Konoha: The Man Who Became the Fourth Hokage

A massive blue storm erupted around Nao, tearing apart everything in its path.

The laser fired from the Asura Path's mechanical arms was instantly swallowed by the raging vortex.

Nagato's expression darkened.

He had already overestimated her strength—

Yet even now, he couldn't suppress the shock in his heart.

He had sparred with Uchiha Hikari countless times over the sea. Even that woman, whom his teacher had high expectations for, had never posed a real threat to him.

But now—

Hyuga Nao's danger level in his mind had risen to the same level as Uzumaki Kyusei.

Watching her effortlessly neutralize the Asura Path's attack, Nagato felt the situation grow troublesome.

His strength lay in balance.

Every ability—

Well-rounded.

But that also meant—

None of them were overwhelmingly dominant.

Against ordinary opponents, this wasn't a flaw.

But now—

Facing someone on his level—

It became one.

If he pushed himself recklessly, he might be able to defeat her—

But then—

Kyusei would still be waiting.

And Nagato did not believe Hikari could defeat Kyusei.

If he didn't eliminate one major threat now—

Then he would have to face both of them together.

…That was unacceptable.

Nagato made his decision.

A technique once used by the Sage of Six Paths himself—

The strongest sealing jutsu in history.

A small black sphere formed between his hands, rising slowly into the sky.

"Hah!"

His chakra surged violently.

A power unseen for a thousand years—

Returned.

"Chibaku Tensei!"

The earth trembled.

The land groaned.

An overwhelming gravitational force erupted from the black sphere.

Everything—

Sand, stone, even living beings—

Was pulled upward.

Nao struggled.

She resisted with everything she had—

But she couldn't break free.

Sand surged into the sky, exposing the barren ground beneath.

She tried countering it with her own control over attraction and repulsion—

But it was useless.

In that instant—

She transformed the six Truth-Seeking Orbs behind her into a black spherical barrier, encasing her body.

Then—

She was dragged into the sky.

Time passed.

The sealing completed.

The land below was devastated—

Even underground veins exposed.

A massive stone sphere floated silently above.

Nagato stared at it.

Even he—

Was shaken by its power.

This was his first time using it.

Even Kyusei—

Would not escape this divine seal.

His chakra was heavily drained.

He needed to recover—

Then return to support Hikari.

He would not let her die.

But just as he prepared to rest—

A primal sense of danger exploded within him.

Clang!

A sharp metallic sound rang out.

Then—

A voice.

"Golden Wheel Reincarnation Explosion!"

A golden blade burst from the massive sphere—

Piercing straight toward him!

Death—

Closed in instantly.

"Shinra Tensei!"

Nagato reacted on instinct, unleashing maximum repulsion.

The clash—

Was immediate.

Invisible force—

Against a golden blade.

Space itself seemed to distort between them.

"Break!"

Nagato roared, pushing his Rinnegan to its limit.

BOOM!

The golden blade was forced upward—

Redirected into the sky.

The earth below split apart—

A massive canyon carved through it.

Even the moon seemed dim beside that radiant light.

But—

The sphere was cut open.

A green figure shot out—

Landing on the ground.

Nao.

She collapsed to one knee, clutching her shoulder.

Blood ran down her face.

One arm—

Hung uselessly.

Broken.

Her chakra cloak had already faded.

To break Chibaku Tensei—

She had to drop her defenses.

And in that instant—

The gravitational pressure crushed her body.

One arm.

One leg.

Several ribs.

All broken.

Her chakra—

Nearly depleted.

Even if she drew more from the Tenseigan—

Her body couldn't handle it.

"…I didn't expect such power."

Nagato stepped forward, killing intent cold in his eyes.

She must die.

If she escaped—

No one in Akatsuki could stop her.

Not even Hikari and Yūgen together.

That golden blade—

Even Susanoo couldn't withstand it.

If he hadn't deflected it—

He would've died.

Nagato raised his hand.

"Banshō Ten'in."

Nao was pulled forward.

At the same time—

The sand beneath his feet formed a sharp blade.

The battle—

Was about to end.

Nagato kept his distance.

He wouldn't risk close combat.

"Banshō Ten'in."

Nao's eyes flickered with disappointment.

She had hoped—

To bait him closer.

Shinra Tensei—

Had a cooldown.

And after that last clash—

He should've been vulnerable.

She wanted not just to stall him—

But kill him.

This was her first mission with Kyusei.

She wanted to prove herself.

But—

Nagato gave her no opening.

As she was pulled in—

She poured her last chakra into a Flying Thunder God kunai.

In the next instant—

She vanished.

Nagato's face darkened.

…Flying Thunder God.

Again.

That technique.

Ruined their plans once before.

And now—

Let another enemy escape.

"Damn you, Tobirama…"

—

"Ah-choo!"

Tobirama rubbed his nose.

…Can Edo Tensei bodies catch colds?

"…Done."

Kaoru smiled, placing the final paper kunai.

"The Spiral Flash Super Round Dance Howl Style Three—Flying Thunder God Formation is complete."

"..."

Tobirama stared at her.

"…Has anyone told you you're a bit airheaded?"

"Huh? Really?"

She scratched her head.

"…Never mind."

Tobirama sighed, turning to the massive formation.

A large-scale teleportation array—

Combining Uzumaki sealing techniques with Flying Thunder God.

But—

"It requires a massive one-time chakra input."

He immediately saw the flaw.

It couldn't be activated gradually.

Only—

All at once.

And only two input points existed.

Meaning—

Two people had to supply enormous chakra simultaneously.

But neither Kaoru—

Nor Orochimaru—

Had enough.

…So there's another?

Before he could think further—

Kaoru suddenly looked up.

Then formed seals.

Reverse Flying Thunder God.

A flash of light—

And Nao appeared—

Collapsing instantly.

Kaoru caught her.

Gently laying her down—

Resting her head on her lap.

"…Sorry… I couldn't defeat him…"

Nao whispered weakly.

"It's okay. You did amazing."

Kaoru's voice was soft, full of concern.

Originally—

Menma, Orochimaru, and Nao were meant to hold Nagato together.

But things changed.

Nao fought alone—

And still stalled him this long.

That alone—

Was incredible.

She had only had the Tenseigan for less than a month.

Tobirama stepped forward.

"…Let me see."

Green chakra lit his hand.

After a quick scan—

"One arm, one leg broken."

"Ribs fractured."

"Meridians damaged."

He frowned.

"…How long to heal?"

Kaoru asked.

"Not severe… but no proper conditions."

Bones needed setting.

Immobilization.

Time.

They had none.

"She must return to Konoha."

Before he finished—

Hashirama spoke.

"Wait for Kyusei."

Standing at the entrance—

He looked into the distance.

He sensed it.

A familiar chakra.

Uchiha Madara.

But—

Madara should be dead.

So why—

"…Call everyone back."

Hiruzen stood atop the broken palace.

"The battles are ending."

Konoha had mobilized almost everything.

Now—

It was time to regroup.

"Understood."

Kaoru nodded.

Using Flying Thunder God—

She contacted everyone.

Then—

Summoned them.

Two flashes of light—

Kyusei and Sasuke appeared.

Each carrying someone.

Sasuke held an unconscious pink-haired girl.

Kyusei carried a barely alive Menma.

"…No matter how many times I see it…"

Sasuke muttered.

"Flying Thunder God is absurdly convenient."

Tobirama's eyes locked onto him.

An Uchiha.

His tone turned cold.

"Uchiha brat."

"This old man will make one thing clear."

"Flying Thunder God…"

"…is mine."

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