Konan's mood was heavy, her eyes filled with complexity.
She truly hadn't expected that although Nagato appeared to call himself a 'god' every day, acting as if he looked down on everyone in the Ninja World, deep down he had long prepared for the worst-case scenario.
But, Konoha?
Thinking of this familiar yet strange place, Konan's heart was filled with mixed emotions.
It was too complicated!
Although their teacher Jiraiya came from Konoha, so she should indeed feel grateful towards Konoha, the problem was that Yahiko's death was also because of Konoha, which naturally made her heart begin to feel conflicted.
In a sense, she didn't want to take this path!
Even though the Old Konoha they had a grudge against had been destroyed, and even their direct enemy Danzo had already died.
She certainly knew that the one in charge of the current New Konoha was Jin of Uchiha origin, who also had a grudge against their enemy Danzo, but just because the Village was still called 'Konoha' made her unwilling to get involved with New Konoha.
After pondering for a long time, she spoke helplessly.
"Nagato..."
"Things haven't gotten that difficult yet, have they?"
"The Akatsuki Organization is our foundation. If the Akatsuki Organization truly fails, then I'd rather face death with you."
"I won't cling to life!"
Konan's tone was faint. After thinking a little, she still made her choice.
Yes!
Even if Teacher Jiraiya could really protect her, she didn't want to rely on 'Konoha' to cling to life.
Just thinking of the word 'Konoha' made her feel sick to her stomach.
And, regarding this.
A flicker of complexity appeared in Nagato's eyes. Only after a long while did he reveal a bitter smile.
Shaking his head, he spoke helplessly.
"Konan, don't overthink it!"
"What I said earlier was just the worst-case scenario. At the very least, right now I don't think I'll lose."
"I'm going to start fighting. We'll talk about other things later!"
After saying this.
Nagato's eyes turned cold, and he directly closed his eyes, beginning to control the Six Paths of Pain to take action.
And, on the other side.
Konan, who originally wanted to speak, saw Nagato becoming serious. With a sigh, she closed her mouth.
Her eyes were extremely complex.
She certainly knew Nagato meant well for her, but she still silently resolved that if the Akatsuki Organization truly reached the brink of destruction in the future, she would absolutely not choose to cling to life, preferring to go directly to the Pure Land to accompany Nagato and Yahiko.
Perhaps only when she reaches the Pure Land will she find eternal peace!
...On the other side, the Hidden Cloud Village.
As the Six Paths of Pain took action, the entire Village instantly descended into complete chaos.
The Asura Path, fully mechanized, raised its hands to unleash large swathes of missiles, lasers, and saw blades, each attack taking out large numbers of Ninjas and Civilians; the Animal Path summoned a bunch of large summoning beasts with a wave of its hand—chameleons, splitting dogs, crabs, rhinos, giant birds, etc... The Preta Path and Naraka Path also joined the fray, with almost each Path possessing the strength of a 'Kage'.
Especially—the Human Path!
Under the cover of the other Paths, it continuously extracted souls and read memories, all to find the hidden Eight-Tails Jinchuriki.
The only one not taking action was the Deva Path Yahiko!
At this moment, he stood quietly at the highest point of the Hidden Cloud Village, calmly watching the chaotic Village below.
He was waiting... waiting for the true masters of the Hidden Cloud Village to appear!
Five minutes later.
The Fourth Raikage, forcing his body to hold up, led the elite forces of Kumogakure to charge over.
"You again?"
"You damn bastard, is this never-ending?"
Looking at the Deva Path Pain before him, the Fourth Raikage's expression was extremely ugly, and he couldn't help but curse inwardly.
No choice!
He never expected the Akatsuki Organization to be so shameless.
Just a while ago, they had attacked the Hidden Cloud Village, even forcibly abducting the Two-Tails Jinchuriki, and now, barely a month later... they're back?
What does this mean?
Do they really think the Hidden Cloud Village is a soft target to bully?
However, unfortunately.
The Deva Path Yahiko completely ignored the angry Fourth Raikage, speaking in a very indifferent and arrogant tone.
"Hand over the Eight-Tails!"
The Fourth Raikage's face darkened further, his entire body trembling with anger.
Good grief!
Was he being completely ignored?
But while furious, his heart also sank continuously.
To take over the entire Land of Lightning, most of the elite forces of the Hidden Cloud Village had long been dispatched to various regions.
The current Village had very few core high-ranking members!
And although the Akatsuki Organization seemed to have only a few members, having fought the Six Paths of Pain before, he knew these guys were too powerful.
What to do?
Thinking of this, the Fourth Raikage couldn't help but curse inwardly even more.
Why was it always their Hidden Cloud Village getting hurt?
After all, according to normal logic, shouldn't the Akatsuki Organization, having already targeted their Hidden Cloud Village, shift their focus to Other Ninja Villages for now?
For example—Konoha!
This was also why, despite knowing the threat of the Akatsuki Organization, he still dared to forcibly take over the entire Land of Lightning—because he didn't think the Akatsuki Organization would continue targeting the Land of Lightning next.
But he never expected he was wrong!
After relocating from their base in the Land of Rain, the Akatsuki Organization didn't fall silent as expected, nor did they choose to attack Other Ninja Villages. They actually still chose to attack their Hidden Cloud Village!
Damn it, it's too infuriating!
This clearly showed they looked down on their Hidden Cloud Village!
Thinking of this, the Fourth Raikage spoke in a very cold tone.
"Bastard, don't even think about it!"
"With just you guys, don't expect the Hidden Cloud Village to submit!"
"If you're smart, leave the Hidden Cloud Village immediately. For the safety of our Village's people, I can let you go this time."
"Otherwise..."
"This time, I swear you'll die here!"
At this moment, the Fourth Raikage gritted his teeth, his face full of anger.
He was a bit nervous!
Although he also wanted to directly kill the guy before him, because of their previous encounter, he clearly knew how eerie and powerful the opponent's methods were. So, if he could persuade the Akatsuki Organization to leave directly, the current Fourth Raikage really didn't want to fight this battle.
The reason was simple!
The current battlefield was in their own Village. Whether they ultimately succeeded or failed, the ones suffering the greatest losses would still be their Hidden Cloud Village.
Although the Fourth Raikage seemed reckless, as a 'Kage,' he was actually quite clever inside.
Of course.
More importantly—they couldn't win!
Last time, even with his complete form and the entire Village, fighting them left him and Killer Bee severely injured. Even now, both he and his brother hadn't fully recovered.
Fight again?
He didn't think he would win!
So, if he could make the Akatsuki Organization withdraw, it would indeed be a good thing for him.
Even better if he could trick the Akatsuki Organization into targeting Other Ninja Villages!