Four red beams shot straight into the sky, instantly linking together to form the Four Red Yang Formation.
The terrifying repulsive force of "Super Shinra Tensei" slammed against the barrier, the impact visible in the air as if it could obliterate the very world.
However, the Four Red Yang Formation stood like an unbreakable fortress, completely blocking the village-destroying technique. The thin, red walls of the barrier remained as unmovable as mountains. The surging repulsion, like a tidal wave, was perfectly contained within the formation's tight confines.
Inside, the ground churned like a tide, mud and earth piling up into mounds that were baked hard by the barrier's intense heat, resembling strange, neat pottery.
"The legendary… Four Red Yang Formation," one of the Konoha ninjas breathed, taking a sharp inhale.
This was known as the strongest barrier in the ninja world. Legend claimed it required the chakra of four Kage-level shinobi to create, and its defense could withstand nearly any known jutsu. Now, everyone could see the terrifying spectacle for themselves. When Pain's technique finally dissipated, the inside of the formation had been carved into a hollow, cylindrical tower—a spectacular, yet grim, sight.
But this new terrain offered no advantage. It was the perfect cage, designed to trap Nagato's trio with no way to escape.
Nagato exhaled heavily, his eyes scanning the red barrier. Even with his limited combat knowledge, the situation was obvious. The barrier's defense was absolute; it had been more than enough to block Super Shinra Tensei. There was no breaking through.
And there was another problem. After using such an enhanced version of the technique, Deva Path Pain faced a long cooldown period. For now, it couldn't be used again, and its combat ability was drastically reduced.
If Emiya Shirou hadn't healed him earlier, the move would have left Nagato's body drained and cost him even more of his life force. Even so, he needed a moment to catch his breath. But his enemies—the reanimated bodies of the three Hokage—needed no rest at all.
"Nagato…" Konan flew to his side, her face etched with worry.
"I'm fine," Nagato said, trying to remain calm as he watched the three figures forming hand seals atop the earthen mounds.
"Animal Path—Summoning Technique!"
Nagato formed the seal, and a strange, primordial bird appeared beneath his feet, allowing him and Pain to land on its back and rest for a brief moment.
"Water Style: Water Severing Wave!"
Senju Tobirama immediately spat a high-pressure stream of water that pierced the bird, causing it to vanish in a puff of smoke. Nagato plummeted downward. In that same instant, the three Hokage charged straight for him.
"Summoning Technique! Summoning Technique! Summoning Technique!"
As Nagato fell, he rapidly formed summoning seals. Giant beasts appeared one after another: a huge, growling wolf; a large, single-horned rhinoceros; and a massive centipede. All these creatures were boosted by the Rinnegan, granting them their own Rinnegan eyes and unnaturally tough bodies.
The three beasts charged at the three Hokage. Against any ordinary opponent, these unique summons would have been formidable. But their enemies this time were far beyond "strong."
"Wood Style: Wooden Hand Technique!"
Senju Hashirama raised his hand. Huge wooden hands erupted from the earth, grabbing the charging animals. The rhino was caught by its horn, slammed to the ground, and vanished in smoke. The wolf suddenly sprouted wings and tried to fly away.
"Wood Style: Wood Human Technique!"
Hashirama clasped his hands together. A towering Wood Golem rose from below, grabbing the wolf and pinning it down. The massive centipede burrowed into the ground, only to re-emerge and climb the Wood Golem.
"Wood Style: Wood Dragon Technique!"
Hashirama pressed his hand to the golem, and a wooden dragon grew from its shoulder, quickly coiling around the centipede until it, too, dispersed in smoke.
In just a few moments, the unique beasts had been dispatched. Hashirama stood calmly atop the Wood Golem, watching Nagato as if waiting for his next move.
But Nagato had no time to think. Tobirama and Minato were already on him.
"Asura Path!" A mechanical arm sprouted from Nagato's back and transformed into a laser cannon, firing at Tobirama, who dodged instantly.
At the same time, Deva Path Pain grew a black rod from its arm and charged toward Minato.
"Universal Pull!"
A sudden gravitational force dragged Minato toward Pain. As he was pulled in, Minato threw a Flying Thunder God kunai. Pain dodged it coldly; thanks to the shared vision with Nagato, a simple surprise attack wouldn't work twice.
Sure enough, as the kunai landed behind Pain, Minato instantly appeared there, grabbed the kunai, and nonchalantly threw it again. At the same time, he raised his other hand.
"Rasengan!"
Minato pressed the swirling sphere of chakra toward Pain's back. Pain moved to block with the black rod, confident the shared vision would let him intercept the attack. This time, he was sure he could block it.
However, as Pain moved to block behind himself, he saw Minato's kunai mysteriously appear not behind him, but in front.
In the next instant, Minato's form materialized before him, smashing the Rasengan directly into his chest.
"That was the Flying Thunder God: Second Stage," Minato said, looking at the stunned Deva Path Pain.
Knowing the enemy was defeated, he calmly explained his technique. The golden-haired man wore a serene expression, as if he wasn't the one who had just won a fight at breakneck speed.
"Your fight ends here."