"Now!"
As the Deva Path of Pain was immobilized by Nara Shikaku's Shadow Imitation Jutsu, Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately gave the order and simultaneously performed the Shadow Clone Jutsu.
"Earth Release: Earth Dragon Bullet."
"Fire Release: Fire Dragon Bullet."
Hiruzen and his shadow clone launched two elemental jutsu, combining them into a powerful composite technique: Flaming Earth Dragon Torrent.
"Particle Style: Atomic Dismantling Jutsu."
Onoki took the opportunity to unleash his Particle Style, forming a cone of white light in his hands, which then shot a beam toward Pain. Anything touched by this beam would be disintegrated at the atomic level—this was the only Kekkei Tota in the ninja world.
But the Preta Path leapt in front of the other Pains, arms outstretched, using the Sealing Absorption Technique to absorb all incoming jutsu, including the Particle Style.
"Just as the intel said... even Kekkei Tota can be absorbed. This technique is practically unbeatable. Kiyo, cover me," said Kurenai Yuhi as she threw a kunai at the Naraka Path and began forming hand signs for a genjutsu barrier.
Using genjutsu so openly was risky, especially without knowing the Naraka Path's abilities. Still, Kurenai's clan-style genjutsu techniques were actually more suited for ranged use than the Sharingan. As long as the enemy made contact with the kunai, there was a chance to trap them in an illusion.
Kiyo Hyuga and Kouta Hyuga charged in from another angle, targeting the Asura Path. With the Deva Path immobilized, the other Pains hadn't demonstrated overly lethal jutsu, making it relatively safe for them.
Besides, both of them could use Rotation. During the recent battles in the Land of Rain, Kiyo had been practicing Rotation during downtime. Even with the Branch Family watching, she didn't hold back. If they copied her, she didn't mind. If they did it wrong, she even corrected them.
The Byakugan's x-ray vision made it the ideal counter to the Asura Path, which could generate weapons from within its body.
"Earth Release: Core Shaking Earth."
Iwa-nin in the rear coordinated their Earth Release techniques, shaking the ground beneath the Six Paths of Pain and splitting the battlefield into three fronts, aiding Konoha's assault.
All of this unfolded in an instant—Nara Shikaku had simulated countless outcomes before settling on this plan. He'd considered multiple attack patterns from Pain, but didn't expect him to walk right into the trap using such a simple method, which surprised Shikaku.
"Hurry, Chōza!"
Sweating profusely, Shikaku shouted. He had taken a soldier pill beforehand and was an elite Jonin of Konoha, but maintaining the Shadow Imitation Jutsu for even a short time against this opponent was almost unbearable.
The chakra from Pain was overwhelming. It felt like trying to control a Tailed Beast. Shikaku had hoped to use the Shadow Strangle Jutsu, but now, just holding the jutsu a few seconds longer was already a win.
"Got it, Shikaku! Expansion Jutsu: Super Push Palm!"
Chōza Akimichi shouted, his right hand expanding to several meters in size, and thrust it forward to crush the Deva Path.
This was pure taijutsu—completely immune to the Preta Path's absorption.
"As expected of Konoha's elite ninja..."
Nagato, controlling the Deva Path, spoke as he burst out chakra. But Shikaku clung to the jutsu with grim determination, refusing to let go.
There wasn't enough time.
Nagato immediately switched to the Preta Path, making it leap forward to intercept Chōza's giant hand. A black rod extended from its palm, stabbing at Chōza's enlarged hand. The rod disrupted chakra flow, nearly causing Chōza to lose control of the Expansion Jutsu.
"I messed up. Fine, I'll crush this Pain first!"
Gritting his teeth, Chōza squeezed harder, enduring the pain of his palm being pierced and crushing the Preta Path in his grip.
"I can't hold it anymore!"
Shikaku's face flushed red as he shouted. Pain's chakra exploded, shattering the Shadow Imitation Jutsu. Shikaku collapsed to the ground, gasping heavily.
Even after taking a soldier pill and unleashing chakra in bursts, he had lasted less than ten seconds.
Against most Kage-level opponents, his jutsu could hold for nearly thirty seconds. Back in their prime, the Ino-Shika-Cho trio would've been wiped out if Shikaku had performed this poorly.
"Sorry, Shikaku... That black rod—it disrupts chakra. I couldn't use my jutsu properly after getting stabbed..."
Chōza apologized, frustrated. Shikaku's strategy had been excellent, but they still failed to take down the Deva Path.
"It's fine. This isn't your fault. Taking down the Rinnegan user who absorbs ninjutsu is already a big win," Shikaku replied, panting, as he popped more soldier pills. This kind of chakra strain was dangerous to the body, but their opponent was too powerful—he couldn't afford to care.
"Shinra Tensei!"
The Deva Path, seeing the other Pains struggling, activated the Rinnegan's repulsive force.
An invisible shockwave radiated outward from him, blasting everyone away and creating a large crater in the ground. It was a wide-area attack that didn't discriminate—Asura Path, Human Path, all were affected. But since they were just corpses Nagato controlled, blasting them away helped relieve their situations.
"That jutsu again, Kouta."
"Understood, Lady Kiyo!"
Kiyo and Kouta Hyuga activated Rotation. Their spinning chakra collided with Shinra Tensei's force, creating a thunderous roar.
Rotation was pushed back slowly, but unlike other jutsu, it wasn't instantly shattered.
"Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall!"
From a distance, Hiruzen and Onoki combined their Earth Release jutsu to block the weakened Shinra Tensei. Both being Kage-level ninja helped, and Nagato had intentionally limited the force to avoid damaging the other Pains too severely.
The Naraka Path, flung away by the blast, was also freed from Kurenai's genjutsu. But even without Shinra Tensei, Nagato could break the illusion simply by bursting chakra through the Naraka Path.
"As expected of Konoha's elite. Just days after gathering intel, you've already developed such countermeasures..."
Nagato was mid-sentence when he noticed something bad.
After using Shinra Tensei, the Preta Path had been blasted toward the enemy lines. Now, right under his watch, Konoha's ninja were sealing its corpse in a scroll.
Even if he used the Animal Path, there was no way to summon the Preta Path again. This... was his mistake.
All of Shikaku's tactics had targeted the Deva Path, forcing Nagato to focus too much there and neglect the Preta Path's protection.
"Whew... Finally took down the most troublesome one. Now Lord Onoki and Lord Hiruzen can go all out."
Seeing the Preta Path's body sealed away, Shikaku felt some relief. Though the plan wasn't perfect, eliminating the Rinnegan wielder who absorbed jutsu had shifted the tide in their favor.
"Leave the rest to us, Shikaku. Summoning Jutsu!"
Hiruzen summoned Enma, the Monkey King, and had him transform into the Adamantine Staff.
Shinra Tensei was essentially a physical force, and Enma's transformed staff had exceptional physical defense.
(End of Chapter)