From undercover in Konoha, to I am the Hokage!

Chapter 222 Xiaonan Going to the Abyss

"call!"

"call!"

"call!"

Suddenly, the memories of the scattered wooden clones rapidly flooded into his brain. The immersive near-death experience and the discomfort brought by the first prolonged use of the wooden clones made Nagato, who was fine a second ago, suddenly bend over. Even his breathing became very rapid, and his heart felt an inexplicable pain.

Only after all the memories were absorbed did his condition improve a little.

Yahiko, who was standing beside him, immediately noticed his companion's unusual behavior and supported his arm:

"Nagato? Is it your injury?"

"Do not."

"It's Xiaonan's side."

Hearing what Yahiko said, Nagato subconsciously shook his head and spoke, his breathing stagnating again.

Even though these were memories transmitted from his clone, the brief battle at super-high speed and the scene where Sawara Kiri stood before him like a god, looking down at him, made him remember it vividly, as if he had really experienced it.

At the same time, what impressed him even more was that Konan had completely obeyed Sawara Kiri's orders, and was held in his arms like a maid without any resistance. She even did not dare to look him in the eye until the moment she was blown away.

The scene at this moment was even more impressive to Nagato than the way Sawara Kiri easily tore his wooden clone into pieces.

The pessimistic temperament cultivated by his miserable life made it difficult for him to suppress the thoughts that came to his mind at this moment, which made him dare not believe but have to think about them.

Has Xiaonan betrayed you?

Could it be that she has already told Sawara Kiri about our plans, various information, and what happened in the past?
Why do that?
She is obviously not that kind of person.

What kind of love potion did Sahara Kiri give her?

Xiaonan, why are you unwilling to take action?
The pain of being 'betrayed' by a close comrade is far deeper and more shocking than most people imagine.

Although he subconsciously didn't want to believe this fact from an emotional level, but with a little rational thinking, he knew that a strong man like Sahara Kiri would never be short of women around him. It would be impossible for him to stand peacefully in the office on the top floor of the Hokage Building and review materials and review documents like an ordinary clerk just based on his appearance.

Even ordinary Konoha jonin might not have such qualifications.

If you think about it more carefully, today's action seems extremely strange.

Konan should have known that they would find a way to rescue her, but when they were in the lower floor of the Hokage Building, they had already made such a big noise, but she still stayed in the office as if nothing had happened - it was as if she was waiting for something.

"Xiao Nan, have you already used them as a token of your loyalty?"

This thought almost couldn't be suppressed in Nagato's mind.

Just as shown in the original storyline.

People with extreme temperaments like Nagato will either burn themselves to destroy the world or sacrifice themselves to save the world.

Once he has decided on an idea, even if he knows it is impossible, he will be so stubborn that even ten oxen cannot pull him back.

At this moment, this possibility was the only thing that popped up in Nagato's mind. The excruciating pain of being betrayed grew like weeds in the deepest shadow of his heart.

On the contrary, when Yahiko heard this, he couldn't help but show some joy on his face, and said in surprise:
"Have you seen Xiaonan?"

"Is there a chance to pick her up?"

"That guy Jue is quite capable!"

The moment he heard these words, Nagato's arm, which he was holding, was thrown away as if he had been electrocuted, with a 'snap' sound.

The strong disgust almost overflowed onto his face.

It was not until he came to his senses that he suddenly stopped moving, and even his voice lowered a bit:
"Yahiko, I'm sorry."

"I did not mean it."

Hearing his deep voice, Yahiko, who was thrown away, seemed to suddenly realize something and looked at him in a daze.

After a pause, he said in a low voice:

"What happened?"

"."

Nagato was silent for a few seconds, then opened his mouth with some difficulty.

But until the very end, he couldn't bear to tell Yahiko the 'fact' he imagined.

After a long while, I heard him say:
"I do not know either."

Seeing his heavy heart, Yahiko himself felt equally heavy inside, but he still managed a smile:
"Well, let's wait until that guy Jue comes back."

"By the way, how is he?"

".Feel sorry."

Nagato didn't know either.

I hope he can escape from Sawara Kiri.

As he thought about it, he clenched his fists unconsciously.

In that fragment of memory, the scene where Sawara Kiri defeated him with one blow like a god left such a deep impression that Nagato even felt a sense of powerlessness that was simply incomparable.

This feeling was something he had never experienced since he mastered the 'Rinnegan'.

Even in the battle with Minato Namikaze, he had never had such a cowardly thought.

The title of the strongest in the ninja world is truly well-deserved.

No wonder even a madman like Uchiha Hikaru would be defeated by this man.

"Since Xiaonan is fine for now, let's think about what to do next."

Nagato let out a long breath and said with a tense expression: "Tell me, is the power that Zetsu talked about real?"

Seeing his stiff way of changing the subject, Yahiko felt more and more heavy-hearted.

He knew that during this investigation, Nagato must have discovered some important clues, so he deliberately avoided topics related to Konan.

But, what will happen?

Yahiko couldn't understand.

Facing Nagato's question, he could only forcefully raise the corners of his mouth and try to appease him:
“It’s definitely the same situation we’re facing.”

"I think there shouldn't be any problem, right?"

There was a hint of uncertainty in his voice.

After all, even he himself found it difficult to imagine what kind of powerful power could exist on the desolate moon.

However, Yahiko, who had never met Sawara Kirisho, did not know what Nagato was feeling at the moment. Hearing what he said, Nagato suddenly felt like he had grabbed a life-saving straw and let out a low breath:

"you're right."

As for Xiaonan?

Xiaonan, I can no longer be fully trusted.

"Collection team, there is also a trace here!"

"Where are your chemical protection gear? Who told you to come in without any protection?"

"The road ahead is temporarily blocked and the time of unblocking is yet to be determined. Please take a detour."

"Scientific expedition team, please be careful when placing your collection here!"

"Civil Engineering Class! Where are the people from the Civil Engineering Class?"

When the first rays of sunlight in the early morning met the dark earth, most of the people in Konoha had not yet woken up, but the members of the scientific expedition team had already started to get busy.

The entire street in front of the Hokage Building was completely blocked, and the street vendors were directed elsewhere by the Konoha Guard who were there to maintain law and order. The members of the Sealing Squad and the Civil Engineering Squad who had hurried over from afar flew over the rooftops like fleas, not even paying attention to traffic rules, causing passers-by on the ground to point and talk.

Sawara Kiri and Orochimaru stood in the middle of the street, watching the others busying themselves. No, to be precise, Sawara Kiri was the only one who was bored.

At this moment, Orochimaru, as if he had seen some rare treasure, picked up several portable scientific ninja tools on the street and began to study the black substance that was obviously broken into pieces but still looked like living things. He took a breath from time to time, and his pale cheeks were filled with excitement that was rarely seen in the past.

Not only Black Zetsu's body, but even the chakra traces left by Nagato's wooden clone were collected by many ninjas from scientific expedition teams and all piled up in a storage place designated by the Sealing Class.

"Where on earth did you find this stuff?"

It was not until the first round of testing was completed that Orochimaru raised his head with a flushed face and asked Sawara Kiri.

How come this kid always encounters such outrageous things that he may only see a few times in his life?
For a scientific researcher, Sawara Kiri's "bad luck" is his greatest treasure.

"I can't decide this kind of thing on my own, Lord Orochimaru."

Sawara Kiri spoke with a wry smile.

After all, he couldn't say that he had traveled through time, was familiar with the plot, and had been eyeing the third son of the Kaguya family since he captured Konan, right?

It’s a pity that the success was not complete.

"Can you tell what this thing is?" Sawara Kiri asked, "Although he escaped part of it, the sealing properties and abnormal chakra characteristics of this body should be worth studying."

Although Black Zetsu himself is not very powerful, there are very few substances in this world that can withstand the spatial characteristics of the "Unlimited Technique" and seal him for several minutes.

Sawara Kiri is the best in the world, and that is not just an exaggeration.

Only this kind of alternative "enemy from the sky" can pose a certain threat to him.

"do not know."

Orochimaru shook his head, but his tone was full of excitement: "However, this highly dense and stable physical chakra property cannot be achieved even by Ōnoki's bloodline elimination."

"I'm afraid that only chakra creatures like the tailed beasts can possibly rival them or even be inferior to them."

"I have a feeling this should be a chakra form that is higher than the tailed beasts."

"That is the bloodline network!"

At the end of his words, Orochimaru's tone was excited to the point of being almost fanatical.

For a researcher who tries to spend his lifetime acquiring all the knowledge in the world, what could be more attractive than the material that already contains all the truth in the world?

"Tell me the truth, did you run into 'those guys' again?"

When Orochimaru said this, he even subconsciously grabbed Sawara Kiri's arm.

Sawara Kiri didn't care about the impulse of Konoha's top scientist and joked, "If it was 'those guys', what you are seeing now would be more than just this small scene."

"makes sense."

Helplessly, Orochimaru finally let go of his hand and let out a long sigh with regret.

"Okay, you go back first."

"I'm watching here, don't worry."

"However, you will have to wait for some time for the relevant results."

Orochimaru seemed to be in some kind of happy trouble, and said with emotion: "There are too many projects recently, and I can't manage my time."

"Even Kimimaro hasn't recovered yet."

"It's okay." Sahara Kiri didn't really care, "It's just going to be hard for you for a while."

He has always had enough respect for these explorers on the human path.

This has nothing to do with the level of strength.

Orochimaru himself didn't care about this little thing at all. After saying what he needed to say, he continued to direct others to carry the supplies sealed in the capsules back.

When the crowd gradually gathered, Sawara Kiri, who was standing on the street, seemed to suddenly realize something and turned his head behind him.

Then, he saw Konan standing at the door of the Hokage Building, staring at him blankly.

Sawara Kiri smiled at her gently, then turned around and walked towards home.

He didn't even care about it.

Konan stood there in a daze until all the members of the scientific research team had left, the blocked streets were reopened, the flow of people around her gradually thickened, the Hokage Building was quickly repaired by the civil engineering team members, and the entrance became crowded again. Only then did she turn around in a daze and follow her muscle memory to walk towards her 'home'.

As a prisoner who was clearly in the labor reform period, it was naturally impossible for her to live with Sawara Kiri, and Sawara Kiri herself did not have the time to fool her every day.

The accommodation arranged for her was a 'single cell' located near the Hokage building - in fact, it was a former Kirigakure spy safe house.

Due to the many experiences of escaping and returning under the guidance of "Mirror Flower and Water Moon", Xiaonan had long given up the idea of ​​escaping alone while his chakra was sealed.

Although she began to doubt it as soon as Nagato appeared.

However, it was not until she saw the traces of battle left on the streets of Konoha, the repaired Hokage Building, and Sawara Kiri's indifferent expression that Konan clearly realized.
What I experienced last night was not just an illusion.

This time, Nagato and the others really came to rescue her.

It wasn't until she returned to the small house, closed the door, and locked herself in the narrow space that Xiaonan's brain seemed to suddenly unlock.

Thoughts like a torrent poured into her mind.

It’s over.

This time it's true.

How is Nagato now?
I didn’t seem to see his body just now. Did he escape?

Did Yahiko come along?

What would they think? Would they think I had betrayed them?
That puddle on the ground just now should be Jue, right?

Is he dead?

It's all Sawara Kiri's fault! I was fooled by the "Mirror Flower and Water Moon" scam several times.
Will they come to save me again? Is this fake again?

what should I do?
Xiaonan hugged her knees and curled up in the shadow of the bedside covered by curtains. Confused thoughts filled her mind. The intense sense of contradiction made her suddenly have a strong desire to deny herself, and she even felt like vomiting.

When she was captured, she clearly never thought of asking Yahiko and Nagato to rescue her, and even hoped that they would just treat her as dead.

But now, when Xiaonan thought about his previous complete lack of trust and the fact that he finally spoke up at the very end, his heart began to tremble involuntarily, as if he had done something wrong.

Just thinking about it, Xiaonan's thoughts began to deviate uncontrollably.

The perspective in my memory inexplicably returned to the office last night.

Staying at the moment when she shouted "no", Sawara Kiri turned around and looked into her deep blue eyes.

——Did Sawara Kiri stop chasing because of me at that time?

This brief memory, and the impulsive thought that was extremely self-hypnotic, made Xiaonan feel like he had suddenly grabbed a life-saving straw, and he kept thinking about it in his mind.

As if this could free her from the intense feeling of guilt.

"Sawara Kiri, do you really value me that much?"

This slightly doubtful thought was suppressed by her instinct as soon as it arose.

'Yes. ’

'He takes my presence very seriously.'

Xiaonan kept saying this to himself subconsciously.

She didn't know why she had such self-comforting thoughts deep in her heart, and why she felt better because of them.

If she knew something about Stockholm syndrome, she would probably understand this self-protection impulse that originates from the body under huge physiological and psychological stress.

But unfortunately, she didn't quite understand.

Naturally, Xiaonan was unable to realize that her mentality was pushing her step by step towards the abyss called "Sawara Kiri".

(End of this chapter)