Orochimaru used Soul Medical Ninjutsu on Nagato. Those legs, which even Impure World Reincarnation had failed to restore to working order, finally returned to normal under Orochimaru's masterful care!
Nagato stepped forward. The lightness of moving without the slightest resistance made him unconsciously quicken his pace, from a slow walk to a jog, then a full sprint...!
Orochimaru and the others could all understand how Nagato felt at that moment.
They arrived at the coast of Blue Moon Island.
Nagato stood on a reef, watching the tides rise across the Vast Sea.
"After Hanzō injured my legs, I developed the Six Paths of Pain to compensate for my lack of mobility. But Pain had his limits. He made me who I was, yet also held me back..."
Nagato looked at his crack-covered palms and said wistfully, "This body is immortal, and its chakra is inexhaustible. Sealing is probably the only way to stop me. And now, my weakness in mobility is gone too. I never imagined I would only reach my true prime after death..."
Beside Orochimaru, Kabuto Yakushi couldn't help asking curiously, "How strong is Nagato now?"
Orochimaru said, "All I can say is that Sasuke-kun, as he is now, is no match for Nagato. If they were still enemies, Nagato would be strong enough to serve as the gatekeeper for the Ten Battles!"
Kabuto Yakushi adjusted his glasses, lowering his gaze in thought. "In other words, Sasuke-kun's opponent in the tenth battle must at least be on the same level as Nagato is now? Honestly, I can't imagine anyone qualified besides Madara and Hashirama. But those two won't be returning to this world, will they?"
In the Akatsuki Hideout, before the chest of the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, white Vine Tubes ran from the Hashirama