Chapter 173: Supreme Sovereign!
A vast swath of crimson spread across the lunar sky.
Sukuna's domain had torn open part of the atmosphere, unleashing a barrage of black-and-crimson lightning-laced slashes in all directions.
On one side, a shockwave's aftermath raged, and on the other, an expanding blood-red firmament.
Standing in the middle, Jiraiya found himself at a loss.
"I'm not sure whether I should hide…or go help…"
For the first time, Jiraiya was maintaining Sage Mode for this long; if not for the two Great Toad Sages regulating natural energy, he would've collapsed ages ago. But given the current situation, Fukasaku and Shima refused to separate from him.
From their viewpoint, the two Great Sages from the summoning lands had been devoured alive by the Uchiha brothers. If something happened to Jiraiya, who else could they rely on?
They remembered how Uchiha Kagami had swallowed up those other great sages. Now, Jiraiya was Kagami's teacher, so hopefully there was some "sentimental credit" they could accumulate…
If, by chance, Kagami got a random idea to slice apart the Great Toad Sage, then what would they do?
Though in the Great Toad Sage's prophecy, Kagami was precisely the "Child of Prophecy" who would bring epoch-making change to the ninja world…
Sigh… If they'd known earlier, they might not have chosen Minato so quickly; maybe they could have waited a few more years.
The two Toad Sages exchanged glances. Fukasaku looked at Nagato and spoke gravely, "Little Nagato, I know you're worried about Konan. We can send her to Mount Myōboku."
"We should go help Shisui."
Nagato's eyes focused on Sukuna and Shisui's distant battle. With the Rinnegan, he could partially see what was unfolding.
Back at the second round's close, Shisui had awakened the Mangekyō, revealing ocular power at least on par with his own. Yet now, he was being soundly overpowered.
That monster…
What exactly was it?
He then turned toward Konan, who looked anxious, and then to Fukasaku.
"Then I'll leave her to you."
They all knew that Sukuna was a being residing in Kagami's body—one could interpret it as part of Kagami's power. Akatsuki had attempted negotiations with Kagami, only to fail. From that moment on, no matter how strong Kagami was, Nagato refused to back down from opposition.
His goal was universal peace, whereas Kagami cared only for the Land of Fire, wholly ignoring the suffering in other regions.
Within the Land of Fire, Kagami was venerated as its supreme protector. Beyond that, though, most in the ninja world had never felt any warmth from him. So many had tried to join the Land of Fire in vain, only to be chased away or even killed.
Otherwise, would the ninja world's people be so foolish, crossing deserts in hopes of seeking refuge in the Fire Shadow Village? Some families like the Fūma clan had just been incredibly lucky. Many secretly cursed them but dared not say so openly.
…
On the surface, Obito and the others assumed Nagato would seize the Eight-Tails in exchange for the Seven-Tails. Nagato similarly believed they wouldn't let such an opportunity slip. So once he returned to the ninja world, they would pour that Tailed Beast chakra into the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, hoping to resurrect the fabled "Heaven's Eye God" said to hold world-shattering might.
Yet Nagato still held onto a faint hope.
He saw no means of drawing near Kagami's level with the Rinnegan alone; he was relying on reviving the Ten-Tails. That would be Akatsuki's final push against Kagami's tyranny.
Yes, the chance of defeat was huge, but Nagato wouldn't retreat.
With his body intact, Nagato's will was absolutely unwavering.
Seeing Fukasaku and Shima taking Konan away, Nagato resolved himself fully.
If Kagami was the enemy, then battling Sukuna now was the perfect opportunity to gather intel.
He could sense Sukuna's usage of Kagami-like slashing techniques, more perfected than Shisui's. Perhaps—maybe—there was a chance to find the Slashing Release's weakness.
Swish, swish—
The Akatsuki members all took action together!
…
Nagato and Jiraiya hovered to the rear, with Tendo Yahiko and the Hell Path Pain in stable positions among the Six Paths. It was obvious they meant to send in the newly made Pain bodies from Kinkaku and Ginkaku first to gauge a few rounds.
"Huh?" They sensed two powerful chakras rapidly approaching. Hashirama raised his arm in greeting.
"Yo, Nagato, Jiraiya! You guys coming to help too?"
Hashirama arrived in a couple of flickers, making Nagato tense up—he almost attacked on reflex. But Hashirama, seeing Nagato's discomfort, halted at a modest distance.
"First Hokage, are you planning to step in?" Jiraiya asked excitedly. He had grown up hearing tales of the First and Second Hokage. One friend was Tsunade, who lacked hero worship for her grandfather, and the other was Orochimaru, who'd grown numb to all legends. But Jiraiya was different—during his first trip to the Fire Shadow Village, he had nearly knelt in awe upon meeting Hashirama.
Hashirama scratched his head with an awkward laugh. "Well, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't worried about that Shisui kid. But same reasoning as you guys—I don't think Kagami's going to let him actually die. Kagami far outstrips me, I can figure that out at least."
"But I still want to give it a try!"
Jiraiya was momentarily at a loss. Indeed… Kagami wouldn't let Shisui die, so what was I so anxious about earlier?
"Idiot, what're you daydreaming about?" barked an all-too-familiar voice as Orochimaru passed him by.
"That monster wields a perfected Slashing Release, different from Shisui's half-baked version."
For Orochimaru, losing one life was no big deal, as long as he gained more direct experience with Slashing Release. He grasped that key scroll, and each brush with death was another step closer to fully mastering it.
He brandished the Slashing Release training scroll, glancing at Jiraiya. "Worried you might die, Jiraiya? I thought so."
Jiraiya and Orochimaru both silently fumed at each other as they advanced.
…
Boom!!!
A massive crater formed on the lunar surface, riddled with slash marks.
Shisui's Susanoo was in tatters. Within, Shisui panted heavily.
Supporting that degree of defense against Sukuna's slashes demanded far too much chakra.
"Keep it up, I'm not done playing!" Sukuna teased like a cat toying with a mouse.
Any so-called strong-man demeanor held no meaning for Sukuna—he had only grudges from Kagami. He would vent them on Shisui if it amused him.
He turned his gaze to see Hashirama, Orochimaru, and the others arriving, and sneered in disdain.
You think just because I lost to Kagami, grouping up can handle me?
You think I wasted these last twenty years in that prison dimension for nothing?
…
"Wood Style: Deep Forest Emergence!"
"Wood Style: Wood Golem Technique!"
"Sage Art: Gate of the Great God!"
Successive jutsu flew forth. From the battered forest floor came more trees; overhead, scarlet wooden torii gates dropped.
Seeing those torii gates awakened Sukuna's worst memories.
Swish!!
In a slash that rended the atmosphere, the scarlet torii was smashed.
With four hands forming the "Marici Heavenly" seal, Sukuna spoke softly.
Drip—
It was as though a droplet of thick, ominous blood fell upon a tranquil lake's surface.
From that calm lake emerged an eerie shrine, horrifying in appearance. Everywhere were remains forging a colossal throne.
Hashirama felt a surge of unease. Catching Orochimaru's eye, they both slammed their palms to the ground.
"Fivefold Rashōmon!"
"Fivefold Rashōmon!"
Orochimaru nearly drained the Three Snake Princesses to their limit, matching Hashirama's summoning approach. They shielded front and rear with massive demon-faced gates.
But the ear-splitting blasts outside destroyed the outer gates in seconds, followed swiftly by the next two… and the next.
Rashōmon, which could deflect even a Tailed Beast Bomb from the Nine-Tails, appeared as fragile as paper here.
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