Chapter 249: Ino vs. Konan
The members of the Akatsuki organization had various distinct appearances, even mixed with bizarre things like Hiruko. The organization required them to wear uniforms at all times, so the black cloaks with red clouds were designed from the outset with wide collars and a loose, non-tailored fit – like a sack you just pulled over yourself.
Ino's grip was too forceful, and Konan's determination to break free was equally resolute. With one grasping with both hands and the other's body yielding like water, Konan finally pulled back, leaving her cloak in Ino's hands.
Even in an organization like the Akatsuki, populated by so many peculiar individuals, Konan was known for her self-discipline; she wouldn't go into battle completely exposed. She had clothes on under the cloak.
Her combat experience was rich. The moment the cloak left her body, she immediately ducked low, shedding the cloak as if molting, letting Ino snatch it away. She simultaneously extended her left foot to hook Ino's ankle and raised her right hand, sending two paper cranes stabbing towards Ino's eyes.
"Eh? What the heck!" She had held onto her Oil Transformation ability for so long, and all she managed to do was strip off a cloak. Ino felt utterly cheated.
The cloak blocked her vision, and she only noticed the paper cranes when they were right in front of her. Still clutching the cloak, she couldn't retract her arm in time. She could only twist her body to dodge, but while focusing on what was above, she didn't pay attention below. Konan hooked her foot, sending them both sprawling onto the water's surface. Konan's leg snapped out like a spring, delivering a fierce kick to Ino's left ribs. Then, Konan lifted her foot, her toes like a spear tip, her purple nail polish gleaming brightly as she thrust towards Ino's heart.
Having endured two Great Exploding Water Colliding Waves, the Land of This had long since become a waterlogged expanse. The instant she fell, Ino kept clutching the cloak with her right hand. Enduring the pain in her ribs, she used her free hand to grab Konan's heel. Then, her five fingers, like five hooks, curled back to latch onto Konan's lower leg. This technique was inspired by Yugito, though Yugito's claws were chakra transformations, while Ino only had normal fingernails.
Her hand was still oily, and Konan's body was covered in water. The grip failed, her fingers sliding down Konan's smooth calf from the knee. She finally managed to snag something near the ankle. Konan reflexively pulled her leg back, and in the end, Ino pulled off a shoe and half a sock from the other woman's foot...
The male members of the Akatsuki wore gray flat shoes with white straps, but Konan wore purple high heels with white soles.
The two stood on the water's surface, separated by about five steps.
Some anger flickered across Konan's usually impassive face. This Leaf Village kunoichi's techniques were completely inexplicable! We're fighting, so why are you trying to strip me?!
The ability to transform into oil also made her feel complicated; it was an ability their teacher, Jiraiya, had once used. She subconsciously assumed Ino was also Jiraiya's disciple.
"Nice body," Ino said, holding the other woman's cloak and shoe. Truthfully, it was a bit awkward. Her current appearance – a cloak in one hand, a shoe and sock in the other – clashed completely with the scene of suffering and devastation endured by the residents of the Land of This. She was quite annoyed, wondering what to do with this stuff in her hands. Put it away? Throw it away? Keep holding it? None seemed appropriate!
Underneath the cloak, Konan wore a black backless top with a zipper. Her smooth back was completely exposed to the air. The zipper on her top was only pulled down to her lower abdomen, making her a complete midriff-flaunting fanatic. What was most eye-catching was the navel piercing she had, which, combined with her fair skin, light purple eyeshadow, and styling, gave her a somewhat bewitching appearance. Had this young lady been influenced by that bizarre boys' club and decided to let go and liberate her true nature?
Konan's attire was quite provocative, but unfortunately, the onlookers were either men or half-grown kids who didn't understand a woman's charm. Aside from Ino and the quietly appreciative Kakashi, there wasn't a single normal person there who would truly appreciate her seductive beauty.
After much thought, Ino decided to seal the cloak and shoe away under the pretense of confiscation. She would sell them to that old pervert Jiraiya when she returned, telling him it was 'original scent gear' stripped from one of his female disciples. Maybe she could even make a little money. Of course, Tsunade could never find out about this...
The next second, the two clashed again.
Ino viciously drove her knee towards Konan's chest. Konan's body was incredibly light, completely defying the laws of physics. She dodged sideways, simultaneously raising her elbow to strike Ino's face.
Ino held a kunai in her right hand and formed a hand seal with her left hand. She slapped her palm towards the paper person's chest: "Wind Style: Violent Wind Palm!"
Konan used her Paper Transformation again, nullifying the Wind Palm. At the same time, countless paper shikigami rained down from the sky, attempting to surround Ino.
Ino watched her movements and formed hand seals: "Water Style: Wave Riding Strike!"
She submerged herself in the water, grabbed Konan's ankle, and dragged her downwards.
Konan turned both her legs into paper shikigami, causing Ino to grab empty air. Ino's body shot out of the water and punched Konan's lower abdomen. There was a thin layer of oil on her fist. The Paper Transformation was nullified, and Konan was sent staggering back two steps, holding her stomach, her face contorted in pain.
With her Oil Transformation ability exposed, she no longer held back. She continuously smeared oil onto Konan's face, and whenever she saw an opening, she slammed her with a Rasengan. Konan, encountering such an 'oily' enemy for the first time, was repeatedly forced to retreat.
"Disorderly Body Surge!"
With her increased chakra control, Ino could now use this signature technique of Tsunade's. She stimulated all the nerves in her body with chakra, boosting her speed to the extreme, and then kicked Konan in the abdomen, which was unprotected by clothing.
Konan crossed her arms, blocking the kick. Ino twisted her waist and swung her leg, attempting to kick again, but found both her legs entangled by paper shikigami. Konan's face was grim. She swung Ino up as if using a long whip, and the countless paper shikigami emitted a "shhh shhh" sound. The next second, an explosion erupted.
Ino had a sturdy constitution, but she wouldn't foolishly endure an explosion comparable to an explosive tag. She used a partial Water Transformation Technique to pull her legs free from the paper entanglement, escaping the center of the blast in the nick of time.
First Water Transformation, then Oil Transformation? Are you really a Leaf Village ninja? Konan was somewhat exasperated.
Just then, Ino clapped her hands together and unleashed another Great Exploding Water Colliding Wave.
"Can you only use Water Style?!" Konan was completely drenched, the paper flower on her head turning into a soggy mess. In the Land of Rain, she could resist rain, but that was rain; this was the sea! It was a completely different matter. Her Paper Transformation was significantly weakened by Water Style and countered by Ino's oil-transformed chakra. She was getting angry.
Ino had completely seized the upper hand, occasionally dropping a few teasing remarks.
"Your lip piercing is pretty, but when you drink water like that, doesn't it leak?"
"Wow? A navel piercing? You're really unrestrained."
"Tsk tsk, you even got a ring in that spot? You scared me to death!"
Ino knew she couldn't fight three-on-one, but in a one-on-one fight, relying on her Oil Transformation ability, dealing with Konan was much easier. She still had spare energy to observe the battlefield, afraid that Obito, Pain, or someone similar might pop out from a corner. If the group's favorite was getting thrashed, what if they came for revenge? She really couldn't beat those two.
Two minutes after Kakashi arrived at the battlefield, the main force of the Leaf Village also caught up.
________________________________________
If you want more chapters, please consider supporting my page on Patreon. with 30 advanced chapters available on Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/GirlsLove1