IW: Chapter 209 - Akatsuki Organization Never Loses a Group Fight? My Team Seems Even Stronger, Right?
"Konan."
"Mm."
Outside the window, countless pieces of paper flowed through the gaps into the office, then converged to form Konan.
Looking at Bai Ye, a hint of complexity flashed across her face.
She was the one who let the Akatsuki Organization members in. As a secretary, she naturally knew how to silently bypass the barrier and enter the Ninja Country.
Ultimately, it seemed like she had betrayed Bai Ye this time.
She had previously told Bai Ye repeatedly that she hoped the Ninja Country would remain peaceful, but in the end, it seemed she was the one who destroyed that peace. Having done all this, she seemed to have no face to confront Bai Ye, did she?!
"Something on your mind?"
From Konan's attitude, Bai Ye seemed to understand that Konan had also made her choice.
Come to think of it, Konan was basically obedient. She always believed she owed Nagato, so she consistently followed Nagato's will.
And this time, it was very likely because Nagato decided to act.
Speaking of which, he was quite curious. All the pros and cons had been analyzed so clearly.
Why did Nagato still choose to act?
Did his blindness make Nagato think he wouldn't be able to suppress the Ninja Country later?
So he still went down this old path?
If Nagato held such a thought, why didn't he wait until internal strife broke out in the Ninja Country before acting?
After all, the Ninja Country's strength still seemed very strong. Nagato couldn't possibly think that just because he was blind, he could deal with the entire Ninja Country, could he?
Even without him, Nagato bringing the Akatsuki Organization wouldn't be able to defeat the Ninja Country.
The Akatsuki Organization was indeed strong, very strong in group fights, but don't underestimate the original Five Kage. Gaara has been replaced by Pakura. Besides Ichibi and Nine-Tailed currently being unable to participate, the other seven Jinchuriki are all present, along with a series of elite Ninja.
If Nagato unleashed a super Shinra Tensei, it might destroy a lot, but quite a few forces would still remain. The Uchiha Clan hasn't been wiped out yet. Unless Uchiha Madara comes, Nagato is simply no match for the Ninja Country.
No matter what, he's not the owner of the Rinnegan. Or did Obito bring out the hundred thousand White Zetsu for Nagato to use?
However, given the usual pattern, that's unlikely. Only a few people came here, and it's not even the entire Akatsuki Organization. Kisame Hoshigaki and Itachi haven't arrived yet.
After a moment of thought, Bai Ye considered an unlikely possibility: that Obito decided to sacrifice Nagato?
He seemed to have realized the gap between them and the Ninja Country. So, after sacrificing Nagato, what means would they have?
Just as Bai Ye was still pondering, Konan's heart went through a ripple, and she decided to say something.
"I—"
The words got stuck before they could come out.
She didn't know what to say. Should she tell Bai Ye the plan?
Wouldn't that be betraying Nagato?
She suddenly understood what it meant to be unable to help oneself. She wanted to protect peace, but now peace seemed to be getting further and further away from her.
"No need to force yourself to say things you don't want to say."
Bai Ye shook his head, motioning for Konan not to speak. Since it was difficult, why make it harder for herself?
However, the more he did this, the more conflicted Konan became.
This was peace that had been so hard to achieve.
"I just feel that this matter might be bad whether I speak or not."
Konan's true nature was kind, but the world had taught her to disguise herself.
After all those experiences, she originally thought that kind self had long died.
Her current self only lived to fulfill Nagato's dream.
"Speaking of which, you're from the Land of Rain, aren't you?"
After Bai Ye spoke, Konan was also a little surprised. She hadn't expected Bai Ye to have discovered her identity.
But thinking about it, there were also people from the former Land of Rain here. Perhaps others had recognized her.
"Yes, I am. I grew up in the Land of Rain since I was young."
Since she had been discovered, there was naturally no need to hide it anymore.
"The Land of Rain, the former battlefield of the Third Great Ninja War. During the Second Great Ninja War, it became the battlefield for three Ninja Villages. You're a war orphan from that war, aren't you?"
Although he knew saying this would definitely make Konan wary of him in her heart.
However, Bai Ye now also understood that if he didn't speak frankly, Konan wouldn't open up.
Now that it was confirmed the Akatsuki Organization had begun its operation, there was naturally no need to continue playing this guessing game with Konan.
"Yes. The great nations waged war on small nations to avoid harming themselves, wantonly trampling on the dignity of small nations. Many people died in the war, and our families, friends, and even those innocent passersby, all died!"
Towards the end, Konan's voice grew colder.
Like Nagato, she could not tolerate great nations starting wars, as the ones who got hurt were indeed the small nations.
Her, Nagato, and Yahiko's families all died in the war, yet these great nations could act as if none of it ever happened.
After the war ended, the great nations signed peace treaties, but what about the small nations?
Besides devastation, nothing seemed to be left.
"Humans are always fighting. This is unavoidable. The world is just that cruel, Konan. Haven't you noticed? The current peace is merely reliant on my powerful military suppression. Once that disappears, the demons in people's hearts will once again emerge."
Bai Ye was not surprised by Konan's attitude in the slightest. All her relatives and friends had died in the wars between the great nations.
So, to say Konan had no hatred for the great nations seemed impossible.
"So, as long as you die, will peace end?"
"When Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara were alive, no one dared to start a war, but after their deaths, the wars became even bigger. Before, it was wars between clans, but now it has evolved into wars between nations."
This was obvious; there were already living examples before them.
"Just like the peace you Akatsuki Organization has been pursuing, Nagato didn't go wrong, but he could guarantee it while alive, but not after death. And both he and you are merely pawns. The so-called Tailed Beast capture plan is just that Masked Man deceiving you."
As soon as Bai Ye finished speaking, Konan was already shocked beyond belief. She had never imagined that Bai Ye knew all of this—her identity and Nagato's matters.
In an instant, a hint of killing intent flashed in Konan's eyes. He already knew everything, which meant that everything he had done before was to deceive her.
He knew everything from the start!
"Don't be so anxious, Konan. I have always been sincere with you. During this time, I have allowed you to discover everything here and also given you the opportunity to tell Nagato all of this, but unfortunately, he seems to have misunderstood."
"From the first time we met, you knew my identity?!"
Konan's eyes narrowed slightly, with a hint of scrutiny in her gaze.
"That's right, you're Jiraiya's disciple. Speaking of which, Jiraiya just left Konoha when you arrived."
"Then what exactly do you want to do? And what do you mean by the truth you mentioned?"
About the Masked Man!
Konan actually didn't believe the Masked Man from the beginning, but at that time, Nagato was already deeply immersed in hatred, and he stubbornly believed that what the Akatsuki Organization wanted to do before could only be achieved through force. Everything Yahiko did had failed.
He would inherit Yahiko's will and continue leading the Akatsuki Organization, but it would change from lobbying great nations to using force.
And this also became the point where that Masked Man incited Nagato.
"I said, I want to bring peace to the world. Everyone, including you and Nagato, shouldn't continue down the wrong path. Come on, take me to Nagato. I will convince him."
Saying that, Bai Ye reached out and embraced Konan's head, pulling her into his arms, and gently stroked Konan's hair.
He could feel Konan's inner struggle.
Was it because she yearned for peace yet was unwilling to go against Nagato's wishes?
"Is that Masked Man Uchiha Madara?"
"No, Uchiha Madara is already dead. Nagato's Rinnegan is not his. The Rinnegan belongs to Uchiha Madara."
Lies don't hurt people, the truth is a sharp blade!
After hearing Bai Ye's words, Konan's eyes widened, then she closed them in pain.
If the Rinnegan belonged to Uchiha Madara, then she could already imagine that Nagato's entire life was a tragedy.
However, she still somewhat stubbornly retorted, "How do you know?"
She was still trying to defend, but she was defending Nagato, at least not to be so cruel.
"Because I have it too. The combination of Uchiha and Senju, plus needing Indra and Ashura's Chakra, is required to awaken the Rinnegan. And Nagato doesn't have any of those."
He has it too!!?
Bai Ye directly gave her the answer, and for a moment, she didn't know how to respond to Bai Ye.
"The Akatsuki have arrived in the Ninja Country. Their target is the Tailed Beasts."
Konan felt great pain in her heart. She seemed to have betrayed Nagato...
"I know. I've already sent people to capture them. Take me to Nagato. I'll end the suffering you all bear, and then I'll also help Nagato heal his legs."
The last sentence seemed to be the final straw that broke Konan. She suddenly looked up at Bai Ye and asked, "Can you really heal Nagato's legs?"
"At least I can try. His body has been continuously drained of life energy by the Rinnegan and the Gedo Statue. If not for the Uzumaki Clan, he would have died long ago. This is also why Uchiha Madara placed the Rinnegan on him."
"I'll take you!"
Konan nodded, finally deciding to take Bai Ye with her.
With that, she directly transformed her body into paper and vanished from the spot.
At the same time.
The other members of the Akatsuki were also surrounded by the people Bai Ye had arranged.
"Deidara-aniki."
Kurotsuchi looked at Deidara with a complex expression. Ōnoki, beside her, also showed some anger at his lack of ambition.
This guy betrayed Iwagakure and joined the Akatsuki Organization!
"Yo, old man, perfect time to let you see my art!!"
Although Deidara said this, there was a hint of fear in his heart.
Although he had known he would encounter the old man here, seeing Ōnoki again, to say he wasn't afraid would be a lie. In Iwagakure, wasn't Ōnoki the one he feared the most?
"Hey, Sasori-aniki, let's team up later to get rid of this old man!"
Deidara leaned close to Sasori and whispered, but no sooner had his words fallen than another voice came from the side: "Sasori, long time no see."
"Granny Chiyo."
Sasori's gaze fell on Chiyo, and then upon seeing the people next to Chiyo, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes. Senju Tsunade and Pakura?
"Hidan, hurry up!"
"Got it, Kakuzu, what's the rush!"
The Zombie Duo was infiltrating, preparing to capture the Two-Tails. They already knew the Two-Tails' location.
However, after passing one spot, the two stopped in place and looked into the distance.
"Finally here, you idiots!"
Killer Bee rapped in his strange accent, while Ay beside him frowned tightly, impatience already evident on his face.
"Mr. Ay, Kakuzu is up to you. Hidan can be handled by me."
"Got it, Shisui."
What a hassle.
Kakuzu looked at the three people in front of him, feeling speechless.
As soon as they arrived, they encountered Kumogakure's AB duo and Konoha's Teleportation Shisui.
At the same time, Gaara and Naruto were being guarded by Hyuga Hiashi, Uchiha Fugaku, and Mei Terumī. All the other Jinchuriki were also here.
Bai Ye was well-prepared for the Akatsuki Organization's arrival.
The Akatsuki Organization is strong in group fights, right? Well, he also had a team fight lineup to counter them.
Deidara can fly, so use Ōnoki to fight him. To deal with Sasori, he would directly use the high-tier combination: previously it was Pakura and Chiyo, but he would directly use Tsunade, Chiyo, and Pakura.
Kakuzu's opponent would be the AB duo, and Hidan would be handled by Shisui, not only for his speed but also for his genjutsu.
It was just a bit of a shame that Itachi and Kisame didn't come.
Originally, Uchiha Fugaku, Mei Terumī, and the other Tailed Beast Jinchuriki were all reserved for them.
If they had come, Bai Ye would have had others guard Naruto and Gaara.
Inside a wooden house made of paper near the Ninja Country, Nagato stared blankly at Konan behind Bai Ye.
He had completely not expected Konan to bring Bai Ye over.
"Nagato, I'm here to negotiate."
Bai Ye didn't let Konan speak. Such an act, similar to betrayal, surely made Konan herself feel very uneasy.
At this moment, a man's responsibility needed to be shown. Konan had already brought the person over, so there was no need for Konan to be troubled by the other matters.
"I'm sorry, Nagato, I was persuaded by him."
Nagato had remained silent, so Konan knew Nagato was waiting for her to speak.
She had indeed betrayed him.
"No, before acting, I did want to see him."
Nagato took a deep breath, not blaming Konan.
Konan wouldn't betray him. The reason she brought Bai Ye to him was probably because she was indeed moved. Nagato was also very curious about what exactly moved Konan.
Similarly, he had wanted to see Bai Ye a long time ago, just as Bai Ye was here to negotiate with him this time. He wanted to see... how he, being blind, would negotiate with him!
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