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A powerful repulsive force exploded like a nuclear blast, instantly sending the surrounding Konoha ninjas flying.
The ground cracked, forming a deep crater. This time, Nagato held nothing back, unleashing a force that extended over a hundred meters. Despite Jiraiya and his team's quick reactions and signals, they were thrown back by the initial shockwave.
Having used the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path only once, Nagato's body wasn't as frail as it would be in later years. His real body was also covered by Tobi, providing additional strength.
"That bastard, did he hold back last time?"
Though Jiraiya had braced himself, the impact left him sore all over. He forced himself to stand and immediately relayed orders: "Execute the plan as discussed!"
Though he didn't understand why Yahiko had Nagato's Rinnegan, the clear hostility couldn't be ignored.
"Seeing my student walk down a dark path, I can't just stand by!"
Jiraiya quickly regrouped with his team, forming a battle formation. Two squads simultaneously performed hand seals.
"Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!"
"Wind Style: Great Breakthrough!"
"Earth Style: Earth Dragon Bullet!"
The combined might of these jutsus, with wind fueling the fire, and continuous earth projectiles, created a devastating attack.
On the other side, several ninjas threw shuriken and kunai, leaving no room for the Deva Path clone to dodge.
"Shinra Tensei."
The immense repulsive force deflected all incoming attacks once again.
"Now!"
Inuzuka clan members and two other Konoha ninjas used chakra to anchor themselves, resisting the force and immediately attacking once the repulsion subsided.
"Fang Over Fang!"
"Konoha-Style Kenjutsu: Willow Leaf Cut."
"Dance of the Crescent Moon!"
Two whirlwind-like attacks surged towards the Deva Path clone.
Knowing that Shinra Tensei had a cooldown period, the clone used Banshō Ten'in to pull a massive boulder from the ground, using its tremendous gravitational force.
A scouting ninja from afar noticed this and confirmed that the repulsive technique had a cooldown period, making the clone rely on other methods to defend against the trio's assault.
Fang Over Fang shattered the boulder, slowing their charge. The Deva Path clone leapt into the air, evading the attack.
Two Konoha ninjas seized the opportunity, leaping towards the clone.
Suddenly, the clone flicked its hands, sending several black rods at them.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The ninjas deflected the rods with their swords, but the clone raised its hands again.
"Shinra Tensei!"
The repulsive force struck again, sending the three Konoha ninjas flying. Two were hit mid-air, as if struck by a giant hammer, crashing to the ground heavily.
The Deva Path clone, with black rods extending from its hands, targeted the two severely injured Konoha ninjas.
"Yūgao..."
"Morino!"
The two, barely lifting themselves, were impaled by the rods.
From a distance, Zetsu and Tobi appeared as the Konoha ninjas surrounded the Deva Path clone.
"Nagato has quickly mastered the Rinnegan, using the Deva Path's power so skillfully after summoning the Demonic Statue."
Zetsu remarked, "And with Tobi's help, it seems these Konoha ninjas will struggle to capture him."
"Nagato isn't fully prepared yet. The Sage of Six Paths' eyes..."
Tobi, having been taught the Six Paths techniques and Yin-Yang Release by Madara, slowly grasped the Rinnegan's power while training Nagato.
The Six Paths of Pain, shared vision, control over large summons with the Animal Path, firepower from the Asura Path, and chakra absorption with the Preta Path were formidable. If Nagato's legs weren't crippled, he'd be a significant threat to the Five Kage.
"But it seems Konoha is probing the Deva Path's abilities. They might soon figure out its limitations. Is this okay?"
"Let them. As long as he doesn't die, Nagato will continue to rely on us. His true power lies in his real body, not the clones."
Tobi observed calmly, "The more Konoha injures him, the more Nagato will depend on us."
"Indeed, better to let him master the Rinnegan fully."
Zetsu agreed. This was also Black Zetsu's plan. Nagato had only begun mastering the Six Paths. The Outer Path's Samsara of Heavenly Life was still beyond his reach.
Mastering the Rinnegan further would allow Black Zetsu to control Nagato and use the Samsara of Heavenly Life to resurrect Madara.
Although plans might change, Madara's revival would make him unbeatable, and collecting the tailed beasts would become easy.
"Long time no see, Danzō. You finally decided to return."
At Konoha's gate, Yoichi looked at Danzō with a hint of regret, wishing Danzō had become a rogue ninja so the security forces could justifiably eliminate Root.
Yoichi waved his hand, and the security team surrounded Danzō's twenty-plus subordinates, preparing to apply sealing techniques.
Several Sarutobi clan members resisted, saying, "What are you doing? We're Konoha ninjas."
"Ninjas who leave the village without the Hokage's approval, bringing a great enemy to our doorstep, and you dare resist?"
Yoichi ordered coldly, "Kill anyone who resists!"
Hearing Yoichi's icy tone, the Sarutobi clan members felt a chilling killing intent, breaking out in a cold sweat.
"Seal them and put them in prison."
Danzō remained silent, and Yoichi found it boring, having the security team take them away.
Returning to the Hokage office, Yoichi saw Hiruzen leaving, looking unsuccessful.
"Third Hokage."
"Yoichi, go ahead. I have some matters to attend to."
Hiruzen forced a smile and left. Since stepping down as Hokage, he had no real power.
Sakumo had given the advisory role to Yoichi and hadn't appointed Hiruzen as an elder, leaving him with no authority except for two remaining Anbu squads.
In the Hokage office, Sakumo asked, "Have they returned?"
"Yes, they're likely sealed and in prison by now."
"Prison, huh..."
Sakumo paused, "Isn't that a bit harsh?"
"He's a regular ninja who caused such trouble for the village. Not putting him under interrogation is already lenient."
Yoichi shook his head, "Danzō planned to rebuild Root in the Land of Bears and Demons. The Rinnegan's interference halted his plan. Do you think he was acting for Konoha's benefit?"
"Really?"
Sakumo frowned, surprised by this information. If true, Danzō deserved worse.
"Let the interrogation team question his subordinates, but remove the Cursed Tongue Seal. Establishing a Root base in the Land of Bears requires extensive preparation."
Yoichi then asked, "Fourth Hokage, what did the Third Hokage want?"
"He wanted me to lift the restrictions on Danzō and his men. I refused. Let's not discuss that. We've had many applications to settle in Konoha, but the village is full. Let's talk about expanding the residential areas."
Sakumo brought out Yoichi's previous proposal.
Rebuilding civilian houses into five- or six-story buildings and constructing new residential and commercial areas above the Hokage Rock could accommodate thousands more.
Yoichi had brought forth a plan similar to what was developed in Boruto's time, moving training grounds further away and redeveloping the area.
The two discussed the expansion. With proper investigation, new residents would be welcomed, boosting the village's economy through increased commerce and taxes.
Once agreed, the construction teams could start, with the barrier team adjusting security measures. Surveillance had already eased patrol duties for the security forces.
In the Land of Rain, the battle raged on, with Konoha corpses piling up and Nagato's Deva Path clone destroyed.
As Jiraiya and his team relaxed slightly, Nagato's real body re-entered the battlefield, plunging them back into intense combat.
However, Konoha had gathered extensive intel on the Rinnegan's abilities, including the five-second interval between repulsive and attractive forces.
"Shinra Tensei!"
The force sent three Konoha ninjas flying, but one managed to call out, "Jiraiya-sama!"
"Sage Art: Giant Rasengan!"
"Binding Tongue War!"
"Ninja Art: Thousand Needles of Death."
Three attacks targeted Nagato. Jiraiya, in Sage Mode, had summoned the two Great Toad Sages.
The Binding Tongue War would ensnare Nagato if he used the absorption technique, allowing the needles to hit him.
These attacks were timed during the interval between repulsive forces.
"Damn..."
Boom!
The Rasengan hit the ground, raising a cloud of dust.
Sensing he missed, Jiraiya leapt back, shouting, "Who's there?"
A new chakra had appeared beside Nagato.
"Impressive, Konoha's Sannin."
Space distorted as Tobi and Nagato reappeared before the Konoha ninjas.
"You won't take Nagato today. After this long fight, it's time for us to leave."
"But Yahiko's body is still there!"
Nagato interrupted, but Tobi said, "You still have chakra, but continuing is dangerous, and my possession time is nearly up."
The time limit was a lie. Tobi simply saw no quick victory against Jiraiya, and Konoha reinforcements were approaching.
"The body is less important than you. With Konoha reinforcements coming..."
Nagato, hearing this, fell silent. Tobi then absorbed him into the Kamui dimension.
"Damn it, don't think you can escape!"
Jiraiya performed hand seals, "Boss, Ma'am, wind and fire!"
"Sage Art: Five Right Guard Gates!"
Wind, fire, and oil combined, engulfing Tobi, but he vanished into the Kamui dimension.
The area was set ablaze, but the enemies were gone.
(End of Chapter)