"A!?"
As the chaos subsided, the Hidden Leaf shinobi finally saw that the one who neutralized Hiruko's Storm Release secret technique was none other than the suspected Akatsuki Leader, A.
"How is it him!?"
Kakashi's heart sank.
Though F and G had just clashed with the Akatsuki's Ranmaru, no one could guarantee that F and G held no ill will toward Hidden Leaf.
Now, with even A appearing, it was clear the Akatsuki's focus was firmly on Hidden Leaf Village.
If A harbored malice toward the village, the consequences would be unthinkable.
"Where are the main forces!?"
Glancing at the sky, Kakashi grew anxious.
The ninja alliance's original plan was to use Hidden Leaf Village and its One-Tail, Seven-Tails, and Nine-Tails jinchuriki as bait to lure the Akatsuki into action. Then, the alliance would combine forces to wipe them out.
To embolden the Akatsuki's assault, the alliance had feigned falling for their diversion tactic.
In reality, the alliance's elite forces hadn't gone to the Land of Demons to rescue the captured jinchuriki—Old Man Purple, Han, and Yugao.
Instead, after leaving Hidden Leaf, they had secretly hidden within the Land of Fire.
Once word came from the village, they would rush back, joining the defending shinobi to annihilate the attacking Akatsuki members.
Orochimaru's actions had disrupted the alliance's plans, but by now, the village should have sent the signal.
Even if the full elite force couldn't arrive yet, the first wave of high-mobility reinforcements should have.
"Could something have gone wrong with the message?"
For some reason, Kakashi felt a sinking premonition.
Drip drip.
The thunderstorm caused by Hiruko's Storm Dragon had brought a light, pattering rain, adding a misty haze to the already gloomy sky.
Neji and Kimimaro landed beside Shinji, standing at attention.
Yamato, Kurenai, and the other jounin were on edge.
Though they'd narrowly escaped death, facing the Akatsuki's A, they dared not underestimate him.
Yakumo quietly sighed in relief, her taut nerves easing slightly.
Shion stared at Shinji's back, her heart racing with excitement. "I knew you'd come to save me! Just like last time, and the time before!"
Drenched in the light rain, Shinji calmly surveyed the surroundings.
"Good thing I made it in time. Hiruko's too dangerous!"
He felt a touch of relief for not lingering at Moryo's Undead Legion, or he might not have arrived in time to save Yakumo and Shion.
His earlier action had left him shaken.
The Rinnegan's Preta Path could theoretically absorb any ninjutsu, but he had only recently awakened his Rinnegan and wasn't fully accustomed to it.
Moreover, Hiruko's Storm Dragon, like Sasuke's Kirin, harnessed the power of the heavens, infused with vast natural energy during its formation.
Though not true Sage Techniques powered by Sage Chakra, they were effectively close to it.
Even Shinji wasn't certain his Preta Path could fully absorb Hiruko's Storm Dragon.
Fortunately, though it was strenuous, he managed.
"It's likely a matter of quantity. If the sage technique's level or fusion ratio is low, my Preta Path seems capable of handling it!"
Shinji mused.
The earlier scene showed that the Rinnegan's Preta Path wasn't entirely incapable of absorbing sage techniques, though its efficiency and limits differed from absorbing ordinary ninjutsu.
In the original timeline, Jiraiya's Sage Art: Ultra-Big Ball Rasengan and Sage Art: Five Elements Goemon were absorbed by Pain's Preta Path, albeit much more slowly.
Nearby, Hiruko, staring intently at Shinji, thought, "Could he also have Dark Release!? No, even I wouldn't dare use Dark Release to directly counter my Storm Dragon! Could it be…"
Saa.
In the moment Hiruko was distracted, Shinji flickered to his side.
"So fast!"
Hiruko, startled, activated Swift Release and retreated.
Facing A, he dared not be the least bit careless.
But just as he moved a few meters, an immense pulling force gripped him, and he was involuntarily yanked toward Shinji.
"This is!?"
Hiruko's heart raced with dread.
He'd seen this move before, and it instantly brought to mind the Leader's image—and those pale purple Sage Eyes in his sockets.
Bang.
As he was pulled in, Shinji struck, landing a heavy fist on Hiruko's chest, sending him flying.
Like a cannonball, Hiruko carved a deep trench in the ground, stretching dozens of meters before crashing into a tree, stopping amid a rumbling impact.
"This…"
Everyone—Neji and Kimimaro behind Shinji, Ranmaru across the field, and the others—stared wide-eyed in disbelief.
They had all witnessed Hiruko's strength.
Surrounded by ten, even dozens, of shinobi, Hiruko had effortlessly seized One-Tail and caused massive casualties.
Such power was undoubtedly Kage-level!
Even the Five Kage, in a one-on-one fight, wouldn't confidently claim victory.
Yet this formidable foe, facing the Akatsuki's A, seemed powerless, easily sent flying.
Whether awed by Shinji's punch or because the rain had stopped, the drizzle ceased, and the dark clouds overhead began to dissipate.
Hiruko climbed out of the crater.
Despite Steel Release's protection, Shinji's punch left him reeling, his insides churning.
Yet, despite the blow, Hiruko's face showed no anger or hysteria—only fear and panic. "If I don't escape now, I might not get away!"
…
Elsewhere.
Orochimaru, who had secretly trailed Sasuke to the shelter, glanced at the dissipating clouds above the Forest of Death. "Is it ending? If I don't act now, I'll miss my chance!"