Nagato Makes His Entrance

Nagato descended from the sky and landed in front of Konan, knocking the Masked Man away.

Konan stared at Nagato figure, as if she couldn't believe it was real.

"Nagato, is that you?"

"Sorry, Konan, I'm late."

Yes, it was that familiar voice. Only then did Konan believe that the person in front of her was Nagato. He was still shielding her from danger, just like before.

Are you alright?

Those who care about you will always care about you in the first place. Nagato had been providing Chakra to the Outer Path Statue without any freedom, but this time he actually broke free from its control, which made Konan very worried.

"Don't worry, I've got everything covered."

Nagato did not directly answer Konan's question, and Konan was still caught up in the joy of Nagato regaining his freedom and did not notice the meaning behind Nagato's words.

"You're finally out."

After shaking off the repulsive force of Shinra Tensei, Nagato Masked Man stood before Nagato and Konan, looking down at them and speaking. His words implied that he knew Masked Man could come out.

Nagato wasn't stupid either; he also understood the meaning behind the Masked Man's words.

"You know so much, Madara!"

The Masked Man always interacted with Nagato under the name Madara. Of course, Nagato knew that the Masked Man's real name was not Madara, but this had no impact on Nagato. They were just cooperating, and besides, a name was just a code.

The Masked Man certainly knew. He also knew who the owner of the Rinnegan was and Rinnegan specific abilities. This was, of course, told to him by Black Zetsu, the sixth brother, to make the process of seizing the Rinnegan easier for the Masked Man. "If you know your enemy and yourself and still can't handle Nagato, then you're just a useless piece of trash." This was, of course, Black Zetsu's true thought.

You can't stop me.

Nagato looked up at the Masked Man and spoke. He didn't want to waste his Chakra here, because his current state required a large amount of Chakra to maintain. Breaking free from the Outer Path Statue wasn't easy. Once his Chakra was completely depleted, death awaited Nagato. This was the price Nagato had to pay to break free from the Outer Path Statue. Nagato had also mastered all the Six Paths abilities in a short period of time.

How will you know if you don't try?

The Masked Man knew perfectly well that the longer he dragged things out, the more the scales of victory would tip in his favor.

Seeing that the Nagato Masked Man kept trying to keep the conversation going without making a move, Nagato realized that the Masked Man knew her weakness.

"Konan, let's go."

Nagato took Konan's hand and prepared to leave Amegakure; they could no longer stay there.

Konan didn't resist; she only knew that she had no objection to Nagato's decision. Anyway, the village was already destroyed, and as long as she was with Nagato, anywhere would be home.

"Let's go back, Chief."

"Water Release: Exploding Water Colliding Wave"

Kisame used his Ninjutsu to spew out a massive amount of water, which directly swept Konan and Nagato back.

Nagato spread his arms, forming a transparent protective shield that protected him and Konan, preventing them from being seriously injured by Kisame's Ninjutsu.

"Swish, swish."

Two more ninjas have appeared, and now Nagato and Konan's retreat is blocked from all four directions. Moreover, their strength is at least at the level of elite Jonin.

"You really think highly of me, Madara!"

At this moment Nagato suddenly felt a touch of self-mockery. The more composed Nagato became at the last moment, the more his mind was focused on how to get out of here. Nagato's only thought now was to keep Konan alive. He simply couldn't care less about anything else at this Nagato.

No one would underestimate someone who possesses the Rinnegan.

"Do it."

After the Masked Man finished speaking, he slashed at Nagato with his sword, but Nagato blocked it with his hand, preventing the Masked Man's sword from getting any closer.

But Nagato forgot one thing: the enemy outnumbered him. With a "Zabuza," Zabuza suddenly appeared to Nagato's right, Kubikiribōchō high as if to sever Nagato's right hand.

Kisame wasn't idle either; he aimed his Kisame at the back of Nagato. This time, Nagato wouldn't have the other Six Paths to help him.

"Return."

Konan had somehow managed to tie a paper rope around Nagato's waist. With a strong pull, she dragged Nagato over. "Boom!" The sound of Zabuza's Kubikiribōchō hitting the ground was heard. Kisame's attack also missed. His Kisame trembled in Kisame's hand, expressing its dissatisfaction.

"That was close!"

At this moment, Nagato secretly rejoiced. If it weren't for Konan's help, Nagato would have been captured by the enemy in no time. This also showed that Nagato hadn't yet adapted to this fighting style. You see, Nagato used to kill enemies with the Six Paths in his numbers, so suddenly fighting alone was quite unusual.

Be careful.

Konan instructed Nagato, "The two of them must be extremely careful now. Even the slightest opening could be exploited by the enemy, leading to their deaths. This is not an exaggeration; the enemy consists of ruthless scum."

Both sides are locked in a stalemate, Konan and Nagato's area of operation is slowly shrinking. The enemy intends to gradually put pressure on Konan and Nagato in this way.

"Great Fireball Technique"

At this moment, the Masked Man unleashed their Uchiha's signature Ninjutsu. Because it was released while in Susanoo form, the fireball was enormous, completely engulfing Konan and Nagato. If Konan and Nagato were hit by this fireball, they would be severely injured even if they didn't die.

However, this didn't affect Nagato. Nagato raised his hands above his head. His ability immediately switched to Animal Path mode. Nagato was absorbing the Great Fireball.

"A good opportunity."

Absorption takes time. But every battle on the battlefield is ever-changing. The Great Fireball Technique is a calculated move. If Nagato doesn't absorb it, he will be injured; if he does absorb it, he won't be able to use his other abilities and will be stuck in place.

Kisame and Zabuza attacked simultaneously, which put Konan in a difficult position. If it were just one of them, Konan could handle it, but soon Konan body was covered in wounds. This was all inflicted by Konan while trying to buy time for Nagato. Zabuza and Kisame seized this opportunity and attacked Konan with all their might. All of this happened in a very short time. Nagato could even fully absorb the Ninjutsu, Konan was already covered in blood.

"Who exactly is this Uchiha?"

Haku hadn't entered the fray. He'd been watching the Masked Man intently, trying to find some clues. One of the missions he'd received from Konoha was to find out the Masked Man's true identity. An Uchiha who had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan posed a certain threat to Konoha.