Why fight alone when you can gang up? Nagato was already too far gone

Rumble...

With a deafening crash, a terrifying shock wave erupted from Deva Path Pain, rampaging in every direction.

The ground collapsed, and huge boulders went flying!

But before Deva Path Pain's devastating attack could spread any farther, an enormous figure forcibly stopped it.

It was Shisui Uchiha's Wood Release: Wood Golem Technique!

"Well, well, little brother. You're not much of a leader, are you? Attacking your own members like that."

Ignoring the wood golem that Deva Path Pain had blasted mostly apart, Shisui Uchiha pointed at Konan behind him.

At the same time, he drew the Kusanagi Sword and plunged it into the ground, resting both hands on its hilt as he declared brazenly.

"I told you, she's the partner I've picked. Nobody touches her!"

"..."

Seeing Shisui Uchiha protect Konan so fiercely, Nagato, who was controlling Deva Path Pain, frowned slightly, feeling a flicker of displeasure.

But his heart, twisted beyond recognition by Yahiko's death and now intent only on making the world know pain, quickly erased that emotion.

A moment later, Deva Path Pain spoke again.

"Fine. I can give you a chance to become her partner. In exchange, you must withstand attacks from all four of us at once!"

As his words fell, Deva Path Pain, Asura Path Pain, Animal Path Pain, and Preta Path Pain stepped forward together.

As for Human Path Pain and Naraka Path Pain, they were not combat-oriented, so Nagato did not have either of them join the fight.

Besides, holding them back would keep his opponent wary!

Hearing Deva Path Pain's words, the corners of Shisui Uchiha's mouth curled upward beneath his mask.

"You think just four of you can take me down? Why not send all six? If you want a group fight, I'm game. Just don't go back on your word once we're done."

Whoosh!

Without giving his opponent a chance to hesitate, Shisui Uchiha used an ordinary Body Flicker Technique to leave the cave and reach the plain outside.

"Let's fight outside! I wouldn't want my partner getting hurt. Hahaha!"

"This guy..."

Watching the brazen Shisui Uchiha, Deva Path Pain exchanged a glance with Konan.

A moment later, Deva Path Pain rushed outside with the other three.

Naraka Path Pain stood outside the cave as a precaution, while Human Path Pain remained inside to relay Nagato's words.

"What do you think of him?"

"He's very strong, but there's no way he can beat you."

"...Hmm. You'll be responsible for keeping an eye on him from now on. While you're at it, assess whether he can understand our purpose."

"It would be ideal if he could, but there's no need to force it if he can't. As long as he's willing to work for the organization."

A trace of surprise appeared in Konan's eyes at Human Path Pain's words. She had not expected him to agree to let the man join so quickly.

But a moment later, Human Path Pain's tone suddenly turned cold.

"If you notice anything suspicious about him, though, kill him at any cost!"

"Understood."

Konan nodded slightly, then scattered into sheets of white paper and moved to Naraka Path Pain's side.

She wanted to see just how well this arrogant, rude fellow could hold his own against Nagato.

But before long, the battle unfolding before her left Konan stunned.

"Wood Release: Wood Golem Technique!"

"Wood Release: Wood Dragon Technique!"

Rumble...

As Shisui Uchiha pressed his palms together, vast amounts of chakra surged wildly out of his body. One enormous wood golem after another slowly rose, each with a ferocious-looking Wood Dragon coiled around it.

The instant the four wood golems and four Wood Dragons appeared, they attacked without the slightest hesitation!

Aside from the wood golem and Wood Dragon beneath Shisui Uchiha, the other three pairs immediately targeted Asura Path Pain, Animal Path Pain, and Preta Path Pain.

The wood golems charged in with swinging fists, while the Wood Dragons opened their jaws wide and lunged to kill.

Their assault was overwhelming!

"Ganging up on people? That's my favorite."

Sitting atop his wood golem's head, Shisui Uchiha looked down at Deva Path Pain before him and laughed mockingly.

"What's wrong, little brother? Don't be scared. Your big brother will go very, very easy on you. I definitely won't really hurt you."

"..."

Ignoring Shisui Uchiha's swaggering words, Deva Path Pain frowned slightly at the scene before him.

This fellow could summon this many wood golems and Wood Dragons at once?

It seemed he possessed a very pure Senju Clan bloodline.

That made him even more curious about the man's true reason for coming to the Akatsuki!

A moment later, Deva Path Pain rose into the air, his powerful declaration ringing across the entire plain.

"Scared? I am Pain. A god destined to bring pain to this world, a god who will make people understand the importance of peace through suffering."

"How could I possibly be afraid!"

"How many floors can you carry a bag of rice up? A bag of rice..."

Bam!

Before Deva Path Pain could finish, Shisui Uchiha sent his wood golem forward and punched him.

The terrifying fist struck with tremendous force, smashing the newly airborne Pain into the ground amid a spray of dirt and stone.

And that was not the end!

One punch, two punches, three punches...

Within moments, the wood golem had hammered Deva Path Pain into a bottomless crater, his fate unknown.

"Say, little brother, is there something wrong with your head?"

"Making the world know pain so it understands the importance of peace-do whatever you want with that. But if you're going to make a speech, at least pick the right time!"

A moment later, the Wood Dragon beside Shisui Uchiha flew straight behind Asura Path Pain.

Seizing an opening in his fight, it whipped its tail viciously at his head!

Preta Path Pain could absorb chakra, while Animal Path Pain had numerous summoned beasts for protection.

Without going all out with his Body Flicker Technique and Susanoo, Shisui Uchiha certainly could not defeat them quickly.

So he chose Asura Path Pain, whose attacks were powerful but who was comparatively easier to handle.

Better to pick the easiest target first!

"Running your mouth in the middle of a fight? Do you really think everyone's going to wait until you finish talking before they attack?"

"..."

Watching Shisui Uchiha's ruthless, decisive fighting style, Konan could not help frowning slightly.

She had never imagined this outcome.

The four Pain puppets Nagato controlled had actually fallen behind, despite fighting four against one.

Inside the cave, however, Human Path Pain nodded at this, his voice full of approval.

"Although Forsaken really is a little arrogant, and a bit dim at times, his combat instincts and strength are beyond reproach."

"You'll be responsible for guiding him from now on. Do your best to make him understand how foolish the people of this world are. Only after they have fully experienced pain will they understand the importance of peace."

After leaving those words, Human Path Pain retreated, disappearing into the shadows.

Seeing this, Konan knew that her next task was to be ready to step in and save that fellow at any moment.

Because Nagato was about to get serious!