NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 102: Chapter 102: Pain
"Hard to believe... How did such a powerful man die in the first place?"
The Second Tsuchikage, Mū, murmured under his breath.
He recalled the time when he and his apprentice, Ōnoki, had visited Konoha to propose an alliance, only to be humiliated by Uchiha Madara. Back then, Madara defeated him with a single move.
The strength of Senju Hashirama, who not only fought Madara but even defeated him, could only be greater. Thus, Mū wasn't overly surprised by Hashirama's prowess. Instead, he wondered: how did such a man die?
Everyone knew that Madara and Hashirama fought an epic battle in the Valley of the End. Hashirama emerged victorious, and Madara was declared dead. Yet, a few years later, the First Hokage quietly passed away in Konoha. That death became the spark for the First Great Ninja War.
"Enough about how he died! Mummy, just use your Dust Release and clear out these damn wooden vines already!"
Hōzuki Gengetsu shouted in frustration, his feet coated with chakra as he used the Body Flicker Technique to dart across the battlefield. But no matter where he moved, an ocean of vines surged after him like an endless green tide.
"Tch. Stupid little mustache," Mū muttered. "Earth Release: Light-Weight Rock Technique!"
With a click of his tongue, he soared high into the air, narrowly avoiding the oncoming sea of trees. He had intended to rescue the three trapped allies, but the vines encasing them sank into the ground, covered themselves with thick wooden shields, and began shifting underground.
Unable to strike with precision, Mū changed tactics, using Dust Release to carve out a safe area for Gengetsu to maneuver.
"Damn it. Never thought I'd be grateful for Mummy's Dust Release," Gengetsu muttered, running a hand through his damp hair.
"Hell Stab!"
Unbeknownst to them, Hanzo and the Third Raikage had circled behind Hashirama, launching a coordinated surprise attack.
On one side, Hanzo's poison-coated chain scythe struck with precision. On the other, the Third Raikage's electrified fingertip crackled with devastating power. Both attacks closed in from opposite sides.
Hashirama remained calm, quickly assessing the situation. Sacrificing an arm seemed like the best course of action. Hanzo's poison was no great threat to him, but getting his body pierced by Hell Stab or the scythe could prevent him from regenerating in time.
"Raaah!"
With a roar, Hashirama swung his right arm to block Hanzo's chain and grabbed it tightly. Using the chain as leverage, he leaped into the air, allowing the Third Raikage's attack to graze his left arm.
A powerful kick sent Hanzo tumbling into a deep ravine. Hashirama landed gracefully, his movements fluid despite the chaos.
With a single hand, he rapidly formed seals, causing his body to sprout dozens of wooden clones.
"Wood Clone Technique!"
The battlefield echoed with creaking sounds as dozens of identical Hashirama clones sprang to life. They leaped toward their designated targets, three to four clones swarming each opponent.
"This is going to be trouble..."
Meanwhile, Senju Tobirama and Uchiha Itachi regrouped in a relatively safe area near the main battlefield.
"Itachi, can you still fight?" Tobirama asked, glancing at Itachi, whose eyes were bleeding profusely. It was rare for Tobirama to show concern.
"I can, but I can't activate Susanoo again for a while," Itachi replied, lifting his head to reveal blood-red Sharingan eyes.
"In that case… I'll handle Pain. You find an opportunity to use Kotoamatsukami on Orochimaru. Don't hesitate." Tobirama's tone was sharp and commanding.
"Yes, sir!"
After a brief exchange, Tobirama sensed the sudden emergence of Hashirama's wooden clones on the battlefield. Without needing confirmation, he understood the strategy.
"Time to act!"
With those words, Tobirama vanished in a flash, leaving Itachi to observe the ongoing battle. Activating his Sharingan, Itachi focused on Orochimaru and Pain.
On the statue of Uchiha Madara, Deva Path Pain glanced back and forth between the roaring battle and Orochimaru, who sat cross-legged with his eyes closed, focusing on controlling Edo Tensei.
"Damn it, Orochimaru! Why didn't you have the Third Tsuchikage use Dust Release earlier?" Pain growled, frustration seeping into his voice.
"Shut up. It's not as simple as you think," Orochimaru retorted without opening his eyes. "Their original wills are resisting my control. Controlling this many people while suppressing their consciousness takes an enormous toll on my mind. You wouldn't do any better in my position."
Long-haired and skeletal, Nagato's body trembled with suppressed anger, but he said nothing. Controlling six bodies through the Deva Path was taxing, but managing dozens of reanimated corpses was far beyond even him.
Still, as a precaution, he kept Deva Path Pain moving, wary of a sneak attack from Tobirama.
Suddenly, Deva Path's footsteps halted. The Rinnegan glowed faintly as Pain spotted a familiar figure in the distance—his target.
"Tobirama!" Pain's voice rang out coldly as the two locked eyes.
"Nagato," Tobirama replied, his calm voice sending shivers down Nagato's frail frame.
"How do you know my name?" Pain's puppet demanded, a flicker of surprise crossing Nagato's expression.
"You'll find out if you beat me," Tobirama said confidently.
Angered, Deva Path attacked without hesitation. "Shinra Tensei!"
An overwhelming repulsive force erupted from Pain's outstretched hand. Trees and rocks crumbled to dust under its might, obliterating everything in its path.
Tobirama, unfazed, took a single step forward. He manipulated the water hidden deep within the earth, summoning a towering wave that stood as a barrier between him and the attack.
The force of Shinra Tensei struck the water barrier, rippling its surface before being absorbed and dissipated. What little force remained was stopped cold as Tobirama froze the barrier into solid ice.
Pain's eyes widened in disbelief. The Rinnegan's ripples seemed to falter for a moment.
Tobirama's mastery of elemental ninjutsu was unlike anything Pain had faced before.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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