Chapter 81: Leveled to the Ground
The five Pains gathered, and Konan, who had received the order to retreat, also arrived nearby.
“Why suddenly withdraw from Konoha? This is a critical phase of the attack.”
Konan had a vague sense of foreboding.
“I’m going to use that.”
The Animal Path spoke, though it was actually Nagato talking.
“Huh?”
Konan paused, then realized what he meant and urgently said, “No, even though your body has recovered somewhat, using that technique will shorten your lifespan.”
“It doesn’t matter. The Nine-Tails is in Konoha right now—this is our chance to capture it. And time is running out; Bai Ye won’t hold on much longer.”
After the Human Path spoke, all five Pains lunged forward simultaneously. Nagato needed to focus on controlling just the Deva Path.
“The power of all six is being…”
Konan’s expression darkened further.
…
Inside Konoha.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The deafening explosions continued. The tailed beast form of Naruto was frantically attacking Su Xiao, ignoring even the Deva Path, who had just used Almighty Push on him. He seemed dead set on killing Su Xiao.
A pale blue blade aura swept across the battlefield, slicing the roof off a house.
Su Xiao’s bare upper body bore several claw marks; the Akatsuki uniform had long been torn apart.
Fighting the six-tailed Naruto for a short time was manageable, but as time dragged on, he couldn’t hold out.
His mana was down to 735 points. He had to conserve it, dodging attacks whenever possible and only using his energy shield in critical moments.
Su Xiao’s battle was intense—blade auras and miniature tailed beast bombs filled the air—while the Deva Path had entered a show-off mode…
The Deva Path was confronting Tsunade, with several Anbu standing behind her. A female Anbu whispered something into Tsunade’s ear.
“They’re retreating?”
Tsunade was surprised and somewhat unwilling.
“Lady Tsunade, let them retreat for now. Use this time to reinforce the village’s defenses.”
Tsunade said nothing, effectively agreeing, though it felt humiliating.
“One last question.”
The Deva Path spoke, glancing at Su Xiao’s fight. Seeing that Su Xiao wasn’t about to lose, he continued, “The chakra under your feet—is it to counter my ability?”
At that moment, Tsunade and the others had chakra coating their feet.
Tsunade didn’t answer but looked at Su Xiao and the tailed beast form of Naruto locked in combat.
“It seems you’ve figured out my ability. But against overwhelming power, it’s meaningless. The great nations have proven this. You see yourselves as the protagonists and rulers of this world, able to control its changes at will, believing that as protagonists, death is far from you.”
The Deva Path’s Rinnegan gradually widened. He wasn’t just rambling—he was preparing a technique, though Tsunade and the others hadn’t noticed.
“But you’re too shallow, too foolish, indulging in peace. Kill and be killed—hatred binds these two together tightly.”
Tsunade seemed unable to bear it and retorted, “Enough of your pointless chatter…”
The Deva Path ignored her and continued, “Every war brings death on both sides, leaving wounds and pain. No matter how just its cause, war is ugly—just like what I’m doing now.”
“Enough.” Tsunade cut him off.
“We great nations bear pain too. Don’t make excuses to bully us.”
Tsunade clenched her fists, ready to strike.
The Deva Path’s Rinnegan fixed on her, and her steps faltered.
“Ridiculous.”
He wasn’t calling Tsunade’s words ridiculous, but that the enemy hadn’t noticed he was preparing his dojutsu.
“Bai Ye, time to exit.”
The Deva Path shouted, his body beginning to float upward.
“Wait, Pain!”
Tsunade sensed something wrong, but the Deva Path ignored her.
Boom!
The tailed beast form of Naruto slammed a claw into the ground, tilted his head back, and fired a miniature tailed beast bomb at Su Xiao.
Su Xiao extended his palm, conjuring an energy shield with 300 points of durability in front of him.
Bang! The miniature tailed beast bomb struck the shield. The shield shimmered with blue light, not even a crack appearing.
Su Xiao wiped the blood from his chin. The six-tailed Naruto was too strong; lasting this long was partly luck.
The six-tailed Naruto might not even recognize his own father, but he was fixated on killing Su Xiao. Many people were near the battlefield, yet Naruto targeted only Su Xiao, relentless.
Su Xiao shifted the energy shield to his side and thrust his longsword at Naruto’s incoming claw.
Though the tailed beast form’s body was tough, as long as he didn’t hit the exoskeleton, Dragon-Slaying Flash could pierce it.
The blade pierced Naruto’s claw, and Azure Steel Shadow energy surged into his body.
“Roar!!”
The tailed beast form of Naruto howled in pain, his internal energy on the verge of berserking.
Whoosh! Another chakra tail emerged from Naruto’s back. Su Xiao was annoyed—every time Azure Steel Shadow energy invaded Naruto’s body, the Nine-Tails took advantage.
The seven-tailed Naruto was even more dangerous. Su Xiao had stalled long enough. He gripped the sword hilt with both hands, his arm muscles slightly bulging, and a layer of blood-red energy appeared on his skin. He activated the ability of his [Bull Head Lord Arm Guard].
Equipment Effect: Bull Head Lord’s Wrath (Active): For 10 seconds after activation, Strength +15 points.
Note: Bull Head Lord’s Wrath (Active) has a cooldown of 10 natural days.
Note: Activating Bull Head Lord’s Wrath (Active) consumes 30% of health.
…
Su Xiao’s usual Strength attribute was 53 points. With the 15-point boost, it reached 68 points directly.
A surge of power erupted within him. Gripping the sword with both hands, he stomped the ground and flung the claw-pierced Naruto away.
Whoosh! The tailed beast form of Naruto was hurled dozens of meters into the air. But Su Xiao wasn’t done—he slashed at Naruto repeatedly, sending blade auras flying, cutting the airborne Naruto, who roared in fury.
Seizing the opportunity, Su Xiao leaped onto the back of a strange bird—one of the Animal Path’s summoned creatures.
The bird spread its wings and soared high into the sky, just as the Deva Path floated above Konoha.
Tsunade stared at the Deva Path in the sky. Su Xiao’s retreat made her uneasy, and the seven-tailed Naruto was a huge problem.
“Let the world know pain.”
The Deva Path took a deep breath.
“Shinra Tensei!”
A terrifying repulsive force spread downward from the Deva Path. Su Xiao, higher up, was unaffected.
Su Xiao lit a cigarette. All his preparations earlier were for this moment.
From his high vantage point, he clearly saw a yellow dot appear in the center of Konoha. It wasn’t a dot—it was the ground exposed as buildings were pushed away by the repulsive force.
The yellow area rapidly expanded. Countless shattered buildings surged toward the edges of Konoha, carrying villagers and ninjas within them.
“Why so early? This isn’t scientific at all!”
A little girl’s voice seemed to come from somewhere, its owner buried under rubble, only a pale arm visible.
Five seconds later, Konoha village vanished. The once building-filled village was leveled to the ground.
This wasn’t a metaphor—it was Konoha’s reality.
[Prompt: Konoha village’s destruction exceeds 70%. Main Quest: Withered Tree completed.]
[Obtained Soul Crystal (Medium) x10.]
[Obtained 12 attribute points.]