Shimoku forcefully suppressed the distracting thoughts in his mind.
After all, with his current strength, he could already confront Hashirama Senju head-on and overpower him.
Even if Lord Madara were to return from the dead, it would merely add another powerful enemy.
Not someone insurmountable.
Worrying pointlessly, fearing defeat before the battle even begins—that's just not Shimoku's style.
As long as his fists remain strong enough, then it'll be others kneeling while singing songs of surrender!
"Tell me, why did you come looking for me?"
Shimoku reached out, lifting Konan's chin with his finger, staring intently as he asked.
In his eyes, this seemingly delicate female ninja carried an iron will deep inside.
Even under Obito's threats of death, she never flinched.
Clearly, it wasn't just about saving her own life that brought her to him.
"I want you to help me take revenge!"
"Please help me kill that monstrous thing!"
"For this purpose, I'm willing to give up everything I have!"
The dim lamp light cast shadows on Konan's pale, cold profile—each inch of her flawless skin telling of her unshakable determination!
Ever since Yahiko's passing...
Nagato had practically become the sole pillar supporting her emotionally.
For Nagato's ideals, she had been working day and night tirelessly.
She was willing to accept anything.
Accept Nagato's ultimate success or failure.
Even if he chose to give up willingly, she could still accept it.
But what she absolutely couldn't accept was that he died at the hands of that despicable traitor, Black Zetsu.
Dying from betrayal, from a cowardly sneak attack...
This was an insult and betrayal to Nagato, to Yahiko, and to the entire Akatsuki!
She simply couldn't tolerate it!
Therefore, seeking vengeance led her here.
To this brat...
Though cunning and tricky himself,
At least he had never backstabbed allies. Even during his final confrontation with Hashirama Senju, it had still been a fair fight.
He may be cunning, but he's still better than that despicable Black Zetsu!
Besides, he was also the only one powerful enough to take revenge for Nagato!
"Truly... willing to give up everything?"
"Yes!"
Konan bit her lip lightly, decisively nodding her head.
She wasn't stupid.
She understood this long ago.
As a woman, as a kunoichi, she herself could serve as leverage.
Cruel—yet realistic...
"Not enough..."
"What if I also offer the entire Rain Hidden Village (Amegakure)?"
"I still hold certain influence within the village. If I step forward,"
"The entire Rain Hidden Village will follow your orders. Everything within the village will belong to you!"
Konan declared loudly, wagering the entire Rain Hidden Village without hesitation.
Of course, she understood something else even more clearly.
Perhaps for the village itself, this was actually a better choice.
After all, with Nagato gone,
Depending solely on her alone, she no longer possessed the capability to protect the Rain Hidden Village adequately.
And now with Hashirama Senju revived, the Ninja World's political situation was turning increasingly unpredictable.
A village like Rain Hidden, lacking a powerful protector, would be like a delicious meat patty attracting countless mouths.
Soon enough, they would be divided, devoured piece by piece.
Rather than seeing it easily swallowed up by those major nations...
Better she seize this opportunity to fight for survival, integrating into Homura Hidden Village (Homuragakure) and securing a path to safety for the villagers!
Hearing this, Shimoku's eyes also lit up.
Frankly speaking, he indeed coveted the technology and population of the Rain Hidden Village.
Or else, he wouldn't have sent an envoy team to the Rain Hidden Village for technology training.
If this highly respected "Angel" could help him systematically integrate and absorb the entire Rain Hidden Village, it would bring tremendous benefits!
And it would be justified and smooth-sailing...
This dowry was truly quite generous!
Of course, having a crush is one thing.
Negotiation wouldn't end with mere excitement.
Shimoku, filled with greed, wouldn't stop until he squeezed every last bit of value from Konan before him.
Thus, Shimoku immediately replied with dissatisfaction:
"It's still not enough. Far from enough!"
"Do you really think our Homuragakure lacks what your Rain Hidden Village has?"
"And do you even know who Black Zetsu resurrected?"
"Who?"
"Madara Uchiha! The ancestor of my clan, the legendary 'War God of the Ninja World,' who once rivaled Hashirama Senju as the twin titans of the Sengoku period..."
Konan suddenly trembled, shock showing on her face.
She never imagined that Black Zetsu had actually revived "Madara Uchiha"!
If so, then that masked figure claiming to be "Madara Uchiha" earlier must've been a phony?
If this true "War God of the Ninja World" had indeed returned to life,
then no matter how hard she tried for her entire life, she'd never be able to avenge Nagato!
After all, even just Hashirama Senju alone had seemed overwhelmingly powerful!
"You understand now, right?"
"With only these stakes, you expect me to go against my own ancestor, fighting Madara Uchiha to the death?"
"Honestly, isn't that a little too cheap?"
Shimoku scoffed without holding back.
Truthfully, he was naturally drawn to young and beautiful kunoichi.
There was no need to hide that fact.
But that didn't mean he would be stupid enough to risk his life merely for beauty...
Her current offer was far from sufficient!
His intuition told him—there was still more juice left to squeeze...
Upon hearing this, Konan flushed with anger, grinding her teeth in frustration.
She knew this brat had a big appetite.
But she hadn't expected it to be this big!
The entire Rain Hidden Village plus herself weren't even enough to satisfy him?!?
...
"Phew——"
After a moment of silence, Konan took a deep breath.
Finally, she seemed to make a heavy decision.
In the next instant, she stretched out her right hand.
The hairpin inserted into her head suddenly transformed.
It turned into a paper crane, fluttering upward gracefully before settling softly onto her palm.
Then, the paper crane unfolded, revealing the item wrapped inside...
It was an eye—a right eye!
A right eye bearing swirling ripple patterns!
The [Rinnegan]!
"This is my final stake!"
Clutching her jade-like lips, Konan rasped out bitterly and unwillingly.
Before his death, Nagato had used his last ounce of strength to tear this right eye out and throw it to her,
to ensure both Rinnegans wouldn't fall into that beast Black Zetsu's hands!
This was also the last request Nagato made before he died.
This also explains why Black Zetsu is so determined to kill Konan.
It's all to reclaim the last [Rinnegan]!
And now, to avenge Nagato, Konan is willing to do whatever it takes!
Even if it means handing over this final eye!
"The Rinnegan?"
"Was it Nagato's right eye?"
"That makes sense. No wonder Black Zetsu is chasing you..."
"It seems Nagato didn't die in vain after all!"
"At least one [Rinnegan] has been preserved!"
Shimoku felt a mix of satisfaction and admiration.
Being controlled by Black Zetsu, with his heart crushed and facing mortal wounds, Nagato still tore out his own eyes and gave them to Konan.
He really had guts — real warrior spirit!
Though he was awfully skinny...
"How about this? Isn't it enough?!!!"
Konan rasped defiantly.
"One [Rinnegan] should indeed be sufficient."
"But since you've dared to reveal this eye before me, don't you fear I'll just kill you right here?"
"After all, this eye would still belong to me then..."
Shimoku said coldly, his killing intent growing heavier.
Clutching her teeth, Konan snapped back:
"Are you really that shameless?"
Shimoku: "Sorry, I'm even more shameless than you think!"
Konan: "..."
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