be enough to exhaust Konan.
The surrounding azure Chakra returned to the Three-Tails' body. The Chakra of the Tailed Beast has a high degree of repulsion and its attribute is unique, so recovering Chakra is not difficult for them.
Konan's Chakra is still recovering, and she has no intention of continuing to fight for the time being. She also wants to know why Naoki Senju did all this.
"Why?" Konan's way of speaking was just like her personality—aloof and unapproachable.
"There's no reason why. I just didn't want to see you die a horrible death. In that explosion, even the most beautiful woman would have turned into a filthy, charred mess."
Protected by the Three-Tails 'Chakra, the desert beneath his feet remained cool and soft, so Naoki Senju plopped down without a care for his image and exhaled a comfortable breath.
The series of intense battles had taken their toll on him, and the Akatsuki had a lot of terrorists using explosives; such a terrorist organization should be eliminated as soon as possible.
"... You remind me of someone..."
Konan recalled the time when they were Jiraiya under Jiraiya's wing, Jiraiya had said something similar back then.
"War is an adult matter, it has nothing to do with you children, and you shouldn't be involved. But because our adult desires have dragged you into it, you should have the power to protect yourselves."
" Jiraiya?"
Naoki Senju unfolded a storage scroll, took out two bottles of naturally hot mineral water produced in Konoha, and tossed one to Konan. Fortunately, it hadn't been destroyed in the explosion, otherwise this desert would have been enough to torment them.
"How did you know... You certainly did know, you even found out Nagato's identity, how could you not know Jiraiya- sensei?"
"No, I don't know your measurements yet..." Naoki Senju added silently.
But he dared not say that aloud, at least not to his face, otherwise Konan wouldn't care whether her Chakra was depleted or not, and would risk her life to drag him down with her.