Ch-188 Fighting in two fronts.
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Obito remained unharmed and immediately retreated. He knew that Konan and Nagato were aware of his weakness: he couldn't maintain Kamui activated for more than 5 minutes at once. Konan, who had been poised to resume her attack on Obito, had no choice but to relent. She had also contemplated various methods to render Obito intangible, but all her attempts had failed.
"Do you truly believe I am foolish enough not to take precautions, knowing that you are aware of my weakness?" Obito retorted. Konan and Nagato remained silent, their anticipation evident.
However, just as Konan was about to resume her assault on Obito, Nagato's expression changed, a shift noticed by Konan. She immediately inquired, "Nagato, what has caused this change in your demeanor?"
"All my 'Paths of Pain' have been intercepted by Uchiha Sasuke and a few other unidentified individuals, perhaps his teammates," Nagato replied.
Konan turned her gaze towards Obito and accused, "This must be your doing."
"Correct," Obito affirmed.
---
While standing before the 'Paths of Pain', Uchiha Sasuke, accompanied by his newly formed team Taka, emerged.
"Uchiha Sasuke, do you truly believe that defeating Uchiha Itachi makes you my equal?" challenged the 'Deva Path'.
"We shall soon find out," Sasuke replied, nodding towards his Taka companions. With remarkable speed and his sword enveloped in lightning, Sasuke swiftly closed the distance towards the 'Deva Path', launching an attack. However, as Sasuke approached, he was suddenly repelled and sent flying backwards.
At the same moment, Suigetsu launched an assault on the 'Naraka Path' in an attempt to dismantle it. Yet, the 'Asura Path' was not inclined to permit such an action. It retaliated by firing missiles from its hand, aimed at Suigetsu. However, due to Suigetsu's clan's secret technique, his body behaved like water, allowing the missiles to pass harmlessly through him as if through a watery wall, leaving Suigetsu unscathed.
As Suigetsu's arrival was observed by the 'Asura Path', thanks to their shared vision ability, the 'Nara Path' swiftly shifted position, evading Suigetsu's incoming attack.
However, just then, Jugo utilized the jutsu 'Broadaxe' to strike the 'Asura Path', destroying one of its hands.
Before the 'Paths of Pain' could mount a counterattack, they were engulfed in a massive shadow, indicating the presence of something immensely large above them. The looming structure descending upon them was none other than Deidara's C3.
Simultaneously, as Deidara's C3 plummeted, Kisame closed in on the 'Paths of Pain' using 'Earth Release: Subterranean Voyage'.
Observing the descending C3, the 'Deva Path' raised his hand and unleashed an 'Almighty Push', diverting the C3 and sending it hurtling in the opposite direction away from the 'Paths of Pain'.
The C3 from Deidara was never intended as a serious attack; it was clearly a distraction aimed specifically at the 'Deva Path'. This allowed Kisame to approach 'Deva Path' unnoticed. Even if he was detected, 'Deva Path' would be forced to repel the incoming C3 attack. This strategy was employed because only the 'Deva Path' possessed the ability to repel the C3 attack, and after using the 'Almighty Push', 'Deva Path' would need to wait at least five seconds before being able to use it again. During this brief window, Kisame could launch an attack on 'Deva Path', potentially destroying it in one blow.
The plan orchestrated by Deidara and Kisame proved successful. Kisame emerged beneath 'Deva Path' and struck with his Samehada. However, they overlooked one crucial detail: 'Deva Path' housed the body of Nagato's closest friend, Yahiko, making it the strongest and most durable among all the 'Paths of Pain'. In 'Deva Path's' hand, a 'Chakra receiver' materialized, with which he deflected Kisame's attack.
Due to Kisame's formidable physical strength, the 'Deva Path' was forced to take a few steps back. By this time, 'Deva Path' had regained his ability to use his jutsu, so he promptly employed 'Universal Pull', drawing Kisame towards himself. Feeling the immense force pulling him, Kisame refused to yield. He drove the Samehada into the ground, resisting the pull exerted by the 'Deva Path'.
Meanwhile, the 'Human Path' moved towards Kisame, aiming to eliminate him swiftly. However, Sasuke intervened at that moment. Just as this occurred, a flurry of white spiders began descending to the ground. Upon seeing this, the 'Human Path' attempted to evade, but Sasuke effortlessly restrained it. The white spiders descended onto the 'Human Path' and the 'Naraka Path', detonating upon impact and immediately destroying them.
As for the 'Animal Path', it was engaged in aerial combat on a Giant Bird, contending with Deidara.
Suigetsu and Jugo successfully neutralized the 'Asura Path'. Now, only the 'Preta Path' and the 'Deva Path' remained on the ground.
----
The battle between Nagato, Konan, and Obito raged on. With Nagato's support limited (as he was occupied controlling the 'Paths of Pain'), Konan managed to hold her own against Obito thus far. Konan refrained from unleashing her full power, concerned for Nagato's safety.
Having lost three 'Paths of Pain' simultaneously, Nagato realized the difficulty of fighting on two fronts as he currently was. He made the decision to summon all his 'Paths of Pain' beside him, allowing him to concentrate his forces in one location.
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