Naruto: Passerby and Returnee

Chapter 451 Sky Battlefield

Before the red light of the Four Red Sun Formation climbed into the sky, the Heavenly Dao emitted a dazzling light. The outline of the Divine Luo Heavenly Expedition could not be directly observed by the human eye, but the unique barrier made the invisible attack visible.

The first thing to be impacted was naturally the barrier. If only an internal explosion had occurred, the shockwave could still be released upwards through the outer wall of the barrier. However, Shinra Tensei was not an explosion. Under the full output of the Heavenly Dao, the slightly thin barrier was directly deformed and rapidly expanded into a semi-circular shape.

The initial impact was incredibly rapid, instantly transforming more than half of the barrier into a semicircle, even turning the deep red outer wall into a lighter red, and creating some holes in the uppermost part. However, below halfway, only twenty or thirty meters from the ground, the impact's speed noticeably slowed down. Finally, the semicircle touched the tallest building within its enclosure, but its momentum had been completely neutralized by the barrier, and it stalled at that awkward point.

The fact that the contest has stopped does not mean that the outcome has been decided, because neither side is backing down and they are locked in a fierce struggle.

While the battle raged in the sky, those on the ground were also taking action. The barrier required four supporting points, inevitably enclosing a portion of land. However, this portion was not abandoned. Members of the East Wind faction, both inside and outside the barrier, created several clones, constantly searching for ninjas with Earthquake Core abilities. Under relatively unified command, the gathered ninjas unleashed unimaginable power, forcefully lowering the enclosed area by more than ten meters!

Although it may seem insignificant, the impact from above has been withstood by our predecessors! This much water should be enough for this area to escape disaster.

At this moment, Nagato, hidden within the barrier, was utterly shocked. He hadn't given up, even though his nose was bleeding and every cell in his body was throbbing with pain. But none of this pain compared to the moment he watched Yahiko die. Konoha had taken his parents, and then used the most despicable means to kill Yahiko and his like-minded comrades. Hanzo had already paid the price for that massacre. Konoha... why were they unscathed?

Since that barrier is difficult to break through, then... let's destroy the chosen sacrifice site.

The strain of the struggle suddenly eased, and the stretched semicircle was rapidly shrinking back. However, the four ninjas maintaining the barrier all changed their expressions at the same time, but it was too late to remedy the situation.

"Boom!" A large cloud of dust exploded in the area within the barrier. This was an impact that came directly from the sky, completely flattening the entire area and even pushing that part into the ground dozens of meters deeper!

No one knew the extent of the casualties in that area. Only Tsunade, whose chakra had been suddenly drained, staggered and nearly collapsed. The remaining power of Shinra Tensei was almost evenly distributed across that land. In order to save as many people as possible, the slugs had to absorb Tsunade's chakra in reverse, causing the small slugs around the villagers to instantly swell to the size of enveloping the villagers. Then, they had to continuously use chakra to withstand the impact. With such a huge consumption, anyone else would have been drained long ago. Only Tsunade could still grit her teeth and stand upright.

"Hokage-sama!" The Anbu member was startled and immediately supported Tsunade, only to suddenly notice that the mark on Tsunade's forehead had disappeared. Had she used up all the Hundred Healings Chakra?!

"Unforgivable! How dare they trample on the efforts of our predecessors like this!" Tsunade felt weak in her limbs and her vision blurred—symptoms of excessive chakra depletion. But... in the deep pit within the barrier, her anger burned fiercely, lamenting that she currently lacked the strength to personally kill her enemy.

However... she didn't forget that reassuring voice.

"Tsuna, how are you? I sensed your chakra was completely depleted! Did you use the Hundred Healings Technique to save the people underground?"

"Don't worry, he can't escape! I've already sensed the location of his main body. Leave the rest of the battle to us."

Tsunade opened her mouth, wanting to ask if her grandfather was also there, but she was surrounded by ANBU, and saying anything like that would surely give her away. How embarrassing! She'd actually let her ancestors step forward to protect their legacy. When she woke up, she would definitely…

As the Hokage nearly exhausted his chakra and fell into a coma, another of the Sannin, who formed part of the barrier, was also nearing his limit. Destruction and protection are two completely different things, and their energy expenditure is incomparable. The Four Red Yang Formation was originally supposed to be a square barrier, but the Deva Path forced it into a semicircle that almost covered most of Konoha. He was the only living person supporting the barrier, and his chakra recovery speed could never match that of the Impure World Reincarnation; this was truly going to be fatal.

"Hmph... Nagato, you're really something. After doing something like this, the previous generations probably won't let him live... Heh... Is this fate?" The impending loss of his students left Jiraiya somewhat dejected, but he quickly thought of something else.

“Naruto has left his consciousness in Sasuke’s body, so the previous generation should be able to hear what he says? At least… at least… let Konan live.”

"I'm sorry, please, Naruto."

"Spiritual communication!"

Another cloud of smoke rose from the barrier where Nagato was hiding. The figure of Pain stood in the smoke and glanced around at the other Pains lying on the ground.

The only one who could get up quickly summoned the King of Hell, who was used to repair the puppets, and repaired the four fallen puppets one by one. The Six Paths then formed a battle formation again, looking as if they were about to fight another battle.

"Nagato, your body..."

“The Nine-Tails’ chakra has appeared.” Nagato interrupted Konan’s concern. “Mount Myōboku is isolated from the world and is the hermitage of the Toad Sage. It’s not easy to find it. We must seize this opportunity.”

Konan hesitated, but she clearly saw a different kind of urgency on Nagato's face—an urgency that...wanted to confirm something. Was it not for Kurama, but...for an answer?

She knew that although Nagato appeared so resolute and strong, he was actually incredibly lonely inside, yearning for recognition from the outside world. The day Jiraiya appeared in Amegakure, she realized that Nagato had tried to persuade his teacher, but failed. Later, he tried to prove his ideals were right by fighting to determine the victor, but he failed again, and was completely rejected by his fellow student Naruto.

He really... still hadn't gotten over it.

Payne's departure from here means their location will most likely be exposed immediately, and they can only prepare for battle.