This Danzo Is Weird!

However, Danzo wasn't skilled in taijutsu. Coupled with his reluctance to fully reveal his strength and trump cards, he quickly found himself at a disadvantage in the fight.

With a powerful slash from Hanzō, sparks flew, and the resulting force sent Danzo flying backward.

"Earth Release: Rock Fracture Technique!"

Nagato swiftly pressed his hands to the ground, his immense chakra shattering the earth. A web of jagged cracks spread like serpents toward Hanzō's feet, forcing him to retreat and abandon his pursuit of Danzo.

But Nagato's assault didn't stop there. He formed another set of hand seals, unleashing a scorching torrent of flames that chased after Hanzō.

A seasoned warrior, Hanzō's face betrayed no panic. His hands moved in a blur, forming hand seals.

"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!"

The puddles on the ground coalesced into a raging water dragon. With a deafening roar, the dragon's gaping maw collided with the flames, effortlessly extinguishing them.

The searing flames dissipated upon contact with the water dragon's robust body, unable to stir even the slightest disturbance.

The water dragon roared and surged forward, an unstoppable force barreling toward the two.

Danzo quickly stepped forward and used the skill he had just acquired from Nagato: "Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall!"

A sturdy, solid earthen wall rose with a rumble in front of them.

Unfortunately, it lacked a few decorative dog heads.

As Danzo's thoughts momentarily wandered, the water dragon smashed into the wall, shattering it into rubble and sending water and debris flying everywhere.

"We stopped it," Nagato said, letting out a sigh of relief.

But Danzo remained alert, his expression tense. "It's not over. Stay sharp!"

As if on cue, Hanzō's silhouette emerged from the dispersing water, his sharp scythe aimed directly at Danzo's neck.

"I'll deal with you, you meddlesome pest first!"

From behind his mask, Hanzō's eyes gleamed with murderous intent.

No matter what, he had to eliminate these threats to his reign today!

"Planning to get rid of me first, huh?"

Danzo remained calm, for his Sharingan, hidden behind the mask, had already locked onto Hanzō's movements.

"Clang!"

Danzo's kunai collided fiercely with Hanzō's scythe.

Under the darkened sky, the sudden sparks briefly illuminated the surroundings.

But the strength behind Hanzō's attack surprised Danzo.

Not because it was overwhelming, but because...

It was too weak.

Something's wrong—this isn't his real body!

Danzo's Sharingan spun rapidly beneath the mask, unraveling the secret.

After deflecting the scythe with one strike, Danzo immediately turned to look in Nagato's direction.

Sure enough, to Nagato's shock, a figure materialized from the splattered water left by the water dragon's explosion.

His target was the Rinnegan-wielding Nagato!

The blade of Hanzō's weapon gleamed like a flash of lightning, cutting through the air with undeniable killing intent. It slashed heavily toward Nagato's waist.

Unexpectedly, Nagato didn't retreat. Instead, he immediately thrust his kunai toward Hanzō, intent on a mutual kill.

Danzo watched this scene unfold, feeling a wave of emotion.

From Nagato's perspective, if he could take Hanzō down with him, it might give Yahiko and Konan a better chance of survival.

To Nagato, that outcome was entirely worth it.

So he made his choice.

On the battlefield...

In that instant, Hanzō, a warrior who had experienced countless battles, hesitated.

Having tasted power, he no longer relished bloody combat.

He only wanted to cling to his hard-earned position through any means necessary, no matter how underhanded.

For this, he had abandoned his ideals, his sense of justice, and his morality.

He was no longer a warrior protecting the Land of Rain.

He had become a dirty politician.

And so, he faltered in fear.

　　He feared losing all his power. He feared being unable to continue savoring the taste of authority.

So, he chose to retreat.

Facing Nagato's kunai, he withdrew his attack at the last moment, sidestepping it. Then, he raised his palm toward Nagato.

"Water Release: Water Prison Technique!"

Nagato, who had thrown himself fully into the kunai thrust, couldn't react in time. He was engulfed by a surge of water rising from the ground.

A massive water sphere formed, completely trapping Nagato within. The immense pressure of the water made him unable to move.

This was the Water Release of the so-called "Demi-God" of the shinobi world.

"Die, you damn brat!"

Hanzō wasted no words. He stomped the ground, shattering it beneath his feet, and shot forward like a bolt of lightning. The gleaming blade in his hand cut through the air like a thunderbolt, swift and deadly.

Iaido Slash!

This strike had no unnecessary embellishments—just pure, unrivaled speed.

Speed so overwhelming it left no time to react, no chance to dodge, no moment to think before one was sliced apart.

"To die by this strike should be an honor for you," Hanzō thought to himself.

After all, this blade had claimed the lives of countless renowned shinobi.

As the shining blade rapidly approached, Nagato slowly closed his eyes.

There was no way to escape…

Just as he was prepared to meet his fate, that shadow appeared again.

Danzo, wielding his kunai enhanced with Wind Release, slashed through the water prison that bound Nagato and positioned his body in front of him.

"Shhhk!"

A clean white line appeared across Danzo's torso as he was severed cleanly in two. He didn't even have the chance to utter a final word.

Warm, crimson blood splattered onto Nagato's face as a familiar yet distant voice echoed in his mind.

"I serve under Lord Danzo to protect you all."

"You are the future of peace."

"I will not abandon my comrades."

Though they had known each other for less than two hours, Nagato had already come to respect this man's character and convictions.

And yet, such a peace-loving, ideal-driven individual had died horribly—for his sake.

Unforgivable.

This was absolutely unforgivable.

The warm blood on his face melted away the icy barrier that had long sealed Nagato's emotions. He could feel something surging uncontrollably within him.

It was an emotion called rage.

Hanzō, oblivious to this, smirked smugly. "Now it's your turn, brat."

"Why…"

Hanzō froze for a moment.

"What do you mean, why?"

"Why do the good people of this world always die first?"

Nagato's voice was unusually low, and something within him was awakening.

Such an innocent question was, unsurprisingly, met with Hanzō's scornful laughter.

"Because they're not ruthless enough, not heartless enough. If they don't die, who else should?"

"So that's how it is…"

Looking at the corpse in front of him, then at Hanzō, who had willingly fallen into depravity, Nagato finally understood.

This world was never fair to begin with.

"In that case…"

"Let it all be destroyed!"

The anger he had long suppressed erupted at last, and an enormous surge of chakra exploded outward.

His deep Rinnegan eyes opened wide, revealing their true power for the first time.

"Kuchiyose: Gedo Mazou!"

A massive column of smoke shot skyward as the terrifying Gedo Statue descended upon the world once again.