Chapter 98

Title: Naruto VS Pain 2

...

"Two minutes," Naruto said as he got into a basic Taijutsu Stance.

"Hmm?" Tendo hummed in confusion.

"I'll take you down in less than two minutes," Naruto said and immediately vanished, leaving only a bit of dust where he once stood.

"What?" Tendo muttered in shock as his eyes widened, the same as Chikushodo who had been engaging with Naruto.

"What is that movement technique? Where did Naruto-chan go?" Shima asked as she too lost sight of Naruto.

"That's the technique he had tried perfecting after mastering Senjutsu." Fukasaku said with an intrigued smile. "I didn't think it was possible when he brought it up but..."

"A movement technique?" Shima asked.

"Hmm. He called it...the Void step." Fukasaku said.

Meanwhile, Shun and Jiraiya who were watching the fight couldn't help but be amazed at the sight. Shun even ended up laughing out loud.

"Wonderful. Truly wonderful... No, beautiful in fact." Shun said with an excited smile as his eyes stayed plastered on the screen.

"What's gotten into you?" Jiraiya asked in confusion.

"That's the Void Step, Jiraiya. The next evolution of Flash Step." Shun replied without looking at the man.

"Void step? Evolution of the Flash step? The flash step could be improved?" He asked.

"Of course. The shushuin no Jutsu Tobirama created is only a watered down version of the flash step. Didn't you know that?" Shun said, glancing at Jiraiya disdainfully.

"The void step however, different from the burst of speed from zero to max that makes the flash step what it is, uses one's connection to natural energy to delete the user's presence from the world as soon as it's initiated." Shun explained as simply as he could.

"So you're saying...This is a Genjutsu?"

"Wha-?" Shun couldn't help but look at the man. "How did you come up with that conclusion?"

"I mean, erasing one's presence from the world, isn't that the illusion skill assassins use?" Jiraiya asked.

"No, it's not. This is something more. Watch, maybe you'd understand then." Shun said without explaining, he couldn't be bothered to explain anything to the man.

Void Step, as a hypothetical concept, could be imagined as an advanced or higher version of the Flash Step, incorporating additional elements or capabilities. In a fictional context, it might be described as follows:

The original Void Step combines the swiftness of the traditional Flash Step with the manipulation of space itself. With this technique , one can not only move instantaneously from one point to another but also manipulate the perception of space during the transition. This allows for heightened evasion, stealth, and the ability to traverse dimensions.

Imagine a ninja using Void Step to blink out of existence momentarily, leaving opponents bewildered, only to reappear instantly at a different location.

In essence, Void Step surpasses the conventional Flash Step by incorporating a deeper understanding of spatial manipulation, providing the user with a more sophisticated and elusive form of movement.

As for the one Naruto used, it was merely a watered down version of the original Void Step, still, it was a Void Step since not even the Rinnegan could perceive his location.

"You're one pesky one. You'll be the first." Naruto's voice sounded from a direction, causing everyone on the battlefield to look over only to discover that he was behind Chikushodo, the Summoning Path.

Before either of the Paths could react, Naruto's hand slashed through her neck, severing it from her body.

"That's one." After saying that, he disappeared once more only to reappear behind Jigokudo.

"I don't know your ability, which makes you the most dangerous one." He said and aimed to stab through the path, however, both Tendo and Jigokudo were already on high alert, allowing Jigokudo to dodge, albeit barely as his right hand was severed from his body.

"Tch." Naruto clicked his tongue in annoyance and made to perform another flash step only for his chakra to run out, causing him to stumble and collapse on the floor.

"What an Ingenious Jutsu, I almost feel sad at your necessary demise." Tendo said as he watched Naruto struggle to stand up on his feet.

"You bastard..." Naruto ground out with gritted teeth.

"That movement technique...I assume it takes a lot out of you. Unfortunately, two minutes was a lot to ask for." Tendo continued, unconcerned with his anger.

"Still...In front of a God, all tricks are meaningless." Tendo said, and as he said that, Jigokudo who had lost an arm walked over to Gakido and picked him up.

To the naked eye, Gakido disappeared for a few seconds only to step out from space all new with no signs of damage whatsoever.

"You...what did you do?" Naruto asked in shock and disbelief.

"That should be the ability of the other Pain. He's able to renew all the other parts despite the damage taken." Katsuyu said from Naruto's clothes.

"What?! And you didn't think to tell me that earlier?" Naruto asked.

"In my defense, I didn't know you had that movement technique." Katsuyu replied in defense.

"Tch." Naruto clicked his tongue, and despite their conversation, he didn't take his eyes off Pain.

He watched as pain walked over to Chikishudo and repeated the same thing, repairing her back to the way she was before she was beheaded.

"Now then, I believe I've overstayed my welcome. We should be off." Tendo said. The other four Paths all walked up behind him and stood, all gazing at Naruto impassively.

Other than Ningendo who had been utterly destroyed, all the other Paths were back to full health.

"Yeah, you should." Naruto said with a smile, immediately, his presence changed as he re-entered his sage mode once again, much to the shock of the group. "You've surely overstayed your welcome."

Naruto said and stood back up, however, instead of running off to attack, he created four clones and said. "Now we're even,"

As he said this, all the clones pulled out a smoke bomb and threw them, creating an explosion of smoke that disrupted the Paths' visual link.

BAM!* BOOM* CRACK!*

The distinct sounds of things breaking rang out and moments later, the smoke cleared to reveal two Paths of Pain destroyed with all of Naruto's clones destroyed.

Naruto's main body however, was held in a neck lock by Gakido who sucked away all his chakra, pulling him out of sage mode.

"Give up your futile struggle." Tendo said as he watched Naruto try to struggle his way out of Gakido's hold. "When in direct contact with Gakido, all manner of chakra would be sucked out. You've lost."

"Oh yeah?" Naruto, as if gaining enlightenment from Tendo's words, smirked and stopped struggling.

Seeing Naruto give up, Tendo was pleased and said. "That's better..."

However, before he could complete his statement, Gakido was immediately petrified. Opening his eyes, Naruto merely flexed his arms lightly and immediately broke Gakido to pieces.

"It seems you're wrong... again." Naruto said with a victorious smile, but Tendo wasn't amused.

"Still struggling..." He said and raised his hand up to Naruto.

"Oh no! Watch out!" Katsuyu cried out, but it was too late.

"Bansho Ten'in." Tendo said.

"Eh?" Naruto muttered in confusion, but before he knew what was happening, he lost control of his body as it floated up against his will and flew over to Tendo.

Asura, the path who had been crushed so many times and repaired, stood in front of Naruto and raised his arm to shoot a missile at the approaching Jinchuriki.

"Oh no." Katsuyu cried thinking that all hope was lost, but Naruto being Naruto wasn't one to give up so easily.

So with a hand sign, two clones appeared in front of him, one halting his momentum, one to kick him away.

All this happened so fast that neither Asura nor Tendo saw or perceived anything.

BOOM!*

The spot Naruto should have been at was caught in an explosion causing both Asura and Tendo to relax their guard. "That should do it."

However...

"You bastard!" A massive Rasenshuriken was hurled through the dust raised from the explosion and straight at Asura.

Asura, not being the physical type made to tank the technique but was thrown back by the force, causing him to shoot towards Tendo.

Seeing this, Tendo raised his hand but ended up putting it down and jumping away from the Jutsu trajectory.

"I see... I've got it." Naruto said as he breathed heavily with sweat pouring down his face.

"Hmm?"

"That technique of yours...you can't use it infinitely." Naruto said and slowly regained control of his breath. "There's a duration for it...isn't there?"

"An impressive deduction. However, I fail to see how that would help you." Tendo said.

"Naruto-chan!" Fukasaku and Shima arrived behind Naruto and said, "That's exactly what Jiraiya found out too, but that won't help." The old toad said.

Shima nodded and followed by saying. "That body in front of you is practically impervious to all forms of physical attacks."

"Huh? What are you trying to say?" Naruto asked.

"We'd have to use Genjutsu. That's the only way." Fukasaku said. "It worked with Jiraiya."

"Hm. Let's do it then." Naruto said, causing the two toads to nod and jump to his left and right.

Clapping their hands, they said. "[Senpo: Captivating Toads Melody!]"

"This again." Tendo said distastefully as he felt lethargic at the sound of the songs coming out of the toad's mouth. "What a noisy tune."

He said and raised his two hands. "Bansho Tei'in."

The melody was immediately dispelled as both Fukasaku and Shima were both pulled towards Tendo.

"Hey. Watch out!" Naruto cried out as he ran towards Tendo to intercept the elder toads.

However, he arrived a bit too late, as even though he had managed to pull Shima away, Fukasaku still ended up in Tendo's hand, and without losing a breath, Tendo formed a black rod and stabbed into Fukasaku.

"No!!"

"Pa!!"

"Elder!!"

Be it Gamabunta, Gamahiro or the other guy, Naruto and Shima, all of them were shocked at the swift dispatching of Fukasaku, further fueling their rage.

"You monster!" The three great toads that had come with Naruto all jumped and made to attack Tendo, but Tendo didn't seem to be in the mood to play any longer.

As the three arrived a few feets away from him, they were immediately suspended in mid air, and in a low and deep voice, Tendo said. "Shinra... Tensei!"

Whether it was due to the pause he took, or just due to using more power, the three toads were immediately sent flying. They flew at a much greater magnitude that they were sent so far away from the village.

Before Tendo could recover from his attack, Naruto was already onto him with a kick, and due to his lack of chakra, he wasn't able to dodge and was hit squarely on the face.

Unfortunately, Tendo was only a puppet body so it didn't really feel any pain and neither did it take any damage. Of the Six Paths, Tendo was the strongest, both physically and chakra wise.

Regaining his footing, Tendo said after getting a good look at Naruto. "That loot in your eyes... I appreciate it. Perhaps we can come to an understanding now."

"I'll make sure you pay for this." Naruto said, causing Tendo to shake his head.

"And then what? Others would still die, war would still be waged and there would be no end to this pain you feel right now." He said and offered his hands to Naruto, he continued. "Stop this needless fight and give up the Kyuubi. Your death will serve as the foundation to a better, peaceful world."

"A world...built on death...will never be better." Naruto said angrily as tears streamed down his eyes. To the side, Shima sat beside Fukasaku's corpse as she bawled her eyes out.

Tendo shook his head. "It seems we're yet to come to an understanding."

Raising his hands to Naruto, he activated the almighty pull, pulling Naruto in, and being caught off guard by this and without the strength to actually resist, Naruto flew unimpeded into his hand.

And holding him by the neck, Tendo said. "You've become quite the nuisance."

In a show of force, he slammed Naruto's head to the ground before raising him once more. "It seems understanding is overrated."

Gripping his hand, Naruto said through bloodied teeth. "You think..?"

Frowning at Naruto's show of disrespect, he slammed him once more to the ground before swiftly pinning him to the ground with his rods.

With the Chakra rods shooting through him, Naruto couldn't help but scream in pain, however, no matter how much he tried, he couldn't gather his strength to break them.

"Don't bother struggling. With those, you won't be able to defile me any longer."

....

"What the hell is going on right now?" Sakura asked the Hyūga sitting beside her. "It's suddenly so quiet."

"Naruto...he's...lost."

"What?" Sakura asked in disbelief.

"He's being pinned to the ground by those black metal things." The Hyūga reported with a bit of fear in his tone.

He had seen Naruto fight, and he could say in full confidence that this version of Naruto surpassed any Shinobi he'd seen in his entire life as a Shinobi.

And yet, this very Naruto had been defeated.

Who else could stop this fellow?

Would this be the end of the village...huh?

"Hinata-sama?"

"Huh?"

"Hinata-sama...she's...she's fighting that monster." The Hyūga said, his expression straight up terrified as he tried to stand up.

He was merely a branch member of the Hyūga clan. With the clan head away from the village, if anything should happen to the clan heiress, all their heads would go.

However, before he could take a step further, Katsuyu reminded. "Naruto said no one should interfere. He still has a card to play."

"But Hinata-sama?"

"Naruto said no one should interfere." Katsuyu repeated.

Despite being unwilling, the Hyūga couldn't really go against the slug's order. In the village, who didn't know that the slug was the Fifth's summon?

Going against the slug was tantamount to going against the Hokage, and that was something he didn't really have the impetus to.

...

"Hinata-chan, you really shouldn't have come." Naruto said with a wry smile despite the pain he was feeling.

"Shut up." Hinata barked at him but didn't turn to look at him. Her attention was fully on Tendo who just looked at her without any reaction. "This is what you mean by 'no one should interfere'?"

"Look where that got you."

"I've got this under control." Naruto reassured.

"I doubt. Your chakra isn't under your control anymore, is it?" Hinata asked as she gathered chakra in her hands. The chakra blazed and quickly took the form of a blazing lion's head ready to pounce on whoever it could.

"I've told you time without numbers, there's no need to try to do everything alone." Hinata said.

"But this guy..."

"Is just like any other guy! What have you learnt all this time? Teamwork is the key to any situation. You can't possibly do everything alone."

"But I'm the only one that can stop him."

"Says who?"

"He's too strong, Hinata. Only with the sage mode..."

"Save it. Sage mode or not, you still needed help. Jiraiya-sama, your teacher fought him and died. What makes you think you're any better than he was?"

"I-"

"Be quiet and reflect on yourself. I've got a purple eyed bastard to teach a thing or two."