(T/N: There is now a p.atreon for this work, and any new work I add will be dropped there first. check it out for an early release of up to 30 chapters edited smoothly. https://www.p.atreon.com/INeedRest)
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The earth was smashed into a semi-circular pit by Pain's impact, with dense cracks extending outwards.
The shockwave destroyed another large section of forest for kilometers around.
Kilometers away, Nagato opened his eyes, a flash of anger visible.
This was Yahiko's body! Each of the Six Paths of Pain had a special meaning, carefully selected by Nagato.
But the Deva Path was the body of his best friend Yahiko.
He wanted Yahiko to realize their dream through his own power - how could he let him get destroyed here?
"Konan, wait for me here. The Deva Path is not Kamiyo Colt's match. I'll go myself!" Konan looked at him worriedly but didn't say a word.
Throughout everything, she had never turned down Nagato and Yahiko's requests.
At the forest's edge, the Konoha shinobi battling the Akatsuki were in a state of anxiety.
Kakashi and Deidara continued their old rivalry.
With the advantage of his Lightning Style, Kakashi kept nullifying Deidara's clay bombs.
Even when they did explode, their power was greatly weakened.
Deidara was being driven mad.
Why did it have to be the Lightning Style and [Chidori] again?!
The last time it was Sasuke, this time it was Kakashi.
Deidara thought he'd have nightmares of [Chidori] popping out of his bed at night.
His partner Sasori wasn't faring much better.
"[Konoha Gōriki Senpū]!" Guy dodged the puppet's weapon and smashed it with a powerful whirlwind kick.
"Lee! Neji! Let's see who can defeat more puppets!" Might Guy shouted enthusiastically to his disciples.
"Whoever wins gets to run 100 laps around Konoha - on their hands!"
"Yes, Guy-sensei! I'll definitely work hard! [Eight Inner Gates: Fifth Gate: Gate of Limit: Open]!" Rock Lee's skin turned red as visible chakra blew his hair upwards.
"[Eight Trigrams Air Palm]!" Neji's palm strike smashed the puppet attacking from behind.
A smile appeared on his face.
"I don't want to run on my hands, but this time I want to win!" This was his first battle since having his Caged Bird Seal removed, and he was fascinated by the feeling of true 360-degree vision.
Seeing his disciples so energetic, Guy became even more excited.
"This is the power of youth!"
The other battlefields weren't looking good for the Akatsuki either.
Against the Yugito, who had regained her tailed beast power, Hidan couldn't even get close.
Fireballs were singing his hair and injuring his body.
Kakuzu was in an even more miserable state.
Unable to find Konan, Jiraiya had joined Naruto in dealing with Kakuzu.
The two Sage Mode users working together had already destroyed two of Kakuzu's hearts in short order.
He was barely hanging on due to his experience and combat instincts.
Boom!
Seeing his puppets destroyed repeatedly, Sasori finally became anxious.
"Kakuzu, Hidan, Deidara, come this way!"
The others heard his call and rushed over.
In the blink of an eye, the situation changed from individual battles to group combat.
"Hidan, don't resist. Let me control your body. Kakuzu, you protect my body. Deidara, you take to the air and attack these Konoha ninjas." Sasori commanded quickly. The other three nodded and acted according to his instructions.
For the first time, the ninja world witnessed the true power of the Akatsuki's organization.
After Sasori took control of Hidan, his flexibility was greatly enhanced.
Relying on his immortality, Sasori would throw him wherever there was danger.
Kakuzu's remaining masks accompanied the Third Kazekage puppet, constantly using ninjutsu to prevent Guy and the others from approaching Sasori's body.
Deidara was even worse, completely disregarding Hidan's presence.
As long as he could avoid Kakashi, he'd drop a massive explosion whenever he found an opening.
In a short time, the previously disadvantaged Akatsuki actually gained the upper hand!
Meanwhile, on Colt's battlefield:
The Deva Path had been blasted deep into the ground, suffering great damage.
The black and red cloud robe on his body was torn to shreds, and his right arm was blown to pieces.
Getting up with difficulty, the Deva Path's left hand slammed hard on the ground.
"[Summoning Jutsu]!"
Boom!
As the smoke dissipated, a thin figure with red hair appeared. It was the core of the Six Paths of Pain - Nagato himself.
Colt slowly landed, standing before him.
His expression was slightly surprised; he hadn't expected Nagato to stand up.
Although still pale, Nagato looked much better than his original emaciated appearance.
Even his hair color was a darker red.
However, seeing his pale feet, Colt guessed at what had happened.
"Kamiyo Colt, I still underestimated you in the end," Nagato's voice was different from Pain's - hoarser and weaker.
"Is this the words of a God?" Colt smiled, waving his hand to send hundreds of Flying Thunder God feathers stabbing straight at Nagato.
Without the slightest visible movement from Nagato, they were all repelled.
"The cooldown is so short. So, the main body's [Shinra Tensei] has a shorter cooldown?" Colt analyzed Nagato's condition.
It seemed this was more than just White Zetsu cells; Hashirama cells must have been used too.
Otherwise, Nagato wouldn't be so full of vitality.
'Obito had really gone all out it seems.'
"Being a God is not only rooted in strength but in spirit also. No matter what it takes, I will deal with you completely." Nagato spread his hands, delivering his most classic speech, then clasped them together as majestic chakra suddenly erupted!
"[Dai Shinra Tensei]!"
A repulsive force far greater than before struck out.
Colt's face grew slightly serious as he quickly formed the third stage of Susanoo.
Nagato's body could cast all Rinnegan techniques, and their power was even greater than when used by the Pain bodies.
Boom!
The half-formed blue Tengu Susanoo was repelled by the unstoppable mighty force, dense cracks appearing on its surface.
This was the first time Colt had seen signs of the Susanoo breaking since acquiring it.
He poured a steady stream of power into it, stopping its deterioration.
Under the exclusion of the [Dai Shinra Tensei], everything within a radius of several kilometers became a target.
Trees were uprooted and boulders flew through the air.
When the repulsion finally dissipated, the entire area was devastated.
Except for Colt and Nagato, no living creatures remained!