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Chapter 135: A Fake World? Ridiculous, We Only Know Living in the Moment!
Faced with the Deva Path's questioning, Konan had no rebuttal.
Having fused several Kekkai Genkai, her chakra had inevitably changed.
Seeing the faces of her former companions, even knowing they were fake, mere illusions, she still felt a bit dazed.
It was too real—so real it felt like returning to Amegakure before anything had happened.
Konan suppressed the turmoil in her heart and looked directly at the Deva Path. "I am Konan, Pain, and everyone..."
Her gaze swept over every Akatsuki member present. "This is a genjutsu world; you are all false existences."
"False? Genjutsu?" Deidara widened his eyes, the first to disbelieve.
"My nearly twenty years of life, every day and every second has been incredibly real. How could it be fake!"
"It seems the Leader was right; you aren't our companion." He came to his senses and said with certainty:
"I was wondering why you suddenly became younger, and why your aura is deep and dark, not at all like the sunny, smiling Konan in my impression. Hmph! So you're an impostor. I admit your Transformation Technique is very impressive; I couldn't find a single flaw. But you were too careless, transforming into a younger version of Konan—that is your biggest mistake!!"
Deidara pulled a piece of explosive clay from his ninja pouch. "To dare kidnap our companion silently and even have the audacity to try and sneak in here... Although I love planting trees, my explosive clay isn't to be trifled with when facing an enemy!!"
Itachi Uchiha had quietly activated his Mangekyo Sharingan, observing Konan intently.
"Itachi-san..." Kisame asked in a low voice. "Did your Mangekyo see anything?"
He subconsciously clenched his fist, feeling the chill of the rain in his hand.
"The sensation is so real. The taste of every dish I make and sample is tangible. Is it really possible that this world is illusory as she claims?"
"I'm not sure." Itachi frowned. "I can't see any traces of a Transformation Technique. Either it's sophisticated enough that even the Mangekyo can't see through it, or it's her true form, except..." He paused, pondering, leaving the sentence unfinished.
He quickly analyzed what she had just said.
His Tsukuyomi space could clearly simulate human pain, and time and space were under his control.
Using genjutsu to construct a world was indeed possible.
But if her words were true—to trap the entire world in a genjutsu, or to directly construct a genjutsu world...
How high would the level of such a genjutsu be? How massive would the required chakra be?
Was it really possible to cast...
Scenes flashed through Itachi's mind.
Everything he had experienced in the past twenty-odd years, all his memories—was it possible that every bit of it was fake?
Then what was he right now?
His five senses were real; everything was tangible, visible, audible...
If it was false...
A chill ran through Itachi's heart; he dared not think further.
That possibility was too horrifying. It would completely negate this world, negate his entire life.
It would negate all his relatives, clan, village, and even his philosophy and ninja way of fighting for peace in the ninja world.
If it were false, he and everyone else would become a joke.
Itachi exhaled lightly, firming his resolve, choosing to believe this was a lie by the enemy to disturb their minds.
This world could not be false; all of them were flesh-and-blood, living existences.
Kisame shrugged. "Anyway, I only know that the feeling of cooking and the delicious taste I experience every time are real, and that's enough."
"When true becomes false, false becomes true." Hidan held a book, his face pious and peaceful. "Why stick to true or false? Just follow your heart."
Whether the world was true or false was hard to prove or disprove, so he didn't need to deliberately pursue a difficult answer.
Kakuzu adjusted his small black glasses. "Don't think such a clumsy lie can deceive me. The smell of ink every time I count my money is so real; how could it be fake?"
Sasori was the calmest, always wearing a gentle smile. "True or false, it doesn't matter. The meaning of life lies in 'living.' I am living right now, and that is enough."
As for the Deva Path, his face was calm, showing no fluctuation.
Alex looked at this group of stylistic Akatsuki members and felt incredibly surreal.
These people were not at all maniacal or bloodthirsty like in the real world; instead, they could peacefully utter philosophical statements.
Was this living in the moment...?
Regardless of whether the world was false or real, as long as they were tangibly alive, it was enough.
Trying to make people in an illusory world believe the world didn't exist, that their selves didn't exist, and that their friends and family didn't exist was almost impossible.
The Deva Path looked at Konan. "Do you have any other defense? Don't dream of impersonating our companion to achieve your ulterior motives anymore. If that person hadn't warned me, I wouldn't have used the Rinnegan to sense your physical state and would have almost been deceived by you, thinking Konan just changed her style and way of living."
"That person?" Konan's eyes turned cold. "Was he wearing a white spiral mask and a blue robe?"
"It seems you know him." The Deva Path nodded without surprise.
"His ability is very special; his body is intangible. Even the Rinnegan cannot capture him."
"However, the intelligence he provided was indeed useful. You are not Konan, just an impostor."
"Speak! Where is Konan? What have you done to our companion?!"
As soon as his voice fell...
Itachi and the other five surrounded Konan with a whoosh, looking at her coldly.
Now that the facts were clear, their companion must have been kidnapped by this impostor. She was an enemy!
Konan met the Deva Path's gaze and shook her head. "That person is very dangerous. Nagato, you shouldn't believe his words."
"I am truly Konan, the companion who grew up with you. Even in this fake world, you should have relevant memories."
The Deva Path's eyes flickered, and he said solemnly, "I cannot believe you. Memories, intelligence—you could have obtained all of these from Konan through various means, but..."
He shook his head. "You are right about one thing. That unidentified guy is indeed very dangerous and dark; I cannot completely trust him."
"If you are Konan, you should know the ability of my Rinnegan. Let me extract your soul and view your memories, and the truth will be known."
"As long as you are real, you don't need to worry about me hurting you."
Alex felt a bit anxious.
He worried that Konan might compromise in front of her former companion, even knowing it was fake.
Fortunately, his worry was superfluous.
Konan refused without hesitation. "I cannot let you extract my soul."
Gaining the trust of Nagato and the Akatsuki in this world through this method was too dangerous.
Once Obito attacked from the shadows, she might die right here.
Her own death didn't matter, but she absolutely could not let Alex be harmed.
Moreover, she constantly reminded herself that the Deva Path before her and Nagato controlling from behind the scenes...
No matter how similar, were all fake illusions, not her true companions.
"I have already given you a chance." The Deva Path said coldly. "Your choice has proven that you are not our companion! It seems we can only capture you to find our companion!"
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