The Great Ori Cutter Reveals Its Might!

On the platform, the Akatsuki members looked down at the towering half-body Susanoo, feeling the terrifying power contained beneath the Crow Tengu armor that seemed capable of crushing everything in the world into dust. Their already extremely solemn expressions darkened even further.

"What... what exactly is that?! Is that level of power really something a human could possess?!"

Hidan stared at the colossal creature before him, and for the first time ever, a look of fear appeared on his face:

"That posture... Jane, it's simply... like a god!!"

"Hmph, ignorant brat."

Kakuzu suppressed the same shock he felt, and a distant memory he desperately wanted to recall flashed through his mind:

"That is the supreme technique of the Uchiha Clan, Susanoo."

During the Warring States Period, the legendary Uchiha Madara relied on this power, which was comparable to that of the Tailed Beast, to become as famous as the God of Shinobi, Hashirama Senju.

I never expected that brat Uchiha Kuro would also master this technique... Tsk, this is really troublesome."

As he spoke, Kakuzu subconsciously glanced at Pain in front of him, a deep look of suspicion appearing in his eyes.

If everything Jiraiya said is true, then it means that Uchiha Madara, like himself, may very well have lived from the Warring States Period to the present day...

The thought of this possibility Kakuzu's arm, covered in stitches, tremble involuntarily.

"Susanoo, the Uchiha Clan's... supreme technique?"

Deidara repeated in a low voice, then abruptly turned his head, staring intently at Itachi, who had remained silent since the beginning:

"So that means—Itachi! You, like Kou-kun, can also use this strange Ninjutsu called Susanoo, right?!"

As Deidara's questioning voice rang out, all eyes in the Akatsuki turned to Itachi.

Itachi remained silent for a moment before slowly withdrawing his shocked gaze from the towering Crow Tengu below.

He looked at his Akatsuki colleagues, who were staring at him with a mixture of scrutiny and expectation, and gently shook his head.

"Susanoo is a technique that can only be used by Uchiha who have awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan."

This technique is indeed powerful, but it also consumes an enormous amount of eye power. Although I can barely use it, I cannot maintain it for very long.

At this point, Itachi paused, glancing meaningfully at the composed figure within Susanoo:

"At least, it certainly won't be as easy as knocking."

"Tch, useless guy."

Scorpion spat lightly, clearly resentful.

With his sharp eyes, he could naturally see just how extraordinary this technique called Susanoo truly was.

If Uchiha Kuro could maintain this technique with such composure for an extended period, then his expertise in puppetry and poison would be utterly useless against this absolute power.

Sasori's heart sank. He was about to ask Deidara beside him if those Clay Bomb could forcefully break through Susanoo's defenses from the outside and create an opportunity for him.

However, before Scorpion could speak, Pain's majestic voice came from the front:

"... No need to worry."

"This technique is indeed very powerful, but it is far from being worthy of being called true divine power."

"Susanoo is not invincible before the true power of a god."

Pain turned to look at the Akatsuki members watching him from behind and gave a deep order:

"Leave this technique to me to personally decipher."

"You only need to stop the people of Konoha from escaping here with the One-Tail Jinchuriki, that's enough."

Feeling the suspicious looks from everyone, Pain paused, then continued:

"I know that you all have quite a few questions about my relationship with Jiraiya, and about the Uchiha Madara that he just mentioned."

I assure you that once this mission is successfully completed, I will tell you everything you want to know...

Hearing Pain's solemn promise, the Akatsuki members remained silent for a while. Just as they were about to nod in response, they suddenly felt a tremendous heat wave crashing down from directly in front of them!

Their eyes narrowed to their limit.

A raging sea of flames, obscuring the sky, surged toward the platform where they stood from the direction of the Susanoo below!

"Pain, watch out!!"

Konan instinctively shouted urgently towards Pain.

Pain turned his head instantly, his majestic Rinnegan meeting the raging sea of flames rushing towards him at an alarming speed, his face still showing the same calm and indifferent expression.

He raised his hand, his five fingers spreading out very, very slightly towards the sea of fire:

Shinra Tensei.

The instant his words fell, a terrifying repulsive force was released, directly confronting the surging sea of flames!

Under the terrifying repulsive force of Shinra Tensei, the raging sea of fire was barely dispersed. However, the remaining waves, which had been weakened, still swept past the two sides of the platform with terrifying heat!

"Boom!!"

In the instant the heatwave swept by, the platform where they had just been standing was instantly reduced to a cloud of scorched dust!

The Akatsuki members had already fled in all directions before the aftershocks even arrived.

When they regained their footing on the dilapidated rooftops outside the arena, looking at the completely unrecognizable scene before them, a complex and heavy mix of emotions welled up within them.

The majestic platform, along with the pavilions and streets stretching for countless meters behind it, has now been reduced to a scorched and desolate ruin, like a purgatory burned by heavenly fire!

"Hey, hey, hey, is this for real?!"

Kakuzu stared at the ruins, still remnants of the raging waves, and shouted incredulously.

Even if I were to unleash my full power, this level of destructive force would be the maximum I could achieve.

And this is merely the residual power left after Pain neutralized the vast majority of its force?!

He looked with apprehension at the immovable blue Susanoo, then glanced at the massive sword in Susanoo's hand, which was engulfed in flames, and subconsciously swallowed.

Now that things have come to this, is it too late for reconciliation?

Pain seemed to sense everyone's thoughts and coldly glanced behind him.

Under his gaze, the members of Akatsuki lowered their heads reluctantly, understanding his meaning perfectly.

Seeing that the morale of the army had temporarily stabilized, Pain turned his gaze back to Koko within Susanoo, his eyes filled with an unprecedented solemnity and caution.

"I see. No wonder you were so confident you could stop all of us."

"Wow, you... have you become this strong?"

Pain gazed down at the figure below, which appeared exceptionally small under the shadow of the blue giant, yet commanded his utmost respect. He spoke in a deep voice, almost in acknowledgment.

"I accept you, knock."

You truly deserve my... all-out effort!

Behind him, the Animal Path Earth Flow and stood beside him...

In the arena, the enormous blue Susanoo slowly raised its right hand.

Within its giant hand was a longsword wreathed in raging flames.

Deep red flames danced on the blade of the sword, each flicker of the flames scorching the surrounding air into distorted ripples.

This divine weapon is one of the two divine weapons used by Susanoo, possessing the power to incinerate all things and control all fires—[Great Ori Cutter]!!