Chapter 162

Carnes couldn't help but crack a slight smile as he observed the unfolding scene before him.

Standing right in front of him was the Deva Path, but the true puppeteer pulling the strings was none other than Nagato himself.

This side of Nagato was something Carnes had never truly witnessed before, when Nagato was in his crew.

Perhaps, Carnes mused, legends often spoke of people donning masks, yet beneath those masks lay their unadulterated selves, unapologetically revealed to the world.

In that moment, he couldn't help but ponder if legends held any truth to them.

Was it possible that Nagato had finally shed his mask and revealed his true self without hesitation?

In the midst of the battlefield, the Deva Path used his power without restraint, sending shockwaves through the ranks of Anbu ninjas leaving them in shock and awe.

"What a powerful Chakra..."

"Is this the power of the Rinnegan? It's unlike anything we've ever encountered. I have an ominous feeling..."

They couldn't help but comment on the overwhelming chakra and the incredible might of the Rinnegan, unlike anything they had ever encountered before.

But then, something unexpected happened: the Deva Path's eyes widened, and anger etched across its face, sending shivers down the spines of those who saw it.

"Your pursuit of peace is nothing but violence against us," he accused, his voice laced with indignation.

"Is this what you call persistence? Your so-called stable life?"

Deva Path's questions hung in the air.

Tsunade did not deny the allegations.

"It's true that some of Konoha's actions may not be justifiable, but still, I absolutely cannot forgive you for your actions!"

Carnes, seated in a rocking chair, couldn't help but twitch his ears at the exchange.

Wasn't this all just a matter of perspective, a case of the enemy of my enemy? In the end, it often boiled down to whose fist was mightier.

Might makes right.

It was a simple truth that had governed the world for ages.

Suppressing his urge to intervene, Carnes continued to watch, eager to witness Nagato's dark and cringy past unravel before him in high definition.

He mused on the idea of urging Nagato to put up a good show—after all, he had garnered so many foes.

As Deva Path entered the fray, Carnes watched as Deva Path confronted the assembly with a second-class vocabulary, demanding.

"Pay attention to my words for that this is God's ultimatum! Tell me where Naruto Uzumaki is!"

Carnes savored every moment, finding it an unusual delight in his long life.

His only regret was not bringing a video Den Den Mushi with him on this journey.

Recording these battles and sharing them with the crew on board would have made for a rich and entertaining amateur spectacle.

The only question lingering in his mind was whether Nagato would die watching himself speaking like this, when they return to the One Piece world.

However, Tsunade didn't perceive anything amiss in Deva Path's words; instead, she regarded him as a formidable adversary.

Her expression remained composed as she replied.

"Now, we must unite all of our forces to defeat you. That's our only course of action."

"Furthermore, there's something you've misunderstood," she continued calmly, her voice firm and gaze unwavering.

"What you seek from us, you shall never get it."

Deva Path heard these words, and his expression suddenly turned cold.

"If you believe that Konoha's ninja can protect Naruto until the end, then by all means, try your luck," he retorted sharply.

"Sure we will. But don't underestimate Naruto's strength either. Naruto himself is also very strong, he can surely hold against you."

On the rooftop, tensions escalated as both sides remained locked in a tense standoff.

Meanwhile, Demiurge wandered through the bustling streets of Konoha Village.

"Wind Style - Wind Cutter Technique!"

"Lightning Style - Four Pillar Bind!"

"Earth Style - Mud Fall!"

"Fire Style - Sukiyaki Technique!"

Two Anbu ninjas battled tirelessly against the summoned beasts brought forth by the Animal Path, their efforts marked by an intensity reminiscent of a ferocious tiger.

Their efforts were valiant, but the summoned creature remained largely unscathed, causing unease to gnaw at them.

Yet, just as uncertainty crept in, a figure with wings unfurled soared across the sky.

As the figure with wings saw the resilient, albeit battered, summoned beast, it hovered ominously.

Sharp claws gleamed with a chilling brilliance.

In an instant, they sliced through the sky, cleaving the colossal, summoned creature into dozens of pieces and the blood was soaring high at the moment.

It was a gruesome spectacle.

The figure responsible for this feat, the identity of this enigmatic savior?

None other than Demiurge himself.

With the defeated summoned beast vanquished, Demiurge turned his gaze toward the two Anbu ninjas.

"Thank you."

The Anbu ninjas uttered in unison, grateful for the aid they had received, despite their ignorance regarding the stranger's identity.

"It's nothing but you're both really weak," Demiurge assessed with a hint of condescension, his eyes appraising them critically.

"Average talent," he continued, his words slicing through the air like a blade.

"You're not even worthy of boarding the ship as helpers. What a waste of my precious time."

With that, Demiurge unfurled his wings and, in a graceful display of otherworldly agility, vanished into the sky, leaving the two Anbu ninjas to ponder his enigmatic presence.

The two Anbu ninjas exchanged puzzled glances, their hidden expressions concealed behind their masks.

A sudden chill gripped both of them, as they remained frozen in place, their minds still racing.

"Did he... was he referring to us?"

His comrade nodded grimly; his voice laced with a hint of irritation.

"It certainly seems that way."

The first ninja couldn't help but vent his frustration, his voice filled with resentment.

"That bastard! Even if he helped us in dealing with that summoned beast, his words cut deep."

"He shouldn't have used such exaggerated words. It's excessively harsh, just too hurtful!"

Within the village, they had earned their place in the prestigious Anbu ranks.

Their talent and temperament were more than enough to be considered exceptional.

Yet, that man's assessment had left a bitter taste in their mouths, making it hard to accept.

It had shattered their confidence, leaving them reeling.

"But from his perspective, we might truly be lacking..."

"Yes, we may be strong for an average person, but to him, we are pitifully weak..."

The other ninja sighed in agreement.

"It does seem that way..."

However, Demiurge remained wholly indifferent to the reactions of these two individuals.

He had already hastened towards the next battlefield, his resolve unwavering, leaving the two Anbu ninjas to grapple with their newfound doubts.

'I see, I conquer!'

'I comprehend now. I've discerned the captain's purpose in bringing us here. His ambition is to conquer every world he encounters!'

'What a grand ambition!'

'To achieve such a goal, we must recruit individuals of exceptional talent!'

'Captain, I promise to recruit individuals who can contribute to your grand vision,' Demiurge declared with determination.

'Indeed, I will as I am the captain's most competent, trusted and devoted subordinate.'

'I am always at his service.'

With renewed resolve, he set forth, driven by his captain's ambition to conquer every world they visit.

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