Chapter 112: Yuto's Scheme and the Moon God's Killing Intent

As the Mutual Explosive Tags caused a massive shockwave, the shinobi from Konoha and Amegakure had only retreated about 200 meters from the battlefield's center. The slower ones were still grazed by the explosion's aftermath.

With the Flying Thunder God technique, Minato's combat "peaks" quickly, reaching high intensity instantly, and then rapidly subsiding after determining the outcome.

In fact, from Minato instructing Danzo and Hanzō to retreat with their shinobi, to the battle breaking out, analyzing Nagato's abilities, and using the Mutual Explosive Tags, all this took less than half a minute.

For ordinary shinobi, this meant that the battle ended almost as they were still evacuating.

Seeing that Yuto and Minato were unharmed, the Konoha shinobi, led by Danzo, returned, followed by the Amegakure shinobi.

Hanzo and Danzo arrived at the battlefield's center, and at first glance saw a dark, deep hole.

"That red-haired guy...?"

"It's Earth Release. He escaped underground. My Byakugan saw chakra traces. He set up traps in the tunnel," Yuto said softly. "My mistake. I didn't expect him to be so skilled with Earth Release... Tsk, using the Mutual Explosive Tags gave him the gap to escape."

"Don't blame yourself, Yuto," Minato's voice was kind. "I lack super-destructive ninjutsu. Your Mutual Explosive Tags were key to breaking the stalemate. Even if we did it again, pairing Flying Thunder God with your explosion was the best choice. Besides, he's indeed injured, and quite badly."

Yuto nodded without speaking, looking like a perfectionist blaming himself.

But inwardly, he sighed in relief.

——It seems Nagato, though earnest, isn't foolish and seized this opportunity.

Yuto knew Nagato was a genius with all elemental affinities. The Mutual Explosive Tags and Flying Thunder God might have severely injured him, but also gave him a chance to escape using Earth Release.

Otherwise, within a few more seconds, if Danzo and Hanzo returned, the four of them together would have further reduced Nagato's chances of survival by at least twenty percent!

Escaping in one piece was already a victory for Nagato, especially as he managed to take Konan and Yahiko's bodies with him.

As for Nagato seeking to die with his two deceased friends and taking his enemies with him, it was possible but unlikely.

Akatsuki wasn't just the three of them. After the initial intense grief, Nagato would calm down and return to the Akatsuki base, at least ensuring his subordinates' safety before focusing on revenge against Konoha and Amegakure.

Yuto calculated all these possibilities the moment he saw the Yellow Flash.

If there were unexpected events, like Nagato summoning the Gedo Statue and being hindered, allowing Minato to kill him easily...

Yuto had no solution unless he turned into the Moon God today to ambush Minato and become a Konoha rogue shinobi.

In the thinning dust, Hanzo's breathing grew heavier. Frustrated, he squatted to examine the blood and flesh on the ground:

"This fell after the explosion. The blood is fresh, and the fragments of internal organs seem to be stomach tissue... He's very weak. Today is the best chance to kill him." He stood up, looking at the Konoha trio. "You saw it too. He has... those mythical eyes."

"Konoha will join the hunt," Danzo affirmed.

Minato nodded in agreement.

Since they started, they must see it through. War is never a banquet!

"Good, then let's split up. He won't get far." Hanzo was the most urgent, being Nagato's primary target for revenge. If he didn't kill Nagato today, he'd never sleep peacefully again.

Danzo thought for a moment and spoke softly, "We shouldn't concentrate all search personnel in one spot. We need a wide search. Though he's heavily injured, his remaining strength isn't to be underestimated."

"Teams of three shinobi. Signal when you spot him. We'll position ourselves in the four directions. When we see the signal, we'll converge to kill him! Even if we can't kill him, we must stall him for reinforcements!"

Danzo quickly laid out the plan. Though it would increase casualties among lower-ranking shinobi, it was highly efficient.

After a brief exchange, the hunt for the remaining Akatsuki members began.

As they dispersed, Hanzo instinctively glanced at Yuto. Their eyes met briefly before breaking contact, as if it was just a casual look.

After a few more minutes, all the Konoha and Amegakure shinobi were engaged in the search. Yuto first ran in his assigned direction, confirming no one was following him before leaning against a rock and taking a deep breath.

Hanzo of the Salamander... he silently repeated the name.

He is such a keen guy... Always just "Courting Death".

...

Nagato lay in the cave, gasping for breath.

Beside him were Konan and Yahiko.

Seeing the eerily serene faces of his friends, Nagato felt as if nothing had happened, as if Yahiko hadn't impaled himself on his kunai, as if Konan hadn't been brutally killed by Yuto's Gentle Fist...

But every time he touched their cold skin, reality slapped him hard.

Dead. They were dead. The next meeting would either be in dreams or in the afterlife.

Gritting his teeth, Nagato used medical ninjutsu to heal himself. He was a genius in ninjutsu, adept at almost everything except kekkei genkai.

The intense pain coursed through his body, and Nagato clenched his fists, not making a sound.

With his Rinnegan and top-tier Uzumaki talent, Nagato could have performed better in the recent battle. At the very least, he could have suffered fewer injuries or even retaliated against Konoha and Amegakure before escaping.

"Lack of experience in life-and-death battles against true experts," this was Nagato's biggest issue.

He had never fought against someone of Minato's caliber before. Besides Hanzo, there wasn't anyone in the Land of Rain comparable to Yuto.

Without real combat experience, his Six Paths techniques, taijutsu, and ninjutsu couldn't be fully utilized.

However, if Nagato had fought many high-level opponents, he would have already been famous in the ninja world.

This battle with Konoha's elite was invaluable to Nagato. Once he healed, his understanding of combat would reach new heights... if he survived today.

Huff, huff...

Suddenly, he heard heavy breathing outside the cave, and Nagato tensed, staring at the entrance.

It was the sound of Hanzo breathing through his mask!

'He's outside... suspecting this place... If I use Earth Release now, my chakra will alert him... But if I do nothing, Hanzo will release poison gas into the cave to test...'

Taking a deep breath, Nagato prepared to make a desperate move.

Unexpectedly, as he stood up, the heavy breathing outside grew louder.

Then, he heard Hanzo's voice filled with doubt and fear, "...Moon God?"

(End of Chapter)