This is the first time Nagato has seriously engaged in battle.
In the past, during Akatsuki's group missions, Nagato would casually fire a few laser cannons for support, and everyone thought he was a long-range support type ninja.
Today, Nagato actively showcased his skill, demonstrating combat power far surpassing others. In just a few seconds, he overwhelmed the versatile Hatake Kakashi, who now lay on the ground spitting blood like a dead dog.
Nagato looked down at Hatake Kakashi on the ground and spoke coldly, "Someone once said that Konoha's Copy Ninja Hatake Kakashi is a ninja who can hold his own against any enemy… now it seems, it's somewhat disappointing my expectations."
Hatake Kakashi, Konoha's balanced ninja.
No matter how powerful the enemy, Hatake Kakashi would never look particularly bad in battle, and he could even find a chance to win; no matter how weak the enemy, Hatake Kakashi would never shine in battle, and he might even suffer an unexpected setback.
This was all told to Nagato by Uehara Naraku.
Upon hearing it at first, Nagato thought it was rather ridiculous?
However, since Uehara Naraku said it with such conviction, Nagato could only choose to believe in Uehara Naraku unconditionally. He held a bit of expectation for Hatake Kakashi, wanting to see how peculiar the enemy praised by Uehara Naraku could be.
Now it seemed, Hatake Kakashi didn't have much worth noticing.
"Teacher Kakashi!"
From a distance, Uzumaki Naruto was the first to rush towards Hatake Kakashi's location and began forming hand seals: "Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
A countless number of Uzumaki Naruto's shadow clones appeared densely in the forest, charging towards Nagato and Sasori of the Red Sand!
"Asura Path!"
Nagato quickly summoned two mechanical arms, which instantly transformed into two terrifying multi-barrel machine guns, firing a barrage of bullets towards Uzumaki Naruto's shadow clones!
Ratatatatatata!
Each shadow clone was shot into smoke by the machine guns!
None of the shadow clones could force their way through the line of fire created by the two machine guns to get close to Nagato and Sasori of the Red Sand, and even survival became extremely difficult.
"..."
Uzumaki Naruto watched as his shadow clones were eliminated like mowing grass, dumbfounded: "Hey, Sakura, what exactly is that weapon?"
"Naruto, come back first!"
Haruno Sakura was also awkwardly avoiding the stray bullets.
Fortunately, Granny Chiyo timely set up the Mechanical Light Shield Block to barely create a safe breathing space for them.
According to Granny Chiyo's understanding, it was likely a peculiar type of mechanical weapon, with hidden weapon power similar to senbon.
The entire forest was riddled with bullet holes.
After all of Uzumaki Naruto's thousand shadow clones were eliminated, Nagato leisurely made the two machine guns disappear: "Looks like this Jutsu's effect isn't bad."
"..."
Sasori of the Red Sand stood beside Nagato, dumbfounded.
Ever since Nagato summoned the two machine guns, Sasori of the Red Sand had been blankly watching Nagato wreak havoc with the machine guns, completely stunned.
What kind of weapon is this?
No, what kind of hidden weapon is this?
Damn, has the era changed again?
Sasori of the Red Sand recalled when they acted with Nagato and Uehara Naraku as a duo, it seemed these two always managed to come up with something new.
If he could install Nagato's two machine guns on his puppets…
It would definitely be interesting.
"Rasengan!"
Suddenly, a figure emerged from the grass on the ground, holding a Rasengan about to strike Nagato, none other than Uzumaki Naruto who had stealthily approached with the cover of shadow clones!
Nagato frowned slightly, slowly extending his palm to grab the Rasengan in Uzumaki Naruto's hand, shouting lowly: "Preta Path!"
The next moment, the chakra of that Rasengan was directly absorbed by Nagato!
Uzumaki Naruto looked down, incredulously staring at his now empty wrist: "Wait… how is this possible?"
"In this world, nothing is impossible."
Nagato flipped and kicked Uzumaki Naruto away, his face remaining calm as he spoke: "Getting distracted in battle is not a good habit!"
"Naruto!"
Haruno Sakura rushed forward, hugging Uzumaki Naruto and rescuing her teammate, speaking solemnly: "Naruto, don't be too reckless!"
Sai took this opportunity to break free of his restraints, using the Substitution Jutsu to instantly appear beside Kakashi, rescuing their captain.
Throughout all of this, the members of Akatsuki did not interfere.
However, the pressure brought by the members of Akatsuki was already substantial.
Now, the strongest in this team, Hatake Kakashi, had directly lost his fighting ability, leaving only the younger generation and Granny Chiyo.
"That cloaked guy is really strong!"
Uzumaki Naruto looked at Nagato in the distance, speaking with a heavy expression: "Incredibly strong. The pressure he brought doesn't seem any less than what Uehara once did…"
In the previous exchange, Naruto felt he had no power to fight back, while the enemy seemed effortless.
Uzumaki Naruto furrowed his brows, seemingly searching for the words to say: "The feeling when I fought him… it was like facing an opponent as strong as Uehara was during the Chunin Examination four years ago."
"..."
Haruno Sakura's face suddenly turned extremely grim.
They had become stronger over the past four years, but had they encountered an enemy who could overpower them again?
"This doesn't look good…"
Granny Chiyo's fingers moved slightly, controlling her two puppets, and she said in a deep voice: "Let's fight as we retreat and regroup with another squad! I'll cover the rear, you young ones move quickly!"
"Granny!"
"No way, let me cover the rear!"
"Stop arguing."
Granny Chiyo coldly glanced at the two figures in Cloud Black Robes in the distance, and then looked at Deidara in the sky, saying softly: "We can only plan after we join up with another squad. These enemies don't seem to have us in their eyes at all..."
"Hmm."
Sai nodded beside her, saying gently: "Perhaps the only gain is that we have unmistakably found the Akatsuki trail, but since we found them, we absolutely can't let them go, we must merge with Squad Three quickly!"
"No."
Uzumaki Naruto suddenly clenched his fist, his expression extremely determined: "If we lose the Akatsuki trail this time, we won't know when we'll find them again. When will we save Gaara like this?"
Haruno Sakura looked nervously at her teammates: "Naruto..."
"Don't worry, Sakura, I won't put myself in danger."
Uzumaki Naruto waved his hand gently: "You all step back a bit, leave the next part of the battlefield to me!"
"Hmm?"
Granny Chiyo looked at him in surprise and couldn't help but say: "Although I don't know what kind of Jutsu you're going to use, let me assist you in the attack!"
"Granny!"
Uzumaki Naruto shook his head, stopping her idea: "I'm going to use the Nine-Tails' power next, and it might be troublesome. It's better for you to stay away, as I'm not very skilled with this move."
"Understood."
Granny Chiyo nodded and continued to control her two puppets, saying softly: "Then I'll try to distract Sasori so his puppets don't cause you any trouble!"
"Leave the enemy in the air to me!"
Sai glanced up at Deidara, who was still circling slowly above, and took out a large brush, painting a flying bird in bold ink on his scroll. "Super Beast Imitating Drawing: Cloud Bird!"
A giant bird carried Sai into the air. He merely turned back and said coldly: "I'll entangle that blond ninja in the air for a while; the ground is yours, Naruto!"
"Hmm!"
Uzumaki Naruto nodded heavily.
Haruno Sakura extended her hand to heal Hatake Kakashi, speaking softly: "Teacher Kakashi's injuries are troublesome, I'll protect him..."
As she spoke, Haruno Sakura suddenly looked up and said: "But Naruto, do you really have to do this?"
"Yes!"
Uzumaki Naruto nodded, and a red Chakra Armor appeared on his body, with a tail emerging from his back!
This scene instantly caught the attention of Nagato and Sasori.
That was the Nine-Tails' Chakra!
"Such a wild Chakra..."
Nagato's fingers moved, murmuring: "It seems he can already use the Tailed Beasts' power. If it weren't for delaying the kid's plan, I'd capture the Nine-Tails now, as it's the hardest Tailed Beast to catch..."
"Heh..."
Sasori of the Red Sand smirked slightly: "You guys, from the leader down to people like you, really dote on him!"
"We can only decide on the present, but he is the one poised to lead in the future."
"Tch, I'm not interested in your babysitting stories!"
Sasori of the Red Sand manipulated his Third Kazekage and Fourth Kazekage puppets to float beside him, eyeing Granny Chiyo warily, and said coldly: "Looks like I'll have to be forced into a battle with you again, Granny."
"No, switch opponents with Deidara."
Nagato interrupted Sasori harshly and continued: "Konan especially instructed, after all the money spent by the organization on making those puppets, if you can't show any useful results, then swallow all your broken puppets."
"..."
Sasori's body paused and he snorted coldly: "No problem!"
It's unknown whether he meant the upcoming battle or eating the broken puppets after the battle...
In the next moment, Sasori manipulated the Fourth Kazekage to create a sand platform beneath him, lifting his body and puppets into the air!
Sasori agreed with Nagato and immediately went to swap opponents with Deidara.
In the air, Deidara looked slightly displeased upon seeing Sasori of the Red Sand, muttering: "Hey, hey, hey, I really don't want to deal with such a troublesome opponent like a Puppet Master. Do you want me to directly use Number Eighteen and Garuda to blast that granny?"
"You don't need to try too hard."
Sasori of the Red Sand, esteemed as the senior water-handler of the Akatsuki, dismissed it lightly: "You just need to stall for time!"
After all, their task now is to delay time, waiting for Uehara Naraku and another team of Konoha Ninja to arrive.
Coincidentally, Konoha's task is also to try hard to delay time, waiting for Uehara Naraku and their other teammates to arrive.
"Fine."
Deidara reluctantly nodded, steering his Clay Giant Bird towards Granny Chiyo on the ground, flinging a string of Clay Spider Bombs!
The sky echoed with Deidara's joyous voice: "AHAHAHAHAHAHA... Art is an explosion! Drink!"
"Idiot..."
Sasori of the Red Sand cursed and frowned, feeling that something might be wrong.
Deidara was his treasured teammate, and Granny Chiyo was his kin. Was it really okay for these two to battle?
Unfortunately, Sasori didn't have time to think!
Apart from Haruno Sakura assisting Hatake Kakashi with healing, everyone else had already selected their opponent and were fully embroiled in battle!