Chapter 228: The Uchiha Madwoman!
“……Nagato……”
This name was uttered by Shura, exploding like thunder on the battlefield. For Nagato, who was manipulating Deva Path Pain from behind the scenes, the strike even surpassed the earlier heaven-destroying golden light pillar!
Deva Path Pain, formed from Yahiko’s corpse and supposed to be expressionless, seemed to stiffen for an instant.
Through Deva Path Pain’s Rinnegan, Nagato stared deadly at that figure wrapped in dark red Chakra, the shock in his heart like raging waves.
In those Rinnegan eyes, for the first time, there was no indifferent divinity, but shock filled with inability to understand, nearly humanized.
How could he know?!
Far in the depths of the dense forest, Nagato’s true body, strictly protected by paper trees, was struck like lightning, intense coughing erupting uncontrollably again, his emaciated body painfully curling up, with tearing pain coming from the black rods connecting his back to the Outer Path Demonic Statue.
“Cough… cough cough cough! Cough…”
“Nagato!” Konan’s anxious voice came through the paper wall, full of deep worry: “What happened? Your reaction is very off!”
Nagato panted rapidly, forcibly suppressing the bloody sweetness in his throat and the shock almost bursting from his chest.
He couldn’t answer Konan; his mind was in chaos, with only one voice echoing madly:
How could Shura possibly know!
He not only knew Pain was a puppet, he knew Rinnegan, he knew “Uchiha Madara”, he even knew my real name!
Shura…
This mysterious guy, who exactly is he?!
How much more does he know?!
That fear of being completely seen through, with no secrets left, wrapped around Nagato’s heart like an icy venomous snake.
Combined with that earlier incomprehensible, undefendable “divine punishment” attack from the sky, the strength and unfathomable intelligence ability shown by Shura made him feel strong dread for the first time.
“Konan…” Nagato’s voice transmitted through Animal Path, with a trace of barely detectable hoarseness and fatigue: “Prepare… to retreat.”
“Retreat?” Konan’s voice was full of astonishment.
“But…” The battle seemed to have just entered its white-hot phase; although two Pains were lost, Deva Path’s strength had not yet been fully shown.
“Execute the command!” Nagato’s tone rarely carried a hint of anxiety and coercion.
Shura’s true body had not appeared; he couldn’t take risks, especially Deva Path made from Yahiko’s remains must not be damaged here!
On the battlefield, Deva Path Pain slowly suppressed the towering waves in his heart, Rinnegan restoring its icy gaze, though the lingering shock deep inside couldn’t be completely erased.
He stared at “Shisui” in the air, his voice low and containing the calm before a storm:
“Those who recognize this face either died long ago in that rainy night battle, or are Rain Village and Konoha Ninjas who participated in that battle back then.”
He paused, the icy killing intent in Rinnegan mixed with a trace of probing.
“You… what relationship do you have with Konoha’s Shimura Danzō?”
This guess was not baseless.
During the Third Great Ninja War, the activities of Danzō and his led “Root” in the Land of Rain were not top secret; Nagato had deep experience of their dark and ruthless means.
Yahiko’s death involved Konoha’s Shimura Danzō and his Root Ninjas directly.
But immediately, Nagato denied this idea himself.
‘No, Shura once attacked Konoha, took Hyuga Main Family’s Byakugan, fought with Third Hokage and Konoha elites; how could someone enemies with Konoha be related to Danzō?’
Wait…
Cloud Village’s bounty…
Nagato suddenly remembered that in the sporadic intelligence about Shura circulating in the underground bounty exchange, besides the iconic fox face mask and descriptions of powerful strength, there seemed to be some confusing information, including vague mentions of “acting under Danzō’s name”.
At the time, both Nagato and Konan thought it was Cloud Village intelligence error or framing, without deep thought.
Could it be… not baseless?
Did Shura with Konoha, with Danzō, really have some unknown connection?
No matter how he thought, Nagato couldn’t figure out the association between Shura and Konoha.
But one thing he could be sure of: Shura definitely had extremely deep ties with Konoha! Whether hostile or… some other relationship!
Just as Nagato’s thoughts raced, trying to sort out a clue from the chaotic hints, the Shisui controlled by Menma spoke again.
“Shimura Danzō is just an old rat in the gutters, a pitiful worm immersed in a ridiculous Hokage dream. He doesn’t deserve any connection with me.” The disdain in his words was undisguised.
That icy voice carried an indifference overlooking all beings: “The Ninja World holds no secrets from me.”
This statement was extremely arrogant, as if he were the god of this Ninja World!
Immediately after, that proud cold voice continued, throwing out news that shook Nagato’s mind even more:
“Including the true cause of death of your close friend, Yahiko, and the original Akatsuki members.”
Deva Path Pain’s body trembled imperceptibly.
“That so-called ‘voluntary sacrifice’ tragedy strangled the original ideals of Akatsuki in the cradle, killed Yahiko and many Akatsuki members, and made you fall completely into pain’s ‘script’…”
Menma’s voice paused, as if appreciating the other’s silent tremor, then slowly dropped the real bomb.
“The true culprit who created all this has actually… always been by your side. Playing with your hatred, using your power, to achieve his unspeakable purpose.”
“What did you say?!” Deva Path Pain’s voice lost its calm for the first time, carrying suppressed shock and anger, and a trace of panic even he himself hadn’t noticed!
Always by his side?
True culprit?
Not Hanzo? Not Danzō? Not Konoha?
Then who?!
Nagato’s mind went blank instantly, then uncontrollably, a mysterious figure wearing a Uzumaki mask and calling himself “Uchiha Madara” emerged.
Him?
The one who appeared when he and Konan were most desperate, told them the “truth”, guided them to the Tails collection plan, provided funds and technology support “Uchiha Madara”?
That man’s timing was too coincidental, powerful yet elusive, with deep obsession toward Uchiha Clan and Konoha…
He wasn’t without suspicions of this hiding guy.
The other’s appearance was too coincidental, purpose seemingly grand yet unclear, words and actions full of weirdness.
But at that time Akatsuki was nearly destroyed, he had blood feud with Hanzo and Danzō, urgently needed power and allies, plus the other’s shown space-time ability and knowledge of Uchiha, of Sharingan, made him have to temporarily believe and cooperate.
Could it be… could Yahiko’s death, Akatsuki’s destruction, actually…
Nagato’s breathing grew heavy, the air in the tree hole where his true body was seemed to solidify.
Konan sensed the abnormal emotional fluctuations from Pain outside, and Nagato’s true body’s increasingly unstable Chakra, her unease reaching the peak.
“Nagato? What’s wrong with you? Your Chakra fluctuation is very intense!” Konan keenly noticed his abnormality, her eyelashes trembling slightly, her cool face full of worry.
Nagato didn’t answer; all his mind was immersed in the huge shock and doubt.
He didn’t fully believe Shura’s words, but this sudden accusation was like a poison seed, instantly taking root and growing wildly in his heart!
All the suspicious points from past contacts with “Uchiha Madara” now resurfaced clearly.
“You think a few words of sowing discord can shake my will?” Deva Path Pain’s voice was still icy, but no longer posing as god.
Menma looked at Deva Path Pain with interest, not caring if Nagato believed or not, just faintly dropping the seed: “Believe or not, up to you. Truth never changes because of denial.”
“When you gaze into that hollow under the mask, think about who truly benefited from Akatsuki’s transformation, and who is guiding you down that road destined for destruction.”
Deva Path Pain did not answer.
Menma（Shisui）’s lips, under the cover of dark red Chakra, curved into an unseen arc.
Purpose achieved.
Give that guy Obito some trouble, don’t let him be too idle.
At that moment, a red light suddenly flashed at the horizon.
Menma controlled Shisui to look up toward the western sky’s end, a playful glint seeming to flash in those dark red eyes.
“Oh? That guy… seems very angry.” He said out of nowhere, tone with a hint of teasing: “Hope you don’t get caught next, Nagato.”
As the words fell, before Nagato could digest the meaning, the thick dark red Chakra wrapping Uchiha Shisui receded like tide, surging into the engraving on the back of his hand.
As the massive violent Chakra dissipated, Menma’s will instantly withdrew, as if never there.
Shisui grunted, regaining control of his body, but the huge power drop made him weak, body uncontrollably falling from mid-air.
He flipped his body arduously in the air, finally barely stabilizing his posture, staggering to land on the ground, single knee kneeling, panting heavily, forehead full of cold sweat.
Shisui lifted his right hand, looking at the slowly fading dark red engraving, his gaze extremely complex.
At the same time, those nine powerful masked summoned beasts also emitted ripple-like fluctuations, vanishing into thin air, as if merging into the air.
The battlefield suddenly became empty and silent, left with the huge charred pit, messy ground, and hovering in the air, temporarily silent due to shock and doubt Deva Path Pain, and beside him the standing Animal Path Pain who lost most summoned beasts.
Shisui suppressed his body’s weakness and inner turmoil, vigilantly looking at Pain, then subconsciously looking in the direction “Shura” last gazed.
Almost the instant he raised his eyes, a majestic, furious terrifying aura swept in like a tsunami from the western horizon!
At the blue sky’s end, a dark red light spot was enlarging at astonishing speed!
In just a few breaths, the light spot’s outline became clearly visible!
It was a huge war god burning with dark red Chakra!
It had wings on its back, wearing a tengu helmet, ferocious face, and the hand on its right wing held a Chakra Greatsword even larger than its body; wherever it passed, clouds were torn, air issuing shrill howls!
“That’s… Uchiha Hikari’s Susanoo?!” Shisui’s pupils shrank sharply.
Uchiha Hikari manipulated Perfect Susanoo, like a vengeful meteorite, directly passing over from 100 meters above Bonsō Castle!
The massive airwave formed a shockwave crushing downward, tiles rattling in the castle’s houses, trees swaying violently, commoners oppressed by this god-like aura, kneeling in terror, muttering as if seeing a deity descend or demon god enraged.
The commoners in the castle had never seen such a sight, kneeling in terror like worshiping a god.
On Bonsō Castle’s castle tower, Natsuhi, Oyakushiro Chino, Shita Junhito, Murahashi Hazuki, and Miroku were tensely gazing at the distant battlefield.
This suddenly descending terrifying pressure and huge dark red giant made everyone’s faces instantly pale.
“That… what is that?!” Shita Junhito leaning on his cane, legs still bandaged, voice trembling.
“So… so terrifying Chakra…” Murahashi Hazuki instinctively stepped back.
Natsuhi protected her three disciples behind her, face grave!
At that moment, Oyakushiro Chino suddenly widened her Blood Dragon Eye, pointing at the head of the rapidly flying Susanoo giant, crying out: “Teacher! Look! On that giant’s forehead… there’s someone inside! It’s… Lord Hikari!”
Everyone heard, straining to look.
Indeed, in the center of that dark red Susanoo’s forehead, in a diamond crystal-like space, faintly visible a petite graceful figure standing, black long hair dancing in the violent Chakra airflow!
A pair of scarlet eyes, even from such distance, seemed to convey the icy rage within!
It was Uchiha Hikari!
“It’s Lord Hikari!” Natsuhi breathed a sigh of relief, then her heart rose again.
Lord Hikari in this form was so terrifying!
At this time, Uchiha Hikari had only one thought in her heart—anger!
Land of Stars was the home she and Menma built bit by bit, the place carrying her hope of escaping past darkness and gaining new life!
Anyone daring to destroy this place, harm its people, were her irreconcilable enemies!
When she learned through the engraving Chakra Network that Natsuhi Squad was attacked, especially sensing the massive Chakra Menma transmitted from afar and the subsequent earth-shaking battle, her rage was completely ignited!
Without hesitation, she directly activated Mangekyo Sharingan, using Perfect Susanoo, crossing counties at fastest speed, killing in fiercely!
“You bastard! Daring to destroy me and Menma’s home…” Inside Susanoo, Uchiha Hikari’s voice was icy and murderous, Mangekyo Sharingan locking deadly on Deva Path Pain and Animal Path Pain below.
“Even if you’re a god, I’ll kill you!”
No nonsense, not even minding Uchiha Shisui on the ground who just recovered and was in poor state, Perfect Susanoo’s back wings flapped fiercely, its huge arm reached back, grasping the hilt of that giant sword wrapped in terrifying Chakra!
Clang—!
Chakra greatsword unsheathed, issuing a soul-trembling hum!
Blade cutting air, bringing a dark red death arc, with world-splitting momentum, slashing down fiercely at Deva Path Pain and Animal Path Pain!
Attack not yet arrived, the incomparably sharp blade wind already tore a deep gully in the ground!
Nagato’s heart was greatly shocked!
He sensed from this dark red Susanoo a far more violent power than “Uchiha Madara”!
And the other also had Mangekyo Sharingan, that eye power’s oppression made him not dare be careless!
“Almighty Push!”
Deva Path Pain without hesitation fully urged Rinnegan’s power, powerful repulsion field instantly deployed, meeting the falling Chakra giant blade!
Boom!!!
Terrifying explosion resounded through heaven and earth again!
Invisible repulsion and solid Chakra giant blade collided fiercely, bursting a deafening roar!
Collision-produced shockwave spread in rings crazily outward, upheaving another layer of the already messy ground!
“How is it possible! To actually withstand Almighty Push’s power!” Deva Path Pain’s figure sank sharply under this massive force clash!
Ground under feet cracked inch by inch!
Force is mutual; when the opponent is strong enough to withstand Almighty Push’s repulsion, Deva Path Pain would also be backlashed by Almighty Push’s repulsion.
【Illustration: Rampage six-tailed Naruto hard resisting Deva Path Pain’s Almighty Push】
And Uchiha Hikari’s Susanoo was also slightly stalled in its slashing momentum by this powerful repulsion, the huge blade bouncing slightly.
But Hikari’s attack wasn’t just one slash!
Susanoo’s other arm clenched fist, giant fist burning dark red Chakra following closely, smashing fiercely at Animal Path Pain like a siege hammer!
“Summoning Jutsu!” Animal Path Pain hurriedly hand sealed, summoning Hellhound to block.
However, the remaining few summoned beasts just heavily injured by Nine-Faced Beast hadn’t recovered, reaction slow by a beat!
Bang!!!
Chakra giant fist smashed at Animal Path Pain, the Hellhound trying to block this strike directly smashed into meat paste.
Even with Rinnegan’s shared vision pre-judging ahead, Animal Path still couldn’t fully dodge this heavy blow!
Crack!
Teeth-gritting bone fracture sound rang out!
Animal Path Pain’s body flew out like a broken rag doll, chest visibly caved in largely, crashing heavily to the ground, struggling a few times, then no longer moving, clearly internal structure destroyed!
Another one lost!
Nagato’s heart bled!
Making these Pain puppets was extremely difficult, each consuming hugely!
“Damn it!” Deva Path Pain roared in anger, purple light flourishing in Rinnegan!
This time, he held nothing back, injecting even stronger Chakra into Rinnegan, a far more terrifying repulsion about to erupt!
He would push away or even crush this area, along with this damned Susanoo!
However, Uchiha Hikari’s battle instinct was keenly terrifying!
In the instant Deva Path Pain gathered power, Susanoo’s back wings flapped fiercely, massive body rising instantly with agility unfit for its size, at the same time hand’s Chakra Greatsword changed from slash to sweep, a half-moon dark red slashing wave detaching from the blade, preemptively cutting at Deva Path Pain’s waist!
“Almighty Push!” He forcibly interrupted gathering, repulsion forward while his body flew backward sideways.
Boom!
After repulsion’s brief block, slashing wave missed, cutting a small forest behind at the root, cut surface smooth as mirror!
Uchiha Hikari pressed advantage relentlessly, Susanoo pouncing again, wings vibrating, speed extremely fast, every swing of Chakra Greatsword heavy and forceful, launching continuous unrelenting assault at Deva Path Pain like storm and rain!
Her fighting style violent yet precise, full of Uchiha’s characteristic Sharingan insight and sharp killing intent, every slash aimed at vitals, forcing Deva Path Pain to constantly dodge, block, occasionally using Almighty Push to repel attacks, yet never finding chance to launch battle-turning powerful Jutsu.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Earth constantly trembled, new pits and cracks appearing continuously.
Dark red Chakra and Rinnegan’s purple light collided and annihilated crazily.
Uchiha Shisui had long retreated to extreme distance, shocked watching this fierce battle far exceeding his previous level.
That woman named Uchiha Hikari, her strength so great, fighting style so wild, made his heart palpitate.
He finally understood why Shura said “the next battle isn’t for you to interfere”.
“This is… Mangekyo Sharingan power…” Shisui murmured, still somewhat melancholic about his lost eyes.
Far in the dense forest, Nagato’s face grew paler, sweat soaking his withered hair.
Controlling Deva Path Pain in such high-intensity battle was a huge burden on him.
Frustrated!
Incredibly frustrated!
Since gaining Rinnegan and summoning Outer Path Demonic Statue, this was the first time he felt so powerless, so frustrating battle!
The opponent hadn’t even shown true body, merely remotely transmitted power through a subordinate, and now this suddenly appearing ridiculously strong Uchiha madwoman, made him lose three precious Pain puppets, and put his strongest Deva Path Pain in bitter battle!
Opponent’s Mangekyo Dojutsu not yet used, while his trump cards…
Super·Almighty Push and Planetary Devastation Jutsu needed gathering time.
Once Outer Path Demonic Statue exposed, consequences unpredictable, especially under this Shura who knew him like the back of hand.
These were originally Nagato’s kills prepared for Shura, but now, he hadn’t even seen Shura’s face!
Beaten down by a Uchiha madwoman!
Couldn’t entangle anymore!
“Konan! Immediate retreat! Transfer toward Land of Wind!” Nagato’s voice suddenly rang, with urgent panting.
Konan though not understanding what exactly happened, executed command without hesitation, paper pieces flying.
On the battlefield, Deva Path Pain suddenly swung arm, powerful repulsion temporarily forcing back Susanoo’s another slash, using force to rapidly fly back.
“Want to escape?” Uchiha Hikari’s eyes killing intent surged, Susanoo wings flap, pursuing relentlessly!
“Universal Pull!” Deva Path Pain suddenly raised hand, not aiming at Susanoo, but fiercely pulling distant massive cracked boulders and mud.
Boulders pulled by gravity, smashing like cannonballs at pursuing Susanoo, trying to hinder pursuit speed.
At the same time, his figure rapidly retreated, without hesitation turning, heading northeast without looking back!
He had to lure away this terrifying Uchiha madwoman!
“Want to escape?!” Uchiha Hikari’s killing intent surged in Susanoo, controlling Susanoo to swing blade clearing incoming boulder barrage, striding huge steps to chase.
However, Nagato’s decision was extremely decisive, true body transferred by Konan while Deva Path Pain used terrain for quick maneuver to lead Uchiha Hikari in opposite direction.
Along the way, Deva Path Pain disregarding consumption continuously used Rinnegan abilities, using Universal Pull-pulled boulders for brief hindrances, using Almighty Push to hard block one Susanoo Chakra slash, ultimately turning into a black dot, disappearing at horizon end.
Uchiha Hikari’s Susanoo stopped at the borderline, no further pursuit.
Maintaining Perfect Susanoo consumed greatly; even with her ‘Eight Thousand Spears’ connected to Menma, gaining continuous Dark Nine-Tails Chakra, refined into eye power reaching Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan-like strength, this battle still made her eyes somewhat painful.
“Hmph—” Uchiha Hikari cold snorted, dispelling Susanoo.
Figure slowly descending from air, standing on borderline cliff, black long hair and clothes fluttering in wind, scarlet Mangekyo Sharingan coldly watching direction Deva Path Pain disappeared, finally slowly closing.
Opening again, already back to ordinary black eyes, but the coldness and killing aura at the bottom unchanged.
Outside Bonsō Castle, Uchiha Shisui stood in place, gazing at the devastated battlefield, mood complex indescribable, dragging tired body slowly toward Bonsō Castle.
What he saw and heard today completely overturned many of his cognitions, his heart filled with countless questions, about Shura, about ‘Akatsuki’, about Rinnegan, about Uchiha Hikari, about Konoha, about Ninja World, about peace…
Everything happening today caused huge impact to his over ten years of ingrained views.
And the departing Nagato, through Deva Path Pain’s vision, last looked back at the gradually shrinking dark red Susanoo, and this land bringing him huge shock and losses, Rinnegan full of unwillingness, doubt, and anger.
And a trace even he himself unwilling to admit—
Fear!
If not because true Uchiha Madara died decades ago, and this Uchiha maniac was a woman, Nagato would almost think Uchiha Madara revived.
