Fall (Second Update)

"Still can’t sense it? There’s still quite a gap between you and Minato."

Landing on the ground and seeing Obito struggle to his feet, his body seeming to melt, Xu Yue appeared somewhat regretful.

When the Rasengan struck, Xu Yue had also tried to leave a marker on Obito, and he had succeeded. However, his marker was nowhere near as stable as Minato’s; it vanished after Obito entered Kamui Space once.

"Uchiha Yue!!"

Only two people in the entire ninja world could use Flying Thunder God, and Uchiha Yue had indeed entered the Land of Rain. If Obito still failed to recognize him, then he truly would have regressed back into his old fool days.

"You should call me senior. Have some manners."

Xu Yue instantly appeared before Obito, practically face-to-face with him, his breath brushing against Obito’s skin as he smiled brightly.

Yet Obito’s eyes were filled with wariness, with no intention whatsoever of attempting an attack.

"You really had the nerve to go after Minato and Kushina, kid. I need to get to know you again. What kind of brainwashing potion did Madara Uchiha feed you?"

Xu Yue’s smile gradually faded, and he seemed somewhat melancholy. However, this only drew a cold snort from Obito, who offered no reply.

Having been crippled again by that familiar method, even with First Hokage’s Cells fused into his body, he could not recover in a short time!

He had already lost his ability to influence the coming battlefield.

"Say, what exactly are you? That black half of you really catches my attention."

Seeing that Obito was ignoring him, Xu Yue turned his head toward Zetsu instead.

If it was only Black Zetsu, then aside from his possession and escape abilities, he was actually fairly mediocre.

But when he fused with that special White Zetsu, he had some fighting ability. During the Fourth Holy Grail War, he had ambushed the daimyo, and his Wood Style was quite proficient.

Yet now, seeing Obito collapsed on the ground, Zetsu was beginning to doubt his life choices. Had Madara Uchiha truly chosen the right successor?

And it seemed that this troublesome fellow who was supposed to die had already noticed the Rinnegan!

He too possessed the Power of All Creation born from the union of Senju and Uchiha, and his heart was filled with a longing for love and peace.

If they had discovered him earlier and drawn him into the darkness, he would absolutely have been the best candidate to inherit Madara’s will!

He could even have replaced Madara for real.

Yet now, he had somehow become kindred spirits with that bunch from Akatsuki.

"Obito, the worst has happened. It seems we need to withdraw first. There will be chances later."

Understanding how terrifying his opponent was, Zetsu knew that things could not be done once Obito had collapsed and lost his combat ability. He slowly sank back into the ground.

Xu Yue had no intention of stopping him.

He merely watched Obito quietly and continued baptizing him with Talk no Jutsu.

"I won’t reveal your identity myself. I don’t want Kakashi to suffer either. But I will keep walking my path, earn everyone’s recognition, and then become Naruto!"

"Sorry, but someone who even has to hide his face has no right to compete with me unless he comes to his senses."

As Xu Yue finished speaking, he passed directly through Obito.

Seriously, I clearly managed to seize every opportunity, yet my influence still falls short compared to Naruto’s. Is it because of Asura’s Chakra?

After Xu Yue passed through him, Obito did not look back again. Instead, he entered Kamui Space amid another swirl of distortion.

If he did not treat his injuries soon, there would be more trouble…

Holding Yahiko’s corpse in his arms, Nagato’s mind was completely blank.

Why?

Why did it turn out like this!

Why did they deceive us!

Was there truly no trust in this world? Was there really no way to understand one another?

Why hadn’t he listened to Brother Yue’s warning? Why had he been so naïve!

He had clearly promised Brother Yue. He had clearly promised that he would protect Yahiko!!

"Brother! Nagato!"

Kyusuke and Daibutsu ran over from afar. The moment they arrived and saw Nagato holding Yahiko’s corpse, both of them were struck dumb.

Brother Yahiko was dead?

Akatsuki’s leader was dead?!

Why had this happened!

Had the time Brother Yue fought for with his life become meaningless just like that?

How could they possibly live up to Brother Yue’s sacrifice!

"Nagato, Brother Yue was worried about you, so he brought us here. But we encountered mysterious enemies intercepting us on the way."

"Brother Yue… he chose to stay behind alone to buy us time to escape, so we could come and save you…"

Their appearance had originally given Nagato a little hope, but upon suddenly hearing that even Brother Yue had died, he could no longer bear it.

That big brother whom he had not known for long, yet who had always taken such good care of them, guided and reminded them like an elder brother, and had even thought to come save them at the final moment—he was gone too!

In that instant, Nagato felt the malice of the entire world.

Danzo stood atop the hill, looking down at Yahiko, who had chosen suicide, and Nagato, who clutched the corpse. A trace of coldness surfaced in his eyes.

He had never intended to keep his promise and release these stragglers.

Since they had chosen to tear off all pretenses, they had to pull out the roots!

However, everyone nearby at the moment was from the Hidden Rain. Because of the conflict during their first meeting, as well as the wishes of that Uchiha clan member afterward, Konoha’s people had not come here.

(Elsewhere, Xu Yue’s Wood Clone pulled Nuibari from the corpse of the last Root member and looked toward the distant sky. It was about time for it to begin…)

But even without Konoha’s assistance, dealing with this mere Akatsuki would be no problem.

"Do it. Finish them."

As Hanzo lowered his arm, countless shuriken and ninjutsu rained down upon the people below.

Nagato, whose heart had finally shattered and fallen into darkness, suddenly raised his head and roared.

The Rinnegan that had been concealed beneath his long hair was completely revealed before Hanzo.

The incoming shuriken and ninjutsu were all instantly repelled.

Shinra Tensei!

That sudden technique, which swept aside the barrage filling the sky, left every Rain ninja, Hanzo included, stunned.

Then, carrying that overwhelming momentum, Nagato leaped directly to where Konan was being held.

Hanzo leaped after him, forming hand seals and pressing his hand to the ground.

Fire Style: Exploding Flame Formation

The ground beneath Nagato and Konan loosened and sank, dragging them down like quicksand. Countless Explosive Tags coiled around them.

Back then, Hanzo had relied on this technique to nearly kill Tsunade and severely wound Jiraiya!

But Nagato, whose heart was already dead, paid no attention to the Explosive Tags winding around him. Instead, he began undoing Konan’s ropes.

Boom!

Amid the explosion and flames.

Nagato shoved the freed Konan aside, while the Explosive Tags blew deep, bone-revealing wounds into both his legs.

Even so, Nagato’s face showed no expression. He formed hand seals as well and pressed his hand down.

Summoning: Demonic Statue of the Outer Path!

The Rain ninja charging in while Nagato was injured were sent flying by a single blow from the terrifying giant monster that suddenly appeared, bursting into bloody mist in midair…

Second update! The third is coming soon~