The alarm outside the Medical Department ripped through the skies above Konoha. The instant Sasuke's Kusanagi Sword sliced through the barrier, the pale green defensive shield shattered like glass. His Mangekyō Sharingan glowed crimson as his gaze fixed on the depths of the Medical Department—where Nagato lay on a specially designed hospital bed, his hand, covered in chakra tubes, trembling faintly. The remains of the Six Paths of Pain were on display in the next room.
"Sasuke, stop!" Shizune stood in the hospital room doorway, Kunai in hand. The medical ninja behind her quickly formed Hand Seals, and a Water Style: Water Formation Wall rose in front of the door. But Sasuke merely raised his hand, and black Inferno Style: Flame Control surged forth. The flames pierced the water wall, scorching Shizune's sleeve.
The Akatsuki members right behind him—Hidan and Kakuzu—launched their attack at once. Hidan swung his Triple-Bladed Scythe at the medical ninja. "Once I get your blood, the ritual can begin." Kakuzu controlled Earth Grudge Fear, sending five black tendrils surging from his back. They punched straight through the Medical Department's wall and reached for Nagato's bed.
At the last possible moment, a golden flash sped in. Might Guy kicked Hidan's scythe away, steam swirling around him as he opened the Sixth Gate of the Eight Inner Gates. "Konoha's heroes won't let you do as you please!" He turned to Sasuke, his voice full of sorrow. "Sasuke, you were meant to be a ninja who protected the village. Why have you joined forces with the Akatsuki?"
Sasuke ignored him and thrust his Kusanagi Sword toward the bed again. Just as the blade was about to reach Nagato, Su Ye suddenly appeared inside the room. He activated Samsara: Banshō Ten'in, forcibly deflecting Sasuke's sword. "Sasuke, Obito has deceived you!" Su Ye's Rinne Sharingan emitted a faint purple glow. "He's exploiting your desire for revenge. His real target is Nagato's Rinnegan!"
Sasuke stopped, his Mangekyō Sharingan fixed on Su Ye. "Don't try to fool me. If Konoha hadn't gone after the Uchiha, I wouldn't have come to this!" As soon as he finished speaking, Kakuzu's tendrils shot out of the ground and wrapped around Su Ye's arm. Hidan seized the chance to swing his scythe at Su Ye's neck.
"Watch out!" Itachi's voice came from outside the window. The bow of his Perfect Susanoo had already taken shape. Its golden arrow, imbued with faint purple Rinnegan chakra, pierced Hidan's scythe and sliced through Kakuzu's tendrils in the same instant. Itachi landed beside Su Ye, his Susanoo's bones once again covering his body. "Sasuke, Madara and Obito's scheme is far more terrifying than you can imagine. They're after the entire Shinobi World."
Nagato slowly opened his eyes. A faint light emanated from his Rinnegan as he raised a hand and controlled the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path's chains, binding Hidan and Kakuzu. "Su Ye, Itachi... thank you." But his chakra was already nearly depleted, and the chains were growing weaker. Kakuzu broke free and activated Earth Grudge Fear once more, sending all five tendrils toward Nagato.
Naruto arrived at the Medical Department just then, fully transformed into Nine-Tails Mode. A Tailed Beast Bomb gathered in his mouth. "You won't hurt Nagato!" The Tailed Beast Bomb shot toward Kakuzu, but Obito suddenly appeared and sent it away with Kamui. Obito's real body stood outside the window, the Mangekyō Sharingan in his right eye gleaming coldly. "I didn't expect you to see through my plan. But now, Nagato's Rinnegan is as good as mine."
Obito activated Kamui. His body gradually turned intangible as he approached Nagato's bed. Su Ye and Itachi exchanged a glance and released their chakra at the same time—the faint purple light of the Rinne Sharingan resonated once more with the golden chakra of the Perfect Susanoo. The Susanoo's bow instantly gathered far greater power than before. "Obito, you won't get away this time!" Su Ye growled, imbuing the arrow with sealing power.
Itachi drew the bowstring taut. The golden arrow tore through the air and pierced Obito's intangible body, pinning his arm to the wall. Obito's expression changed dramatically. He tried to use Kamui to escape, only to find the sealing power on the arrow already eating away at his chakra. "How is this possible?" He stared at Su Ye in disbelief. "Your Rinne Sharingan can actually counter Kamui?"
Sasuke stood still, Su Ye and Itachi's words echoing in his mind. He looked at Obito pinned to the wall, then at the weakened Nagato. The confusion in his Mangekyō Sharingan gradually gave way to clarity. Just then, that crimson gaze from deep in the forest fixed on Konoha once more. The real Madara Uchiha had already set out for the village.
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