Before the other Paths of Pain could react, Kazuki once again used the Flying Thunder God Technique to appear beside the Animal Path.
With one hand, he unleashed a Chidori that shattered the Animal Path, while with the other, he obliterated the Summoning Beast with a Rasengan!
At this moment, the Almighty Push released by Deva Path finally ceased.
There is a five-second window after the release of Almighty Push, and Kazuki seized this moment. He used the Flying Thunder God Technique to appear right in front of Deva Path, a Rasengan in hand, ready to strike. But suddenly, a figure blocked his way, arms raised defensively.
The Rasengan, which was about to crush Deva Path, was absorbed completely!
Kazuki's eyes flickered slightly, and in an instant, he disappeared from where he stood and reappeared behind Deva Path.
Flying Thunder God: Second Step!
Although the Paths of Pain share vision, both Deva Path and Preta Path were focused on the front, completely unaware of Kazuki's presence behind them.
"Lightning Style: Thunder Blast!"
Thunder Blast was a new jutsu Kazuki developed, building upon the Chidori. Unlike the Chidori's cutting nature, Thunder Blast packed an explosive force!
Its power surpassed that of the original Chidori!
Boom!
With a massive explosion, Deva Path was destroyed!
Only Preta Path remained, barely clinging to life.
Through the vision of Preta Path, Nagato saw Kazuki's face.
Kazuki, however, didn't continue attacking. Instead, he looked at Nagato with a teasing smile.
"Nagato, how about we have a chat? Konan is in my hands. If you don't want anything to happen to her…"
"Alright."
The moment Nagato heard that Konan was with Kazuki, he agreed without hesitation.
He didn't even question whether Kazuki was lying, because Kazuki was the only one who knew where Konan was. Besides, the most important thing was—Kazuki called him by his real name!
Led by Preta Path, Kazuki quickly arrived at a tree just outside the Hidden Leaf Village.
"Come in." Preta Path opened a concealed door, stepping into the tree without looking back.
Kazuki stood outside, running his hand over the bark.
It's made of paper!
This must have been a shelter Konan created for Nagato before they set out!
With Kazuki's current strength, he didn't fear traps. After confirming the material of the tree, he stepped inside.
There were no ambushes. For Konan's sake, Nagato dared not take any chances.
The interior of the tree was vast and empty, appropriate for a temporary hideout.
Kazuki focused on the center, where Nagato sat.
Nagato had red hair, a pale, almost lifeless face, and his body was skeletal, his ribs clearly visible.
But what drew the most attention were the black rods embedded in his back!
"Meeting like this... how should I put it, it's rather strange, isn't it?"
"Cough, cough. Mind if I ask for your name?" Nagato's voice was low and hoarse.
"Gekko Kazuki."
"Gekko... Kazuki, huh."
Nagato repeated the name, seemingly unfamiliar with it. The lack of intel about Kazuki weighed heavily on his mind.
"So, Kazuki, where is Konan? What do I need to do to get her back?"
"It's simple. Give me your eyes."
"My eyes? Heh, my eyes are my power. Without them, do I still have any leverage to negotiate with you?"
"You never had any leverage, did you?"
Kazuki's gaze shifted to Preta Path.
In an instant, his Mangekyō Sharingan activated, and black flames of Amaterasu engulfed Preta Path's body. The flames burned so fiercely that Preta Path couldn't absorb them in time and was incinerated!
"Mangekyō Sharingan?!" Nagato was shocked.
"And Amaterasu? Are you from the Uchiha Clan? What's your relation to Uchiha Itachi?"
"Don't misunderstand. I have no connection to the Uchiha Clan, and even less with Uchiha Itachi," Kazuki denied with a shake of his head.
"And rather than focus on that, you should realize the situation you're in right now!"
"You have no bargaining power!"
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The fanfic is finished on p@treon/tambeerg