The earth trembled as massive trees burst forth from the ground, transforming into a labyrinth of a forest. The Deep Forest Emergence surged toward Nagato's position, rolling and crushing everything in its path!
Slash! Slash! Slash!
Nagato swung his arms, unleashing sharp wind blades to cut down the approaching trees. However, for every tree he severed, ten more replaced it—it was a futile effort!
"Damn it! The range is too vast. Should I use Chō Shinra Tensei to clear the field? No, this is just Deep Forest Emergence! It would be a waste!"
Nagato summoned a giant bird and ascended into the sky, escaping the forest's onslaught. However, the other summoned beasts he left on the ground were not as fortunate. Entangled by the relentless trees, they were mercilessly crushed, disappearing in puffs of white smoke.
Naruto Uzumaki gazed at Nagato's shadow on the ground, his hands forming seals.
Wood Style: Shadow Pillar Technique!
Crack! A wooden pillar emerged directly beneath Nagato's shadow!
Naruto's eyes gleamed with determination.
"If the shadow pillar overlaps with the target's shadow, it restricts their movement, confining them to a single vertical axis. From a gaming perspective, they can only move along the Z-axis!"
Slash!
Nagato, who had ascended into the air, quickly realized his predicament. He could only move up or down—any lateral movement was impossible!
Kabuto Yakushi, observing from afar, frowned.
"Damn it! This technique doesn't just restrict movement; it also prevents projectile-based jutsu from being executed properly. Otherwise, he could have used the bird to drop explosives and destroy that pillar!"
Naruto's gaze sharpened.
"In that case, his next move is predictable."
Boom!
Forced into a corner, Nagato canceled the bird summon, plummeting straight down onto the wooden pillar. Activating the Preta Path, he began absorbing the shadow's chakra.
Naruto smirked.
"Now, my chance has arrived!"
Naruto quickly formed seals.
Wood Style: Violent Spear Trees!
Slash! Slash! Slash!
A barrage of sharp wooden spears erupted from the ground around the shadow pillar, piercing Nagato's Edo Tensei body.
Naruto's left Rinnegan glowed intensely.
"In this situation, you can't stop me from using Chibaku Tensei, can you?"
Whoosh! A black sphere of gravitational energy was hurled into the sky.
Rumble!
The earth quaked as massive rocks, along with the sprawling forest, were pulled upward toward the black orb. Under Naruto's command, the debris coalesced into a massive celestial body, blotting out the sun.
Crack! Naruto clenched his fist, solidifying the Chibaku Tensei.
Whoosh! Naruto's feet left the ground as he manipulated the gravitational field to ascend toward the massive structure.
"Now, just one application of Super-Weighted Boulder Jutsu, and the battle is over!"
Boom!
But just as Naruto rose higher, the Chibaku Tensei was suddenly destroyed from within by an overwhelming repulsive force!
It turned out that Kabuto, knowing that allowing Naruto to finish with Super-Weighted Boulder Jutsu would spell the end, had Nagato unleash Chō Shinra Tensei at all costs.
However, using Chō Shinra Tensei temporarily disabled the Deva Path's abilities. Against Naruto, who also wielded the Rinnegan, Kabuto was forced into a corner.
As the massive rocks dispersed and Nagato emerged from the debris, Naruto's gaze turned contemplative.
"Oh? So there's no other option left for you, huh?"
Several kilometers away, Kabuto clenched his fists tightly.
"Damn it! That Naruto! His foresight is terrifying—it's as if he's calculated every single move! How can he already be this proficient with the Rinnegan and Wood Style when he only recently acquired them!?"
Naruto raised his hand.
Banshō Ten'in!
Whoosh!!
The gravitational pull dragged Nagato toward Naruto.
"Damn it!!"
Slash! Slash! Slash! As Nagato was pulled closer, dozens of Adamantine Sealing Chains shot out from his back, aiming to ensnare Naruto.
Naruto smirked.
"Adamantine Sealing Chains, huh? Too bad I can use them too—and in greater numbers!"
Slash! Slash! Slash! Slash! Chains erupted from Naruto's back, clashing with Nagato's. Two of Naruto's chains broke through, binding Nagato's arms.
"With your arms restrained, you can't form seals or use ninjutsu. Even the Deva Path's repulsive force is out of the question. So, how will you handle this?"
Whoosh! Naruto flicked his sleeve, sending several black rods hurtling toward Nagato's face.
The rods' trajectory was aimed directly at Nagato's Rinnegan!
Kabuto, controlling Nagato, forced him to lower his head, narrowly avoiding the rods. However, to his shock, new rods emerged from the shadows of the first ones!
"What!? Shadows within shadows!?"
Slash! Slash!
Two black rods pierced Nagato's Edo Tensei eyes!
"Without the Preta Path, you can't absorb this next move!" Naruto declared, a confident smile playing on his lips as he formed seals.
Ninja Art: Shadow Imitation Technique!
Whoosh! Naruto's shadow stretched forward, seamlessly connecting with Nagato's shadow.
"The Shadow Imitation Technique is a success!"
The chains binding Nagato's arms released as Naruto dropped his hands from the seal.
"The Shadow Imitation Technique forces the target to mimic the user's movements. Nagato can't be placed under genjutsu, and the only way to break free from your control is for him to perform the seals to release Edo Tensei himself. But how can he do that while you're controlling him?"
Naruto raised his hands, and Nagato mimicked the gesture.
Naruto formed the seals for Edo Tensei's release, and Nagato followed suit!
Naruto thought to himself:
"Without chakra, forming seals would just be meaningless hand movements. But, big brother, even under control, I believe you wouldn't completely lose your consciousness. You'll cooperate, won't you? I believe in you!"
Buzz!
As the seals were completed, a violent storm erupted!
Crack! Crack!
The black rods embedded in Nagato's eyes disintegrated. His once-dull, controlled eyes regained their clarity.
Nagato had successfully broken free from Edo Tensei's control!
Boom!!!!
Several kilometers away, Kabuto slammed his fists into the ground in frustration.
"Naruto... He actually knew about this loophole in Edo Tensei! So, Sakura didn't escape control because of Kotoamatsukami—he told her the release seals!"
"That means... he planned to use the shadow technique to guide Nagato into releasing himself from the start!"
Cold sweat drenched Kabuto's back.
"Even Sasori... He didn't break free because of some emotional blow. Naruto must have told him the seals as well!"
"Just how far ahead can Naruto see with those eyes!?"
Nagato looked at his younger brother with pride.
"Naruto, you've truly done it."
Naruto smiled warmly.
"I never break my promises, big brother."
Suddenly, Nagato's Edo Tensei body began to glow with a white light.
"Big brother, you—!"
Crack! Crack! Nagato's body and face began to crumble, but his serene smile remained.
"Naruto, seeing you now, I have no regrets. It's time for me to join Yahiko."
Naruto's expression turned somber.
"Is this your choice, big brother?"
Nagato nodded with hope in his eyes.
"Promise me I'll see your story to the end!"
"To me, you're the final chapter of a trilogy. The first was Jiraiya-sensei's—a masterpiece. The second was mine—a failure, unrecognized even by our teacher. But the third chapter, your story, is the true conclusion."
"Rewrite the ending, Naruto. Make it perfect."
Naruto raised his thumb in farewell as Nagato's soul ascended.
"Big brother, thank you."
Nagato's soul departed to the Pure Land, leaving behind only dust.
Naruto whispered sincerely:
"Big brother... thank you."
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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