Bang—
A dense cloud of white smoke exploded, and the third summoned beast, the Ironclad Giant Crab, instantly vanished into smoke.
Whoosh!
A figure flashed over.
"Clack!"
A slender hand firmly gripped the hilt of the Kusanagi Sword, which had sunk entirely into the steel wall.
Having dealt with three massive creatures in one breath, Hongzhong's breathing remained as steady as an abyss. Not even a strand of his hair was out of place.
He rose, withdrew his sword, and sheathed it.
Then he casually spun the blade in a fierce flourish.
Turning around,
He stood on the vertical iron wall as though walking on level ground, his black eyes brimming with fighting spirit gazing sharply down like a hawk at the four figures waiting below.
Hurry up, Pain!
Let me see your limit!
The scene shifted to the depths of Amegakure.
Inside a steel tower guarded by stone statues of human-faced asuras and strange beasts.
Under the lead-gray sky, sparse light stretched the doorframe's long shadow across the floor. The faint light at its end barely illuminated the two figures in the center of the quiet chamber before fading away.
One figure stood, while the other sat.
The one standing behind
was the blue-haired "angel" Hongzhong had first met—Konan.
Sitting in the light with his back to the shadows was Nagato, his red hair falling to his shoulders!
At that moment, his head was lowered and his eyes were closed.
His once withered, emaciated body had clearly become much fuller and stronger. His shoulders were broad, and the shadows faintly outlined the powerful lines of his muscles.
He no longer looked as frail as he had in the past.
Yet dozens of black Chakra receiver rods still pierced deeply into his regenerated back muscles, making him look like a