"My organization is Akatsuki, established to create a world of permanent peace."
Nagato gazed calmly at Jokichi and continued.
"Such a goal, of course, cannot be achieved smoothly. There will be many dangers along the way, and the possibility of losing one's life."
"Then what do I get?"
"Then what do you want?"
This question was asked by Konan, her tone very flat.
But internally, both Konan and Nagato felt a bit frustrated.
They wanted to find out Jokichi's preferences in hopes of catering to them.
However, despite investigating with all their might.
They could not find a single shred of information on him prior to his battle with the Kirigakure Anbu in the Land of Water.
It was as if he had popped out of thin air.
When they tried to follow and investigate him, this person possessed incredibly strong sensory abilities.
Although he did not constantly scan his surroundings, his intuition was incredibly sharp.
If they got a little too close, even disguised with the Transformation Jutsu.
If approached with a certain motive, it would be discovered.
Although this person was not a hot-tempered guy who would casually attack upon discovery or suspicion.
He would definitely distance himself from the investigators.
Especially recently.
It was unknown whether he was deliberately dodging investigations or if his personality simply disliked interacting with people.
He directly found a hidden place to settle down.
This seemingly leisurely lifestyle made one suspect this guy would live in seclusion for the rest of his life.
Under these circumstances, Konan and Nagato simply could not investigate.
They had no choice but to show up personally to make contact with him.
Fortunately, although they had not uncovered Yato's past and preferences.
They had some understanding of this person's personality.
He was a carefree and casual man.
He was disdainful of many of society's rules and did not care to follow them, but he would not stand up to break them either.
Such a person possessed the potential to become a member of the Akatsuki organization.
After all, what they aimed to do was overthrow the old world.
If he had a hidebound personality, no matter how strong he was, he could never join Akatsuki.
"What do I want."
Konan's question stumped Jokichi.
In the past, he just wanted to become strong enough.
Strong enough that no one in this world could pose a threat to him.
But now, this goal had been achieved, and he could not figure out what he wanted next.
"Do you not know what you want?"
Nagato said calmly, his tone carrying a trace of pity.
Living aimlessly, muddling along, was no different from a walking corpse.
Such a person, although still alive, was already dead.
"Then will you come to my organization?"
Nagato extended his right hand toward Jokichi.
"In my organization, act with the goal of achieving permanent peace. During this process, you might perhaps find your life's goal."
Jokichi fell silent, seemingly considering Nagato's proposal.
No, that was not it at all.
Konan noticed that the expression on Jokichi's lowered head was somewhat peculiar.
Seemingly finding Nagato's words hilarious.
Konan frowned slightly, feeling somewhat uncomfortable internally, and questioned.
"What are you laughing at? Is there something funny about this?"
"I don't mean any pfft."
Jokichi raised his head, looked at them, and waved his hands repeatedly, wanting to explain.
But he finally could not hold back the laughter inside and burst out laughing.
Then, as if opening the floodgates of a dam, he burst into uproarious laughter.
Laughing so hard he could not stand straight.
Konan was somewhat irritated, and even Nagato frowned.
But he did not say anything, quietly waiting for the other party's subsequent explanation.
After a good while, Jokichi had laughed enough.
He straightened up to face the two again, but his expression still carried residual traces of laughter.
"Sorry, sorry, I couldn't control it."
"Is there something funny about what I said?"
Nagato asked calmly.
"There's nothing funny."
Jokichi explained.
"It's just that for me, it's indeed somewhat funny. Because, it's not at all that I can't find a life goal, but rather, what ordinary people struggle their whole lives to pursue, I can easily obtain."
Yes, the reason Jokichi was lost about his future life was not because he could not find a life goal.
It was because everything he could think of right now, he could easily obtain.
Wealth, status, power, prestige, women.
With his level of power, as long as he exposed just a little bit of it.
Even if he did not actively fight for it, countless people would voluntarily offer it to him.
A goal that could be achieved so easily.
He could not experience the joy of reaping rewards after hard work.
There was no sense of achievement, and it could not be considered a life goal at all.
Although these words were a bit boastful.
But everyone can ask themselves honestly.
Would you consider successfully cooking a meal you previously did not know how to cook as a life goal?
No, at most it would just be a small interlude in life.
Nagato and Konan exchanged glances, understanding the meaning conveyed by the other.
Konan slowly stepped forward.
Along the way, her body underwent a gradual change.
Her face suddenly split and peeled back, revealing sheets of paper.
Similar peeling occurred in multiple places on other parts of her body.
For a moment, paper rain the size of palms fluttered in front of the portable house's door.
"It seems ordinary methods won't invite you, so we can only use unconventional methods."
Konan stopped five or six meters away from Jokichi, saying calmly.
"If I defeat you, you join us."
"Oh, if words don't work, you resort to force?"
Jokichi mocked.
"Didn't you guys want to create a world of permanent peace? This behavior doesn't align with your ideals!"
Nagato responded calmly.
"Humans cannot understand each other. Peace can only be established under absolute force."
"I didn't expect you to actually have such an understanding!"
Jokichi looked at him in surprise.
"When I first heard you guys talking about permanent peace, I thought you were some naive and ignorant fools. It seems you guys are serious."
This, of course, was also an act.
Jokichi was just bored, playacting and reveling in it.
"Then, will you join us?"
Konan extended the invitation again.
Since they appeared, these two had maintained indifferent expressions, never changing.
"I actually quite agree with your ideals. However, I won't do anything without benefits. I'm not the kind of guy who sacrifices selflessly for the world."
Jokichi shook his head in refusal, his expression somewhat regretful.
Just as Konan was preparing to attack, Jokichi suddenly seemed to think of something.
His eyes lit up, and he stared up at Konan.
"How about this? You become my woman, and I'll join you guys."
Silence, silence.
The piercing wind blew across the clearing, lifting the corners of the three people's clothes.
Nagato and Konan still maintained their indifferent expressions, only their eyes bore an extra layer of frost.
The atmosphere froze instantly.
But Jokichi seemed very dense, completely oblivious.
He smilingly pressed.
"How about it? My proposal is pretty good, want to consider it? Or is it that you're his woman?"
Of course, all of this was out of malicious amusement.
He just wanted to know what kind of relationship Konan and Nagato exactly had.