Kicking Susanoo

Beneath the curtain of rain, there were still plenty of pedestrians in the commercial district.

People hurried along, either busy rebuilding their homes or rushing about for their livelihoods.

However, as that burly figure in dark red layered armor slowly walked by, the surrounding crowd all wore indescribable fear and instinctively moved aside, leaving him an empty path.

Rain fell on him and slid down along the lines of his armor, yet it could not wash away that suffocating, domineering aura that looked down on the world.

Uchiha Madara's steps were steady and slow. Each footfall on the wet stone road seemed to carry tremendous weight, crushing through the clamor of the rain and reaching Nagato's ears with perfect clarity.

Nagato knew he was coming for him!

Inside the shop, Konan, who had been discussing the details of the purchase with Amado and his daughter, seemed to notice something unusual about Nagato lingering at the doorway.

She turned back and looked toward that slightly stiff figure at the door, asking with a trace of concern, "Nagato, what's wrong? Is something going on outside?"

With his back to Konan, Nagato trembled almost imperceptibly.

He could feel that domineering gaze lock onto him, and the immense Coercion nearly left him unable to breathe.

He opened his mouth, but his throat was so dry that no clear sound came out.

I can't... I can't bring danger to them... The thought screamed wildly in Nagato's mind.

He abruptly gritted his teeth and forced himself to speak in as calm a tone as possible, lying without turning his head, "It's... it's nothing. You handle things first. I... I'm going to buy something. I'll be back soon."

Before his words had even fallen, he suddenly pulled up the hood of his cloak, covering his face and