The sharp pain made Nagato's Rinnegan eyes widen.
Kazuyama Gekkō, who should have been in front of Chibaku Tensei, suddenly appeared right before him.
Only then did everyone remember what Kazuyama Gekkō's true specialties were—his Flying Thunder God Technique and his Transparent Escape Kekkei Genkai.
A sly trickster like him would never really put himself in danger.
"Damn it!"
Nagato felt a tearing pain spreading across his abdomen. The Rasengan's power was no joke—at close range, no one dared underestimate it.
"Nagato!"
"Bastard!"
Black Zetsu finally reacted. They had been completely led by Kazuyama Gekkō, and his fury boiled over. Countless branches surged toward him.
"Heh, I'm not done yet!"
"You like throwing balls, don't you?"
"Why don't you experience one yourself?"
The instant Kazuyama finished speaking, both Nagato and Black Zetsu felt a cold shiver down their spines.
The next moment, Kazuyama and Nagato vanished together, reappearing high above in the sky.
Where Kazuyama had been standing, countless crystals glimmered strangely under the sunlight.
Nagato immediately sensed Kazuyama's malicious intent—the Flying Thunder God had thrown him right behind the center of Chibaku Tensei!
"If Minato were here, he'd probably call this technique: Spiral Black Light Invincible Wheel Dance Roar Eight Forms!"
"Go have some intimate time with the ball you created yourself!"
Kazuyama shoved the Rasengan forward with force. The momentum blasted Nagato backward, driving him straight into the heart of Chibaku Tensei.
[Ding! Detected that the host skillfully used the Flying Thunder God Technique to toy with Nagato and dealt him significant damage. Special reward: Six Paths Resistance +5%.]
As expected—if you want Six Paths resistance, you have to mess with Nagato first!
After pulling this off, Kazuyama warped back to the ground with Flying Thunder God, rescuing Orochimaru on the way down.
As they landed, Orochimaru immediately heard his disciple's complaints.
"I told you to carry my kunai with the technique formula."
"And you didn't. How'd that work out? Got cornered, didn't you? You're the sensei, and yet I, the disciple, had to save you. Tch!"
"Keep it on you this time!"
Kazuyama shoved a marked kunai into Orochimaru's chest, his expression full of exasperation.
Seeing this, Orochimaru's earlier anger faded. He let out a chuckle, his eyes filled with satisfaction toward his disciple.
For some reason, ever since he had taken on Kazuyama Gekkō—the disciple who was always stabbing him in the back—his life had become far more entertaining.
Unbidden, his thoughts drifted to his first disciple… Nawaki…
A boy utterly different from Kazuyama—full of youthful vigor. Too bad…
"Enough. Let's prepare to retreat. That technique was created by him—he should still be able to dispel it."
"If we don't withdraw now, we'll be forced into a death match."
Kazuyama cast a cautious glance at the Chibaku Tensei above, which had already gathered a massive shell of rock. A flicker of unease crossed his eyes.
The Six Paths power hadn't been fully unleashed yet. If Nagato summoned the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path again, things would turn dire.
"That puppet brat…"
"Sasori of the Red Sand, huh…"
His gaze shifted to Sasori, who was shielded by Black Zetsu's vines. Kazuyama wanted to kill him then and there.
Someone that openly hostile to them—best to cut him down early.
"While things are still unsettled above, let's strike!"
Orochimaru nodded. His body softened into a serpent's form as he lunged at Sasori.
Kazuyama didn't hesitate, and master and disciple charged together.
"Damn it!"
"That snake's life force really is absurdly stubborn!"
Two high-pressure water jets burst forth again—this time thinner, sharper, and deadlier.
"Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!"
"I'll join in!"
The two dodged the water jets and thrust their right hands forward, unleashing countless serpents.
The sight struck deep fear in Sasori's heart. His phobia of snakes still ran strong.
"Damn it! Not this move again!"
That technique had left a shadow in his mind he would never forget.
Now, with most of his puppets swallowed up by Chibaku Tensei, Sasori was left with only the Third Kazekage—but even then, he couldn't properly use Iron Sand anymore.
His situation was becoming desperate.
Just as the swarming snakes were about to engulf him, Black Zetsu intervened once more.
"Brat, fall back!"
"Rise!"
At his raspy command, the earth swelled, countless vines lashing upward, piercing through the snakes of both Orochimaru and Kazuyama.
"Tch. I knew it wouldn't be that easy."
"But you still overlooked one thing!"
"Devour him!"
Kazuyama roared in contempt.
The ground trembled again—but this time, it split open directly beneath Sasori.
A massive purple serpent surged upward, its jaws snapping shut around Sasori, swallowing him whole.
Manda!
Ever since Chibaku Tensei appeared, Manda had been hiding underground, waiting for the right moment. Now, he struck—catching both Sasori and Black Zetsu off guard.
[Ding! Detected that the host commanded Manda to swallow Sasori of the Red Sand, greatly disgusting and disturbing him, nearly causing the puppeteer's mental collapse. Special reward: Hand Seal +5!]
Forget the reward—neutralizing Sasori was the key.
"Damn it! Has this snake been hiding the whole time?!"
Black Zetsu's fury spiked as he saw his chosen candidate swallowed.
He lashed out with countless vines, trying to grab Manda. But who was Manda? He couldn't win a fight—but running away, he was unmatched.
With a quick shedding, he slipped away.
"Done! Sensei, retreat!"
With Sasori captured, the results were more than enough. Kazuyama was ready to withdraw.
But then, in the very next instant, something changed.
"Damn you, Kazuyama Gekkō! I'll kill you!"
"Banshō Ten'in!"
The Chibaku Tensei in the sky finally stopped. Countless boulders rained down—only to halt mid-descent, seized by an invisible force, and hurled straight at Manda.
Manda, still fleeing, nearly lost his soul in terror. No matter how massive he was, the falling boulders were even bigger!
Just as he tried to dive back underground, agony tore through his abdomen.
A bloodstained blade pierced outward—from inside his belly.