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In the Land of Rain, Sasuke Uchiha, Suigetsu Hōzuki, and Jūgo, drenched by the persistent drizzle, made their way towards the Akatsuki’s base.
“Sasuke, are we really going to kill Nagato Uzumaki? According to that masked man, he’s the Akatsuki leader. Are we really a match for him?” Suigetsu Hōzuki asked, his eyes filled with doubt.
“Are you scared?” Sasuke asked Suigetsu calmly.
Suigetsu didn’t answer. Scared? YES, deep down, Suigetsu was a little scared.
Who knew what kind of power the Akatsuki leader possessed? They had to be cautious.
Eight of the Shinobi world’s Tailed Beasts had been captured by the Akatsuki, and Konoha had been destroyed by them not long ago.
“Sasuke, I don’t think we can trust that masked man. We don’t even know who he is…” Suigetsu said to Sasuke.
“Bottom line is, you’re scared. Afraid of dying—” Jūgo scoffed, looking at Suigetsu.
“…” Suigetsu was speechless.
Aren’t you afraid of dying too? But then he remembered—Jūgo truly wasn’t afraid of death, So he kept his mouth shut.
“If you two are scared, stay here,” Sasuke said coolly, then continued towards the Akatsuki base.
Jūgo glanced at Suigetsu, then grabbed his arm and followed Sasuke.
“Hey! If you want to go, go! Why are you dragging me along?” Suigetsu asked Jūgo angrily.
Suigetsu hadn’t wanted to go. Though loyal, he didn’t want to throw his life away. But now, Jūgo was forcing him.
———
Thanks to the intel provided by Obito, finding the Akatsuki’s base was easy. They arrived directly at Nagato’s secret hiding place.
Nagato’s expression was dazed; he was still lost in self-reproach over Yahiko’s body being destroyed. He hadn’t been able to protect Yahiko in life, and now he couldn’t even protect his remains.
Clack!
A soft footstep brought Nagato back to reality. He looked to his left and saw Sasuke Uchiha enter, followed by Jūgo and Suigetsu.
Suigetsu, initially fearful, relaxed upon seeing Nagato—emaciated, looking like he was on death’s door.
“Whew, so it’s just a cripple. And I was scared for so long. Looks like destroying Konoha took a heavy toll on the Akatsuki.” Suigetsu was no longer afraid.
Nagato’s gaze sharpened, fixing coldly on Suigetsu.
Stared at by Nagato’s icy gaze, Suigetsu felt a shiver of fear.
And why are his eyes different? Does he have some kind of dōjutsu? Suigetsu immediately thought of Sasuke’s Sharingan.
———
“Who sent you? Shin Uzumaki or Obito Uchiha?” Nagato asked, looking at the hostile Sasuke and his companions. Only Shin Uzumaki or Obito Uchiha could have found this hidden location. As for Zetsu, Nagato didn’t even consider him.
“Obito Uchiha?” Sasuke finally learned the masked man’s name. But it didn’t matter. If not for Obito’s bizarre techniques, Sasuke would have killed him already.
He couldn’t kill him now, but once he had the chance, Sasuke would definitely eliminate him. No one could use him, Obito Uchiha included.
Anyone who tried to use him would die.
Thinking this, a murderous glint flashed in Sasuke Uchiha’s eyes, aimed at both Obito Uchiha and Nagato Uzumaki.
“I ask you, did you kill Itachi Uchiha?” Sasuke questioned Nagato.
“That traitor? Yes, I killed him.” Nagato wouldn’t deny it. His pride wouldn’t allow it.
“Then you can die—” Sasuke’s Kusanagi Blade unsheathed instantly, thrusting towards Nagato, aiming to assassinate him!
“<Shinra Tensei!>”
Just as Sasuke approached, Nagato’s Rinnegan unleashed a powerful repulsive force, blasting Sasuke away.
BAAAAAAAAAAAAAM!
Sasuke Uchiha slammed into the wall, his body deeply embedded, spitting up blood, nearly losing consciousness.
It wasn’t that Sasuke was weak; he wasn’t.
But he had been too arrogant. Trying to kill Nagato with a sword?? Unless he possessed swordsmanship like Shin’s, it was impossible.
“SASUKE!!!” Jūgo, seeing Sasuke severely injured, immediately went berserk and charged towards Nagato—
“Damn it! Jūgo’s lost it!” Suigetsu’s expression changed. Jūgo’s constitution was unique; he was born with the ability to absorb natural energy—Sage Transformation.
He was the source of Orochimaru’s Cursed Seals. He had a dual personality, usually docile, but prone to murderous rage when agitated.
Now, Jūgo was enraged, his eyes filled with insane killing intent, as if wanting to tear everything apart.
Watching the charging Jūgo, Nagato didn’t use Shinra Tensei to send him flying; he had just used it and couldn’t use it again so soon.
“<Universal Pull!>”
His right hand became like a black hole, pulling Jūgo towards him. Then, he thrust a black receiver rod at Jūgo.
“<Blast Fist!>”
The enraged Jūgo slammed his arm towards Nagato, making no attempt to dodge the incoming black rod. He was determined to take Nagato down with him.
Nagato’s expression changed slightly, but he didn’t dodge either. Both were ruthless.
The black rod pierced Jūgo’s body, and Nagato was sent flying by Jūgo’s blow.
Nagato spat up blood, surprised to be injured by this opponent.
Jūgo, however, had been impaled through the heart. A suicidal attack. Who would have thought this guy would be reckless?
Though his heart was pierced, Jūgo’s tenacious life force kept him alive, likely due to his unique constitution.
“Jūgo, you idiot…” Suigetsu stared at Jūgo in a daze, shocked by his recklessness. Though Jūgo wasn’t dead yet, Suigetsu knew he wouldn’t last long.
Without a miracle, he was doomed. They had been together for a long time; seeing Jūgo about to die, Suigetsu felt a pang of sorrow.
Sasuke Uchiha, however, seemed completely unfazed by Jūgo’s condition. Though Jūgo considered Sasuke important, Sasuke didn’t hold Jūgo in high regard.
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