Nagato's evacuation operation was very secretive, aiming to avoid alerting the enemies who had already infiltrated Amegakure.
But the evacuation lasted only half a day before White Zetsu detected something unusual.
In front of the Sequence 4 Manipulator, a Demigod, silently moving tens of thousands of people was as difficult as climbing to the sky.
Almost immediately, White Zetsu sensed that someone was secretly guiding the villagers to leave the village.
Although the method was cautious and careful, such a trick could not fool him.
He only needed to hypnotize a few ninja to learn the entire plan.
"Evacuating civilians early, huh? Interesting."
White Zetsu looked up at the tall tower, a slight smile appearing on his lips.
"So, you have already noticed me?"
Very well, it seemed he had indeed guessed correctly.
That book, the 'Groselle's Travels,' which served as the vessel for Adam's slumber, was undoubtedly connected to the Akatsuki!
Since the secret was out, White Zetsu no longer cared about hiding.
In the next moment, countless villagers in the village suddenly lost consciousness.
Like puppets, they were controlled and surged toward the tall tower at the center of Amegakure.
Looking at the dark, dense crowd gathering below, Konan's expression turned serious.
She clearly realized that the enemy had discovered the evacuation plan.
Biting her lip tightly, she said, "As expected, we can't hide it forever. Since that's the case, we have no choice but to make the battlefield where there are fewer people."
"Come out!"
"Come out!"
"Come out!"
Thousands of people shouted together, creating a massive wave of sound that enveloped the Rain Ninja Village.
At that moment, Konan's paper wings unfolded behind her. She slowly flew into the air, looking down on the village from above, her voice cold and clear: "White Zetsu, I know it's you. Come out."
The crowd, gathered in the tens of thousands, all looked up at the sky, eyes fixed on the angelic figure of Konan.
Then, the crowd automatically parted in the middle as White Zetsu floated out lightly.
"The leader behind the Akatsuki is actually a teenage girl," he said.
"Looks like you've already ascended to a 'demigod' level, White Zetsu."
Although she had suspected for some time, only when she saw it with her own eyes and felt the pressure from his 'Sequence' did Konan finally lose hope.
"I shouldn't have listened to Onoki back then. If I had killed you directly, none of this would have happened."
"I should be thanking you."
White Zetsu spread his arms, completely unbothered, smiling: "If it weren't for you all, my ascension ceremony wouldn't have been so easy."
"At this point, it's pointless to say anything more."
Killing intent suddenly condensed in Konan's eyes. Her cold voice echoed across the sky.
"From the moment we surrounded you, I was prepared to be discovered. No more nonsense!"
"Hahaha, it's come this far, you still want to hide?"
But White Zetsu laughed aloud at her words.
"You should already know why I came to the Rain Ninja Village. No need to beat around the bush."
"I don't understand what you're saying."
Konan said expressionlessly.
"The Groselle's Travels. You should know where it is, right?"
White Zetsu licked his lips, a savage glint flashing in his eyes. "Tell me, and I promise I won't harm you or the Rain Ninja Village. You don't need to worry about retaliation. I will protect you, just like the 'Adam' of the past, bathing in my glory. How about this deal?"
"Sorry, I don't understand. What is Groselle's Travels?"
Konan kept her cold expression. Raising her hand, countless sheets of paper gathered swiftly. "Besides, you're not the great 'Adam.' You're just a despicable 'traitor.'"
In the next moment, razor-sharp paper blades fell like a storm!
The heavy rain was torn apart by the massive number of paper blades, their speed even faster than sound. They whistled sharply as they hurtled toward White Zetsu among the crowd.
But countless people around rushed forward desperately to shield him from the falling blades!
Shing! Shing! Shing!
In an instant, dozens of lives were lost, blood staining the streets of the Rain Ninja Village.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk, how cruel."
White Zetsu shook his head, looking surprised. He stared at Konan in the sky and said with disbelief, "These are people from the Rain Ninja Village, yet you attacked without hesitation. Are all those from the Twilight Hermit Order this ruthless? I almost can't watch."
"You don't intend to use the lives of ordinary people to defeat me, do you?"
Konan floated in midair again, raising her hand. Her five slender fingers clenched as the scattered white paper quickly gathered, forming a huge spear.
"Divine Judgment!"
Though the spear was made of plain paper, with chakra infused, it became as hard as iron, slicing through the heavy rain.
Boom—!!!
The paper spear dragged a roaring storm of wind, falling like a shooting star.
This attack was clearly too powerful for ordinary people to block. White Zetsu didn't hesitate—he abandoned the civilians and dashed toward a nearby building.
Crash!
The spear slammed into the ground with a terrifying shockwave.
The gathered civilians were instantly knocked down, like wheat cut down by a scythe. Blood splattered everywhere, turning the scene into a living hell.
Looking down at the carnage she had caused with her own hands, Konan's heart felt as if sliced by countless sharp knives, bleeding endlessly.
But she knew deep inside she must not show any sign of fear or pity.
Otherwise, it would only become a weakness exploited by White Zetsu, forcing even more lives to be sacrificed!
She must not cry!
She must not be weak!
She must not be soft-hearted!
Konan did not look at the tragic scene on the ground. Instead, she flapped her wings and tore through the sky, flying far away.
She could not stay in the Rain Village. Otherwise, the casualties from the battle would only grow worse. And she had to draw White Zetsu's attention away from that tall tower!
"Trying to run?"
White Zetsu narrowed his eyes and sneered coldly as he chased after her. "You won't get away. If you don't hand over the Groselle's Travels, I'll destroy the entire Rain Village!"
But Konan did not hesitate at all. Instead, she sped up.
She deliberately acted as if she didn't care what happened to the Rain Village. The more indifferent she seemed, the less room White Zetsu had to manipulate the situation.
Soon, Konan reached the ocean beside the Rain Village, but White Zetsu instantly sped up and blocked her path.
Just as Konan was about to turn and escape in another direction, she was suddenly struck by a psychic lash. Her soul felt as if it was pierced sharply, and her entire consciousness blurred.
"If you won't tell me, then I'll find out myself!"
White Zetsu grinned viciously and opened his palm to control Konan's mental body. He was about to invade her island of consciousness when a figure suddenly rushed in at full speed.
"Universal Pull!!!"
A massive mountain was dragged down like a meteor crashing violently.
It smashed White Zetsu deep into the seabed.
A man with bright orange hair, wearing black clothing adorned with red clouds, and a black rod pierced through his face suddenly appeared.
His two purple Rinnegan eyes emitted terrifying killing intent and fury as he said, "How dare you harm Konan!"
*******
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