"Nagato, They are coming after us!" Konan's voice echoed urgently as she retreated behind Nagato. At that moment, Nagato became acutely aware of the figures rapidly approaching them from behind. His heart sank.
Hearing Konan's words, a surge of anxiety washed over Nagato. Their pursuers were closing in, threatening to overtake them. The gravity of the situation weighed heavily on both of them, and Nagato cursed under his breath.
"Why are they so fast?" Nagato exclaimed, his voice laced with frustration. "Konan, don't worry about it; just keep withdrawing! I will buy more time for you!"
Nagato felt a sense of helplessness. At this point, he realized that there were only two members of the Six Paths of Pain remained intact. And only with all six, he could stand a chance against their pursuers. If he didn't find a way to slow them down, it would be just a matter of time before both of them were caught.
Desperation tightened its grip around Nagato as he glanced back. The Ashura and Human paths of the Six Paths remained under his control, but their pursuers relentlessly gained ground. It seemed that no matter how hard they tried to evade, their enemies were always one step behind.
As Nagato and Konan continued their escape, a sense of foreboding loomed over them. They knew that the pursuit would not relent until they were captured. The tension in the air was palpable.
And then, it happened. With a sharp call, the three figures pursuing them closed in, their presence nearly suffocating. Nagato's heart pounded in his chest as he confronted them with the Ashura Path puppet and the Human Path puppet, his mind racing for a solution.
In a desperate attempt to gain control of the situation, Nagato focused his efforts on manipulating two Six Paths clones. However, before he could even react, Ryan, one of their pursuers, swiftly struck down the clones without breaking a sweat.
Nagato's attempts to capture Ryan's movements using the shared perspective of his Rinnegan proved futile. Ryan was too quick, eluding even Nagato's keen eye.
Frustration mixed with fear, twisting Nagato's features into an expression of dread. He realized that their opponents possessed a terrifying power, one that surpassed anything he had encountered before. His complexion darkened as he acknowledged the imminent danger they faced.
With limited options remaining, Nagato made a swift decision. "Konan, we have to keep going," he urged, his voice tinged with a mix of resignation and determination. It was clear that their only chance was to continue their retreat, even if it seemed futile.
But Nagato's plan was short-lived. Before he could fully process the situation, the three relentless pursuers closed in on them once again, forcing them to come to an abrupt halt. Nagato and Konan stood their ground, bracing themselves for the inevitable confrontation.
"How can they be so fast?" Nagato muttered, his voice filled with disbelief. He glanced at Konan, his eyes filled with concern. "Konan, if you get a chance, run! I can't let you be captured as well."
Konan shook her head firmly, her gaze unwavering. Yahiko's death had shattered her world, and now Nagato was her last remaining hope. There was no way she could abandon him in his time of need. She stood by his side, ready to face whatever lay ahead.
Witnessing Konan's unwavering determination, Nagato swallowed the words that had lingered on the tip of his tongue. At that moment, he realized that they were not alone in this fight. The First and Second Hokages, though long deceased, were not ones to back down when Konoha was threatened. They would stand firm against any who dared to attack their village.
Just as Nagato and Konan prepared to engage their pursuers, a golden light suddenly bloomed before them. It was Minato, arriving After meeting Naruto. The sight of his father appearing out of nowhere left Naruto stunned, momentarily forgetting the crisis at hand. And when he learned that Konoha's predicament had been resolved, his surprise only deepened.
Without waiting for Naruto to fully comprehend the situation, Minato swiftly whisked him away using the Flying Thunder God Technique.
"Leave this to Naruto!" Minato declared with confidence. "First and Second Hokage, trust in him. He may just surprise you!"
As Naruto was here, Ryan quickly intervened, gesturing for the First and Second Hokages to hold back. He then directed his attention to Naruto, a yellow-haired young boy who stood before him. The Hokages couldn't fathom the extent of Naruto's abilities, and if they could hear Ryan's thoughts, they would be even more astounded.
With a smile and a knowing look, Ryan silently conveyed his message. "You haven't witnessed the true power of Seventh Hokage yet," he seemed to say.
Unbeknownst to the Hokages, Naruto possessed a formidable skill set, one that surpassed their wildest imaginations.
With Naruto's Talk no Jutsu, Nagato's path became clearer. He quickly established a connection with Naruto, knowing that their only hope lay in working together. It felt as if everything was falling back into place, mirroring the events of the original timeline.
Nagato's gaze hardened as he prepared to unleash his ultimate technique. Gradually, he awakened the full potential of his powers, leading up to the pivotal moment. And in a breath, Nagato sacrificed himself, using the Rinne Tensei Technique to revive those who had perished in the village.
The sight was truly awe-inspiring, even for those who had never read the original story. The enemy, once threatening and relentless, now stood dumbfounded as Nagato's resurrection jolted their senses. The First Hokage and others, including Minato, watched in astonishment as Nagato's words turned into reality.
The villagers came back to life once again as the casualties of Pain's invasion were restored. Tsunade, witnessing this miracle, felt a wave of relief wash over her. They had succeeded, thanks to Nagato's sacrifice.
"It's truly remarkable," Tsunade whispered to herself, grateful for the resolution of their ordeal. Konan, too, adhered to the path set by the original story, departing with Nagato's lifeless body.
And so, Ryan and the others returned to Konoha, bringing an end to their arduous journey. Naruto eagerly recounted his experiences to Minato, his face alight with excitement. Although Minato and Naruto hailed from different worlds, the bond between father and son transcended time and space.
As Naruto shared his adventures in this altered world, Minato couldn't help but feel a mix of concern and pride. Thankfully, their shared reality had changed for the better. The Third Hokage and Danzo had been dealt with, and Konoha could now bask in the relief and joy of their hard-fought victory.
With the resurrected Hokage standing before them, Kakashi and the others stared in awe, their eyes widening with disbelief. The once-deceased legends now stood alive, a testament to the power and resilience of Konoha.
The admirers in the crowd couldn't contain their excitement, already urging the First Hokage to sign autographs. Tsunade waved her hand, initiating a wave of celebration throughout the entire village. Compared to the desolation that had threatened to consume them, the villagers now rejoiced in the aftermath of the catastrophe.
While Konoha revelled in its triumph, the Akatsuki organization faced a different reality. As they listened to Zetsu's report, Obito's face contorted with disbelief, mixed with a tinge of amusement. He couldn't fathom the idea that the Hokages were alive.
"Come on, now! There's a limit to jokes!" Obito exclaimed, struggling to comprehend the situation. "How could the Hokage of Konoha be alive after so many years?"
Beside him, Black Zetsu shared in Obito's incredulity, his hopes dashed. The revelation of the resurrected Hokages shattered their carefully laid plans, leaving them questioning the purpose of their actions.
At that moment, both Obito and Black Zetsu were left pondering the meaning of their existence. Their grand designs to save the world or Black Zetsu's mother's revival seemed trivial in the face of Konoha's unyielding resolve and the indomitable spirit of its leaders.
The world had shifted, leaving Obito and Black Zetsu adrift in a sea of uncertainty, forcing them to reevaluate their paths and contemplate the true meaning of life itself.
READ 40 CHAPTERS AHEAD ON PATREON.COM/MARIONI
Chapter 57: Who will be the next Hokage?
Chapter 58: No Medicine for Love Hangover
Chapter 59: All Hokage World Ranking