The most critical point was that the Rinnegan's Tomb shadow wasn't permanent. Once its time ran out, the seemingly ferocious Ten-Tails would instantly turn into a harmless puppy.
Of course, nobody else knew this.
Under the terrified gazes of everyone present, the Ten-Tails roared senselessly like a wild beast and opened its mouth, spitting out an enormous Tailed Beast Ball toward the front.
Seiki stood directly in the Tailed Beast Ball's path. He activated a Chakra Barrier and redirected the attack elsewhere.
A moment later, a terrifying ripple of residual energy swept in from afar. Even separated by over ten kilometers, everyone could feel the violent tremors of the ground.
Seeing this, the Ten-Tails seemed provoked and fired out three large Tailed Beast Balls in succession.
Raising his eyebrows slightly, Seiki created three clones. Two of them, along with his original body, activated Chakra Barriers while the last clone went in front of the Ten-Tails to act as a coordinate for redirecting the Tailed Beast Ball.
The Ten-Tails' huge eyes filled with confusion—then it was swallowed up by a tremendous energy blast!
With a deafening explosion, the heavens split and the earth cracked beneath the force. Energy waves radiated outward, even causing the barrier walls to violently tremble!
Seeing this, everyone's hearts leapt with joy.
Did it actually just kill itself with its own move?
However, their smiles quickly faded from their faces.
After the shockwaves faded, although several large holes had been torn in the Ten-Tails' body, they quickly repaired themselves nearly completely!
Everyone was horrified. Such heaven-shaking might had only left the Ten-Tails with minor injuries!
How could they possibly fight this?
Just as they were worrying and hesitating, many noticed the Ten-Tails, which should have gone berserk, had actually calmed down.
The eyes that once burned with destruction had now softened into calm.
The next moment, Nagato's voice came from the mouth of the Ten-Tails.
"Actually, I should thank you for helping me regain consciousness!" Nagato spoke with a lingering sense of fear.
He hadn't expected that even an Incomplete Ten-Tails' consciousness could overwhelm him so completely!
Fortunately, after being struck a few times, the beast's consciousness had been temporarily suppressed, allowing his own mind to regain control.
Seeing Nagato's consciousness had returned, everyone's expressions grew serious.
Although the Ten-Tails was incredibly powerful, it was, after all, just a mindless beast and thus easily manipulated.
Now that Nagato had regained control, the situation would be completely different!
Seiki said coolly, "This is only temporary. In your current state, you'll eventually be consumed by the Ten-Tails' consciousness."
Nagato didn't deny it. "You're right. That's why I want to make a deal with you!"
He clearly knew his Ten-Tails form couldn't last much longer. With such limited time, there was absolutely no way he could defeat Seiki!
Therefore, he wanted to end this before the others noticed—by sacrificing himself to save them all!
"A deal?" Seiki asked.
"I can suppress the Ten-Tails' consciousness and give you the chance to seal it!" Nagato took a deep breath. "In exchange, I hope you'll let the others leave and guarantee you won't pursue them afterward!"
Before Seiki could speak, Konan and Yahiko quickly spoke up vehemently.
"No!" Yahiko and Konan shouted in unison. "The three of us promised to always be together!"
"That's not right! I'm the true leader of Akatsuki. If anyone should be captured, it should be me!"
"Do you think this is a marketplace where you can haggle over prices?" Nagato rebuked sternly before turning to Seiki. "With my current power, if I completely lose control, I could bring massive destruction. You wouldn't want that to happen, would you? Besides, with you in the shinobi world, they can't possibly cause any significant trouble!"
The group felt somewhat persuaded. Winning with the least cost was obviously the best possible outcome!
For shinobi, interests are eternal!
Just like how Onoki assassinated the Third Raikage, and Seiki boxed in and eliminated the Third Mizukage, yet the various ninja villages are still in an alliance now.
However, they held their tongues, just gazing expectantly at Seiki.
Under everyone's watchful eyes, Seiki asked, "Don't you fear I might agree to your request only to double-cross them later?"
Nagato shook his head slightly. "If even you cannot be trusted, then there's no trustworthy person left in this world!"
Not even the Akatsuki members present refuted this statement. Despite being on opposite sides, they had to admit he was the most perfect person in this world!
"I can agree to your request, however..." Seiki shifted his gaze sideways, "As Yahiko said, the others can be forgiven, but as their leader, he naturally cannot just walk away easily!"
Nagato became anxious. "But Yahiko..."
Yahiko, however, laughed loudly. "Nagato, have you already forgotten your own words? No bargaining!"
Konan cried out, "Then I won't leave either!"
However, both Yahiko and Nagato said in unison, "No, you must leave!"
"You..."
Seiki, though, had no interest in listening to their emotional drama.
"Nagato, focus on suppressing the Ten-Tails' consciousness!"
At Seiki's words, Nagato nodded while touching the Ten-Tails' giant head. "I will!"
Seiki took out an empty scroll, climbed onto the Ten-Tails' head, and formed hand seals before pressing his palm down.
[Eight Trigrams Sealing Style!]
The Ten-Tails was extracted from Nagato's body, regressed into the form of the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, and sealed into the scroll.
Nagato, completely exhausted, fell from midair.
Witnessing this, everyone's faces showed visible relief.
The war had ended, and in the end, "justice" had triumphed over "evil"...
However, suddenly the barrier seemed to lose control, opening completely!
"What's going on? Why did the barrier suddenly open?"
"Beware of Akatsuki's schemes!"
"Oh no, it's Uncle Aizen!" Seeing the crowd's wary and defensive gazes directed at him, Nagato's heart tightened as he hurried to explain. "This is a misunderstanding! I can let him explain—aaaaahhhhh!"
As Nagato spoke, he suddenly cried out in pain, clutching his head.
Konan and Yahiko anxiously asked, "Nagato, what's wrong with you?"
Nagato suddenly looked up, his mouth uttering the voice of Madara Uchiha. "Ahahaha! So eager to leave already? The real show has just begun!"
Upon seeing this, everyone felt disbelief.
"Isn't he the one performing the Impure World Reincarnation? How can he be controlled by Madara Uchiha?"
"Is this guy pretending to be a god again?"
Seiki Shimaseki spoke solemnly, "It must be the corruption of the Rinnegan. Nagato's consciousness may have been affected long ago. Combined with the recent battle against the Ten-Tails, the rate at which his willpower is being eroded has accelerated greatly!"
Nagato threw his head back and let out a mad, Uchiha-like laugh toward the sky, "No wonder you're Seiki Shimaseki. You've seen through my plan so quickly, but it's too late now. He's already taken my form! Come forth, let the war begin anew!"
As the words fell, the group of powerful [Impure World Reincarnation] warriors sprang into action once again.
Not only that, but the [White Zetsu Army] also began to emerge from the distant hills and woods!
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