Konan: "Nagato, why did you leave a Projection Clone here?"
Nagato: "It's a long story. Naruto, is the Preta Path ready for use?"
Naruto: "It's ready~."
Nagato: "Absorb my Projection Clone, and you'll understand everything!"
"Alright."
Naruto raised his hand and activated the Preta Path, absorbing Nagato's Projection Clone.
Instantly, memories of Nagato's battle against Sasuke while under the influence of Impure World Reincarnation flooded into Naruto's mind.
Naruto: "I see now!"
Sizzle!
Nagato's Projection Clone appeared within Naruto's mental world.
Nagato: "Naruto, I've shared my sensory link with you. By tracing the connection between this Projection Clone and my original body, you can locate Kabuto's hideout. However, Kabuto commands a large number of Impure World Reincarnation soldiers. You and Konan must proceed with caution!"
Naruto: "Understood!"
With that, Naruto and Konan set off once again, heading toward Kabuto's true lair.
During the journey, through mental communication, Nagato resolved some lingering doubts.
Nagato: "So, that's why you transplanted my eyes and left Konoha to come to Amegakure?"
Naruto: "Yes. The masked man who guided your actions wasn't Uchiha Madara but a Uchiha named Obito. After your death, he came to Amegakure to retrieve Madara's Rinnegan, which led to Konan sacrificing her life to stop him."
Nagato: "But those tragedies have been undone thanks to your actions. Konan is alive, and even Jiraiya-sensei, whom I killed, has been brought back to life."
Naruto: "I'm truly sorry, Nagato. When I first appeared before you, my soul had just traveled through time. I hadn't fully grasped the situation, and it was difficult to explain everything to you."
Nagato: "It's only natural."
Naruto: "The path I've chosen diverges greatly from the promises you once believed in. Do you resent me for that?"
Nagato: "There's no such divergence. Despite experiencing such a cruel future, you've not given up hope. You've chosen to relive everything to change the course of fate, to rise where you once fell. Your unwavering determination and resolve—that is your ninja way, and it aligns with the promise you made to me, doesn't it?"
Naruto remained silent, moved by Nagato's words.
Nagato: "Since you've chosen to press forward, as your senior and someone who understands you deeply, how could I abandon my resolve? I will continue to support you!"
Naruto: "Thank you, senior!"
Nagato: "It's a pity that, being under the Impure World Reincarnation, I cannot act of my own will. There's a chance I might even have to fight against you."
Naruto: "Nagato, those under Impure World Reincarnation can break free of control if they know the hand seals to do so!"
Nagato: "I see. The chakra in this Projection Clone is similar to a shadow clone. Once it dissipates, the memories will return to my original body. However, my original body is currently in a dormant state and unable to form seals on its own. I'll need to wait until Kabuto reactivates me. If—just if—things go wrong, promise me you'll stop me. I trust you can do it now."
Naruto: "I promise!"
Tap! Naruto landed gracefully, leaping high into the air. Below him, a swamp teemed with countless small snakes, their forked tongues flicking as their slitted eyes followed his movements.
Naruto: "Snakes? Looks like Kabuto has placed numerous white snakes as sentries along the path to his lair. Not that I planned on sneaking in anyway."
Crackle!
Ahead, a flash of lightning revealed none other than the Impure World Reincarnation of the Third Raikage, charging forward with his signature Hell Stab.
As killing intent surged toward him, Naruto remained calm.
Naruto: "The Third Raikage, a man who possessed both the strongest spear and the strongest shield. Back then, I defeated him by using his own spear against his shield. But now, there's no need for such complications."
Crackle!
Purple lightning coiled around Naruto's left hand, spiraling into a four-foot-long blade. He met the Third Raikage's lightning spear head-on.
Naruto: "Lightning Release: Spiral Blade!"
Slash!
The arm wielding the Third Raikage's spear was shredded to pieces.
Clang!
As they passed each other, golden chakra chains shot out from Naruto's back, binding the Third Raikage tightly.
Kabuto: "Adamantine Sealing Chains?!" Kabuto, who was controlling the Third Raikage, was stunned.
Whoosh!
Bound by the chains, the Third Raikage regained his consciousness. Looking at his shattered arm, he sighed in admiration. "To think you could break my defense... Truly remarkable. Send me to the afterlife."
Naruto: "Gladly."
Although the Third Raikage was powerful, he wasn't strong enough to warrant Naruto using Kotoamatsukami. Moreover, the Raikage himself seemed unwilling to remain bound by Impure World Reincarnation. Thus, sending him to the afterlife was the only option.
Naruto combined the Adamantine Sealing Chains with the Human Path.
Naruto: "Human Path: Soul-Extracting Chains!"
Rip!
The chains pulled the Third Raikage's soul from his body.
As his soul departed, the Impure World Reincarnation technique unraveled, leaving only the sacrificial corpse to fall into the muddy swamp.
Nagato's Projection Clone praised him. "Beautifully done. You've grown so much stronger, Naruto."
Naruto: "Haven't I?"
Nagato smiled faintly. "Then I can rest easy. The rest is up to you."
Whoosh! Nagato's Projection Clone dissipated.
Naruto and Konan pressed forward at full speed. Kabuto's lair was now within reach!
Inside the lair, Kabuto chuckled sinisterly. "Heh heh heh... How interesting, how very interesting!"
Sasuke frowned. "Kabuto, what are you laughing at?"
Kabuto: "Naruto is here."
Sasuke: "What did you say? Where is he now?!"
Kabuto: "Right outside."
Sasuke: "That persistent bastard! Is he here for me again?"
Kabuto adjusted his glasses, the lens catching the light. "No... I suspect he's here for Nagato."
Sasuke clenched his fists in frustration.
Kabuto, however, remained composed. "Regardless of whom he's here for, you should step aside, Sasuke."
Sasuke: "You're telling me to avoid Naruto? Do you think I'll just get in the way?"
Kabuto: "Listen to me. The time will come when you'll have the strength to face him, but that time isn't now. For the sake of that future, you must exercise patience. Do you understand, Sasuke?"
After a moment of hesitation, Sasuke unclenched his fists and left to hide.
Though reluctant, Sasuke knew he wasn't yet a match for Naruto.
Once Sasuke was gone, Kabuto smirked slyly. "Now that he's out of sight, I can finally use this."
Forming a series of hand seals, Kabuto activated his signature technique.
Kabuto: "Summoning: Impure World Reincarnation!"
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
Six coffins rose from the ground. As their lids fell away, six legendary figures emerged: Deidara, Kakuzu, Sasori, Hanzō of the Salamander, Nagato, and Itachi Uchiha.
Kabuto's eyes gleamed with excitement. "If Naruto is indeed here for Nagato, then I'll control him personally. Can't afford any mistakes."
With that, Kabuto formed a two-finger hand seal.
Sizzle!
Nagato's consciousness was instantly overridden by Kabuto's control.
Adjusting his glasses once more, Kabuto's lips curled into a sinister grin. "Now, let the grand spectacle begin!"
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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