OOM!
As the ground cracked open, the White Zetsu that had just burrowed underground was helplessly shaken out, forced to stand on the surface once more.
Before White Zetsu could even find his footing, a cold glint flashed through Nagato's eyes as he pressed both hands against the ground.
Lightning Release — Lightning Ground!
Surging lightning erupted from Nagato's hands, rapidly spreading forward across the terrain.
Since Amegakure was still caught in a drizzling rain, the entire ground was soaked through. Nagato didn't even need to aim.
Faced with this onslaught, the White Zetsu who had just been shaken out of the ground had no time to react. The lightning struck him dead on, leaving his entire body rigid where he stood.
On the other side, Sasori watched Nagato's attack with a hint of solemnity in his expression.
It wasn't that Sasori feared Nagato's attack. With his puppet-modified body, he possessed a considerable degree of resistance against Lightning Release ninjutsu.
But nothing was absolute!
Especially in weather like this. His Hiruko had already been soaked by the rain. If it were struck by this Lightning Release, Hiruko itself might not suffer much damage.
But the precision mechanisms at Hiruko's numerous joint points would likely be completely destroyed. That was not something Sasori wanted to see.
Almost the instant Nagato released his Lightning Release, Sasori had already leapt from his position. His body twisted midair in an unnatural posture as he rapidly retreated to the side, dodging the range of the lightning attack.
CRACK!
The clothes on Sasori's back were pierced through. A scorpion-like tail extended from behind him, lashing backward with a violent swing that produced a sound like colliding metal.
Colliding with that tail was a spear composed entirely of paper.
That was Konan's attack. But unlike Sasori, who had easily evaded their combined assault.
White Zetsu, briefly paralyzed by the Lightning Release, was directly pierced through by Konan's spear and pinned to the ground.
"Yikes, what a terrifying combo. Now it looks like it's just Sasori left alone. I wonder if he can complete the task Lord Uchiha Madara assigned."
White Zetsu remarked in a complaining tone as he looked at the spear piercing through him. In the next moment, all signs of life faded from him entirely.
Nearby, Sasori watched the White Zetsu that Konan had killed, his expression completely unchanged.
The White Zetsu that had accompanied him was merely a clone, its purpose to help him locate Konan and Nagato.
Now that Konan and Nagato had appeared, this White Zetsu clone was virtually useless. With such pitiful strength, it was only natural that it would be the first to be eliminated.
"Is there really a need for us to fight?"
Sasori gazed in Nagato's direction and spoke in a flat tone.
Nagato's expression was cold. Without realizing it, his Mangekyo Sharingan had already activated as he spoke in an icy voice.
"Perhaps we are indeed failures. But if you dare show yourselves in this village, then you'd better be prepared to be killed!"
As Nagato's words fell, both he and Konan moved simultaneously. They closed in on Sasori's position from two different directions!
Watching the two rapidly approach, Sasori made no move and remained standing in place. He merely spoke up suddenly.
"Since you've already admitted to being failures, why do you still keep Uchiha Itachi's eyes?"
"You're also unwilling to accept it, aren't you, Nagato."
SWISH! SWISH!
Two sounds of cutting air rang out almost simultaneously from Sasori's front and back. In the blink of an eye, Nagato had appeared not far in front of Sasori, his attacking motion already halted.
Konan had appeared behind Sasori. As Nagato stopped, she also came to a halt.
A flicker of worry passed through Konan's eyes as she glanced at Nagato across from her.
Just as Sasori had said. Though they called themselves failures, how could Nagato truly be resigned to it in his heart!
Konan understood Nagato too well. With Nagato's inner pride, perhaps he could allow himself to be defeated. But how could he allow himself to be made a fool of, toyed with by Uchiha Madara like this!
From the founding of Akatsuki to having his Rinnegan stolen by Uchiha Madara, Nagato felt as though he had been nothing but a puppet on someone's strings!
He only realized it at the very end. Being treated like a chess piece, having everything controlled by someone else. How could Nagato not feel furious!
If Nagato were just an ordinary shinobi, it might have been different. But Nagato was no ordinary shinobi!
A god could be defeated, even killed by an enemy. But a god would absolutely never live like a lowly insect!
Even without the Rinnegan, Nagato himself was still a powerful shinobi.
It was precisely because of this that likewise, few people understood the terrifying power of the Rinnegan better than Nagato. Facing Uchiha Madara who possessed the Rinnegan, Nagato was well aware that he had absolutely no chance of victory.
That was why, when Uchiha Madara had taken his Rinnegan, Nagato had simply let his life drain away.
For the Nagato of that time, death might have been a form of release.
If Yuto hadn't used the forbidden jutsu "Kisho Tensei" to revive Nagato, he would have truly died.
But what truly brought Nagato back to life wasn't the forbidden jutsu "Kisho Tensei." It was Yuto's words.
"The Rinnegan evolves from the Mangekyo Sharingan."
Combined with what he learned from Yuto about the Uchiha clan's secrets regarding the Sharingan.
And the appearance of Uchiha Itachi's eyes gave Nagato a glimpse of hope once more. Even if that hope was extremely slim!
Nagato continued to stare coldly at Sasori ahead. But compared to his murderous demeanor from earlier, he had clearly restrained himself somewhat.
"State your purpose."
Nagato glanced at Konan standing behind Sasori, giving her a look signaling her to hold off for now. His tone remained cold as he spoke.
From what the White Zetsu clone had said before dying, it was clear that Sasori's presence here served a definite purpose.
And that purpose was somehow connected to Uchiha Madara.
But even without White Zetsu saying it, both Nagato and Konan knew full well that Sasori hadn't come here to catch up on old times.
Hearing Nagato's words, Sasori couldn't help but breathe a slight sigh of relief inwardly.
If there was no need, Sasori had no desire to fight a meaningless battle.
"Uchiha Madara plans to make a move on the One-Tail jinchuriki of Sunagakure."
Sasori stated flatly, as if he were discussing something of no importance.
Before Nagato could respond, Konan standing behind Sasori was the first to furrow her brow, her voice carrying a hint of frost.
"What does Uchiha Madara's plan to target Sunagakure's jinchuriki have to do with us? Besides, the one currently running Sunagakure should be Acting Kazekage Granny Chiyo."
"If I remember correctly, Granny Chiyo is your grandmother."
Sasori naturally caught the sarcasm hidden in Konan's tone. But he simply stood there, completely unbothered.
Faced with Sasori's indifference, Konan's face showed visible displeasure as she let out a cold snort.
Nagato also frowned slightly but didn't speak. He continued watching Sasori, waiting for what he would say next.
"Among those heading to Sunagakure this time is Uchiha Sasuke."
Sasori continued in his flat tone. But as he said this, he was watching Nagato closely, seemingly wanting to see Nagato's reaction.
Sure enough, upon hearing the name Uchiha Sasuke, Nagato's expression shifted. His gaze clearly flickered several times.
[
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