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The Naraka Path, the Preta Path, the Deva Path, the Human Path.
The moment Kagaya appeared, he fiercely crippled four of the Six Paths of Pain, terrifying everyone present.
The Asura Path and the Animal Path looked expressionlessly at Kagaya, not daring to move.
Their actual controller—Nagato—was also extremely cautious at this moment. He didn't know why Kagaya had intervened. And not only that, but upon intervening, he had crippled the Naraka, Preta, and Human Paths. Even the Deva Path, though Nagato sensed it could still move, was clearly significantly injured.
"Uchiha Kagaya, why have you intervened?"
The Asura Path spoke. Usually, the Deva Path did the talking. Now that the Deva Path was sent flying, the intact Asura Path had to speak for Nagato.
Kagaya didn't look at the Asura Path. Instead, he kept glancing around, trying to see if he could locate Nagato's true body.
"Just happened to be passing by. And I do genuinely want to meet you."
The Asura Path narrowed its eyes. Kagaya's constant looking around told Nagato one thing—this guy knew his secret!
"Is this how you show you want to meet me?"
The Asura Path was referring to Kagaya's attack on them.
Kagaya scoffed. "How else should it be? Have a nice chat with you? I don't think you'd agree. Or should I beg you?"
While Kagaya and the Asura Path conversed, Jiraiya quietly began helping Tsunade retreat. Kagaya's appearance was unexpected for Jiraiya. But seeing Kagaya instantly take out four of those who had just surrounded him, Jiraiya knew Tsunade's chance of survival had appeared!
Kagaya clearly had some enmity with these Akatsuki members. Though he didn't know the details, Jiraiya didn't plan to delve deeper now.
"That Uchiha Kagaya..." Tsunade's weak voice came.
This surprised Jiraiya. He spoke, "From your tone, you know him?"
Kagaya's name was somewhat known in the shinobi world, so Tsunade having heard of "Uchiha Kagaya" wasn't strange. But Tsunade instantly recognizing Kagaya now clearly meant they had met before.
Tsunade forced a faint, self-deprecating smile. "Yes, I know him. His current strength owes something to me as well. Hah..."
Jiraiya frowned. He realized the relationship between Tsunade and Kagaya was likely not simple. But now wasn't the time to ask.
"We'll talk about it after we return. Let's leave now."
"Mm."
Thus, Jiraiya and Tsunade slowly withdrew from the combat zone. Neither Pain nor Kagaya paid them any mind.
Because of Kagaya's appearance, Pain didn't dare divert the slightest attention. If Tsunade left, she left. Now, he couldn't even ensure his own safety.
As for Kagaya, saving Tsunade was his original purpose.
"Your strength truly exceeds my expectations somewhat. Moreover, I very much want to know how you learned about my true body?"
The Asura Path spoke coldly.
Kagaya's appearance had too great an impact on Nagato. This guy was not only excessively strong, but most importantly, he knew his secret!
A killing intent gradually rose.
Kagaya shrugged. "How I know isn't important. Don't expect me to tell you either. I'll say this one last time: take me to see you."
The Asura Path raised its hand. "Then, unfortunately, that is impossible."
As the words fell, a flash of red light appeared. Giving the Asura Path no chance to react, a fist aimed for its head.
Too fast!
However...
Kagaya looked at his fist in surprise. He missed?
Yes, Kagaya's punch actually missed. The Asura Path dodged it!
A laser beam appeared, blasting towards Kagaya!
"BOOM!"
Direct hit!
Kagaya's speed was indeed difficult for Nagato to react to. However, speed relied on the element of surprise. When Kagaya first appeared, unprepared, Pain's group was naturally taken out by four Paths due to Kagaya's speed.
But now was different. Now Nagato was prepared. With his mind highly focused, Nagato could use the Rinnegan to capture Kagaya's figure. Then, as long as Nagato made some predictions and evaded in advance, he could dodge Kagaya's attacks!
After all, this was Pain, one of the top combatants in the current shinobi world.
The Asura Path's head laser cannon had considerable power. Kagaya was blasted far away.
However, a golden skeletal arm swept aside, dispersing the surrounding dust.
Giant ribs enveloped Kagaya.
Although the Asura Path's head laser cannon was powerful, expecting it to penetrate Susano'o was unrealistic.
Though, being just the ribcage state, it was the most basic defense of Susano'o. Thus, some cracks were formed.
Kagaya sneered coldly. "Do you think, with just the Asura and Animal Paths, you can defeat me?"
The Asura Path shook its head. "Presumably not."
Kagaya said, "Then why—"
Before he could finish, Karin not far away suddenly shouted, "Kagaya! That Deva Path you sent flying earlier is rapidly moving away!"
Kagaya narrowed his eyes, speaking to the Asura Path. "You're leaving?"
Among the Six Paths of Pain, only the Deva Path mattered to Nagato because it was made from Yahiko's corpse. As for the other five Paths, if they were lost, Nagato could simply find five more corpses to recreate them.
Kagaya knew this as well.
The Asura Path coldly looked at Karin in the distance and raised its hand, aiming at her.
Kagaya immediately spoke. "You want to attack her? Believe me, not only will you fail to harm her, you will regret this action in the future."
Chakra surged around him. The Susano'o showed signs of expanding.
The Asura Path remained silent for a moment, then lowered its hand. "You care for her greatly?"
"Do you want to test that?"
"No. I have no desire to fight you to the death here. I intend to leave. Next time we meet, let us have a proper battle."
Kagaya's speed was indeed fast. But with this experience, the next time they met, Nagato could certainly cause Kagaya significant trouble.
Kagaya spoke, "I said I want to see you."
"You have no chance."
"Is that so?"
A flash of red light. With crimson Sharingan eyes, Kagaya appeared behind the Asura Path. The Susano'o's skeletal arm swung fiercely!
But this time, it was still dodged! Predicted in advance!
If it were anyone else, even if they saw Kagaya clearly, they absolutely couldn't dodge because their physical movements couldn't keep up. But the Paths of Pain were different. They were controlled by Nagato. So as long as Nagato saw Kagaya's movements, he could force the Paths to move.
Simply put, it was the difference between a machine and a human.
However, this time was different. Although the Asura Path dodged Kagaya's main body's attack...
Its body was still cleaved in two.
On its other side, a second Kagaya appeared there, using Susano'o to split the Asura Path's body.
Shadow Clone!
"This one, how will you dodge?!"
Crimson eyes stared at the Asura Path, utterly eerie.