Pain Won-The Strongest Battle Record... Engraved Upon Konoha!

Meanwhile, the Akatsuki members, hiding in the distance, hadn't even had time to catch their breath from the aftershocks of escaping Chibaku Tensei when they were immediately met with the "one-click sweep."

"This, this is... art!!"

Deidara stared wide-eyed at the white pillar of light that suddenly erupted from Deidara's body.

"Kou Xiao Ge is truly an incredibly talented artist!!"

"Idiot, is this the time to go crazy?!"

Sasori roared angrily at Deidara beside him:

"I don't know who lived and who died between those two bastards, but if we stay here any longer, we'll all be blown up in no time!!"

"Uh... isn't this a good thing?"

"Ha?!!"

Deidara ignored Sasori's reaction, gazing with rapt attention at the magnificent aftershocks of the explosion that he saw as breathtaking.

"To pass away amidst such an unparalleled and magnificent work of art—is this not the most romantic ending for an artist?"

"Master Scorpion, don't you think this is sacred?"

"... I think you're really crazy!"

Sasori said coldly, then ignored Deidara and frantically scanned his surroundings, racking his brains for a way to survive in this dangerous situation.

Just as he was about to accept reality, Sasori seemed to suddenly realize something, glanced quickly in Itachi's direction, and then his eyes lit up.

"Kid, come with me!!"

Without a word, Sasori grabbed the bewildered Deidara and sped off in the direction Itachi was.

Kakuzu, who had been pretending to be dead on the ground, saw Sasori fleeing in the direction of Itachi and immediately jumped up and gave chase...

Not far away, Itachi stood at the edge of the Susanoo Barrier, looking at the scene before him that resembled the end of the world, and then at the Akatsuki members gathered behind him, and sighed helplessly.

Although he really wanted to get rid of this group of shameless guys right now, time was of the essence.

If they continue to dwell on these meaningless things, then when that destructive shockwave truly spreads here, everyone, including himself, will die.

Thinking of this, Itachi looked in the direction of Kokoro, a complex emotion surging in his eyes.

He wouldn't mind dying at Kou's hands.

For him, that was perhaps the best outcome.

But before witnessing Sasuke's growth, before ensuring Sasuke's future is secure—he must not die.

Susanoo!!

As Itachi's deep shout rang out, a Susanoo an entirely orange-red body suddenly appeared, instantly leaping from its initial skeletal form to the third stage Crow Tengu Armor Form.

Itachi and the Akatsuki members hiding behind him were all enveloped in that indestructible armor constructed from ocular power.

As his eye power was severely depleted, two lines of bloody tears instantly spilled from the corners of Itachi's eyes.

Ignoring the blood and tears streaming down his face, he struggled to control Susanoo he raised the Yata Mirror no Kagami in front of him.

Susanoo (Yata Mirror).

This is precisely Itachi's trump card, ensuring his survival to the very end amidst this devastating onslaught!

"Hopefully, the Yata Mirror can withstand the full force of Pain and Koko's clash."

As Itachi gazed at the destructive wave that was now close at hand, blotting out the sky, he murmured to himself silently.

Meanwhile, Sasori, huddled Susanoo, was coldly watching Itachi's frail back.

"That brat from the Uchiha Clan was indeed hiding his true abilities!"

Sensing Itachi's waning aura, he narrowed his eyes and began to calculate in his mind:

After this move, both Pain and that kid should be pushed to their limits.

At that time, it might be the best opportunity for me to make my move!

"When the snipe and the clam fight, the fisherman benefits."

Scorpion chuckled coldly to himself, then turned his gaze back to the apocalyptic scene outside Susanoo, instantly snapping back to reality.

But before that, I really need to make sure I survive...

The terrifying destructive power unleashed by the Rage Hair Heaven and the Super Shinra Tensei had completely exceeded the limits of everyone's comprehension.

Everything within the Susanoo Barrier was crushed, the earth collapsed, the rock layers burned, and even the verdant barrier constructed by Susanoo showed several shocking cracks in the face of this absolute power.

Under the protection of Susanoo, the Akatsuki members listened to the terrifying roars coming from outside the barrier and watched as large cracks appeared one after another on Susanoo's body. The last string in their hearts was stretched to the limit.

"Uchiha Clan brat, I'm begging you, you, you absolutely must hold on!!"

Kakuzu looked at Itachi, who was kneeling on the ground with blood still trickling from the corner of his mouth, and shouted at the top of his lungs:

"If you manage to leave this hellhole alive this time, and we have the chance to go on a mission together in the future, I'll give you ten percent of the reward!!"

Of course, only once!

"... Your life is really cheap."

Raiga Kurosuki looked at Kakuzu's old face, which was contorted with worry about the money, and silently muttered a complaint.

He subconsciously turned his gaze to the destructive white light that was barely blocked by the Yata Mirror, his eyes surging with an almost obsessive will to survive.

Ranmaru...

For that child's sake, I must survive and return!

Under the expectant gazes of the Akatsuki members, Itachi stood up with great difficulty.

He gritted his teeth and poured all his remaining eye power into Susanoo and Yata Mirror, using his last bit of strength to maintain Yata Mirror's defensive stance.

After an unknown amount of time, the long "apocalyptic scenario" finally showed signs of waning.

After the last ripples completely dissipated, the already dilapidated Susanoo no longer maintain its form and vanished completely.

Itachi knelt on one knee on the scorched ground, panting heavily. Then, with his already blurred vision, he struggled to search for Kouch's trace in the still smoldering ruins.

"No need to look anymore, kid."

Sasori slowly walked forward from behind Itachi.

He gazed at the three figures gradually emerging from the lingering dust ahead, a smug yet cruel smile playing on his lips.

The battle is over.

"Pain... won!"

On the ruins ahead, Kou had already exited Sage Mode, and the terrifying aura that was once enough to resonate with heaven and earth had clearly weakened considerably.

His black short-sleeved shirt could no longer cover his body, revealing his muscular physique.

Less than twenty steps directly in front of him, Deva Path Pain had been as weak as a candle in the wind, had recovered completely and was calmly watching Pain in front of him.

Beside him stood another figure, standing shoulder to shoulder with the Deva Path Dao.

That was the only one of the Six Paths of Pain to survive besides the Deva Path — the Naraka Path!

Next chapter preview:

Susanoo's Complete Body - Firm Kick:

"This is truly delightful. I'll probably never forget you, Brother Chao!"

It feels like it's been going on for ages, but don't worry, it'll be over soon!

Although there will still be a fight scene with the prisoner after the fight ends, there is at least a short story segment before that, so the pacing shouldn't be a problem.