What a pitiful man. Even in death, you still cling to reappearing in this world? Your sins won't disappear even after death. This time, I won't allow you the chance to be revived—your very soul will be erased."
The Six Paths of Pain, wielding the power of the Rinnegan, each carried unique abilities. One of them specialized in dealing with souls.
Orochimaru's expression turned grim as he watched Pain finish off Shimura Danzō. As for the captured Root operatives, not a single one survived; all of them were executed by the Human Path, who not only killed but also stole their memories to extract intelligence.
Suddenly, a roaring fire dragon jutsu surged toward them, drawing everyone's attention.
Aoyama casually scooped up a handful of dirt and hurled it at the blazing beast. The sheer force of his throw stirred up a gale that disrupted the Fire Release technique midair, scattering the dragon into embers. The dirt even smacked the flaming head—almost as if deliberately mocking it.
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, arrived in several swift leaps, brandishing his Enma: Adamantine Staff. His face darkened as his eyes swept over the Root shinobi—then froze on the Six Paths of Pain. Not seeing Danzō, he ground his teeth.
"What have you done to Danzō?!"
Seeing that the one who arrived was none other than his former master, Orochimaru stepped forward with a sinister smile.
"Sensei… you're still so naïve. Wasn't it you who deliberately allowed Root to revive Danzō? Weren't you planning to use him as bait to lure enemies from the shadows? Well, here we are—so why bother asking questions now?"
Aoyama blinked, bewildered. So Danzō's revival might have been driven, at least in part, by the Third Hokage himself? Could Pain's sudden appearance also be connected to a trap set by Konoha?
Before he could think further, multiple Konoha jōnin arrived, forming a ring ten meters out. Kunai and shuriken gleamed in their hands as they prepared for battle.
Aoyama unsheathed his Zanpakutō, drawing it directly from his body without concealing the act. Though the motion was strange, none of the shinobi doubted the weapon's authenticity. After all, ninja techniques often defied common logic.
Pain quietly finished slaughtering the Root shinobi, positioning the weakest body—the Animal Path—safely in the center, before fixing his gaze on Hiruzen. The killing intent in his Rinnegan eyes was plain.
Hiruzen hesitated, then sighed heavily.
"So, Danzō truly died by your hands… even the body of Edo Tensei can be destroyed. No wonder even Danzō could not withstand you. Orochimaru, you're right. But from today onward, there will be no more Akatsuki. Any evil force that dares oppose Konoha… shall be erased."
"Evil? What is evil? How amusing. Still… since you intend to fight, Sensei, perhaps this is the perfect chance for me to test how much strength you still possess. Surely, Pain-sama won't object if I fight my teacher?"
Pain replied coldly, "I will not stop you. As long as you don't openly betray Akatsuki, whatever you do is your choice."
"Excellent." Orochimaru's grin widened. "Then, Sensei, shall we? I've been looking forward to this."
Hiruzen's face darkened, though he was well aware of his own decline with age. He couldn't be sure if he could truly overcome his former student. Best not to reveal all of his trump cards at once.
Meanwhile, Black Zetsu silently sank into the earth. He had no combat ability—his role was intelligence gathering.
Elsewhere, Aoyama clashed with Hatake Kakashi. From the first exchange, Kakashi came at him with lethal intent, no probing or testing.
Yet Aoyama's Zanpakutō proved formidable even in defense. Against Kakashi's relentless strikes, it was far more effective than a kunai.
Kakashi's Sharingan eye flickered as he attempted to catch Aoyama in genjutsu—only to find it useless. Scowling, he flung his kunai, then leapt back and formed hand seals at lightning speed.
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"
Aoyama slashed his Zanpakutō downward, his chakra surging through the blade. Instead of spiritual pressure, the chakra became the medium, sending forth a flying sword wave.
The slash soared like a swallow in flight, colliding with the massive fireball.
BOOM!
The explosion sent scorching shockwaves across the battlefield, scorching plants to ash.
Charging forward, Aoyama swung his blade down in a heavy arc. Kakashi met it with a kunai, barely holding back the strike.
"Genjutsu didn't work, so you're switching to ninjutsu, and now what? Taijutsu? Come on, Kakashi—you're no Guy. Your taijutsu is trash."
Kakashi's face darkened. His kunai parried and stabbed back, his voice cold.
"Sorry to disappoint you, but my taijutsu being 'trash' is still enough. Aoyama, if you turn back now, Lord Third may still grant you mercy. Continue following Akatsuki, and there will be no return."
Aoyama grinned wickedly, knocking aside the kunai with his blade, then whipped his leg across Kakashi's arm like a steel whip. The sheer force sent Kakashi flying.
"Turn back? Why should I? Do you know how much I suffered to the point of betrayal? And you think I can just turn around like nothing happened? Do you want me to lose all face?!"
Kakashi caught himself with one hand on the ground, dispersing the force and regaining balance. Without hesitation, he hurled another kunai and formed seals at blazing speed.
"Aoyama! I know Danzō manipulated you into defecting, but now he's dead. You can still return!"
"Shadow Clone Technique!"
In a blur, Kakashi created three copies. The two clones flanked left and right, while the real Kakashi charged from the front.
"Don't make your comrades worry for you anymore!"
Aoyama didn't need the Sharingan to tell which was the real one—he knew Kakashi too well. Facing the real one head-on, his face twisted as he swung his Zanpakutō, sending a massive wave forward.
"You talk too damn much!"
BOOM!
The slash cleaved Kakashi in two—only for the body to burst into smoke. A shadow clone.
A chill ran through Aoyama.
"Lightning Release: Chidori!"
The real Kakashi appeared behind him, his hand crackling with deadly lightning, thrusting straight into Aoyama's back.