Naruto: I Confronted the Five Kage Before the System Arrived

Chapter 208: Swift and Decisive

Upon hearing the mention of "true form" from Hagoromo Gengetsu, the Deva Path Pain's pupils slightly contracted. Without further words, he and the remaining five Paths immediately resumed the battle.

"Summoning Technique!"

While charging forward, the Animal Path clapped his hands, summoning numerous beasts that charged toward Hagoromo Gengetsu.

"Boring."

Hagoromo Gengetsu said dismissively, clapping his hands:

"Fire Style: Great Fire Annihilation!"

A sea of flames, exponentially more intense than a typical Jōnin's technique, swept toward the summoned beasts and the Six Paths of Pain.

Before the summoned beasts could react, the Hungry Ghost Path charged to the front and directed his hands toward the flames.

"Absorption Seal!"

A transparent shield enveloped the Hungry Ghost Path.

As the fire swept in, the shield greedily absorbed the flames.

With a hiss, the Great Fire Annihilation technique was completely absorbed.

"I almost forgot, the Rinnegan has the ability to absorb ninjutsu."

Hagoromo Gengetsu glanced at the Hungry Ghost Path.

Similar to his own Underworld Style, but the Absorption Seal could absorb not only ninjutsu but also Sage Art.

He felt he was experiencing what his past enemies must have felt against him.

"No wonder you're so confident. You think the Rinnegan can counter me?"

In the ninja world, the most widely known aspect of Hagoromo Gengetsu's power was his comprehensive and formidable ninjutsu, including numerous Bloodline Limits.

However, none of this could affect the Rinnegan.

Though Pain considered himself "God," he was not without intelligence.

Facing someone on par with Uchiha Madara, he had no intention of retreating, knowing he had his own advantages.

Swish! Swish! Swish!

At that moment, the Hungry Ghost Path withdrew, and the Asura Path began launching small missiles at Hagoromo Gengetsu once again.

Ignoring the missiles, Hagoromo Gengetsu focused on the huge summoned bull charging at him. He flicked his hand, and a black rod emerged from his palm, inserting itself into the bull's head as it passed by, making it disappear with a "bang."

Other summoned beasts met the same fate, including the Hellhound, which, despite its ability to split, was rendered a corpse by the black rod's disruption of its chakra.

Seeing that neither the summoned beasts nor the Asura Path's missiles could touch him, Deva Path Pain extended his left hand toward Hagoromo Gengetsu.

"Universal Pull!"

Hagoromo Gengetsu was instantly pulled towards Deva Path Pain.

Before they could close in, the Hungry Ghost Path and the Human Path moved to the sides. The former aimed to restrain Hagoromo Gengetsu and drain his chakra, while the latter reached for his forehead to read his memories.

Hagoromo Gengetsu calmly watched the approaching threats, allowing the Hungry Ghost Path to drain his chakra.

As the Human Path's hand neared, Hagoromo Gengetsu's eyes narrowed, and blue chakra appeared at the corner of his eyes.

The Hungry Ghost Path, having absorbed Sage Chakra, froze, then exploded into thousands of fragments.

While the Absorption Seal could absorb Sage Jutsu, the Hungry Ghost Path could not handle excessive Sage Chakra, leading to a catastrophic imbalance and explosion.

Seeing this, the Human Path instinctively tried to retreat, but a hand lightning-fast grabbed him.

The Human Path's head exploded, leaving Hagoromo Gengetsu's gaze fixed on Deva Path Pain.

Even from a distance, Nagato, who controlled Deva Path Pain, felt a sense of suffocation.

He immediately ceased Universal Pull and activated Shinra Tensei once again.

Boom!

A massive shockwave exploded outward in all directions.

This time, Hagoromo Gengetsu was pushed back less than before and even managed to form hand seals.

"Sage Art: Storm Release: Chase Beam!"

Four beams of Sage Chakra shot out, so fast that even the Rinnegan's surveillance couldn't react in time.

The blue beams struck the Deva Path, Asura Path, Animal Path, and Hell Path.

Nagato, focused on the Deva Path, managed a narrow dodge, with the beam merely grazing his sleeve.

However, the Asura Path, Animal Path, and Hell Path, who were dealing with the remains of the Human Path and Hungry Ghost Path, were less fortunate.

Hagoromo Gengetsu's profound understanding of ninjutsu, combined with Sage Chakra, rendered the Storm Release: Chase Beam incredibly powerful and fast.

In an instant, the heads of the Asura Path, Animal Path, and Hell Path were blown off.

The remaining three beams and the previously dodged beam veered back towards the Deva Path.

"Shinra Tensei!"

Deva Path Pain, not daring to be complacent, activated Shinra Tensei once more, successfully repelling the beams and causing them to dissipate.

Seeing this, Deva Path Pain had no time to relax.

Hagoromo Gengetsu, engulfed in dust and smoke, charged forward with renewed intensity.

Given Hagoromo Gengetsu's strength, even without Sage Mode, he could defeat the Six Paths of Pain eventually, despite their Rinnegan abilities. However, to quickly locate Nagato's real body and expedite the search, activating Sage Mode was the logical choice.

Thus, in less than half a minute, five of the Six Paths of Pain were eliminated.

Hagoromo Gengetsu, now focusing on the final Deva Path Pain, was determined to end the fight.

"Universal Pull!"

Deva Path Pain, still cooling down from Shinra Tensei, used his hand to pull a massive rock toward Hagoromo Gengetsu.

Without delay, Hagoromo Gengetsu shattered the rock with a punch and appeared before Deva Path Pain in a flash.

The latter attempted to defend, but was too slow.

Hagoromo Gengetsu's fist struck him squarely in the chest.

Deva Path Pain's chest caved in, his body bending forward in a V-shape.

Then came a deafening explosion.

Deva Path Pain was hurled backward with immense force, crashing violently into the distance.