"Th-This...!?"
The wooden stakes bursting from the ground took Kakashi by surprise. He was astonished not only by the timing of Nagato's jutsu, but also by how skillfully Nagato could use the First Hokage's signature technique.
Before Kakashi could think any further, he felt the Wood Release binding him rapidly absorb his chakra.
"Damn it!"
With a silent curse, Kakashi activated the Flying Thunder God Technique again, forcibly breaking free from the Wood Release's restraints and flashing to the side of a Flying Thunder God Kunai he had deliberately left in the forest earlier.
At that moment, the wooden stakes deftly carried Naruto all the way to Nagato.
Nagato gave Naruto an indifferent glance, then casually cast a Sealing Jutsu on Naruto's back, sealing the Flying Thunder God Formula Kakashi had left behind.
Seeing this, Kakashi's face grew even darker as he panted heavily.
Though this exchange had been brief, he had first spent half his chakra using the Lightning Clone Technique and Lightning Cutter, then repeatedly used the Flying Thunder God Technique, along with Earth Release ninjutsu such as underground movement and the Dog-Headed Earth Style Wall.
Coupled with the large amount of chakra Nagato's Wood Release had just absorbed, he now had only enough chakra left to barely teleport himself back to Konoha. It was no longer enough to bring Naruto back with him.
After all, activating the Flying Thunder God Technique over such a vast distance consumed an enormous amount of chakra.
What was more, the Flying Thunder God Formula on Naruto had been sealed by Nagato. Without a location marker, rescuing Naruto from Nagato's hands was out of the question. If he lingered any longer, he might not even be able to escape himself.
Considering that the Uchiha Clan's rebellion in the village had yet to