Chapter 62: Obito’s Maniacal Laughter

Nagato and Konan's hiding spot.

Suddenly, a slimy white substance began sprouting from both of their bodies. It absorbed their chakra while continuously expanding in size.

"Zetsu!" As a woman, Konan couldn't hide her disgust at this revolting substance.

She tried to turn into paper, but the slimy White Zetsu clung to her like a parasitic leech, stubbornly anchoring itself to her.

"Quite the surprise, huh? How does it feel?" A White Zetsu head emerged from Konan's left shoulder, speaking in an exaggeratedly cheerful tone.

Nagato raised his right hand and placed it on Konan's shoulder.

"Shinra Tensei!"

The spores of White Zetsu were immediately repelled, scattering to the ground before reforming into two complete White Zetsu clones.

"Nagato, I didn't expect you to regain mobility," Obito emerged from the shadows, his footsteps steady as he approached. Suddenly, he halted mid-step.

"I see… You've transplanted cells from the First Hokage. No wonder your dying body has found new life," he remarked, a knowing look crossing his face.

Having half his body composed of White Zetsu, Obito was all too familiar with the First Hokage's cells. After all, Zetsu itself was created from them.

Fortunately, Obito had come well-prepared. Otherwise, this critical plan might have ended in failure.

"Uchiha Madara," Nagato said coldly, his expression unchanged. "You dare show yourself before me again? This time, I'll rid the world of your cowardly schemes once and for all."

"Bold words," Obito sneered, twirling a kunai as he advanced. "But today, it's you who will die. This is my trap, after all."

Whoosh!

A storm of paper shuriken shot from Konan's position, only to pass harmlessly through Obito's form.

"Pointless," Obito scoffed, not sparing Konan a glance as he continued toward Nagato, kunai in hand.

Facing the encroaching pressure, Nagato remained calm.

"True, your ability nullifies all attacks… but if you want to hit me, you'll need to become tangible."

"And my Shinra Tensei is far faster than your physical manifestation."

"But I have backup."

Roar!

A deafening roar echoed as the Four-Tails smashed through the massive tree that sheltered Nagato, spitting molten lava toward him.

"What will you do now?" Obito taunted. "If you use Shinra Tensei to repel the Four-Tails, you'll leave yourself open to my attack. If you don't, the Four-Tails will annihilate you."

He dashed forward, closing the gap swiftly.

"Shinra Tensei!"

Nagato didn't hesitate, repelling the Four-Tails' lava.

"Foolish choice." Obito's kunai thrust toward Nagato's heart—only to clash against a wooden branch that sprouted from Nagato's hand, blocking the attack with ease.

"You can even use Wood Release now?" Obito leapt back, a note of shock in his voice.

This wasn't some incomplete product like Danzo's failed experiment. Nagato's Wood Release was fully functional—a testament to the maturity of the transplanted cells.

"Who's behind this? Orochimaru, perhaps?" Obito probed, voicing his suspicions.

"The dead have no need for answers."

"Bansho Ten'in!"

Nagato pulled Obito toward him with irresistible force, but Obito countered by using Kamui, escaping the gravitational pull and commanding the Four-Tails to attack once more.

Around them, trees grew uncontrollably, tangling the Four-Tails in their thick branches. Konan capitalized on the moment, sending paper blades toward Zetsu.

"This woman is such a nuisance," White Zetsu grumbled, retreating underground.

Wood Release: Thorn Bind Technique!

Barbed vines erupted, targeting Nagato this time. This wasn't his Wood Release—it was Black Zetsu's.

"Shinra Tensei!"

The vines were torn apart by a surge of repulsive force. Obito lunged at Nagato again. When Nagato countered with Wood Release, Obito phased through his defenses, his Sharingan glinting with mockery.

"Your Six Paths are busy elsewhere," Obito smirked beneath his mask. "You can't bring out your full power here, can you?"

"Tell me, Nagato, how will you deal with the Four-Tails' Tailed Beast Bomb?"

The massive orb of chakra had already been formed, aimed directly at Nagato.

"Run, Nagato!" Konan's lower body transformed into wings as she tried to lift him away.

"You're not going anywhere."

Black Zetsu's vines surged forth, ensnaring all three of them.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Konan detonated explosive tags, but the vines were unnaturally durable, far stronger than she'd anticipated.

"Will you recall your power from the Six Paths to deal with your current predicament?" Obito mocked. "The answer is obvious, isn't it?"

Nagato clapped his hands together, releasing a wave of unparalleled force.

"Shinra Tensei!"

The Tailed Beast Bomb was flung back, striking the Four-Tails and inflicting massive damage. It was clear the Four-Tails' incomplete form was limited by its host.

But this overuse of power had dire consequences. Nagato's focus on his main body weakened the Six Paths of Pain. As a result, the Eight-Tails and the Fourth Raikage broke free from Chibaku Tensei.

"I've won!" Obito declared triumphantly.

With his Kamui active, Obito was unaffected by Shinra Tensei. The battle had only lasted moments, and his body had just phased through Nagato's. Now, he was dangerously close.

Kunai in hand, Obito aimed once more for Nagato's heart. Nagato countered with Wood Release, but Obito phased through again, his Sharingan mocking him.

In a final gambit, Obito extended his left hand, fingers poised to gouge out Nagato's Rinnegan.

"Nagato!" Konan screamed, realizing Obito's true intent.

Even with Nagato's swift retreat and recovery speed, his decision loomed. Using Shinra Tensei to defend himself would seal the Six Paths' fate—Yahiko's body would be captured.

"I cannot let Yahiko suffer again!" Nagato thought.

Resolutely, he made his choice.

"Shinra Tensei!"

The Fourth Raikage's charge was halted, but Obito gripped the Rinnegan, laughing maniacally.

"A foolish choice, Nagato. But this… this is who you are."

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Pls Drop some Power Stones

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