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Oh ho~
Operation Big Bluff, Phase One—huge success!
No one doubts Tsunade's strength, right? Even if they eventually gathered all ten mbers, she definitely wouldn't be the weakest.
Shinji was overjoyed!
But when people get too happy, it's easy for things to take a turn for the worse.
"I think you owe an explanation. What the hell is this?"
When Shinji ca back to his senses, he found Tsunade already standing in front of him with a dark expression and killing intent radiating from her. The pressure she exuded was imnse.
Just now, Tsunade had imdiately tried using dical ninjutsu to remove the tattoo-like mark—but it was completely useless.
Even more outrageous, she couldn't get rid of it with a Transformation Technique. No matter what, it remained exactly where it was.
Clearly, she had been tricked. How could she not be furious? She was about to explode with rage!
She had thought it was just a aningless signature. She had already been cautious enough.
And yet in the end, the clown was herself!?
If she hadn't carefully examined herself and confird that there were no other changes besides this unremovable mark, she wouldn't be questioning him right now—she'd have already kicked his head clean off!
"Calm down, calm down! It's just a completely ordinary mark. It lasts for one year. Other than that, it won't affect you at all."
"You're sure? Have I ever told you that what I hate most in my life is being lied to?"
Bang!
The solid wooden door panel was crushed in Tsunade's bare hand. The terrifying strength made Shinji's eyelids twitch.
"How could I lie? I really didn't—"
Boom!!!
Before Shinji could finish his protest, the entire inn shuddered violently, collapsing as if struck by a god. Dust and debris filled the air, and the sound of splintering wood and crumbling stone drowned out everything else.
Floating gracefully above the ruin, a figure slowly descended.
It was Pain—the fully repaired Deva Path. His presence was chilling, serene yet unstoppable, radiating an aura of absolute authority.
Though there had been a slight delay, under Zetsu's tracking, the movents of both Shinji and Hidan had never escaped observation.
"No matter what, this is still within the Land of Fire. Don't make too much of a scene. End this quickly."
With that brief instruction, Zetsu silently lted into the shadows, leaving the Deva Path and his companions to take control.
The other Paths of Pain moved forward, forming a nacing ring around the inn, now reduced to rubble. Panic swept through the nearby civilians, their screams piercing the chaotic air as they scrambled to escape.
"Co out. We can properly discuss the matter of benefits this ti. The previous attack was rely a greeting."
The Deva Path's voice was calm, even, as though discussing the weather rather than orchestrating mass destruction.
After all, the target had survived a full-strength Shinra Tensei unhard. According to reports, he should not have been capable of such endurance. The Deva Path had no illusions about his adversary's resilience.
Crash… crash…
"Black Flash!"
A thunderous strike erupted from Shinji's fist, black sparks spiraling outward as he blasted apart the rubble that had pinned him down. Standing now in the open, he surveyed the scene. Beside him, Tsunade and Shizune lay covered in dirt. Shizune had been protected beneath Tsunade and had fallen unconscious.
"You alright?" Shinji asked, concern lacing his tone.
"She probably hit her head on falling debris, but it's nothing serious." Tsunade's hands glowed with a steady green light as she treated the blood flowing from Shizune's wounds.
"I ant you," Shinji said, glancing at the bruises forming on Tsunade's back and legs.
"? I'm fine."
Despite her words, her body trembled slightly, betraying the inner strain.
Hemophobia… Shinji noted silently.
No wonder she hadn't even dared to lift her head. Even in her discomfort, she forced herself to continue tending to Shizune, putting duty above her own well-being.
Shinji drew his gaze back to the Deva Path, assessing the looming threat.
"We can talk about benefits, sure—but maybe we should change locations. There are too many people here. This isn't suitable for negotiations."
The Deva Path's piercing gaze swept over the fleeing civilians. "A man who slaughtered every mber of his own cult… would care about the lives of ordinary people?"
"You're overthinking it. I'm just trying to save you so face. Don't forget who ended up like a dea—"
"Universal Pull!"
Damn it! Shinji swore as an invisible force yanked him forward.
Nagato's public image was too sacred. He could never allow the embarrassing history of his actions to be exposed. So the Six Paths of Pain had decided to converge on Shinji with lethal intent.
Instantly, Shinji felt a crushing headache forming, the pressure and the ntal weight of the situation threatening to overwhelm him.
His Executioner's Blade was not with him. Hidan remained incapacitated in the hospital. Tsunade, impaired by hemophobia, could not be relied upon.
If it weren't for the system mission, he might have accepted defeat and joined the Akatsuki quietly. It wouldn't have been the worst fate.
But giving up was impossible. The rewards at stake were far too tempting.
So after a brief mont of hesitation, Shinji drew the Snakeskin Sword with a decisive motion. At the sa ti, he activated the [Special Grade Cursed Spirit – Koni] (Trial Card)!
---
[Special Grade Cursed Spirit – Koni] (Trial Card)
Description: A cursed spirit born from humanity's fear and awe of "lightning."
Innate Technique: Thunder Curse Technique
Domain: Heavenly Might Execution Prison (Cannot be deployed)
Fusion Duration: Ten minutes
---
The instant Shinji rged with Koni, the sky itself seed to respond. Over a dozen jagged bolts of lightning tore through the clouds, descending with unrelenting speed. Each bolt struck with such force that the Six Paths of Pain were forced backward, staggered by the raw display of electrical power.
Shinji's form began to shift before their eyes.
From his head, a pair of magnificent deer-like antlers sprouted, crackling with live electricity. His hair blazed into silver-white strands, flowing past his waist like molten lightning. Mysterious, intricate patterns etched themselves across his face, glowing faintly with blue-white arcs of power. Just one look at them sent a sharp sting down the spines of anyone who dared et his gaze.
This was no longer simply Shinji's power.
It was Koni's energy, forcibly rged with him through the system's assistance, restrained only enough for him to maintain control.
"Thunder Curse Technique: Lightning Dragon Flash!"
Shinji's voice rang out like rolling thunder. In an instant, blinding light engulfed the battlefield, montarily robbing all onlookers of vision.
Then, from the radiant storm, a majestic, towering lightning dragon streaked across the horizon. Its scales shimred with pure electricity, each movent sending sparks crackling in all directions. Clamped tightly in its jaws was the Animal Path of Pain. Waves of searing electricity surged into it, sending the Path into spasms of pain.
No summoning or jutsu could be cast. No words could escape its mouth. Many of the chakra receivers implanted in the Animal Path had already burned out entirely, their circuits fried by the raw electrical onslaught.
From afar, Nagato observed calmly. The lightning display signaled the opponent's attempt to lure him away from the Land of Fire, unwilling to destroy the area indiscriminately.
If this had been the old, naive Nagato, he might have fallen for the trap, hoping for so semblance of rcy. But the Nagato before him now was cold, experienced, and unmoved.
Still, the sudden transformation of his adversary piqued his interest. A powerful enemy erging from such a fusion was rare—and dangerous. Curiosity won over caution. He imdiately commanded the remaining five Paths of Pain to pursue, descending into the chaos with deadly precision.
Not long after both sides departed, Shizune let out a soft, shaky sound and slowly opened her eyes.
The sight before her stole her breath. Amid the ruins of the inn, Tsunade sat huddled, arms wrapped tightly around her knees, her entire body trembling uncontrollably.
Only then did Shizune notice the crimson stains on herself—and on Tsunade.
"Tsunade-sama! Y-you—"
Her voice cracked, trembling on the edge of tears.
"I'm fine." Tsunade's voice was weak, almost a whisper, but it carried an unshakable determination. "That guy… he's encountered a powerful enemy. You… you go. Go notify his companion."
"But—" Shizune hesitated, panic and guilt tightening her throat.
"Go! I'm really fine. I just need a mont."
Tsunade's pale, deathly face made defiance impossible. Shizune's heart pounded with anxiety and helplessness, but she clenched her teeth and ran, her destination already clear: the hospital.
Yet fate had other plans. Before she could reach it, she ran into the very person she sought.
Hidan stood there, bandages long removed. In his left hand glead the Executioner's Blade, while his right gripped the blood-stained Triple-Bladed Scythe. His grin was terrifying, teeth bared like a predator tasting blood.
"Tell , where's the enemy?"
100 Power Stones= 1 additional chapters.
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