NOVEL NEXT Chapter 166: Chapter 161: The Sage of Six Paths Strikes Again!
Chapter 161: The Sage of Six Paths Strikes Again!
Jiraiya watched as Konan left, and his heart couldn't help but ache.
These three children, who grew up amidst the flames of war, had suffered enough.
He had once believed that he could guide them down the right path.
Yet, because of Danzo, both Nagato and Yahiko had perished.
Jiraiya clenched his fists tightly, feeling an overwhelming urge to teach Danzo a lesson.
Though he wouldn't go as far as killing that old man, he certainly wouldn't let him off easily!
"Well, well, it looks like I've won," Kisame said with a grin as he looked at Suigetsu, who lay on the ground, unable to get up. Kisame slowly stepped forward, ready to deliver the final blow and end things once and for all.
Clang!
Just as Kisame was about to strike Suigetsu down, a kunai abruptly blocked his Samehada!
"How is this possible?!"
Kisame looked up in disbelief, and to his shock, it was none other than Orochimaru!
With Six Paths-level strength, Orochimaru was not someone Kisame could contend with.
"What an intriguing guy. Your chakra reserves are extraordinary. And it seems you can absorb the chakra of others as well. You look like a fascinating research subject to take back," Orochimaru remarked with a sinister smile.
Opposite him, Kisame furrowed his brows but quickly relaxed.
"Is that so? Then let's see who prevails!"
Against a powerful enemy, Kisame's only response was to fight!
Watching Kisame bare his shark-like teeth, Orochimaru's expression grew even more excited. This guy was so combative—he couldn't wait to see how long Kisame could endure his experiments.
However, just as Orochimaru prepared to engage Kisame, a woman suddenly appeared.
"Kisame, we're needed at headquarters!"
Konan relayed her message and left immediately. Kisame, looking helplessly at Konan's retreating figure, sighed and said, "Apologies, but it seems our fight will have to wait. I have to go. Farewell!"
"You think I'll let you leave?"
Orochimaru sneered, and a vine shot out, binding Kisame tightly. Such a perfect experimental subject… Poof! Kisame instantly turned into a puddle of water!
Substitution Technique.
Seeing this, Orochimaru narrowed his eyes. The Akatsuki…
It appeared that every member of the Akatsuki possessed exceptional abilities. Their skills at escaping alone far surpassed ordinary Kage-level ninjas.
Meanwhile, Konan had successfully taken all the surviving Akatsuki members with her.
Except for Hidan, who had died, and Uchiha Itachi, who had departed, the remaining Akatsuki members were still there: Kakuzu, Kisame, Sasori, and Deidara.
Once a formidable organization, Akatsuki now only had five true members left, including herself.
Konan looked at her remaining companions with deep sorrow. She knew that these few were the true core of Akatsuki.
As for Black Zetsu and Uchiha Obito, their betrayal of Nagato made their intentions highly suspicious.
And why had Uchiha Madara appeared?
Konan resolved to lead the surviving Akatsuki members to uncover the truth behind past events.
Previously, they lacked the strength to investigate.
But now, with each member being Kage-level, finding out the truth should be much easier.
Their ultimate goal hadn't changed: to collect the Tailed Beasts, summon the Ten Tails, and cast the Infinite Tsukuyomi!
However, this time, with the Tailed Beasts currently in the process of being revived, they could take this opportunity to increase their strength and uncover the truth.
---
At the same time, elsewhere, Orochimaru regrouped with his own comrades.
Though they were all severely injured, they had, fortunately, survived.
Before Nagato had died after having his eyes stolen, he had still managed to heavily wound many of them.
---
"Sasuke!"
"Naruto!"
Sasuke and Naruto shouted each other's names as they charged toward Ishihara.
They wanted to seal Ishihara before he regained his composure.
Unbeknownst to them, Ishihara had already noticed their actions.
Pretending to be distracted was merely a ruse to lure Naruto and Sasuke into a trap.
The moment he saw the sealing marks forming in Naruto and Sasuke's hands, Ishihara used Shunpo to instantly appear beside Sasuke and grabbed his arm.
His speed was so overwhelming that Sasuke couldn't even react.
Sasuke stared at Ishihara in shock, completely baffled.
How had this guy appeared by his side in the blink of an eye and restrained him so effortlessly?
Meanwhile, the Sage of Six Paths, who had thought the sealing process was already complete and was preparing to leave, suddenly froze, his mouth twitching.
Right. If these two couldn't even defeat Uchiha Madara, how could they possibly stand a chance against Ishihara?
He had clearly overestimated them.
It looked like he would have to reclaim the sealing power himself.
There was no way he could allow Ishihara to continue his research!
For the first time, the Sage of Six Paths felt utterly helpless.
If he left the Yin-Yang Sealing Technique's power within Naruto and Sasuke, given their aptitude, they would likely master it within a single day.
From there, they could reverse-engineer a way to break the seals he had laid.
Following that, they might even enter the underworld and usurp the Shinigami's role…
The Sage of Six Paths didn't dare to think any further about the consequences.
Acting immediately, he reclaimed the power of the Yin-Yang Sealing Technique from Naruto and Sasuke.
And as a result…