Five small mushroom clouds rose near Amegakure, and the enormous shockwaves from the explosions sent Zero-One, Zero-Two, and Zero-Three flying a great distance away.
Uchiha Ensei's craftsmanship was fairly good. Even explosions at such close range failed to inflict much damage on the artificial humans. After rolling around for a while, they climbed back up and stood before Uchiha Ensei.
Seizing the opportunity, Kakashi Hatake immediately asked, "Ensei, what was that thing pulled out of Rin... Zero-Two's body just now? A soul?"
"What exactly did you do to Rin?"
Kakashi Hatake's voice was already full of panic. He could remain calm when it came to other matters, but anything involving Nohara Rin made it truly difficult for him to control himself.
"Uh... you observed quite thoroughly."
"First, I guarantee that thing was only meant to disgust Obito Uchiha. Who told him to let me find out his identity?"
"Second, that does count as a type of soul. I won't explain where it came from, but in any case, it didn't come from a real human."
Kakashi Hatake listened without rushing to judge whether it was true or false. He merely committed the information to memory while beginning to consider what kind of ninjutsu the enemy possessed that could actually extract souls.
As they spoke, the dust and smoke from the explosions finally dispersed somewhat under the influence of a force.
Seeing this, Uchiha Ensei could not be bothered with Kakashi Hatake and directly called out:
"Just as expected, the Deva Path isn't so easy to blow up."
"Nagato, how about we talk? If you keep attacking, Yahiko's corpse won't be preserved."
During the explosion just now, the other five Pains had all been blown apart. However, at the most crucial moment, the Deva Path had used Shinra Tensei to blast all the Exploding Flies away.
Hearing those words, Deva Path Pain showed no reaction and merely raised himself higher into the air.
Seeing this, Konan immediately began retreating.
"Oh? Looks like he's about to use a big move!"
"Kakashi, use Kamui and twist him away!"
Uchiha Ensei spoke to Kakashi Hatake beside him, but upon hearing him, Kakashi Hatake replied somewhat awkwardly:
"My mastery of the Mangekyo isn't complete yet. I probably... can't do it!"
Uchiha Ensei grumbled helplessly, "What use are you, trash?"
Immediately afterward, he controlled the three artificial humans and brought them to his side. Using the ocular power stored within the Shadow Clone Technique, he combined it with the power inside the three artificial humans...
Ultra-Almighty Push!
This move differed from the large-scale attack Uchiha Ensei remembered. It was more like a focused shockwave.
That was perfectly normal. In the original story, it had been used to destroy Konoha. Now that it was aimed at an individual, the attack's power naturally had to be concentrated as much as possible.
As for why he sensed it so clearly, it was naturally because he had used similar power himself.
At that moment, dark blue chakra condensed around Uchiha Ensei's entire body like a cloak draped over him.
His pair of crimson eyes glimmered with a faint blue halo, while the pure white pupils at their center were especially eye-catching.
"Looks like this move can't be dodged!"
As Uchiha Ensei spoke, a giant resembling Susanoo appeared, stretched out both hands, and released a similar repulsive force that completely blocked the Ultra-Almighty Push.
Soon, the Ultra-Almighty Push ran its course, while more than half of the ocular power injected into Uchiha Ensei's Shadow Clone Technique had also been consumed.
The giant resembling Susanoo gradually collapsed and vanished after expending an enormous amount of chakra.
In addition, a considerable amount of chakra within the three artificial humans had been depleted.
The only one still in peak condition was naturally Kakashi Hatake, who had been idling around the entire time.
With a thought from Uchiha Ensei, the three artificial humans beside him charged forward together, unleashing various methods as they began besieging the weakened Deva Path.
At that very moment, Konan, who had just hidden herself away, joined the battlefield and began fighting the three artificial humans.
It was unclear whether Konan's Paper Release counted as a Kekkei Genkai, but while it lacked particularly powerful offensive ninjutsu, its practicality was truly remarkable.
Those continuously detonating explosive tags really resembled Tobirama Senju's Mutually Multiplying Explosive Tags Technique.
After fighting for a while, the Deva Path finally recovered and rejoined the battle.
Banshō Ten'in and Shinra Tensei were used in alternating succession, thoroughly disrupting the combat rhythm of the three artificial humans.
For a time, the three artificial humans Uchiha Ensei had poured his heart into were being beaten down miserably.
Seeing this, Uchiha Ensei could only take out more stored blood and use the Summoning Technique once again.
However, the number of Exploding Flies this time was far fewer than before.
"Enough. If you don't stop now, I'll release these things into Amegakure..."
Under the threat of the Exploding Flies, Nagato and Konan finally stopped.
At that moment, neither of them showed any signs of fatigue. In contrast, Uchiha Ensei's three artificial humans were already riddled with damage.
"Come over and talk!"
The Deva Path did not move, but after hesitating, Konan took the initiative to step forward.
Deva Path Pain blocked Konan with his body. No one knew what the two said, but in the end, Konan still walked over on her own.
"How did you learn our identities? Did Teacher Jiraiya tell you?"
Konan was the first to ask. Her tone seemed to contain many complicated emotions.
"Jiraiya? Unfortunately, he doesn't even know you're still alive. As for me... it's simple. I possess eyes that can see the past and the future."
"First, I'll give you some intelligence for free. Believe it or not! Hand Shisui over later, and there won't be any trouble."
"Nagato's eyes belong to Madara Uchiha. After his battle with Hashirama Senju, he awakened another level beyond the Sharingan: the Rinnegan."
"By the way, the Sage of Six Paths originally possessed the Sharingan too."
Upon hearing this, Nagato immediately interrupted Uchiha Ensei.
"No, that's impossible. I've had these eyes since I was born!"
Uchiha Ensei rolled his eyes at him and sneered:
"I already said it: believe it or not! Who do you think I am? Am I supposed to explain everything to you?"
"Shut up and listen. I'll continue."
"The one who killed the original Akatsuki was Obito Uchiha. It was during the time you fell into Hanzo's trap and your legs were crippled..."
"Oh, right. Hanzo attacked you because of Obito Uchiha too. Danzo was involved in this as well..."
"In short, Yahiko was killed by Obito Uchiha and Danzo."
"As for Danzo, I heard a while ago that he died. Whether that's true or not, who knows?"
Hearing this, although she should have remained skeptical, Konan had already chosen to trust him in her heart. She could not help asking, "Why would he do this?"
Hearing that, Uchiha Ensei smiled mockingly and continued:
"Why? Naturally, it was for Madara Uchiha's eyes."
"He needed Nagato to grow strong enough to use Rinne Rebirth and revive Madara Uchiha."
"And you were merely pawns for Madara Uchiha's revival."
"If I were you, I'd destroy those eyes right now and make certain people waste all their scheming for nothing."
"But I suppose you can't do that. Madara Uchiha left a contingency within the Rinnegan, so you probably..."
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