Yahiko hurled himself, precisely and resolutely, onto the kunai Nagato had raised!
The sharp tip pierced his chest and emerged from his back!
"Yahiko!!!!"
Nagato let out a heart-rending roar that barely sounded human!
He stared blankly at the bloodstained kunai in his hand, at the smiling expression of relief slowly freezing on Yahiko's face, at his body crumpling to the ground...
The world seemed to lose all color and sound in that instant.
Time stopped.
Then-
"Kill them! Leave no one alive!"
Hanzō's cold, merciless command rang out like a death knell!
He had never intended to keep his promise!
The instant Yahiko fell, he shoved Konan forward and rapidly retreated!
The surrounding Rain Ninja surged forward like a tide once more. Kunai and the flashes of ninjutsu instantly engulfed the remaining members of Akatsuki!
"You bastard!!!!"
Nagato's roar rang out again!
This time, there was no pain in his voice, no struggle-only boundless rage and madness, enough to burn everything to ashes!
Vmmm!
An indescribably terrifying repulsive force erupted with Nagato at its center!
Every kunai and ninjutsu attack aimed at him, and even the Rain Ninja approaching him, slammed into what felt like an invisible wall and were instantly hurled away!
"Konan!" Nagato became a streak of red light, charging recklessly toward Konan, who was surrounded by Rain Ninja!
Just as he caught her in his arms.
Boom! Boom, boom, boom!!
Explosive tags beneath their feet and across the surrounding ground lit up with blinding light all at once!
Hanzō had already ordered a second wave of traps planted here!
The violent explosions swallowed them both completely! Flames and smoke shot into the sky!
When the smoke cleared a little, Nagato could be seen shielding Konan beneath him with all his strength. Both his legs below the