Seeing his clone destroyed, Nagato's eyes flashed with intense killing intent. The Path of Hell was crucial to him—it served as a repair tool for his other clones. At this moment, Nagato knew all too well that Kazuyama Gekkō had truly uncovered his secrets.
"Hmph! Though I don't know why you know so much about me—"
"I refuse to believe you have the strength to face it!"
Enraged, Nagato cared for nothing else. Placing both hands on the ground, he immediately performed the Summoning Technique. A massive cloud of white smoke erupted once more. The Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, already present in the rear cave, materialized again. The moment it appeared, it let out a furious roar.
"Roar!"
The thunderous roar drew the attention of both Chōmei and Muren Uchiha, who were locked in fierce combat on the other side.
"Holy crap, is that the Ten-Tails' shell?"
"How did this thing even emerge?"
The immense roar made Muren Uchiha's eyes narrow slightly. It wasn't surprising that a Tailed Beast knew about the Ten-Tails. Simultaneously, he suddenly understood why Kazuyama Gekkō knew so much—perhaps the Seven-Tails had told him. After all, this situation clearly indicated that Kazuyama Gekkō was a perfect Jinchūriki who had mastered his relationship with the Tailed Beast. Otherwise, how could both the host and the Tailed Beast appear simultaneously?
"Kazuyama, retreat!"
"That thing is dangerous!"
"Snake Sage Art: Giant Snake Coil!"
Tagitsuhime acted faster than Kazuyama. A flash of crimson light erupted as a giant red snake abruptly materialized beneath the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, instantly coiling around it. Her cultivation of Senjutsu granted unmatched perception. She sensed an ominous threat emanating from the Statue. It felt like one careless move could mean certain death.
"Of course I know that thing is no pushover!"
"Chōmei!"
Kazuyama Gekkō was well aware of the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path's terror, so he retreated without a second thought. Simultaneously, he called out to his brother. Chōmei had just knocked the Three-Tails aside and dodged Susanoo's giant pitchfork attack when he heard Kazuyama Gekkō's call. Without hesitation, he transformed into a streak of light, streaking toward Kazuyama.
"Kazuyama, I'm here!"
"Tailed Beast Ball!"
"Oh~~~ Great!"
Chōmei was utterly enamored with the Tailed Beast Ball now, mainly because Kazuyama Gekkō could elevate its power by several tiers.
"Hmph, a Tailed Beast Ball, huh?"
"I've got one too!"
"Kyori Mushi!"
Seeing his opponent dash to the other side, Muren Uchiha wasn't about to be outdone. Activating his Dōjutsu, he teleported himself and the Three-Tails back to the main battlefield. Spotting the Seven-Tails gathering its Tailed Beast Ball, he immediately ordered the Three-Tails to counter with its own. Little did he know how laughable this notion was—it promptly sent the Three-Tails back to the revival point.
"Roar!"
The Three-Tails let out a furious roar as it began condensing its Tailed Beast Ball. Kazuyama Gekkō watched this scene with utter disdain.
"Chōmei! Accelerate the condensation! Tailed Beast Ball Beam—send the Three-Tails back to revival!"
"Oh yeah! Isobu, sorry bro, but this time, I'm winning for sure!"
With a strange cry, Chōmei's chakra began to violently coalesce throughout his body.
"Kazuyama, hurry! I can't control that monster anymore!"
Tagitsuhime urged him while continuing to channel chakra to pressure the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path. She could distinctly feel the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path gradually slipping from her grasp.
"Controlling the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path? Dream on!"
"Kakuzu, Tōru, attack!"
Nagato pressed his palms together, straining to manipulate the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path. Its very existence depended entirely on his vitality. This left him with no spare energy to control his clones. Thus, the offensive burden fell squarely on Kakuzu and Kabuto. Without further words, the two charged forward. By this stage of the battle, their worldviews had been shattered. Kazuyama Gekkō's power left them utterly awestruck. Facing their combined forces alone, he showed no sign of being overwhelmed.
"Iron Sand Realm! Die!"
"Wind Release: Pressure Damage! Fire Release: Searing Migraine!"
Without hesitation, both unleashed their most devastating attacks simultaneously. The combined wind and fire ninjutsu, reinforced by spikes formed from Iron Sand, once again surged toward Kazuyama Gekkō.
"Hmph, quite bothersome!"
"Water Release: Water Formation Pillar!"
"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"
Kazuyama Gekkō channeled chakra to aid Chōmei in forming the Tailed Beast Ball while simultaneously freeing his hands to deploy defenses. Though not particularly powerful techniques, his sheer chakra volume made them unstoppable. Relying on the defenses of both ninjutsu, he forcibly blocked Kakuzu and Kabuto's attacks.
"Here it comes! Here it comes!"
"Isobu, Sayonara!"
"Jinchūriki Orb! Beam!"
Thanks to its faster condensation speed, the Tailed Beast Ball before Chōmei detonated instantly. A crimson-black beam flashed like the scythe of Shinigami. The Three-Tails Isobu, still in the midst of forming his Tailed Beast Ball, had no chance to defend. The beam pierced straight through the incomplete Tailed Beast Ball and slammed directly into Isobu's head.
"BOOM!"
The massive explosion instantly engulfed the Three-Tails Isobu.
"Impossible!"
"How could it be so fast?"
"And that was a Tailed Beast Ball??"
Muren Uchiha's eyes widened in disbelief as he watched the Three-Tails Isobu get struck by the Seven-Tails' Tailed Beast Ball Beam. That was still a Tailed Beast Ball? No, it was a beam!
"Unbelievable..."
"That wasn't a Tailed Beast Ball anymore..."
"He modified the Tailed Beast Ball into a beam? Dramatically increasing its condensation speed and power?"
"How did he do that..."
Black Zetsu was stunned too, having watched from the sidelines with a clearer view. Though it still resembled a Tailed Beast Ball, the power of this one fired by the Seven-Tails had completely surpassed the original. No, it was beyond comparison to a conventional Tailed Beast Ball. Terrifying destructive force and speed...
"Did it work?"
"Kazuyama!"
"I can't hold it anymore!"
Amidst her shock, Tagitsuhime felt her control slipping away. The Demonic Statue of the Outer Path was about to break free.
"Withdraw, Tagitsuhime."
"One down!"
Kazuyama Gekkō ordered confidently. Just then, the explosion subsided and the smoke cleared. As for the Three-Tails? Heh, sorry, but even a turtle with astonishing defense couldn't withstand this strike.
"Boom..."
Another loud sound echoed. This time, however, it came from the Three-Tails. Its massive body, drained of all strength, collapsed onto the ground.
"Damn it! How could this happen!?"
Muren Uchiha could scarcely believe his eyes. Yet the scene before him was undeniably real. A gaping hole gaped in the Three-Tails' massive skull. Though the blow hadn't pierced it clean through, the cavernous wound in its head left no doubt—the Three-Tails was finished.