Boom!
Under the Rasengan's tremendous force, Asura Path slammed into the ground. His specially reinforced body was driven straight into the earth, leaving only his legs sticking out as he landed headfirst.
"When did he do it?"
Nagato knew his opponent must have used the Flying Thunder God Technique to appear suddenly beside Asura Path and launch a surprise attack. But when had Minato Namikaze used the Flying Thunder God Technique?
The technique required an object bearing a Flying Thunder God Mark to travel through space. Yet none of the shuriken Minato had just thrown bore any unusual markings.
"Transformation Technique?"
Only now did Preta Path, standing behind him, notice that one of the shuriken scattered around them had reverted to a kunai. Engraved on its surface was a circular Flying Thunder God Mark.
Minato had used the Transformation Technique to disguise a kunai bearing a Flying Thunder God Mark as a shuriken and mix it in with the others.
This was an advanced application of the Transformation Technique.
Minato's first attack had taken out an enemy outright.
"I see. I let my guard down."
From the start of the operation until now, almost every step of Nagato's plan had gone smoothly. The easy progress had made him careless, allowing Minato to seize an opening and take down Asura Path with a single blow.
Without Asura Path, who had been responsible for the main assault, Preta Path would be much easier to deal with.
Preta Path's body had belonged to an ordinary shinobi from Kusagakure. There was nothing special about him.
"He's coming." Preta Path saw Minato charging at him with a kunai in hand.
Taijutsu wasn't Preta Path's strong suit, but this modified body was no slouch in close combat. He could trade a few blows with Minato.
"Quick,