Chapter 386: The Swift Blade of Hatake
Despite Nagato's frail appearance and apparent physical limitations, he exuded absolute confidence. With the Rinnegan's abilities, he was certain that in close combat, he could overpower Kakashi.
Kakashi took a deep breath, channeling chakra through his body and using Yang Release to reinforce his muscles. Although he had often held back in the past, his talent was undeniable. Thanks to Ye Wen's divine enhancement, his physical power now matched that of Maito Gai's, granting him the ability to access the first seven gates of the Eight Gates technique.
"First Gate, Gate of Opening… Sixth Gate, Gate of View, and Seventh Gate, Gate of Wonder... open!" With a powerful shout, Kakashi's body began to glow a fierce red, emanating a formidable chakra aura.
Nagato's eyes widened. He recognized the technique it was the same power that had obliterated two of his Paths earlier. Moreover, this form nullified his Preta Path ability by not emitting chakra, leaving him without one of his key defenses.
"Only the Fifth Hokage could be such a formidable adversary," Nagato muttered, admiring his opponent's prowess but feeling the pressure as Kakashi advanced.
As Kakashi's body burned with energy, he stayed silent, concealing the tremendous physical strain of the technique. Learning the Eight Gates in a short time took a toll, yet he endured the intense pain as he pushed forward.
"For peace and the future of the ninja world!" he cried. "Yin Healing Wound Destruction!"
A wave of blue steam mixed with white mist billowed from Kakashi, a sign of the intense yin healing technique as it repaired his cells. By interweaving this precise medical jutsu with his explosive power, Kakashi achieved unprecedented resilience and endurance.
"Nagato, as the Fifth Hokage, I declare that victory belongs to Konoha! Now... Swift Blade!"
Using the Hatake clan's legendary swordsmanship, Kakashi's moves were swift and precise. In contrast to Gai's Tiger Blast, Kakashi's technique was quiet yet deadly, like a sudden thunderstorm in an empty night.
"What? When did he reach me?" Nagato couldn't believe his eyes.
The Rinnegan granted him extraordinary insight, yet human reaction time had its limits. Kakashi's speed had surpassed what Nagato could process.
Slash! Slash! Slash!
Before he could react, Kakashi's swift attacks had cut Nagato down, severing his limbs with surgical precision. His body collapsed, the searing pain surging through his nervous system a moment later.
"Ah !" Nagato's agonized screams filled the battlefield, the intense pain overwhelming him as he lay broken.
Kakashi stood unfazed. The once gentle man now looked as cold and calculating as a seasoned executioner. He recalled Ye Wen's words about the Rinnegan's power and knew Nagato's eyes had to be sealed to prevent further danger.
However, just as Kakashi moved to secure the Rinnegan, the air distorted before him.
"This... Oh no!" He recognized the phenomenon immediately.
Before Kakashi could react, white spores sprouted from his body, halting him in his tracks. "Spore Jutsu? But when was it planted on me?"
Quickly dispatching the spores, Kakashi's attention snapped back to Nagato, but it was too late. Nagato had vanished.
Kakashi's face darkened with frustration. After all their hard fought efforts, someone had swooped in and stolen Nagato right out from under him.
Taking a steadying breath, Kakashi forced himself to focus. "It's only a temporary setback. If it's a confrontation you want, Obito, then I'll show no mercy."
Activating his radio, he ordered, "Tracking team, search for any residual chakra signatures immediately."
"Yes, Hokage sama!"
Meanwhile, in the underground depths of Amegakure, Nagato's shattered body lay discarded on the cold floor. As he tried to regain his senses, he noticed a masked figure looming over him. Despite the agonizing pain, he forced himself to speak.
"Madara… so it was you who saved me?"
Obito remained silent, simply watching him from the shadows.
After a tense silence, Nagato laughed grimly, realizing the truth. "I knew you had ulterior motives. So, this is it? You're finally revealing your true intentions?"
When Obito still didn't respond, Nagato's laughter turned dark and manic.
"You want my Rinnegan, don't you?" he spat, his voice laced with defiance. "Fine. But if you want these eyes, you must free Konan. If anything happens to her, I'll destroy these eyes before you can claim them!"
Obito continued his silent vigil as another figure emerged from the darkness behind him.
(End of Chapter)
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