Before coming here, Konan had investigated information regarding Jokichi.
From that limited information, she analyzed that Jokichi was adept at swordsmanship and Lightning Release.
At first, she did not think much of it.
After all, it was just killing 20 Anbu.
If prepared adequately, anyone in Akatsuki, besides White Zetsu, could do it.
However, after personally fighting him, she felt the opponent's power.
Super-fast neural reflexes, extremely powerful, extremely fast, and wide-ranging slashes.
If not for her Dance of the Shikigami granting immunity to physical attacks.
She would have died from that last strike.
Furthermore, the tactic of using paper to obscure vision and sending a paper clone for a suicide attack was instantly seen through.
This person's combat instincts and awareness were top-tier.
I cannot approach recklessly; I need to be more cautious.
Konan made a decision in her heart.
Suddenly, a crackling sound of electricity reached her ears.
"What!?"
Konan's heart skipped a beat, and she looked back.
She saw Jokichi, wrapped in lightning, flying toward her like a thunderbolt.
This guy can fly too? And so fast?
Konan hurriedly transformed into paper and actively scattered.
But she was too late.
Jokichi's speed was too fast; the hundred-meter distance was covered in the blink of an eye.
His long sword slashed through before her body could scatter.
Although she was immune to physical attacks in the Dance of the Shikigami state.
The lightning wrapped around the sword paralyzed her body.
Instantly, the Dance of the Shikigami could not be maintained.
Her body reverted from the paper state to flesh, falling from the sky amidst the fluttering paper.
Like an angel with broken wings.
Jokichi spun once in the air, then dived down toward the falling Konan.
The sharp long sword gleamed with a cold edge, so bright it stung the eyes.
It caused panic in the heart.
"Am I going to die?"
Looking at the lightning-wrapped figure diving down, Konan's heart was unusually calm.
In her mind, she recalled the days when the three of them survived by stealing as children.
She remembered the three of them crossing the battlefield, experiencing numerous dangers.
Finding one of the legendary Sannin, Jiraiya, and taking him as their master.
She thought of Yahiko, who died because of her.
And Nagato, who inherited Yahiko's will and would complete his dream even at the cost of his life.
Konan breathed a sigh of relief, as if a heavy burden had been lifted.
For so many years, she had always silently supported their dreams from behind.
Worrying about their safety and future.
Now, she could finally take a breather.
However, the only thing she still cared about was Nagato.
That Nagato who did not like to speak since childhood, who did not know how to survive in a war-torn world.
Back then, he had her and Yahiko to take care of him.
Even though Yahiko died, and he became a stronger person who could be relied on.
But his thoughts were very extreme and easily exploited by others.
Konan did not say it out loud, but she had always worried about him.
Still taking care of him like an immature younger brother.
Now.
Take good care of yourself, Nagato!
Konan took one last lingering look at the world, one last look at Nagato, and then closed her eyes.
Suddenly, she felt something was wrong.
Just now, when she glanced at Nagato's location, he was not there.
Where did he go?
Konan wanted to search for Nagato's figure.
Suddenly, a figure loomed over her from above, casting a shadow.
"Clang!"
Accompanied by the sound of clashing weapons, the shadow above grew larger and larger.
Konan looked up in astonishment, only to see Nagato's body falling down.
But Jokichi was also knocked back.
At this moment, Konan's body regained feeling.
The Dance of the Shikigami was activated again, and the broad angel wings spread behind her back.
Konan caught Nagato and slowly landed on the ground.
"If one doesn't work, are you coming at me together?"
Jokichi also stabilized his posture.
He laughed heartily and dived toward the two.
"Let me handle this!"
Nagato stepped forward, a black metal rod sliding out from his wide sleeve.
"No, leave it to me."
Konan shook her head slightly, then formed hand seals.
The paper fluttering in the sky seemed to be controlled as it swarmed toward Jokichi.
With such a huge commotion, Jokichi naturally would not fail to notice.
However, there were nearly tens of thousands of pieces of paper flying in the air, densely packed.
Leaving no blind spots above, below, left, or right.
Even if he saw it, he could not dodge.
However.
"This kind of thing is useless against me."
Jokichi smiled contemptuously, ignoring the flying paper.
He continued to dive toward them.
Suddenly, he heard the sound of burning fuses.
Looking in astonishment, the originally ordinary paper was covered with explosive tag formulas.
The Dance of the Shikigami could disguise itself as anything.
Even the Mangekyo Sharingan could not see through it.
Although Jokichi was powerful, in his playful mood, he had not used his full strength.
Nor had he used any visual jutsu.
Now, enveloped layer upon layer by these tens of thousands of explosive tags.
Even if he flew at full speed, the explosive tags followed him closely like a shadow.
It was too late to escape now.
"Will you join our organization?"
Konan threatened.
"Facing a powerful expert like you, I cannot hold back. If you refuse, I cannot guarantee whether you will survive."
Jokichi stopped in mid-air and smiled contemptuously at her.
"Who are you looking down on!"
"What a pity!"
Konan took a deep breath.
Her hands, maintaining the hand seal, changed seals.
The tens of thousands of explosive tags detonated in succession.
"Boom! Boom! Boom."
Accompanied by continuous roars, sparks constantly rose.
Even in broad daylight, people hundreds of kilometers away could see these brilliant fireworks.
The explosion lasted for a full minute.
When the roaring stopped, the sky was obscured by black smoke and dust.
Konan stared fixedly at the sky, wanting to know the result immediately.
Nagato, however, frowned.
The black metal rod he had put away slid into his hand again.
"Konan, that guy is not someone you can deal with."
Nagato stepped forward, shielding Konan behind him.
Konan looked astonished, and just as she was about to ask why.
A gust of wind blew by, carrying away the black smoke and dust.
In the air, a pitch-black sphere with a diameter of two meters was suspended.
At this moment, the front of the sphere opened, revealing the person inside.
Hiding inside the black sphere, he was completely unscathed.
He had reverted to Jokichi, whose physical age had grown to around 25.
"That person is!?"
Konan was somewhat confused.
"Is this person Yato?"
"More accurately, it's Jokichi."
Nagato's face was full of gravity.
The combination of the Mangekyo Sharingan and Wood Release could condense the Six Paths power.
Power that only the Rinnegan could possess.
Nagato had inferred this from Obito.
Although the Six Paths power on him was weak, it truly existed.
And the person in front of him possessed even deeper Six Paths power than him.
Moreover, although he did not know why.
That mature face clearly still bore traces of Jokichi.
The so-called Yato was probably a disguise he created because he wanted to do something that would bring trouble to his identity.