Moriyue's expression was icy, and behind him, vast swathes of bizarre phantoms seemed to flicker.
Twisted evil tentacles, a blood-red frenzied Evil God, violently raging black lightning, and several masses of Chakra that Deva Path Pain found familiar.
"The power of the Tailed Beasts."
Deva Path Pain was somewhat curious about Moriyue's strange energy. He did not know why he could sense so many bizarre energies within one person. He had never even sensed such strange energy from the Tailed Beasts themselves. His opponent seemed... not to be human.
His gaze shifted to Konan, whose throat was being gripped. This had been his mistake. He had assumed no one would dare act so boldly on his territory, and he had subconsciously forgotten about Konan, intending to deal with the intruder first. That had given Moriyue an opening.
"Let her go."
Konan meant a great deal to Pain and Nagato. Even this Deva Path Pain before him had been made from the corpse of Yahiko, their mutual friend. They had already lost one companion. He could not lose Konan too.
"Let her go first."
Moriyue had no intention of loosening his grip, nor did he show the slightest tenderness. His palm tightened, and pain appeared on Konan's face as her throat was squeezed.
"Bang~"
Without another word, Deva Path Pain flung Kazeki aside. They were standing amid a mass of pipes, and with that throw from Deva Path, Kazeki dropped from midair like a doll. Moriyue did not hesitate either. He threw Konan aside and plunged down at a speed too fast for the eye to follow.
Kazeki slowly fell through the air. Raindrops from above the clouds struck her face, and she felt as though she were falling alongside them, destined to shatter just like those drops in the end.