Right after unleashing the [Ultimate Shinra Tensei], the [Deva Path] Pain's chakra was nearly drained, and his abilities temporarily became ineffective.
Thanks entirely to Konan's paper pieces supporting him both under his feet and within his clothing, he barely remained hovering midair.
Otherwise, he likely would've already fallen.
Of course, at this very moment, the [Deva Path] Pain felt profound inner shock.
He had never imagined—
Konoha had actually endured his strongest move!
Using an enormous ninjutsu, they summoned a vast field of wood vines that encircled the village, blocking his [Ultimate Shinra Tensei]!
How could this be possible?!
Who in Konoha could possibly harness such powerful techniques?
Was this the legendary Kekkei Genkai—Wood Release?
Could someone in Konoha truly harness Wood Release abilities?
The [Deva Path] Pain furrowed his brow, quickly thinking and desperately trying to uncover the truth.
This was also the second time he had faced something unexpectedly thorny!
The first?
That was definitely when he ran into that brat, Shimoku Uchiha.
Just then,
A mass of white papers gathered beside Pain, forming into Konan.
"Nagato, retreat for now!"
"If you keep fighting, your body won't hold up!"
Konan pleaded anxiously.
No one knew Nagato's true physical state better than she did.
Continuing the battle would only become more dangerous!
"No, it's not over yet."
"Judging by the chakra signatures, the number of Konoha ninja below hasn't increased."
"That proves this technique couldn't have come from any regular ninja!"
"It must be some kind of ace in the hole Konoha prepared—one-time use!"
"Incredible! Even as one of the Five Great Nations, they still had such formidable backup!"
"But surely, this is their limit, right?"
"What comes next will leave them powerless to resist…"
"If we pull out now, we'll only hand the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki directly to that brat, Shimoku Uchiha!"
"And my entire plan will collapse at the final stage…"
Konan: "But…"
Nagato: "No buts. Set me down!"
"You know, as long as my real body's location stays hidden, I won't be in danger…"
Under Nagato's firm insistence,
Konan had no choice but to comply.
She manipulated her paper, gently lowering Nagato until he landed atop a tall broken tree stump.
Looking down at the remaining Konoha shinobi…
Although Konoha had blocked the direct impact of the [Ultimate Shinra Tensei] using this Wood Release,
Even the residual energy leaking through the wooden barrier sent violent tremors through many Konoha ninja, shaking their insides and making their blood boil.
If not for Tsunade and Katsuyu's healing efforts,
Countless ninjas might've been killed by the shockwave on the spot!
Even so, after that single attack, most Konoha ninjas were left incapacitated.
"Yahiko… why have you become like this?…"
Jiraiya wore a pained expression, gazing at Pain with sorrow welling up deep inside.
"Teacher, true suffering is something your great nations could never understand!"
"This is your final chance. Surrender the Nine-Tails now."
"Don't make me perform that divine miracle again!"
The Deva Path, Pain, coldly warned.
Of course, he was already incapable of using Ultimate Shinra Tensei once more.
But with this opportunity, some threats and casual remarks would help.
Gaining a bit of time for the Deva Path's abilities to recover remained useful.
"Pfft! What pain? What opportunity!"
"If you've got the guts, come take it yourself!"
"Judging from your condition, you can't even perform that previous move anymore. Stop bluffing!"
An enraged Tsunade shouted back.
She finally got back on her feet, having regained a bit of strength.
"How foolish!"
"Your foolishness will only bring greater suffering upon Konoha!"
Pain threatened loudly again but still didn't make any rash moves.
Obviously, his abilities were still on cooldown.
...
"It looks like he can't move. Quick, attack him!"
Hiruzen urgently instructed.
[Ninjutsu: Needle Jizo! (A technique where the user fires sharp hair needles resembling the protective deity Jizo)]
Jiraiya immediately launched an attack.
Despite having both hands disabled, his head of white hair remained. He could still shoot out hair needles to strike enemies.
Just then,
A figure suddenly appeared in front of Pain's Deva Path.
Swinging a large sword, he blocked all the needles aimed at Pain.
"Did I arrive late?"
Biwa Juzo sheathed his sword beside Pain, letting out a hearty laugh full of swagger.
However, his eyes continuously swept toward the Konoha ninjas, seemingly searching for and wary of a certain figure.
"I heard you ran away?"
Pain calmly questioned.
"I merely conducted a strategic retreat; see, I'm back now!"
Biwa Juzo flinched and quickly explained.
Earlier, he truly had been terrified by Might Guy, fleeing the battlefield.
Yet shortly afterward, one use of Pain's Ultimate Shinra Tensei had frightened him so much that he hurriedly returned.
He had no intention of escaping Konoha only to be hunted down by Leader Pain later.
"By the way, this fight here really heated up!"
"What kind of Ninjutsu could possibly create so many massive wood vines?"
Biwa Juzo touched the enormous wooden vine beneath his feet, whistling in amazement.
"Enough nonsense. Kill them!"
Tired of conversing further with Biwa Juzo, Pain directly issued orders.
"Fine, leave it to me!"
Swinging the large sword in his hand, Biwa Juzo locked his gaze onto Sarutobi and the other two below.
As long as that green-clothed ninja wasn't around, he had nothing to fear!
...
Seeing another enemy appear,
Jiraiya and others felt even more despair.
After all, the previous [Ninjutsu: Needle Jizo] had drained the last drop of his chakra.
At this moment, every Konoha ninja was like a bow drawn too tight – completely spent. Where could they find the power to fight again!
Just then,
Sarutobi Hiruzen, who had already been exhausted, stepped forward.
"Tsunade, give me whatever chakra you have left!"
"Old man, you..."
Tsunade was taken aback.
Hiruzen did as instructed immediately, channeling the remaining chakra from his [Yin Seal].
Through Katsuyu, he transferred all of it to Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"Jiraiya!" he called out. "I'm leaving the village in your hands from now on..."
"And please look after my wayward children and grandchildren as well."
As he stepped forward, Hiruzen gave instructions to Jiraiya behind him.
He summoned several clones, who picked up the severely injured shinobi around him and withdrew from the battlefield.
One clone charged ahead deliberately, engaging Biwa Juzo in battle to hold him back.
"Sarutobi-sensei..."
Jiraiya choked out emotionally, already suspecting Hiruzen's intent.
"Oh, and from now on, tone it down a bit. And no more hot springs popping up all over the village..."
Jiraiya: (?Д?)ノ
Hiruzen halted in front of all the Konoha ninja and continued:
"I suppose I wasn't much of a Hokage."
"These past decades, clinging desperately to power, fighting over it, scheming endlessly... I've made quite a few mistakes..."
"It's unfortunate that in the end, I still couldn't lead Konoha toward prosperity."
"At least, let me end everything here today!"
"Just like the Second did..."
"The flames of Konoha will never be extinguished here!"
With determined eyes, Hiruzen immediately formed hand seals and performed the technique.
[Snake-Rat-Horse-Boar-Dog-Rooster-Snake]!
[Dead Demon Consuming Seal]!
Instantly, the surrounding temperature plummeted by several degrees, spreading an icy chill.
And that figure—the 'Shinigami', visible only to the user—also appeared behind Hiruzen.
...
"What kind of jutsu is that?"
"There's an extremely unsettling feeling about this..."
Watching Hiruzen forming hand seals, [Deva Path Pain] also slightly frowned.
Even though he couldn't see the Shinigami, relying on his [Rinnegan], he could still sense something unusual.
The next moment,
Before he could react,
Hiruzen had already completed his preparations.
Soon after, a ghostly right arm covered in black markings pierced through Hiruzen's abdomen.
Stretching rapidly, it lunged straight at [Deva Path] Pain.
Already weakened during this period, [Deva Path] Pain couldn't dodge quickly enough or even detect it clearly.
In an instant,
He was seized and impaled through the abdomen by the Shinigami's right arm...
At this very moment,
Even Nagato himself, dozens of miles away, couldn't help but stiffen and feel his scalp prickle.
As if his very soul had started trembling...
"It's over!"
Hiruzen roared loudly.
In his view, taking the enemy leader's soul with him,
Would surely doom Akatsuki's attack to failure!
He would use his own life,
To draw a full stop to all of this!
The next moment,
The Shinigami's arm retracted, withdrawing from [Deva Path]'s abdomen.
Immediately carrying the enemy's soul along with Hiruzen, sealing them forever inside the Shinigami's belly!
However...
Just as the Shinigami's arm began retracting,
Hiruzen suddenly realized with shock—the Shinigami hadn't captured the enemy's soul at all!
Or rather, this Pain simply had no soul to begin with!
Because he was nothing more than a corpse!
Hiruzen:...
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