The lake's surface was tranquil.
A ninja stepped onto the water, creating ripples with each step.
Uehara Naraku walked on the lake, following in Konan's footsteps, slowly taking his position. After resting for two days, today marked the official start of the test for him.
It was unclear what Pain was thinking; he had been somewhat displeased with Konan's decision a few days ago, yet today he came to watch the battle between mentor and student.
Konan closed her eyes, folded her palms together, and softly said, "Naraku, don't think this is just a test and be careless, my Paper Clone is not weak..."
Konan's voice gradually faded away.
Countless origami flew out from her, swirling in the air to form a humanoid shape, creating a Paper Clone that could rival her original body.
This Paper Clone was different from the ordinary Shadow Clone Jutsu.
Although the ordinary Shadow Clone Jutsu is also physical, it disperses under attack; however, the Paper Clone is different. When Konan's Paper Clone is attacked, it can split into smaller paper pieces and regroup at a distance.
Moreover, the Paper Clone can perform any Jutsu that Konan can use. Even a simple piece of paper, under her Chakra control, is as sharp as a Shuriken, not to mention the countless Explosive Charms hidden within the paper pieces.
"It's a shame if you can't even defeat a Paper Clone..."
Uehara Naraku lifted his head, a confident smile playing on his lips: "Am I that useless then?"
He had spent a month of hard work to fully charge the Chakra given by the Tear of the Goddess, thus attaining Jonin-level Chakra.
Previously losing to Uchiha Itachi was because of his carelessness, falling into the Sharingan's Genjutsu, and being defeated by Konan.
Now, Uehara knew Konan's information well, both her Jutsu and weaknesses were clear to him, not to mention those unique skills...
If he couldn't defeat Konan's Paper Clone like this, he would eat the cards in his hand on the spot!
"We'll see after the test is over!"
Konan's Paper Clone rushed towards Uehara Naraku across the lake, loudly reminding, "Naraku, we're starting officially now... Paper Shuriken!"
Dozens of paper pieces flew towards him!
The sharpness of the Paper Shuriken was almost indistinguishable from iron ones, with even more bizarre flying speed and angle!
Uehara Naraku held four cards in each hand, swiftly throwing them towards the Paper Shuriken!
Bang! Bang!
Eight cards shot out, two of them automatically Chakra-enhanced, exploding instantly and altering the direction of the Paper Shuriken!
The other six cards shot towards Konan!
"Well done..."
The water's surface rippled again!
Konan was satisfied with Uehara Naraku's method of resolving the Paper Shuriken; the origami on her Paper Clone's back overlapped, forming wings that propelled her body into the air, avoiding the cards' attack, and used the wings to launch another attack!
Shikigami Dance!
Paper Rain!
Sheets of origami transformed into densely packed blades of paper, slanted down like a net towards Uehara Naraku's position, leaving nowhere to hide on the ground!
"Wind Barrier!"
Uehara Naraku symbolically clasped his hands, formed a Hand Seal, and a wall of wind floated from the water surface, blocking the Paper Rain's attack.
Yet the crisis was far from over...
Even though the Wind Barrier could hold off for a few seconds, it couldn't obstruct indefinitely. Konan's Paper Rain was recyclable, released in seemingly endless waves!
The wind wall slowly faded away...
The Paper Rain attacked Uehara again!
Uehara Naraku swiftly dodged to one side, evading another wave of Paper Rain, but this did not resolve the crisis!
"Must I use that move?"
Uehara Naraku clenched his fists tightly, his Chakra surged rapidly through his body, and he tiptoed on the water surface, rising airborne to evade the dense Paper Rain!
It was the Flying Skill, Aerial Dance!
"Naraku... can actually fly?"
Konan's brow furrowed immediately; flying skills were not uncommon, but to ascend into the sky like this was unexpected.
In the next moment, she saw Uehara charging at her!
"So fast!"
Konan's Paper Clone quickly ceased the downward Paper Rain, layers of paper formed a Paper Spear, and shot towards Uehara's direction!
However, Uehara Naraku's agility in the air was astonishing, akin to being on solid ground, dodging the Paper Spear with a simple shift.
"Is he this agile in the air too?"
The woman's brow first knitted tightly, then relaxed: "This little guy Naraku... can't be underestimated!"
Bang!
The two finally engaged in close combat!
Only Uehara's Taijutsu was somewhat deficient; even though he could move freely in the air, he couldn't surpass Konan in Taijutsu!
It was unavoidable...
His Life Energy was only over six hundred; Life Energy correlated with his stamina, strength, and speed etc., practically having Chunin-level stats.
But it didn't matter, as long as he reached Konan's side, the battle would be over, right? The thunderstorm had already begun accumulating around him!
"Lighting Release: Heavenly Thunder Prison Jutsu!"
The thunderstorm continuously released lightning, splitting the Paper Clone into sheets of origami, some even crackling with electricity, which surprised Uehara.
Only on the paper with residual moisture did the electricity show! But if these wet paper were conductive, it would be almost invincible against lightning...
"Teacher Konan, did you wet the Paper Clone in advance?"
"Indeed."
Konan nodded, not denying: "If I didn't, my Paper Clone wouldn't withstand Fire Release Ninjutsu..."
"..."
Uehara Naraku sighed, rubbing his forehead. Konan was actually guiding the lightning with wet origami...
Countless origami flew over to the other side, recomposing Konan's body, who softly said: "Naraku, besides sticky oil, it's hard for other Jutsu to completely destroy my Paper Clone... If you have no other way, you are not allowed to participate in that dangerous mission."
"Understood, then I can only use another Secret Technique!"
The young man nodded, looking serious at Konan, forming a chaotic mess of Hand Seals; he was always Uehara "symbolic hand-seal" Naraku... since his skills were instant-cast, forming seals was just a deception.
Konan watched this scene with increased seriousness.
However, she did not stop Uehara's actions; practice between mentor and student should allow the disciple to bring out their true power, right?
Moreover, Konan was curious to see what powerful Jutsu this disciple, who gets whatever they desire, would release with earnest Hand Seals.
"Life Form Dissolving Beam!"
After completing the chaotic Hand Seals, Uehara Naraku suddenly clasped his hands, his eyes sharply focusing on Konan's Paper Clone!
A wave of purple energy erupted instantly!
Under the purple energy's attack, Konan's Paper Clone didn't even have time to split again and vanished instantly, turning into nothingness!
Simultaneously, a sound echoed in Uehara Naraku's mind, completing another strange side quest...
Task Complete: Defeat Angel of Akatsuki Konan once (1/1), Reward Angel Skill: The Moment of Holy Judgment.
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