How did it feel?
From start to finish, it was utter suppression. Nearly every inch of Nagato's body had been marked by cuts of varying sizes, inflicted by the razor-sharp edge of Sasuke's Kusanagi Sword.
However, thanks to Nagato's own formidable healing abilities, these wounds vanished almost the instant they appeared.
Sasuke was well aware of this regeneration. In fact, he was inflicting the cuts deliberately.
He wanted Nagato to understand, to feel the terrifying extent of his own power.
And Nagato certainly felt it. Sasuke's strength was indeed unprecedented, astonishingly immense. Faced with such overwhelming power, there was simply… absolutely no room for resistance. Even without resorting to ninjutsu, Sasuke could defeat him effortlessly.
Originally, Nagato had believed his current strength would allow him to at least contend with Sasuke. Even if defeat was inevitable, he hadn't expected it to be so swift. He had envisioned a protracted battle, hundreds of exchanges before a victor emerged.
But now, it was clear he had overestimated himself drastically. Against Uchiha Sasuke, he hadn't had a single opportunity to fight back.
This man was truly a monster among monsters.
"You are undeniably strong," Nagato conceded, a wry smile touching his lips. "I'd heard whispers calling you an almost invincible presence in the shinobi world. I didn't believe it at first."
"Now, I see the truth in those words."
As Nagato spoke, Sasuke's gaze remained fixed on the Scientific Ninja Tools adorning Nagato's body. He contemplated using Deity Gates to negate their powers.
Yet, as Sasuke scrutinized Nagato, none of the abilities granted by these tools seemed particularly appealing. Whether it was the capacity to instantly unleash basic techniques of the five elements, the rapid self-healing, or the enhanced life force – none of it was useful to Sasuke himself.
Well, perhaps one thing!
The specific ability that strengthened the black receivers held a slight flicker of interest.
But even then, if Sasuke truly wanted to enhance his own black receivers, using his Violet Chakra would be far more effective. The resulting power and effect would vastly surpass anything Nagato currently possessed.
It seemed none of these abilities were worth taking. There was no need to use Deity Gates to seize them.
While Nagato continued talking, Sasuke offered no reply. Seeing this blatant disregard, a surge of anger began to boil within Nagato. Was Sasuke completely looking down on him?!
His eyes narrowed slightly.
In that precise instant, a terrifying repulsive force erupted!
Deity Gates! (Almighty Push!)
The power surged outwards instantaneously, pulverizing the surrounding ground with absolute, dominating force. A powerful shockwave followed, wave after wave crashing towards Sasuke.
Sasuke's body shot backward instantly, flung dozens of meters before he landed heavily, digging his feet into the earth and sliding further, leaving two long trails of dust and smoke in his wake.
Once he came to a halt, Sasuke casually sheathed his Kusanagi Sword.
He then turned his head, looking towards Nagato on the other side.
As the smoke began to dissipate, Sasuke saw Nagato, who had already lowered his combat stance, seemingly trying to maintain distance intentionally.
"Uchiha Sasuke, your power is immense," Nagato declared. "It seems if I wish to realize my plans, you are someone I absolutely must eliminate!"
"Otherwise, with you around, my goals will remain forever out of reach!"
Hearing this, Sasuke offered a faint smirk. "Even if I didn't stand in your way, achieving your plan wouldn't be so easy."
After all, Naruto still existed in this world. And if Sasuke's guess was correct, Naruto had likely already mastered that ability.
Baryon Mode. Furthermore, it would be the Baryon Mode unleashed by a Naruto possessing the chakra of all Tailed Beasts. If it came down to a real fight, even Sasuke might have to cautiously avoid a direct confrontation with Naruto's peak power.
So, even without Sasuke's interference, Nagato wouldn't succeed in whatever he was plotting as long as Naruto was present.
Nagato simply chuckled at Sasuke's words.
"Don't be hasty. It's true that right now, I lack the sufficient power to achieve that plan. However… soon, my complete form will emerge!"
"I hope you won't be too surprised when that time comes!" Nagato finished, a confident smile spreading across his face.
This current Nagato had only undergone the initial phase of Amado's modifications; strictly speaking, the process wasn't even fully complete yet. Once the enhancements were finalized, and combined with Nagato's Six Paths of Pain, Amado predicted that Nagato's Paths would gain power rivaling even Jigen. In certain aspects, they might even surpass him.
"Uchiha Sasuke, I want you to deliver a message to this world!" Nagato's voice hardened.
"Today, the Akatsuki has returned!"
"From this day forward, peace is no more!"
"The Shinobi World hereafter will descend into utter chaos."
Having spoken, Nagato watched Sasuke intently, his eyes narrowed.
His words echoed in Sasuke's ears. Uzumaki Nagato, though perhaps not a ruthless schemer like Madara, possessed a cold, imposing presence that felt even more domineering now. Bolstered by Scientific Ninja Tools and his Rinnegan, Nagato had transformed into a terrifying villain potentially surpassing even Madara.
For a moment, even Sasuke felt a flicker of caution. Perhaps it would be best to eliminate Nagato right here, right now, before he could become an even greater menace in the future.
However, just as that thought crossed Sasuke's mind…
Sharp whistling sounds pierced the air from above.
Looking up, Sasuke's eyes narrowed slightly.
Dark figures plummeted from the sky, hurtling straight towards his position at incredible speed.
Boom!
Using his Body Flicker Technique, Sasuke vanished. The spot where he'd stood just a second before erupted violently. Flames from the terrifying explosion blasted a deep crater into the ground, engulfing a ten-meter radius.
Immediately following were the second and third dark shapes, raining down towards Sasuke one after another.
A flash of irritation crossed Sasuke's face. Did they really think they could take him down with mere weapons like these?
He thrust out his hand abruptly, lightning crackling between his fingers, instantly forming a high-voltage electric web in the air.
As the lightning barrier materialized, the projectiles slammed into it. Explosions ripped across the barrier's surface.
Flames roared. Simultaneously, a spatial portal opened behind Nagato.
Instantly, Sasuke unleashed a Wind Style technique; a powerful gust swept away the flames and smoke.
Seeing Nagato about to depart in the distance, a cold glint flashed in Sasuke's eyes.
'Trying to leave?'
'Not so easily!'
Breath of Thunder!
Crackle… Sizzle…
Lightning flared as Sasuke slowly placed his right hand on the hilt of his sword, taking a slow, deliberate breath.
Clang!
Suddenly, a robot burst from the ground beneath him, its sharp claws slashing ferociously towards Sasuke.
Sasuke drew his sword in an instant flash. A wave of pure lightning cutting attack sliced the robot cleanly in half.
'Couldn't sense it… Because it's a machine?' Sasuke paused for a fraction of a second, momentarily surprised.
In that brief moment, Nagato had vanished completely.
But his voice lingered.
"Our plan has already begun, Uchiha Sasuke!"
"If you think you have what it takes, then try and stop us!"
"Otherwise, this shinobi… world… will once again be… utterly overturned by us!"
The voice faded, and Nagato's presence disappeared entirely.
Sasuke grit his teeth softly. If it hadn't been for that sudden robotic ambush, Nagato wouldn't have escaped so easily just now.
However!
It served as a sharp reminder for Sasuke. While his sensory abilities were exceptionally potent, this era featured Scientific Ninja Tools. Detecting such things couldn't rely solely on sensing chakra signatures alone.
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