Chapter 50: Six Paths of Pain
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(Note: Not same Sakura as Sakura Haruno)
In the dark forest, there was complete silence.
Utakata felt a sense of unease. But thinking about his happy moments with Sakura, he felt a surge of determination. Even if it meant giving up the Six-Tails, he was ready to fight.
Suddenly, Utakata noticed a broken mask on the ground. It was a mask from Kirigakure's ANBU.
Utakata was momentarily stunned.
Then, a cold voice echoed from the shadows, "Six-Tailed Jinchūriki."
Utakata quickly turned to see six figures emerging from the darkness. Instinctively, he took a step back, feeling a rare pang of fear. The oppressive atmosphere was palpable. He readied his bubble machine.
Pain's Deva Path clapped his hands and declared, "Water Release: Icy Tiger Technique!"
A light drizzle began to fall from the sky. Utakata's bubble technique was rendered ineffective once again. He couldn't understand why his weakness seemed so well known.
Six figures emerged from the shadows, clad in red-clouded black cloaks. Their eyes glowed ominously, and they carried dark rods. Utakata's instinct was to flee.
"Summoning Jutsu: Hell King!"
"Summoning Jutsu: Chameleon!"
"Summoning Jutsu: Cerberus!"
The Animal Path summoned three powerful creatures in quick succession.
The Hell King, with its massive purple tongue, lunged at Utakata. He dodged nimbly, but the chameleon's invisible tongue ensnared him.
Desperately, Utakata transformed into his tailed beast form, his body enveloped in a liquid-like black-purple chakra.
He stretched his body, wrapping it around the chameleon's tongue and releasing acidic liquid. The chameleon dissolved into smoke, but Utakata's escape was short-lived.
The Cerberus, now revealed in its true form, blocked Utakata's path, its fangs and claws menacing. Utakata was thrown back, but he managed to penetrate the beast's body.
To his horror, the Cerberus split into three fierce dogs. The more he fought, the more they multiplied.
Frustrated and unable to use his bubbles, Utakata decided to fight until the end. He called out to the Six-Tails within him, "Please lend me your power—whatever you can give!"
The Six-Tails agreed, for these six figures bore the eyes it feared most—the Rinnegan. Though Utakata didn't recognize them, the Six-Tails knew their significance.
In an instant, six tails emerged behind Utakata, channeling the full power of the Six-Tails.
He charged forward, striking down the Human Path with a single punch and kicking the Animal Path in the chest.
The Cerberus and the Hell King vanished, but the Hell King reappeared, not targeting Utakata but the fallen Animal Path.
Utakata exhaled black smoke as the Hungry Ghost Path used its suction technique to absorb his chakra.
Utakata's focus shifted to the Deva Path. As he rushed toward it, the Deva Path smirked and said, "Foolish!"
"Shinra Tensei!"
A powerful repulsive force struck Utakata, sending him flying. Just as he was about to crash, he was hit by another force, pulling him back.
"Chibaku Tensei!"
The gravitational pull and repulsive force collided, momentarily halting Utakata in mid-air.
At that moment, the Asura Path launched six black rods, piercing Utakata's six tails and disrupting his chakra flow.
Utakata looked up in fear as the Asura Path's head split open, revealing a massive cannon. Chakra energy gathered, and the cannon fired.
"Asura Cannon!"
The explosion was immense, burying Utakata halfway in the ground. Struggling, he reached for his bubble machine. "I'm sorry, Sakura. I couldn't keep my promise."
A single bubble floated away, piercing the acidic rain.
The Deva Path spoke slowly, "I'm sorry, but for my new world, you are indispensable."
"No, the Six-Tails within you is what I need," it continued. "I will take the Six-Tails…"
Naraka Path appeared before Utakata, intending to capture him.
But at that moment, a purple chakra arrow pierced through Naraka Path, destroying the black rod and rendering him immobile.
The Deva Path turned to see Sasuke standing in his half-formed Susanoo, smiling at them.
Sasuke declared, "Sorry, but since Utakata is my friend, I can't let you take him!"
Recognizing Sasuke, the Deva Path aimed to seize Utakata from him.
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Meanwhile, in a dim cave, Nagato observed through Pain's vision. Before he could issue orders, Obito appeared beside him.
"Withdraw Pain," Obito commanded.
Nagato protested, "But—"
"No buts!" Obito cut him off. "Sasuke is crucial to my plan. Withdraw Pain. Besides, Six Paths of Pain can't possibly defeat Sasuke!"
Nagato reluctantly agreed.
The Six Paths of Pain seemed to receive new orders. The Asura Path carried the Hell Path and retreated quickly. The Deva Path took one last look at Sasuke before leaving.
As the purple Susanoo around Sasuke dissipated, he approached Utakata's side.
"Utakata, are you alright?" Sasuke asked.
Utakata looked at Sasuke, "It's you, Sasuke. I remember your name. Thank you for saving me."
Sasuke replied, "No need to thank me. We're both Jinchūriki. We should support each other as friends."
The word "friends" warmed Utakata's heart. He had a friend.
Sasuke helped Utakata towards the meeting point with Sakura.
Sakura, holding a bubble in her hand, cried as she saw Utakata, covered in blood and wounds, finally returning alive.
(Note: Not the same Sakura as Haruno Sakura)
Utakata struggled to speak, "Sakura, I didn't break my promise. I'm back."
Sakura embraced Utakata, her tears flowing freely. She felt deep sorrow for him.
A month later, in Konoha, at the Uchiha Clan's residence:
With the Uchiha clan's help, Sakura(Note: not Sakura Haruno) from the Land of Fire passed Konoha's Chunin Exams and became a Chunin.
She now teaches at the Ninja Academy. Utakata had recovered from his injuries.
In a secret room of the Uchiha clan, Sasuke spoke to Utakata, "I want to form an organization with only Jinchūriki. Will you join me?"
Utakata smiled slightly, "You saved my life, and I'm with Sakura because of you. I support all your decisions."
Sasuke nodded and immediately set about forming the new organization, [Tails], with Utakata. The organization would only recruit tailed beasts.
Sasuke gave Utakata a ring marked with [6], signifying his position as the Six-Tailed Beast.
The [Tails] Organization was officially established!
Now, Sasuke led two organizations: the Eagle Organization and the Tails Organization. Even the Akatsuki was part of his broader plan.
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