Chapter 379: Crushing with Intelligence, Part I
This was a battle of life and death, and the Six Paths of Pain showed no mercy from the start.
"Summoning Jutsu! Boom! Boom! Boom!"
The transformed Juzo Biwa, now the Animal Path, pressed both hands to the ground, releasing a barrage of summoning smoke. Giant creatures emerged an Eight Foot Crow, a One Horned Rhino, a massive Centipede, and the ferocious Split Dog all enormous and imposing, despite not quite matching the size of the Sannin's summoning beasts. Each creature bore distinct black chakra rods and Rinnegan eyes.
Though anticipated, the primal fear invoked by these massive beasts rooted some of the Konoha shinobi in place, their nerves rattled by the instinctive fear of giants embedded deep in their psyche.
"Stay calm! Follow the plan!"
Kakashi's steady voice cut through their fears, and the chastened shinobi quickly refocused. Among all the hidden village bloodlines, the Byakugan was known as one of the best for battlefield perception.
Hiashi Hyuga knew that this was his clan's chance to secure their value under the new Hokage. Ignoring the old restrictions of the clan's main branch, Hiashi was determined to personally fight on the front lines.
"Byakugan!"
Before the battle, Kakashi had briefed the team on the Six Paths of Pain, noting in particular the strange summoning jutsu of the Animal Path. When Hiashi's Byakugan detected an invisible summoning beast lurking nearby, he frowned, surprised by the creature's stealth.
"Target acquired. Relay my findings."
Following Hiashi's instruction, a Yamanaka clan member placed a hand on his shoulder, forming a seal with his other hand. Although the clan's Mind Transmission technique couldn't fully replicate Hiashi's 360 degree view, they transmitted enough information to gauge the enemy's position.
Due to tactical reasons, the current leaders of the Ino Shika Cho trio were not at the front lines. Instead, elite team members from each clan joined forces. Unlike typical teams, this Ino Shika Cho squad worked seamlessly as one.
"Expansion Jutsu!"
In a flash, several colossal giants appeared on the battlefield, wielding massive weapons against the Pain's summoning creatures.
"Shadow Paralysis Jutsu!"
The moment the Akimichi giants immobilized the summons, the Nara clan shinobi trapped them in place with their shadows, leaving the beasts motionless.
The "Ino" of the trio's name doesn't refer to Akimichi's size but rather the Yamanaka clan. The "pig" nickname was both a jest and a means of misdirection for those who didn't know the trio's true synergy. With their Mind Transfer Jutsu and other mental techniques, the Yamanaka's skills were some of the most versatile.
"Mind Transfer Jutsu!"
A confident Yamanaka tested taking control of the summoned beasts. As expected, his attempt failed. The creatures were merely puppets under Pain's control, and Mind Transfer Jutsu had no effect.
"Fool! Stick to the plan!" the Yamanaka leader scolded, though he wasted no time.
"Sealing Jutsu: Heavy Four Limb Binding!"
Their synchronized voices chanted the incantation, and in seconds, the once mighty summoned creatures were paralyzed, their bodies bound by seals meant for overpowering physical beings. The team's cooperation neutralized the summoning beasts in mere moments.
Nagato, hidden from sight, frowned at the quick neutralization of his summoning. He hadn't anticipated such rapid countermeasures, though there was no time to dwell on it. The Six Paths of Pain were already locked in fierce combat.
Pain's strongest path, Deva, faced Kakashi's powerhouse strength alone, as no other shinobi could withstand his abilities. Asura Path fought against Fugaku Uchiha, whose Sharingan and powerful techniques balanced Asura's futuristic weaponry. Hiashi and Might Guy took on the Hell and Preta Paths, while the veteran jonin Kosuke Maruboshi matched up against the Human Path. As for the Animal Path...it was taken down immediately. Its summoning jutsu had left it open to a swift counterstrike, which ended it on the spot.
With the Animal Path gone, the remaining Pain Paths moved with increased agility and coordination. Their intense, close quarters skirmish pushed back the average jonin from approaching the battlefield.
Seeing that the enemy's movements matched the intelligence gathered, Kakashi gave an order.
"Guy!"
Might Guy, who was locked in taijutsu combat with Preta Path, grinned widely, giving Kakashi a thumbs up. "Leave it to me, Kakashi! Now is the time for my youthful flames to shine! Lee's Grandmother's Knock: Open!"
A surge of chakra coursed through Guy as his skin flushed red, shrouded in a blue steam like aura. Witnessing this transformation, Nagato sensed danger.
Throughout the fight, Konoha's ninja had already refrained from using chakra based attacks on Preta Path, relying instead on taijutsu. Only Fugaku maintained his chakra based techniques to battle Asura Path, while most others struck with raw physical force.
"Witness! This is a rare sight my ultimate move!"
Fully prepared, Guy brought his hands together in a seal.
"Hirudora!"
With a mighty roar, Guy unleashed the Daytime Tiger, a massive white tiger shaped shockwave that rocketed towards Preta Path.
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