230 Naruto: Snatching the Mangekyō

Boom!

Two massive Complete-Body Susanoo spread their wings and soared toward Nagato, wielding their immense chakra blades in a sweeping assault.

Faced with these constructs, born from the fusion of Six Paths power and Sage Chakra, even Nagato dared not underestimate them.

Repulsive and attractive forces alternated as he manipulated Shinra Tensei and Banshō Ten'in, skillfully deflecting or diverting the strikes from Fugaku and Shisui. Occasionally, he unleashed missiles through the Asura Path, launching surprise attacks.

As for the Preta and Naraka Paths, they offered little utility in this battle.

The Animal Path wasn't of much help either—Amaterasu from Fugaku burned through its summons effortlessly, reducing them to nothing.

On the ground, Tsunade rode atop her colossal Wooden Golem, charging forward. Sharp wooden spikes continuously shot toward Nagato like a barrage of arrows.

However, the grounded Wooden Golem was at a disadvantage. It lacked the ability to fly, making it hard to pose a real threat to Nagato.

The Truth-Seeking Balls behind him merged, forming a shield that effortlessly blocked the incoming wooden spikes. Yet when it came to defending against the relentless attacks of the two Complete-Body Susano'o, Nagato couldn't afford to be so casual.

He had to remain vigilant. These constructs, infused with Six Paths power and Sage Chakra, weren't something he could take head-on lightly.

The chaotic battle between the four combatants grew increasingly intense, soon carrying them over a hundred kilometers beyond Konoha. The clash spilled into a vast mountain range, where the land itself quaked beneath their struggle.

"Enough!" Nagato's sudden shout echoed through the chaos. He thrust his hands forward, focusing his gaze on the two Susanoo.

"Banshō Ten'in!"

A surge of gravity erupted, binding Fugaku and Shisui's Susanoo together as if magnetized.

"Fall!" Nagato roared, transforming into a streak of light as he dragged both Susanoo down with incredible force, slamming them into the earth.

Boom!

The mountains trembled. A terrifying shockwave rippled outward, consuming everything in its path. Blinding light enveloped the battlefield, obliterating entire peaks and leaving a massive crater in their place.

In the aftermath, Fugaku and Shisui's Susanoo had shattered, their skeletal forms barely holding together.

Although both men's eyes bled from the strain, they were still standing, seemingly unharmed.

"Ten-Tails Jinchūriki... truly terrifying," Shisui muttered, wiping the blood from the corner of his eye as his gaze narrowed.

The battle hadn't lasted long, but it had pushed him to his limit. Despite their efforts, it was clear they hadn't managed to deal any real damage to Nagato.

Boom!

At that moment, Tsunade's massive Wooden Golem finally arrived at the scene. Its speed was no match for the Susanoo, leaving it trailing behind.

Nagato's expression turned icy as he looked at the belated Tsunade.

"Impressive. While I'm not sure what Uchiha Akira is scheming, it doesn't matter. Whatever it is, he's no match for me. Today, I'll put an end to all of you here!"

Clap!

Nagato pressed his hands together, and an immense, terrifying wave of chakra exploded from his body, surging deep into the earth.

"Sage Art: Wood Release—True Several Thousand Hands!"

With a resounding roar, a colossal Thousand-Armed Kannon statue, towering over a kilometer tall, erupted from the ground.

"Tch… my grandfather's ultimate technique, huh?" Tsunade muttered, her expression grave.

She recognized it immediately. Though it looked identical to the True Several Thousand Hands her grandfather, Senju Hashirama, had once wielded in Sage Mode, she knew this was something far more dangerous.

Nagato, a Ten-Tails Jinchūriki with mastery of Sage Techniques, had elevated the jutsu's power to unprecedented levels, far beyond what her grandfather had achieved.

"There's no avoiding this now. We'll have to fight head-on. Escaping the range of that thing is no longer an option." Tsunade's eyes narrowed as she unleashed the chakra stored within her Yin Seal.

The immense reservoir of chakra exploded outward in a radiant green hue, merging with her Sage Chakra and the remnants of Six Paths power she had stored.

The surge of chakra coursed into the Wooden Golem beneath her. With a thunderous roar, another Thousand-Armed Kannon statue, just as massive as Nagato's, rose to its feet.

The two titanic statues stood face-to-face, emanating an aura so intense it seemed to freeze the air. The tension was palpable, as if the world itself had stopped to witness their clash.

Atop Tsunade's Kannon, two figures suddenly appeared, their movements quick and precise.

Fugaku and Shisui had rejoined the battle.

"Sorry we're late!" Fugaku said, breathing heavily, a hint of apology in his tone.

"You're not too late," Tsunade replied, her eyes fixed on Nagato. Her expression was serious.

"Stick to the plan. Let's try it," Fugaku said firmly.

"I'm ready whenever you are," Shisui responded with equal resolve.

"Good. Let's see how this brat handles it." Tsunade's voice was cold.

Nagato, watching from his position, remained indifferent.

"Do whatever you wish. Show me your tricks. If nothing else, I could use the entertainment," he said, his tone like that of a god looking down on mortals.

"Cocky little punk… I'd love to wipe that smug look off his face," Tsunade growled, her irritation clear.

Fugaku and Shisui exchanged a glance, nodding in unison.

Boom!

Yellow and green chakra beams erupted, their light merging as they enveloped the Thousand-Armed Kannon statue beneath them.

With a series of creaks and groans, layers of yellow-green Susanoo armor began forming over the massive statue. In an instant, the thousand-armed figure was fully clad in this protective shell.

"Susanoo Buddha!"

This was one of the techniques they had devised together—a fusion of their powers into a single, devastating force.

Nagato's eyes narrowed as he observed the transformation. 

Nagato smirked, unconcerned. "Amusing. But no matter what you try, the gap between our Six Paths power ensures your defeat."

Boom!

The Thousand-Armed Kannon statues clashed. Their countless hands descended like avalanches, creating a barrage of earth-shattering impacts.

Explosions echoed endlessly, their sound deafening. The battlefield shook violently as if the entire world were quaking beneath their power.

Light and sound consumed everything, leaving destruction in their wake. The mountains trembled, and the ground cracked under the relentless onslaught.

As the two titanic statues continued their duel, time passed, and the date arrived: the 56th year of Konoha.

...

Deep within Mount Shumisen,

Uchiha Akira opened his eyes. Sensing that the time had come, his hands moved swiftly to form seals.

In an instant, the ritual seal for the Chimera Technique was complete.