The Third Hokage Dies

"The Third Hokage? You're really late! Have you finished gathering information on me?"

From the very beginning, Nagato had already realized that he was being watched. He knew very well that it was the Third Hokage's Telescope Technique. However, even as Nagato went on a killing spree in Konoha, the Hokage still dawdled, watching the casualties of his Genin, trying to find a weakness in Nagato.

It wasn't until Nagato approached Naruto Uzumaki that the Third Hokage rushed over, only to find that he hadn't been able to gather any information about Nagato and had even allowed Nagato to gain the upper hand and capture Naruto Uzumaki. In the end, the Third Hokage suffered a double loss.

The Third Hokage's face was grim, and a pale golden light flickered on his chest. Nagato felt the gravity on his body increase, and his eyes also flashed with purple light, easily dissipating the gravity.

"Controlling gravity won't work on me! You'd better try this move of mine first!"

A cold smile appeared on his lips. Controlling gravity was an ability that Vegapunk created using a substandard Rinnegan, so it naturally wouldn't have any effect on Nagato, who already possessed the Rinnegan.

On the contrary, as Nagato unleashed the power of the Rinnegan, the Third Hokage was shocked to discover that he himself felt the pressure of the chaotic gravity!

Oh no! The Third Hokage was a veteran of many battles, and he immediately realized that the opponent's ability was a perfect counter to his own, or even a superior version of his own. He cursed inwardly and immediately prepared to Hand Seals again.

"Phantom Dragon Nine Sealing Consumption!"

Before the Third Hokage could even unleash his Ninjutsu, Nagato was the first to make his move. Nine dragon-shaped Chakra phantoms appeared behind him and charged directly at the Third Hokage.

"Lord Hokage, be careful!"

At this moment, the Kage Guard and Anbu ninjas who were following behind the Third Hokage also arrived. Seeing the current situation, they quickly called out.

Even without them saying anything, the Third Hokage himself was already on guard. He had witnessed the phantom Chakra dragon taking down the Anbu member carrying Naruto, so he was naturally extremely wary of such an ability that could instantly kill.

Nagato scoffed. "Being careful... does that really help?"

"Banshō Ten'in!"

The strange gravity immediately controlled the Third Hokage's body. Although the Third Hokage also possessed the same gravity ability and therefore had a great resistance to the Rinnegan's gravity, his speed was still greatly reduced due to the difference in ability.

A phantom dragon-shaped Chakra flowed through the Third Hokage's body. With a bang, the Third Hokage's body turned into a puff of white smoke. Sensing the faint Chakra he had absorbed, Nagato frowned immediately. "Hmm!? Shadow Clone Technique?! As expected of the Third Hokage!"

In terms of talent and raw strength, Nagato was definitely superior to the Third Hokage. However, in terms of combat experience and combat skills, the Third Hokage, who had spent his entire life practicing Ninjutsu, was still far superior to Nagato, and easily escaped with Shadow Clone.

However, the Third Hokage was also terrified. Nagato's Phantom Dragon Nine Sealing Consumption were not just targeting him. The Anbu Ninja had just warned him had their Chakra and souls drained in an instant by the nine illusory dragons, turning them into a pile of corpses.

After the initial fear subsided, what remained was rage! These were all the Third Hokage's direct Anbu, and yet they were all slaughtered by Nagato without any chance to fight back. It would be strange if the Third Hokage wasn't furious!

"Fusion Ninjutsu - Lightning-Fire-Wind Dragon Bullet!"

Knowing that the ability to control gravity was of little use to Nagato, the Third Hokage once again unleashed the Fusion Ninjutsu. This was a powerful Ninjutsu that combined the three most violent energy attributes of lightning, fire, and wind, and was compressed and ejected by gravity. Its power even surpassed that of ordinary S-rank Ninjutsu.

With a deafening roar, the earth trembled. The Third Hokage, who was attacking with all his might, had no time to spare for Konoha. The earth was blasted into a crater tens of meters wide, and the powerful aftershocks almost collapsed buildings within a radius of several hundred meters.

However, as the smoke gradually dissipated, the Third Hokage's expression changed. He saw Nagato Uzumaki standing in the smoke, completely free of dust, with a relaxed expression on his face.

"Is this... Defensive Ninjutsu? No, I can't sense any Chakra fluctuations... Is it an absorption Ninjutsu? This opponent can absorb ordinary Ninjutsu!"

While the Third Hokage was still pondering, Nagato took a deep breath, his eyes faintly revealing eyeshadow.

At the same time, the Chakra inside the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path within him also erupted instantly, forming a purple light on his body.

Just like the Nine-Tails, which is closest to the Ten-Tails and possesses the Ten-Tails Nine-Tails Chakra Mode, the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path remnant of the Ten-Tails, not only has Chakra that is no less than that of the Nine-Tails, but its quality is almost indistinguishable from that of the original Ten-Tails.

In this situation, Nagato could naturally use the incomplete version of the Ten-Tails Chakra Mode. Furthermore, due to his own physique, he could even add Sage Mode on top of it, making it even more powerful than Naruto Uzumaki Sage Fox Mode.

"How ruthless... The Jinchuriki is still in my hands, and you use such a destructive Ninjutsu!"

"This is the Fourth Hokage's only son. He calls you 'Grandpa' Tenten, but I've never seen you, the Third Hokage, show him any mercy."

Nagato spoke with a mocking tone, a fleeting look of guilt crossing the Third Hokage's eyes before his resolve hardened. "I do care about Naruto, but before that, I am first and foremost the Hokage!"

"Konoha cannot withstand another Nine-Tails Rampage!"

"Don't worry, there won't be any Nine-Tails Rampage. I'm not some kind of serial killer!"

Nagato said something casually, then suddenly raised his hand and threw Naruto Uzumaki towards the Third Hokage. The Third Hokage was slightly surprised and reached out to grab Naruto by the back of his neck.

At the same time, a purple light flashed by, and Nagato appeared behind the Third Hokage.

"The only person I want to kill is you!"

A flash of purple light streaked past, and the Third Hokage felt the hairs on his body stand on end. He flicked Naruto away with one hand and then leaped forward rapidly.

Even so, a huge wound was instantly slashed across his back, and blood gushed out.

Fortunately, the wound was large but not deep, and it did not actually damage his internal organs, but the flowing blood still made his face somewhat pale.

"So fast..." the Third Hokage murmured, his expression becoming even more serious.

The opponent before him had not only increased in speed, but also in all aspects, including speed, strength, and physique. This ability quickly reminded the Third Hokage of his student's Sage Mode.

If the opponent's Ninjutsu power also increases...

Before he could finish thinking, Nagato smiled slightly and extended his hand to him again, "Banshō Ten'in!"

This time, the gravity was several times stronger than before, and the range covered an area of tens of meters. Even the Third Hokage, using any Substitution Technique or Shadow Clone, would find it difficult to escape, and was instantly sucked in.

However, the Third Hokage was incredibly experienced in battle. After realizing that his ability to control gravity was far inferior to Nagato's, he devised a plan. Instead of advancing, he retreated, not only failing to resist Nagato's Banshō Ten'in, but also using his own gravity to propel himself forward, instantly rushing towards Nagato like a meteor.

"Konoha-Style Swordsmanship - Vacuum Slash!"

The sword light at the Third Hokage's waist flashed and disappeared in an instant. As someone who probably possessed the most diverse range of skills in the entire Ninja World, the Third Hokage was clearly quite skilled in swordsmanship. Although he couldn't compare to his Adamantine Staff, his swordsmanship was still at the level of Elite Jonin.

This particular strike, aided by the combined force of the Banshō Ten'in and his own gravity, was ten times more powerful than usual. When he unleashed the sword, it seemed as if even the void itself was being cleaved apart, producing a howling sound like the wailing of gods and ghosts!

With a snap, Nagato gently extended his fingers and pinched the longsword that the Third Hokage was slashing at him. The entire sword broke in two under the two powerful forces, and the Third Hokage's heart also shattered completely, sinking deep into despair.

"Alright, your scenes are done filming, Lord Hokage!" Nagato said teasingly.

Then, he grabbed the Third Hokage with one hand. The Third Hokage immediately felt his Chakra surging out wildly, especially the degraded Rinnegan in his chest, which almost impatiently carried all of his life force and Chakra into Nagato's body.

What's going on... Even Secret Technique that attracts Chakra... shouldn't work this quickly... Right, is it because of my modifications? Did Vegapunk leave a backup plan? Could this be related to that guy Vegapunk?

The Third Hokage opened his mouth as if he understood something, but before he could say a word, his soul and Chakra were completely absorbed.

In reality, Vegapunk didn't resort to any underhanded tactics—someone of his caliber was simply beneath Vegapunk's notice, at most just an experimental subject who could be eliminated at any time if he disobeyed. What was there to scheme against?

The reason he was powerless against Nagato was because the Rinnegan he had transplanted and modified was a degraded version, so he was naturally at a disadvantage against the genuine Rinnegan.

After casually killing the Third Hokage, Nagato turned around and looked around. Naruto Uzumaki, who was originally there, had already been taken away and disappeared during the brief moment of the battle.

Nagato, however, showed no sign of urgency, instead displaying a mocking smile, "There are quite a few petty ninjas in Konoha... Too bad, you're not the only ones who know Space-Time Ninjutsu!"

Although Vegapunk himself did not have the talent to fight using Space-Time Ninjutsu, even after being modified by Current Drive and having his reflexes pushed to their limits, he would still be a beat slower in environments with drastic spatial changes. Nagato, whom he controlled, naturally had the same problem.

However, simply using Space-Time Ninjutsu to move is effortless for both Vegapunk and Nagato's clone. Nagato had already left a space-time mark on Naruto Uzumaki from the very beginning.

Therefore, Nagato could sense that Naruto was moved almost instantly, which meant that someone had left a space-time imprint on Naruto and then took him away.

Vegapunk's clones aren't just sitting idly by in Konohagakure. Simplifying the Flying Thunder God Technique and finding a few ninjas with good space-time Space-Time Ninjutsu talent to be his test subjects is a matter of course. Therefore, Konohagakure now has a few ninjas who can use Space-Time Ninjutsu.

Even if his talent was far inferior to that of the Yellow Flash Minato Namikaze, it wouldn't be a problem for him to suddenly take Naruto away. As for who took Naruto and where he was taken, Nagato, who possessed the memories of another Vegapunk Clone, basically knew the answer.

Turning around, Nagato looked down at the Hokage Rock, narrowed his eyes slightly, and then swaggered over.

Along the way, the ninjas of Konoha certainly wouldn't sit idly by and watch such a formidable enemy. Moreover, there was an emergency shelter for the villagers below the Hokage Rock, and countless ninjas rushed over like moths to a flame.

However, nine illusory Chakra dragons danced around Nagato's body, and all the Ninjutsu was completely absorbed by those Chakra dragons as Chakra. If a ninja rushed over, he would have his Chakra and soul drained by the illusory dragons.

Therefore, after hundreds of ninjas died, they could only helplessly throw shuriken and Kunai.

Unfortunately, even the three-tomoe Uchiha from the Konoha Guard, who could throw shuriken and kunai with ease, posed no threat to Nagato. On the contrary, once Nagato got annoyed, a single ordinary ninjutsu was enough to cover a range of several hundred meters and kill more than a dozen ninjas.

The journey was filled with battles and carnage. By the time Nagato reached the foot of the Hokage Rock, the path he had traversed had been reduced to ruins, and buried beneath the ruins were the corpses of over a thousand ninjas.

"The shelter is just ahead; we can't let this guy get any further!"

"Is this guy a monster? Why are none of my Ninjutsu working?"

Thousands of Konoha Ninja stood in front of the Hokage Rock, their faces grave as they looked at Nagato who was slowly approaching, with a hint of despair in their expressions.

All the power of a ninja comes from Chakra, but Nagato's Phantom Dragon Nine Sealing Consumption are specifically designed to target Chakra power. Ninjutsu is absorbed, Taijutsu cannot get close, and Genjutsu is even less effective against the Rinnegan.

In this situation, most of the ninjas had almost lost their will to fight and were just blindly following the main force to block the way, without any confidence in defeating Nagato.

"Leave it to me! Now is the time to live up to my ninja way and my youth!"

Might Guy, dressed in green, was the first to step forward and stand at the very front of everyone. The ninja, who usually had a somewhat comical and comedic air about him, now showed a look of resignation on his face.

"Eight Gates Formation - Sixth Gate Opens!"