Chapter 255: You Leave, I Stay
Hearing Nagato's words, Konan immediately furrowed her brows and said worriedly, "But Nagato, aren't you retreating with us?"
"I'm staying to figure out a way to stop Madara. Yahiko, you should retreat too!"
"You must protect these Tailed Beasts and jinchūriki at all costs. They absolutely cannot fall into Madara's hands!"
Nagato gave his two closest friends a stern reminder.
Hearing this, Yahiko glanced toward the several massive Tailed Beasts in the distance, as well as Killer Bee, Kushina Uzumaki, Utakata, Bunpuku, and the other jinchūriki.
After a brief hesitation, he turned his head toward Konan. "Konan, take them and leave. With your jutsu, transferring all of them at once shouldn't be difficult."
"I'll stay and fight alongside Nagato."
No sooner had he spoken than a voice suddenly rang out behind him.
"The ones who should be retreating are you. Didn't you say that one of Madara's targets is your pair of Rinnegan?"
Everyone turned their heads at once, only to see a strikingly beautiful woman with long red hair, cradling a small infant in her arms.
Of course they knew her—she was the wife of Minato Namikaze, the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki, and kunoichi of the Uzumaki clan: Kushina Uzumaki.
At this moment, Kushina looked at Nagato and the others with utmost seriousness.
Her husband, Minato, had just fought Madara and been gravely injured. As a sensory-type ninja, Kushina knew all too clearly how bad the situation was.
The only reason she hadn't exploded on the spot was because she was mindful of the baby in her arms.
Naruto had been born less than a month ago. He needed protection more than anything. If she abandoned him to confront Uchiha Madara, who would look after him?
But those earlier concerns no longer bound her heart. Right now, Kushina had made up her mind.
She decided to entrust her son to Jiraiya-sensei's disciples—these three shinobi before her, who were about her own age.
Though they had once been the core members of Akatsuki, it was clear they had now turned from their former path.
With these thoughts in her mind, Kushina acted at once. Without waiting for Nagato and the others to respond, she stepped forward carrying baby Naruto.
"Listen carefully—this is my precious son. You must live, and you must take good care of him for me."
"Tell him that his father and mother are heroes of the village! That we were proud shinobi of Konoha!"
Saying this, Kushina abruptly shoved baby Naruto into Nagato's arms. Without paying any attention to their stunned expressions, she turned and strode straight toward Uchiha Madara in the distance.
"Lady Kushina!"
Several Anbu immediately followed.
They weren't just there to protect the other Tailed Beasts and jinchūriki—their top priority was to protect Kushina and her child.
Kushina didn't stop them from following.
She knew perfectly well that her strength alone was nowhere near enough to stop Madara. Having help was all the better.
Nagato, Yahiko, and Konan exchanged glances. Konan spoke first: "She's right, Nagato. Madara is already incredibly powerful. If he seizes your eyes and regains the Rinnegan, his strength will become even more terrifying. At that point, no one will be able to stop his ambitions…"
Yahiko added, "We should find a way to contact Lord Fourth Hokage. If we can reach him, there's still hope."
Nagato had been ready to fight to the death.
But after hearing his two friends' advice, he realized their reasoning was sound.
He nodded, agreeing to their plan.
Lowering his head, he looked at baby Naruto in his arms, then glanced at Kushina's retreating figure. "Don't you dare die."
With that, he prepared to unleash the Rinnegan's power to evacuate all the Tailed Beasts and jinchūriki from this perilous battlefield.
Just then, Killer Bee, the Eight-Tails' jinchūriki, suddenly stepped forward.
"Thanks for Konoha's help. I haven't known you all for long, but I can feel the bonds you carry."
"Leave Uchiha Madara to me. I'll buy you as much time as I can."
As he spoke, he strode toward the enemy ahead, slowly drawing the great blade from his back.
Seeing this, Rōshi, the Four-Tails' jinchūriki, and Han, the Five-Tails' jinchūriki, also stepped forward.
"We're not the kind of people who run away from a fight. If Madara wants to capture us, he'll have to earn it himself!"
"That's right—we're not pushovers. There's no way we'll just let him capture us without a fight!"
With those words, the two joined Killer Bee, following close behind.
"You… hey, you're jinchūriki! You're the ones Madara is after!" Yahiko tried to stop them.
Who would knowingly walk straight into the enemy's hands?
But Rōshi and Han ignored him entirely.
Now, with Kushina, Killer Bee, Rōshi, and Han stepping forward, those who remained included the Two-Tails' jinchūriki, the One-Tail's jinchūriki, as well as Utakata of the Six-Tails and the Seven-Tails' host.
They were either too young to control their beasts, or too old to fully unleash their power. Clearly, they weren't suited to join the battle.
"Konan, get them out of here!"
Nagato urged once again.
Without hesitation, he activated the Rinnegan against Kushina, Killer Bee, Rōshi, and Han.
"Universal Pull!"
All at once, an irresistible force dragged the four jinchūriki back toward him.
"You—?" Kushina was shocked and furious, staring at Nagato in disbelief.
"These eyes of mine belong to Uchiha Madara to begin with. If he wants them back, let him come for them."
"But you are different."
"The beasts inside you are the keys to reviving the Ten-Tails. As long as he can't obtain their power, he can't bring the Ten-Tails back."
"That's why you must leave this place."
"Konan, what are you waiting for!"
Nagato had made up his mind to stay behind and hold off Madara.
Konan finally sensed the unshakable resolve within him. Biting her lip, she gave Yahiko and Nagato one last, lingering look of reluctance.
Then she swiftly unleashed her Paper God Technique, conjuring a massive bird of paper. Controlling the Dance of Shikigami, she wrapped all the jinchūriki and loaded them onto the bird.
"You two must live on!"
With that, Konan directed the paper bird into the sky, calling back her final words of reminder to her friends.