The water blade shattered in an instant, dissolving into a sky full of mist without so much as scratching Nagato. Yet Toru Kujyo's repulsive force followed close behind. The instant Nagato blasted the water blade apart, a powerful thrust erupted from Toru Kujyo's palm and hurled him backward!
Nagato slid back some distance, but quickly steadied himself, a flicker of understanding crossing his eyes.
As I thought... you have an ability similar to the Preta Path, too. But rather than simply absorbing attacks, you break them down with repulsive force, Nagato analyzed. He had already uncovered some of Toru Kujyo's abilities. His opponent's repulsive force resembled his own, but seemed purer, lacking the Rinnegan's inherent functions. It felt more like a form of attraction and repulsion manipulation innate to the Tenseigan.
Toru Kujyo lowered his hand as well. He watched Nagato, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly.
"You're not bad either, mortal. To adapt to a new power so quickly and identify the nature of my abilities so precisely," Toru Kujyo said calmly. "It seems we really do need a proper contest."
Both men stopped in midair, their gazes meeting as tension crackled between them. Their initial probing had revealed the scale of each other's power, confirming that they stood on the same level. Next came finding a weakness in the other's abilities and delivering a fatal blow.
"Boss Nagato, this guy's a real pain! Tobi says we should charge straight in and beat him up with taijutsu! Tobi's body is really tough, so getting hit doesn't scare him!" Tobi's voice rang out from Nagato's chest again, tinged with excitement and eagerness.
A sharp glint flashed in Nagato's eyes. Crude as Tobi's suggestion was, close combat could often create an unexpected opening in a battle at this level. Without