Chapter 206
It was reasonable for Zixu to give the credit for defeating Pain to Naruto — at least, that's what he thought.
He no longer needed anyone's recognition or praise; he had already reached a level of strength where other people's opinions simply didn't matter. Besides, how could Jiraiya and the other high-level figures not see the truth? Zixu was just giving face to Konoha. Otherwise, if the one who defeated Konoha's enemy wasn't even from Konoha, it would be a complete slap in the face to the entire village.
Not that Zixu would mind seeing Konoha humiliated a little.
Still, he felt the hatred the villagers harbored toward Naruto. If Naruto managed to repel Pain, he'd become a hero of Konoha, and those who once hated him would have no choice but to suck up to him with fake smiles and praise. But what if he failed? No doubt they would pin the blame on Naruto. In extreme cases, even Jiraiya and Tsunade, who had fought to protect him, would be forced to step down.
Never underestimate the malice of Konoha's villagers. Look at what they did to Kakashi's father, Hatake Sakumo—the White Fang of Konoha. He chose to save his comrades over completing a mission, and the villagers, even the teammates he saved, drove him to suicide.
"Konoha... If Jiraiya can't change this rotten situation, I will personally carry out a purge..." Zixu thought coldly as he approached the place he had sensed earlier.
Before him stood a large mountain, with a faint cave entrance at its base. Activating his Observation Haki (Kenbunshoku Haki), Zixu quickly spotted a terrifying number of hidden explosive tags covering the area.
Carefully weaving around the detonating talismans, he made his way closer to the cave entrance.
Standing in front of him was a tall figure with purple hair—Konan. The paper wings on her back spread wide, completely blocking the cave entrance. Her sharp gaze locked onto Zixu, vigilant and hostile.
"So, you're with Akatsuki too, huh..." Zixu's eyes turned cold. If she insisted on standing in his way, he wouldn't hesitate to kill her. Simple.
"Konan, let him in. I have something to say to him..."