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However, these missiles seemed relentless, curving yet again to pursue her.
"Tch!" Tsunade clicked her tongue, realizing these couldn't be dodged forever. So, she gathered chakra in her hand, clenched it into a fist, and smashed it into the ground. Using the tremendous impact, the earth in front of her erupted and bulged upwards, blocking the missiles.
The Deva Path spoke indifferently, "Truly astonishing brute strength. It seems the rumors were not exaggerated."
Tsunade clenched her fists and charged towards the Deva Path. "Hearing rumors isn't enough! Next, I'll let you experience it firsthand!"
With that, Tsunade leaped high into the air, raised her fist, and smashed down from above towards the Deva Path.
If Tsunade's super-strength fist connected, the Deva Path would undoubtedly be destroyed instantly.
The Deva Path was naturally aware of this. Yet, facing Tsunade's attack, the Deva Path merely extended a hand, palm open, and spoke calmly.
"Shinra Tensei!"
Instantly, a massive repulsive force erupted. Before Tsunade's attack could land, this tremendous force pushed her far away!
This was one of the Rinnegan's powers—Repulsion.
Pain could control repulsive force to push away all surrounding objects!
This repulsive force was immense, difficult for anyone below the Six Paths level to resist. Tsunade was no exception.
Simultaneously, as Tsunade was flung through the air, the Asura Path nearby had long been prepared. As a corpse controlled by a single consciousness, the Asura Path could perfectly coordinate with the Deva Path.
Thus, the Asura Path seized the opportunity when Tsunade was mid-air and unable to use any leverage to escape!
The Asura Path's head now aimed at Tsunade in the air. Its head opened, revealing a silvery mechanism. Then, a dazzling beam of light shot from its head.
This was one of the Asura Path's abilities—the Head Laser Cannon.
In the original story, this attack directly inflicted severe damage on the Six-Tails Jinchuriki. Its power was undoubtedly enormous.
The blast struck Tsunade without any surprise.
"Ah!!"
Tsunade couldn't help but cry out in pain as immense agony instantly shot to her brain.
But fortunately, Tsunade was a medical ninja, and an exceptionally powerful one at that. Even while airborne, she unbelievably began healing herself.
By the time she landed, Tsunade had temporarily stabilized the critical injuries on her body.
This time, the death-like expression on the Deva Path's face showed surprise for the first time. "So this is the Lady Tsunade who bears the name of a Sannin? Truly astonishing. To recover from such an injury so quickly?"
This genuinely surprised the Deva Path. After all, as far as medical ninja went, Tsunade stood at the pinnacle of the shinobi world.
If the Deva Path could have witnessed Tsunade's Hundred Healings Mark state, his reaction might not have been mere surprise, but perhaps a touch of despair. Because in that state, Tsunade was practically unkillable, possessing recovery power comparable to the First Hokage's body. The Deva Path lacked the ability to kill Tsunade in her Hundred Healings Mark state.
Unfortunately, that was merely an "if." Although Tsunade healed her injuries, the battle seemed to have reached its end. Because Tsunade was bleeding, and she saw it herself.
The strength in her body rapidly faded. Fear surged into her heart. At this moment, Tsunade could muster no power at all.
She had still been careless. If she had fully understood the Deva Path's terror, she should have gone all out from the start, not hoping to defeat him with her brute strength alone.
The Deva Path now sensed Tsunade's abnormality. He felt somewhat puzzled. Logically, having healed herself rapidly with her superb medical skills, she shouldn't appear so powerless. The Deva Path aimed his hand at Tsunade.
"What are you doing, Lady Tsunade? No matter what, you will die today. If you wish to live a little longer, I advise you to stop these tricks and use your full power soon."
Without waiting for Tsunade's reply, the Deva Path's eyes widened.
"Bansho Ten'in!"
A tremendous attractive force appeared, pulling Tsunade's entire body towards the Deva Path.
This was the Rinnegan power corresponding to Repulsion—Attraction.
Tsunade struggled desperately to break free from this attraction. Unfortunately, she currently had no strength to use, let alone break free.
"Whoosh!"
A black rod appeared in the Deva Path's other hand. Then, the instant Tsunade reached him—
The black rod instantly pierced Tsunade's abdomen, impaling her!
These black rods, once inserted into another's body, could suppress their chakra. Without the power of Yang Release, one couldn't even touch these rods!
They were extremely lethal weapons.
The black rod pierced Tsunade's abdomen, blood flowing freely. Yet Tsunade still offered no proper counterattack, causing the Deva Path—who was ready to use Shinra Tensei to blast her away—to pause momentarily.
"It seems you truly cannot use your power. Although I don't know the reason, for me, the result is good."
The Deva Path flung Tsunade aside onto the ground, then looked at the Asura Path beside him.
"Asura Path."
The Asura Path didn't speak. It lowered its head, the laser cannon on its head beginning to glow. The next second, at close range, the blast directly hit Tsunade on the ground!
"Lady Hokage!"
"Lady Hokage!"
At this moment, the other Konoha shinobi, who were being held back by the other four Paths of Pain (the Naraka, Animal, Human, and Preta Paths) along with Kakuzu and Sasori, all cried out.
They simply couldn't accept the fact that the Hokage had been defeated so soon after the battle began. They even more couldn't accept the Hokage—who Konoha had finally welcomed—dying again!
Hemophobia. This condition, at this moment, dragged Tsunade—who had never dared to face it before—into the abyss.
"Cough! Cough!"
Tsunade, struck by the Asura Path's blast, still clung to a breath of life but was clearly gravely injured.
This time, without the Deva Path's order, the Asura Path once again activated the laser cannon on its head.
As long as there was sufficient chakra, the Asura Path's laser cannon could fire continuously. And Tsunade? How many lives did she have to withstand it?
Unfortunately, Tsunade had only one life to endure the Asura Path's laser cannon.
In the distance, Kakashi's eyes widened, fixed on Kakuzu before him. "You bastards!!!"
Beside him, Guy was also thoroughly alarmed and began attacking fiercely.
However, facing Sasori and Kakuzu, the two of them certainly couldn't break through immediately.
Guy, seeing no alternative, could only shout towards Kakashi, "Kakashi!!"
He hoped Kakashi could think of something. The Hokage couldn't die!
Kakashi was sweating profusely. In that brief instant, countless thoughts flashed through his mind, but ultimately, no good plan emerged.
Guy suddenly spoke, "Kakashi, if there's no way, then I'll open—"
Kakashi immediately snapped back, "Shut up, Guy! Be quiet! Neither you nor the Lady Hokage can be allowed to have die!"
Stopping Guy's dangerous thought, Kakashi still couldn't think of a good way to save Tsunade.
In the distance, the glow on the Asura Path's head grew increasingly intense. Kakashi wanted to charge over but was constantly entangled by Kakuzu.
What to do? What to do, what to do, what to do, what to do?!!
His mind raced. Finally, an image settled: a familiar aura he had inadvertently sensed a few days ago!
Kakashi tilted his head back and shouted, "Kagaya! You're here, right?! No matter what, please help this once! Help Konoha this once!!!"
The shout echoed out. Those around were momentarily stunned. But unfortunately, no change occurred. Kakashi's cry seemed to have fallen into an abyss, receiving no response.