Chapter 149: Super Shinra Tensei!

On the Edge of the Battlefield

Kakuzu looked on in horror at the massive Flower-Tree World Creation that Shishou had unleashed. Cold sweat broke out on his forehead, and he muttered in disbelief, "This power... it's already stronger than Hashirama Senju's..."

As someone who had fought alongside Hashirama, Kakuzu knew well the scale and power of his Flower-Tree World Creation. The other Akatsuki members were equally stunned, their faces filled with shock. They hadn't expected this man to take down the Four-Tails, Five-Tails, and five of the Six Paths of Pain in a single move, dramatically shifting the battle's tide.

"What kind of person have we provoked?" Sasori, with his red hair, chuckled lightly as he watched Shishou's figure. As a puppet devoid of emotions, he was the only one with the presence of mind to make a joke.

"If I'd known we'd face such an enemy, I wouldn't have joined Akatsuki..." The newly recruited member Shinno looked bitter and regretful, feeling that he'd walked into a dead end.

With such strength, if Sasuke could become his apprentice... Uchiha Itachi, expressionless, was deep in thought, planning for Sasuke's future.

High in the sky, Konan bit her lip, glancing anxiously at the distant Yata Bird. Shishou's displayed power far exceeded her expectations. "That bastard, has he grown this strong?"

Uchiha Obito gritted his teeth. His confidence from regaining his left Mangekyō Sharingan and increased power vanished instantly. "I always knew he was formidable. But I didn't expect him to be this formidable!!!"

In the air, Tsunade, Mikoto, Anko, and Pakura watched Shishou below, their eyes wide with excitement. Uzuki Yugao and Uchiha Izumi enthusiastically took pictures of Shishou with their devices. Even Shizune, beside Tsunade, was starry-eyed, gazing at Shishou with admiration.

"Get higher!" Tsunade shouted, a bad premonition in her heart as she looked at Pain in midair. The others, sensing her urgency, followed her command. Pakura and Mei Terumi directed their Ink Hawks to gain altitude, distancing themselves from Shishou and the battlefield.

I'm glad I chose to follow him... Shima and Tsuji, seeing Shishou's overwhelming strength for the first time, exchanged relieved glances, feeling fortunate to have backed the right horse.

With a bang, the Four-Tails and Five-Tails suddenly vanished from the battlefield, retreating from their Tailed Beast forms.

"I underestimated you," Pain said coldly, looking down at Shishou standing on the giant snake's back.

"But you see only the trees, not the forest." In the sky, the morning sun pierced through the clouds, casting a golden glow on Pain, making him look like a divine being descending to earth. Pain extended his arms wide.

"Oh crap, a Super..." Shishou recognized Pain's stance and knew something bad was coming. He jumped off the snake's back, dispelling his summoning, and landed on the ground, quickly forming hand seals.

In the sky, Konan bit her lip and ascended rapidly.

"From now on, let the world feel pain!" Pain shouted.

"Shinra Tensei!"

A powerful repulsive force emanated from Pain, creating a translucent spherical barrier that expanded rapidly.

"Summoning Jutsu: Fivefold Rashomon!" Shishou pressed his hands to the ground, summoning five Rashomon gates in front of him. He then used Wood Release: Wood Human Technique, Wood Release: Wood Dragon Technique, and Wood Release: Domed Walls Technique, creating a series of defensive measures to shield himself.

Boom!

In the next moment, a massive explosion akin to a nuclear blast obliterated Shishou's Flower-Tree World Creation and swept across the Death Valley, extending for several kilometers.

"Damn!" Tsunade bit her finger and summoned Katsuyu, enveloping herself, Shizune, and Miroku in its protective body. Mei Terumi and Pakura used Water Release: Water Formation Wall and Wind Release: Protective Wall, respectively. Miroku formed a seal, activating a defensive barrier around the three Ink Hawks, protecting Tsunade, Mei, Pakura, and the others within.

"Defend!" On a distant mountain, Zabuza warned as the shockwave, carrying debris, approached. The Akatsuki members each used their own defensive jutsu, protecting themselves without concern for others.

After a minute, the Super Shinra Tensei's impact ceased.

"Pfft..." Zabuza spat out dirt, looking at the devastated surroundings with shock. Itachi, Sasori, and Kakuzu were equally stunned, witnessing the entire Death Valley turned into a flat crater, as if struck by a meteor.

"Damn it!" Kisame cursed, having his newly regrown arm broken again by the impact of a flying Rashomon gate.

"Kisame, maybe you should stop getting healed. You look better this way," Kakuzu mocked, joined by the laughter of the other Akatsuki members.

In the sky, Tsunade and the others, protected by the barrier, were pushed even higher by the shockwave, their Ink Hawks shattered. Fortunately, Pakura quickly drew new Ink Hawks, catching everyone safely.

"Could one person really do this?" Mei Terumi and Tsunade looked at the enormous crater below, visibly moved.

Suddenly, they noticed an unfamiliar presence among them. Turning, they saw it was the Akatsuki member, Konan.

"You should move farther away," Konan awkwardly suggested before flying off. She had been swept up by the shockwave and accidentally caught by Pakura's Ink Hawk.

"..." Tsunade and the others exchanged glances, following Konan's advice and moving away while keeping their eyes on the ground, searching for Shishou.

On the ground, Pain descended, watching the flat terrain. Moments later, a domed shield of the Domed Walls Technique rose from the ground, revealing Shishou unscathed inside.

"You are indeed formidable," Pain acknowledged. He had hoped to use the Super Shinra Tensei to push Shishou out of the Death Valley, forcing him to lose by default, but he had failed.

The Yata Bird landed beside Pain, and Nagato emerged from within, with the Four-Tails and Five-Tails jinchūriki at his feet.

I knew the Shinra Tensei's power seemed amplified. So you absorbed the chakra of the Four-Tails and Five-Tails. Shishou marveled at Nagato's fresh appearance.

Pain jumped onto the Yata Bird, lying down and closing his eyes, having exhausted his fighting capability.

"Nagato, it looks like your leg injury is healed?" Shishou noted, observing Nagato's legs.