"Right now?"
Hearing Jokichi's arrangement, Nagato froze for a moment, then immediately asked for the operation time, without showing the slightest guilt or hesitation about betraying his comrades.
This was very normal.
The current members of the Akatsuki organization were all S-rank missing-nin, and who knew how many of them were Madara's people.
The organization Yahiko had established to bring peace to the world had already been stolen by Madara.
Although Nagato and Konan were cooperating with Madara, they were always on guard against him internally. Naturally, they wouldn't consider those lawless guys as comrades.
Jokichi thought for a moment, pondering, "There's no rush. My power is still unstable and requires two months of training to get used to."
"During this time, have the Akatsuki members gather intel on the whereabouts of the Two-Tails, Four-Tails, Five-Tails, and Eight-Tails Jinchuriki. If we want to defeat Kaguya, we must gather the power of all the Tailed Beasts."
After speaking, seemingly remembering something, Jokichi smiled lightly at Nagato and Konan. "Don't worry, I only need a little bit of the Tailed Beasts' chakra, not the entire Tailed Beast. Therefore, you don't have to worry that I'll ultimately extract the Three-Tails from your body, however..."
Jokichi changed the subject, gazing intently at Nagato. "If possible, I still hope you can set the Three-Tails free. The Three-Tails helped me, and I won't sit by and watch it be stripped of its freedom."
"But..."
Before Nagato could say anything, Konan stepped in, wanting to speak.
But she had barely said two words when Nagato interrupted her.
"I can do that. When the situation progresses to a point where I see hope, I will release the Three-Tails."
"Nagato!"
Konan looked over with worry.
A Jinchuriki dies when they lose their Tailed Beast; both of them knew this.
For Nagato to say this, he was offering his own life in exchange.
However, facing Konan's worried gaze, Nagato turned a blind eye.
Jokichi observed their expressions and chuckled lightly. "Don't be so pessimistic. I don't intend to take Nagato's life."
Konan turned her head, glaring at him. "If you take away the Three-Tails, won't..."
"The Rinnegan possesses the visual prowess to control life and death!"
Looking at the surprised pair, Jokichi smiled. "Don't be so surprised. I'm not the kind of guy who would sacrifice himself for others. The reason I bring this up is to tell you that even if you die, I have a way to resurrect you, and it requires no price."
Konan was instantly shocked.
Resurrection without a price...
How is this possible?
Nagato also possessed the Rinnegan, but for him to resurrect others, he also had to pay the price of his life.
Compared to Konan's shock, Nagato was much calmer.
His indifferent expression didn't even show a hint of emotional fluctuation.
"It doesn't matter. As long as Yahiko's long-cherished wish can be fulfilled, my mere life is not worth mentioning."
After speaking, Nagato stood up and walked outside. When he reached the door, he paused and turned to Konan. "Konan, give him the ring. We just need to go back and wait for good news."
Having said that, Nagato walked straight out of the house.
Konan stood up, watching Nagato's back. Her sexy lips parted, hesitating to speak.
Finally, after hesitating for a moment, she took off the ring marked with "White" (Haku) from her finger.
"This is the status symbol of the Akatsuki organization, and it can also be used to remotely communicate with organization members. Possessing the Rinnegan, you shouldn't need me to teach you how to use it!"
"Mhm!"
"Since that's the case, then it's yours. Farewell."
After throwing the ring to Jokichi, Konan chased after Nagato's figure and left.
Jokichi didn't mind her rudeness.
He held the ring, examined it for a while, and put it on his right ring finger.
With six rings on his hands, he only needed four more Tailed Beast rings to fill both hands.
Jokichi thought of the Mandarin from Marvel, that powerful villain who also wore ten rings.
"I wonder who is stronger between me and that guy right now."
This thought flashed through Jokichi's mind, and then he smiled and tossed it out.
It was too early to consider those things now; he needed to handle the matters at hand first!
Jokichi took out a tuft of light blue-purple hair and a tuft of red hair.
This was Konan and Nagato's hair, obtained during the battle.
[Ding! Detected special material "The Wealthy Woman's Hair," can forge special items "Hug Me," "2D Waifu," "Bridge." Do you wish to forge?]
[Ding! Detected special material "Hair of Pain," can forge special items "Heart of Peace," "Damaged Sage Crystal," "Contact Lenses," "Rice of Calamity," "Disc of Samsara." Do you wish to forge?]
"Yes."
Jokichi chanted silently in his mind, and eight items instantly appeared on the low table in front of him.
Two paper dolls; a miniature rainbow bridge; a softly glowing heart that flickered between transparent and solid; a thumb-sized crystal radiating green fluorescence; a pair of contact lenses; a 10-jin bag of rice; and a hollow-centered disc divided into six sections.
Jokichi hurriedly checked the item information.
"Hug Me: Write a wealthy woman's name on the paper doll, visualize her appearance in your mind, burn it to ashes, mix it with alcohol, and drink it. You will then be kept as a gigolo by that wealthy woman."
"2D Waifu: Visualize someone's appearance in your mind and write her name on the paper doll. It will perfectly replicate the person from your impression."
"Bridge: The materialization of the miracle triggered by the resolve to silently support a comrade from behind. This is a bridge that can be built anywhere to support your crossing."
"Heart of Peace: A miracle triggered by an intense yearning for peace. It can revive the dead."
"Damaged Sage Crystal: A crystal possessing boundless vitality. After consumption, the body will gradually be transformed into a Sage Body by the crystal's vitality."
"Contact Lenses: These are Sage Eye contact lenses. The wearer can use all the abilities of the Rinnegan."
"Rice of Calamity: Rice nurtured amidst disaster. Upon eating it, one can feel the pain brought by calamity, thereby experiencing the preciousness of peace and stability."
"Disc of Samsara: A millstone that controls the cycle of life and death. It possesses the mighty power to absorb souls and reincarnate them into the Six Paths."
...
After reading the system's descriptions for all the items, Jokichi fell into deep thought.
Among these eight items, there were some full of comedic elements, as well as heaven-defying artifacts.
Things like the 2D Waifu, Hug Me, and Rice of Calamity gave a strong sense of déjà vu and were full of comedic elements.
And the last one, the Disc of Samsara, made Jokichi exclaim "Holy shit" in his heart.
This item could not only reverse life and death but was also the ultimate artifact for dealing with soul-based creatures.
If he had possessed this artifact when the Sage of Six Paths appeared before him, Jokichi might not have listened to his rambling and instead directly harvested his soul.