Yahikoâs death hit Nagato deeply, and he kneeled in place in disbelief.
Hanzo could immediately notice the bloodlust that overtook him, and told his Ninjas to attack him at once.
Just as Ryo was about to move in, Nagato made his first move, repulsing all beings around him, sending them flying away.
Ryo frowned muttering: âItâs been awakened; his full Rinnegan power is awakened!â
In the pit thousands of miles away, Madara laughed until he coughed. Being the owner of said Rinnegan, he could feel it getting better integrated with Nagatoâs body.
âMadara sama! Are you okay?â Zetsu asked carefully.
Madara was in a very bad state. His life was like a candleâs flame in the wind, about to be extinguishedâ¦
âCough, Iâm fine! But itâs time for me to leave!â
âMadara samaâ¦. So the Rinneganâ¦â
âYes! Nagato is almost using my Rinnegan as efficiently as me. As for Obito, I have sealed some of his memories with whatever power I had left. Itâs time for me to go⦠I leave the rest up to you!â
White Zetsu knew what Madara meant, and he had a spore clone of his in the Akatsukiâs headquarter notify Black Zetsu, telling him to hurry.
Upon receiving the signal, Black Zetsu sneaked into the ground, and rushed towards Madara.
He was still on the way when Madara asked White Zetsu: âZetsu, help me summon one of your clones!â
White Zetsu nodded, and controlled one of his clones to stand before Madara who injected it with Yin and Yang Chakra with the last bit of power that he had.
When he was through with feeding it Chakra, he tried to imbue his will within it, and just then, Zetsu black emerged from the cloneâs body after entering it from underneath the ground.
âYour color has changed! I shall call you⦠Black Zetsu! White Zetsu, he holds my will. Until Iâm back, heâll act on my behalf helping you.â
As he finished his words, the link between Madara and the Gedo Mazo status was severed, and he closed his eyes.
âWhite, Iâll hand over things here to you! I want to return to the rain country to persuade Nagato and get him on our side!â
White immediately agreed, and Black Zetsu sneaked into the ground after taking a glimpse of the sleeping Obito.
At the same time, Nagato had the Rinneganâs power, and almost completely forced Hanzoâs forces away.
But he wasnât just leaving simply; Hanzo wasnât letting that happen! He had already buried many explosive tags under Konan, so when Nagato approached to lift her, he detonated them!
Ryo put an Ice Scalpel in place, and then flickered in with the Mangekyo fortified Ice Lightning Chakra mode. It was as if he truly teleported when he appeared before Nagato and Konan.
Their clothes were wet by the Rain, and Ryo just froze them both, teleporting with them back to him scalpel.
The two only felt they were cold, and then found themselves away from the âbattlefieldâ.
âThis⦠what is going on?â Konan looked around in panic, and Nagato also couldnât figure out what was going on!â
âNagato, Konan, itâs me!â
The two heard a familiar voice behind them, and turned around to see Ryo.
âRyo⦠why are you here?â Konan was surprised, never thinking that Ryo would be the one that saved her.
âI followed Danzo all the way here. When I was about to interfere, he found out about me. I could only show up after dealing with him.â Ryo explained briefly.
âYahiko! Yahiko is still back there! That Hanzo, I will kill him!â
âNagato, calm down! Canât you feel it yet? A lot of your Chakra had been absorbed by your Rinnegan right now, and you shouldnât be able to fight. Leave Yahiko and Hanzo to me. You and Konan remain here.â
Just like Ryo had mentioned, Nagato noticed that his usually massive Chakra had bottomed out. The Rinneganâs awakening was even beyond what his Uzumaki body could tolerate.
âKonan, am I not just useless? I couldnât protect Yahiko, nor could I protect you. And even for revenge, I need to rely on the strength of othersâ¦â Nagato said in pain and regret.
Konan firmly shook her head saying: â Nagato, youâre already very strong, and youâve been pushing yourself very hard! Iâve been watching, we both have been watching; you donât need to blame yourself!â
Her words, while said to comfort him, did just the opposite. They reminded him of what Yahiko had said to him before, and his eyes became firm.
âI shall become stronger, Konan. Just like Yahiko had said before; if war is going to continue, I will become the god of the new world! I have the Rinnegan, and I will get stronger!â
Meanwhile, Ryo was back facing Hanzo.
Hanzo was revered as a demi-god, his most glorious feat being his taking down of the three Sanninsingle-handedly during the 2nd world war.
Ryo always had his doubts about his level, and now had the chance to face him and see for himself!
As with most opponents, Ryo estimated that speed should be the best method to face Hanzo, and he decided to finish this as soon as possible.
Using his Ice-Lightning Chakra Mode strengthened by his Mangekyo, he approached Hanzo without being detected.
Hanzo wasnât able to respond in time, and by the time he made a reaction, he was already cut by Ryoâs scalpel.
However, what Ryo never imagined was that despite him slitting his throat, no blood spurted out. Instead, purple toxic mist was emitted from the wound!
Ryo was pretty sure that this man before him was no illusion. So how? How is he not bleeding?
âThis speed, the Ice Scalpel, you must be Ryo Yamanaka! I take it that youâve already finished off Danzo!â All of a sudden, someone spoke.
Ryo immediately turned around, but to his surprise, it wasnât a human talking to him, but a Salamander Summoned beast.
Hanzoâs salamander raised his front paw, and jumped directly at Ryo, and then returned to Hanzo side.
The claws he had were very powerful and highly venomous. If Ryo was to be hit, he would have been doomed. Fortunately, he dodged at the right time.
He rose from the ground, staring at Hanzo who, surprisingly, did not continue the attack, saying instead: âRyo Yamanaka, we have no grudge between us, and I havenât bothered Konoha, so why are you here today attacking me out of nowhere?â
Ryo wasnât about to answer, for he stood staring at Hanzo in awe. The wound on his throat was gone, and he was unscathed!