140. Nagato Was Confused!

"Fire Style: True Fire!"

Yagami had never faltered in his physical training. Facing both Obito and Konan, fighting one against two was not an insurmountable challenge for him.

However, Konan's Paper Release proved to be incredibly agile, constantly employing unexpected manoeuvres that frustrated Yagami.

When Konan joined to support Obito, the latter also began to find his rhythm in the fight. Though he rarely used his phasing ability, he eventually employed it. Paired with Wood Style, Yagami found the situation becoming more challenging.

As the saying goes, a wise man does not stand beneath a crumbling wall. Yagami refused to allow their rhythm to solidify.

A powerful Fire Style technique erupted, forcing Obito and Konan to scramble to evade. The destructive scale of the attack even disrupted the other two battlefields nearby.

When the flames momentarily ceased, the battlefield grew tense.

"I'll be damned! Can a single person really release a Fire Style of this magnitude? How many Water Style users would it take to counter that?" one onlooker exclaimed.

"Does Uchiha's chakra reserve truly run this deep?" another murmured in awe.

"No wonder people say Uchiha Yagami is the second coming of Uchiha Madara. Judging by the scale of his Fire Style, it's hard to deny," Ōnoki muttered, his eyelids twitching involuntarily. He hadn't expected that at his advanced age, he'd witness such a monstrous Fire Style. It was a bitter experience.

Obito's expression was uncertain as he stared at Uchiha Yagami. As a member of the Uchiha clan himself, he was well aware of their prowess with Fire Style, but Yagami's power was beyond reason.

"I've transplanted Hashirama's cells, and my chakra reserves have increased substantially, but I can't even achieve something like this. Is this Yagami guy a monster?" Obito thought grimly.

Konan, still reeling from the attack, hesitated to reengage with Yagami. Fire Style was a natural counter to her Paper Release. While she could usually shield herself with paper against fire, Yagami's Fire Style overwhelmed her defences entirely.

"Have you noticed, old man?" Fourth Raikage said to Ōnoki during the brief pause in their battle. "These six bodies aren't simple, but only the one in the middle has true Kage-level strength."

The two Kage, who were locked in combat with Pain's Six Paths, had already deduced several critical details about their opponent. Although the fight hadn't lasted long, they had gleaned valuable information.

"One person can't control six bodies perfectly," Ōnoki agreed. "It's natural that he can't manage all of them simultaneously. I also observed that their fields of vision are linked. Whatever one of them sees, the others do as well."

"One more thing," Ōnoki added. "Rinnegan's Repulsion Technique has a cooldown period—approximately five seconds. Raikage, you must capitalize on that."

Just as the battle seemed to settle into a momentary stalemate, Yagami's voice cut through the tension, drawing everyone's attention.

Even Obito and Nagato, who were hidden nearby, couldn't suppress their frustration.

Damn it, Nagato cursed silently. This guy is fighting two people at once, yet he still has the capacity to monitor other battlefields. Is there anyone more infuriating than him?

Both Obito and Konan wore sour expressions. Yagami's ability to focus on their battle while simultaneously analyzing the situation with Pain's Six Paths—and even identifying weaknesses—made them feel utterly inadequate.

Uchiha Yagami's fighting talent was undeniably exceptional.

"No! With Uchiha Yagami here, the variables are too great! Just make an attempt and retreat immediately!" Obito commanded through the Akatsuki ring, his expression sour. If he had known Yagami would involve himself, he would never have agreed to Nagato's plan.

Nagato, in Obito's mind, was a fool blinded by the allure of the Rinnegan's power. If Nagato truly wielded the Rinnegan to its full potential, would he have needed to lurk in the shadows, manipulating events behind the scenes?

Yagami's eyes, clearly unlike any ordinary Mangekyō Sharingan, concealed a power far beyond what met the eye. If the battle continued, the Akatsuki might face annihilation, and even the Rinnegan itself could be lost.

"The plan is moving ahead of schedule. Please delay them for me. There are still too many survivors among the coalition forces!" Nagato's weary voice echoed in their minds.

Obito, suppressing further protests, moved alongside Konan toward the Deva Path, prepared to witness the ultimate technique Nagato had devised against the coalition forces.

"This is... Don't tell me he's really going to use that…" Yagami muttered, watching Deva Path slowly rise into the sky, shielded by Akatsuki members. His lips twitched involuntarily.

Good grief! I thought Konan rigging an entire village with explosive tags was extreme, but Nagato's intent here is outright brutal!

"No! Sir, please stop them immediately. There's an enormous concentration of chakra in the sky!" cried Ao of Kirigakure, his Byakugan and sharp sensory skills detecting the anomaly. Though he left much unsaid, the growing tension made the situation unmistakably dire.

Fourth Raikage surged forward in a desperate attempt to intervene, only to be intercepted by Sasori's puppets. Despite his ability to fly, Ōnoki found his path blocked by Konan, who ensured he couldn't approach the Deva Path, let alone attack with Dust Release.

Meanwhile, Obito and the remaining five paths of Pain kept their eyes fixed on Yagami and Terumi Mei. Obito had no qualms about Nagato unleashing the Super Shinra Tensei—if it meant Uchiha Yagami was eliminated, it would be worth it.

"Time to end this," Yagami declared. As he opened his eyes, blood streamed from his left eye. Everyone felt a sudden disorientation, and the oppressive atmosphere vanished instantly.

In the blink of an eye, Pain's Six Paths, including Deva Path, froze in place. The Rinnegan's distinct patterns faded from their eyes, and their chakra connections severed. Sasori's puppets fell lifelessly to the ground like discarded toys, their strings cut.

"Retreat!" Obito's exposed eye widened in alarm. Wasting no time, he activated Kamui, evacuating the Akatsuki members nearby. He fled so hastily that he left Pain's immobilized bodies behind, taking only Konan and the Deva Path with him.

In an underground chamber within Amegakure, Nagato clasped his hands tightly; confusion etched on his emaciated face as Obito and the others emerged from his spatial vortex.

Ōnoki would have sympathized with Nagato's bewilderment had he been present. After all, the Tsuchikage himself had experienced the futility of facing Yagami's overwhelming prowess.

Nagato's mind raced. Why did my connection to the Six Paths suddenly sever? Why did the massive chakra I gathered collapse in an instant? What just happened?

"Don't dwell on it!" Obito snapped, his tone grim. "That was Uchiha Yagami's Mangekyō Sharingan technique. We need to leave now, or..."

Obito trailed off, his frustration palpable. His phasing ability had been neutralized in an instant. Though he couldn't discern the exact nature of Yagami's technique, it had effectively nullified every jutsu in the area, including his own.

What the hell is going on?! Obito fumed internally. Isn't the Rinnegan supposed to surpass the Mangekyō Sharingan? Even if Nagato can't utilize its full potential, this is absurd!

----------------

You can read advanced chapters here: patreon.com/GregariousLion