Shihouin Naraku gripped Kurikara firmly, the pitch-black blade slashing across Orochimaru's neck at lightning speed.
Faintly, a thin, invisible line of blood appeared.
"Ah..."
Thud!
The head fell.
Orochimaru hadn't expected Shihouin Naraku to act so swiftly and ruthlessly, completely disregarding their recent cooperation with Jiraiya against common enemies.
He had even forgotten that he remained a wanted criminal and missing-nin from Konohagakure!
Naraku had killed Orochimaru previously, and the Sannin had assumed this time Naraku might grant him opportunity for explanation.
But no!
The final image reflected in Orochimaru's eyes was that of a man wielding a sharp blade, severing his head.
This scene would undoubtedly remain permanently etched in Orochimaru's memory.
"I know you can resurrect again."
"Those from Kumogakure brought you to treat Killer Bee, providing you with perfect experimental material."
"I believe Orochimaru-sensei must possess deeper understanding of soul research now, correct?"
"Unfortunately, you've been beheaded by my Zanpakuto again. This time differs from the last—you might find ways to reattach severed arms, but what about heads?"
"Farewell, Orochimaru-sensei."
"I anticipate our next encounter!"
Whoosh!
Kurikara pierced through the fallen head, instantly shattering Orochimaru's remaining soul fragments. Flames spread along the blade, quickly igniting the entire head and reducing it to ash.
Naraku flicked his hand as flame landed on Orochimaru's body, beginning its consumption.
"I refuse to believe your soul is infinite. Last time I severed your arm; this time I've crushed your soul directly. I want to observe whether you experience pain."
Although Orochimaru had concealed soul fragments within certain individuals, using Heaven's Curse Seal as resurrection capital and hidden backup—which seemed advantageous—the number of possible soul divisions must be limited. Orochimaru couldn't split indefinitely. This time, Naraku had directly destroyed the soul within Orochimaru's body, meaning this portion would never return.
With such tremendous loss, Naraku refused to believe Orochimaru wouldn't feel anguish.
Moreover, losing these souls simultaneously might create hidden dangers when Orochimaru eventually resurrected.
After handling Orochimaru, Naraku turned around, flourishing Kurikara with a sword flower before facing Tendo Pain, who stared at him coldly.
At this moment, the other Paths had also risen, including the previously absent Human Path. Using the Deva Path as spearhead, they assumed combat formation.
"You're moving quite rapidly. Did you just crawl out from underground?"
Naraku regarded the Deva Path with amusement. Although his opponent displayed readiness for battle, no attack was launched—hesitation seemed apparent.
"Shihouin Naraku, we don't seek conflict with you. You came here to eliminate Orochimaru, not fight us!"
"Ah, that's correct. My primary mission was killing Orochimaru again."
From his peripheral vision, Naraku caught movement in the distance. Several heads, like prairie dogs, emerged silently from the ground, looking around cautiously.
It was Jiraiya and his companions. They had hidden underground to avoid the danger of Naraku's meteorite-style impact. Now, finding the external world had returned to normal, they cautiously emerged to observe.
Seeing they were safe, Naraku ceased paying attention and continued, "You're right about my purpose, but it appears you just attacked our Konoha personnel."
Before finishing his statement, Naraku appeared before the Deva Path like a projectile, gripping his blade with both hands and chopping downward from above.
The sharp black edge reflected in the Deva Path's pupils. Even Nagato, hidden in the distance controlling his puppet, seemed to feel the blade's proximity.
This was indication of imminent bisection!
"Shinra Tensei!"
Before even raising his hand, the Deva Path erupted with repulsive force throughout his body, attempting to blast Naraku away.
He didn't expect to defeat his opponent immediately—as long as he could repel Naraku first, he might discover the enemy's weaknesses.
Swish!
The moment repulsive force reached him, Naraku's eyes shifted slightly. The next second, he exchanged positions with the Naraka Path.
Bang!
The repulsive force released by the Deva Path struck the Naraka Path viciously, causing obvious distortion in multiple body locations before carving a deep groove in the ground. The Path fell motionless.
Slash!
The Deva Path felt nothing as his left arm was severed by Naraku's blade.
Naraku showed no intention of stopping as his blade angled mid-air, preparing to bisect the Deva Path!
At this moment, Nagato finally seemed to react. The Human Path grabbed the Deva Path, preparing to throw him clear.
The Asura Path's body began transforming mechanically, faint flames appearing—signs of impending explosion.
The Animal Path had already formed seals, ready to summon new creatures.
The Preta Path, capable of absorbing ninjutsu, positioned himself behind the Deva Path at incredible speed, attempting to shield him with his body from Naraku's attack.
Observing this, Naraku showed no courtesy whatsoever. He stepped forward with his right foot, followed by his left, slashing with single-handed technique.
The four Paths of Pain cooperated to assist the Deva Path, finally throwing him clear before Naraku's cold blade descended, avoiding the attack.
But the others present couldn't escape. Time seemed frozen at this moment. Kurikara's edge cut through air and simultaneously severed three heads. Only the Asura Path, having transformed into a puppet, managed to escape headless.
Boom, boom...
Flames spread wildly as Nagato controlled the Asura Path to release all explosive power without hesitation, hoping to inflict trauma on Shihouin Naraku.
Whoosh—
Naraku tore through smoke and flames with his left hand, emerging with blade in hand.
"If this represents your power level, don't embarrass yourself."
Not a single scratch marked his body—even Naraku's clothing remained perfectly intact. The Asura Path's assault had proven completely ineffective.
Clang!
Crack!
Kurikara pierced the Asura Path's body like lightning. With one blade flick, the sharp edge destroyed it completely.
Various strange components scattered across the ground.
Naraku ignored these, stepping forward and crushing the Asura Path's core body underfoot, reducing it to fragments.
"Naraku, you've finally arrived!"
"Naraku-sama!"
"Big Brother Naraku!"
Jiraiya, Naruto, and the Konoha shinobi called out from the sidelines. Perhaps concerned about interfering with Naraku's battle, they maintained distance while shouting encouragement.
Naraku raised his left hand, indicating he had heard them.
"Wow, Naraku is incredible! He defeated those people so easily?"
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