> [System Notification: Congratulations! You have destroyed the 'Five Paths of Pain' except for the Deva Path. Achievement: Medium-level. Reward: 10 Medium Achievement Lottery Spins!]
[Congratulations! You have defeated Akatsuki member Konan. Achievement: Medium-level. Reward: 2 Medium Achievement Lottery Spins!]
[Current Lottery Draw Count:]
- Primary Achievement Draws: 3
- Medium Achievement Draws: 12
- High-Level Achievement Draws: 1
…
As the dust settled from the fierce battle, a system prompt flickered in the void.
Leo glanced at the message indifferently.
"Oh? Two medium achievements just like that?"
"I didn't expect that."
He muttered quietly to himself. His lavender-colored Rinnegan remained focused on the only remaining body of Pain—the Deva Path, who stood across from him.
"Why... do you also possess the Rinnegan?"
Nagato's voice echoed through the body of the Deva Path, filled with confusion and disbelief. Konan had been similarly shocked moments ago.
From Nagato's perspective, the Rinnegan was a divine gift—exclusive, unique. How could someone else wield it?
Leo smirked coldly and responded with disdain.
"Do you really think that your Rinnegan came from your own power, Nagato?"
He didn't answer the question directly but instead posed one of his own.
"...What are you talking about?" Nagato's voice trembled slightly.
Leo narrowed his eyes.
"I don't feel like explaining the full truth to someone like you. I'll make this simple: You have two options."
His hand pointed the black chakra rod directly at Konan, who lay pinned beneath his foot.
"Either watch her die—or hand over your Rinnegan!"
Konan's eyes widened. "No, Nagato! Don't listen to him! You must not give the Eyes of God to someone like this!"
Leo's expression darkened. "Did I say you could speak?"
Without hesitation, he pressed his foot down harder on her face, grinding it into the ground.
The hatred in Konan's eyes was scorching, but her spirit remained unbroken.
Meanwhile, the Deva Path stood frozen. Nagato watched through its eyes as his lifelong comrade writhed beneath Leo's boot.
Finally, the Deva Path whispered, "Let her go. I... agree."
As soon as he spoke—
"Ugh—!"
The Deva Path tilted its head upward and let out a piercing wail.
Something was happening—something far more serious than a simple agreement.
"What now...?" Leo muttered, frowning as he stepped off Konan. "This reaction... odd."
With a loud boom, the Deva Path suddenly collapsed.
…
"Konan, any idea what just happened?"
Leo turned his gaze to her, confusion creeping into his voice.
But Konan, though momentarily free, ignored him. Her eyes were locked on the fallen body of the Deva Path.
"Nagato..."
She whispered softly, concern replacing the earlier hatred in her voice.
"If I didn't have to conserve my chakra, I'd just use genjutsu to get answers out of you," Leo muttered, irritated.
Suddenly—
"Rinnegan: Rinne Tensei no Jutsu!!"
A loud, shrill voice echoed from the tallest tower in Amegakure.
Both Leo and Konan turned toward the source of the sound.
"Rinne Tensei...?!" Konan gasped in disbelief. "Nagato, what are you doing?!"
"Rinne Tensei... Who is he reviving?" Leo's expression turned grim. "This is bad…"
Back inside the steel tower—
Nagato's skeletal frame slumped over, his breathing shallow. His hair had turned completely white. His life force was nearly depleted.
But his hands were still formed into the final seal. His jutsu was complete.
"Haha… Nagato. So this is your final value."
From the shadows beside him, a pitch-black figure emerged—Black Zetsu.
In the center of the room, a large upright coffin stood ominously.
CRACK!
BANG!
The lid was kicked open from inside.
Step. Step. Step...
A tall figure slowly stepped out of the coffin, chakra flaring with terrifying intensity.
His long hair swayed as he stood tall in crimson armor.
"...Nagato, you've grown a lot."
The man's Sharingan gleamed with a cold, ancient power.
"Lord Madara!" Black Zetsu cried joyfully. He bowed deeply.
"Black Zetsu," Madara said in a deep, steady voice. "How far along is our plan?"
Black Zetsu hesitated. "Madara-sama, during the execution of the plan, some... unexpected obstacles have arisen."
Madara's expression darkened. "How unexpected?"
He narrowed his eyes. "And where is that brat, Obito?"
Black Zetsu began to explain—
…
Meanwhile, back in the village square:
Leo narrowed his eyes, sensing the shift in chakra across the village.
"Hmph. So, the real one finally shows up..."
"This reeks of Black Zetsu's doing."
He sighed, rubbing his temples.
Screech—Screech—Screech!
The black rods that had pinned Konan to the ground withdrew and returned to Leo.
"You..." Konan watched him cautiously, not understanding why he suddenly let her go.
But her thoughts were focused on something else—Nagato.
Konan flapped her paper wings, rising unsteadily into the air despite her injuries.
"I wouldn't go there if I were you," Leo warned, his Rinnegan glowing softly.
But Konan didn't respond. She flew toward the steel tower, driven by concern for her comrade.
Just then—
Step. Step.
A figure appeared at the top of the tower, stepping into the moonlight.
Crimson armor. Long black hair. A cold stare.
"Madara!!"
Konan froze in midair.
Her worst fears had come true.
Looking back in horror, she shouted at Leo below, "What did you do to Nagato, you bastard?!"
Leo simply stood still, arms crossed.
"…."
He didn't answer.
But his thoughts were racing.
> "Madara... revived. Black Zetsu pulled this off even faster than I expected."
> "Tch. This might become troublesome..."
---
To be continued…