The Future Obito Chose: Seizing the Rinnegan

How could Konan not know Nagato Uzumaki was forcing himself to keep going? That was why she had broken away from the battle and rushed to his side.

"Nagato, listen to me. We can't die here. If we're going to fulfill the wish Yahiko left behind, we have to stay alive!"

Nagato's face tightened. He knew Konan was right, but if they fled in disgrace now, would they ever get another chance? Nearly all of Akatsuki had mobilized to seize the other half of the Tailed Beasts from the Uchiha Clan.

Nagato believed that if he gathered every Tailed Beast and controlled the greatest power in the Ninja World, he could finally bring it true peace. Under the plan he envisioned, anyone who tried to start a war would face the Nine Tailed Beasts. They would end the fighting before it began and make war a thing of the past.

For that dream, Nagato felt he could not retreat. He had to defeat Uchiha Jobu. Otherwise, even if he survived, he would never create true peace.

"Konan, leave. I'll stay and try once more."

Nagato stepped forward as he spoke, like a general marching to war. He had already prepared himself to die on the battlefield, and the resolve was plain on his face.

Konan held back her tears. Before she could speak, another wave of purple energy blasted down from the sky.

"Don't underestimate me!"

"I am a god!"

"I am the second Sage of Six Paths!"

Nagato roared, unleashing a terrifying surge of power. Chakra poured from him and became a storm that swept across heaven and earth. Facing the descending wave of purple energy, he raised both arms and formed a single hand seal. A monstrous head emerged from a summoning circle.

"**Summoning Technique! Demonic Statue of