This was the first time Nagato had actively used [Shinra Tensei], and he was already panting heavily.
For him, using the power of the Rinnegan at this moment was still somewhat beyond his limits.
"A very impressive defensive ability."
"But it doesn't really mean much."
The Third Mizukage took another step toward Nagato. No one understood the abilities of the Rinnegan better than he did.
The amount of chakra required for the Rinnegan wasn't something ordinary people could handle, and Nagato was far from fully matured yet.
Looking at Nagato's current exhausted state, the Third Mizukage doubted he could use [Shinra Tensei] many more times.
Plus, with a five-second cooldown between uses, there was plenty he could accomplish in that window.
Right now, launching an offensive jutsu would be the most unwise choice.
[Shadow Clone Technique].
Ignoring the Third Mizukage, Nagato summoned four shadow clones to prepare for a major move.
Even if he couldn't win, he had to try before accepting defeat.
With a puff of smoke, five Nagatos appeared before the Third Mizukage.
"How much chakra do you have left to use like this?"
Shaking his head, the Third Mizukage secretly admired Nagato's chakra reserves.
His earlier decision had indeed been correct—only someone with such massive reserves could support those eyes.
[Great Five Elemental Combination].
Unaffected by outside distractions, Nagato knew his internal chakra was nearly depleted.
From rescuing people at the start to using [Shinra Tensei], everything had consumed massive amounts of chakra.
The five shadow clones released different elemental techniques that merged midair into a composite ninjutsu, heading straight for the Third Mizukage.
"Sasuke's technique?"
Muttering under his breath, the Third Mizukage's expression turned serious.
Judging from his reaction, it seemed he'd seen this move many times before.
Rarely, he chose not to block directly.
With a quick flash, he retreated far away—he clearly understood the overwhelming power of the Great Five Elemental Combination.
Boom!! Boom!!
After narrowly missing, the Five Elemental Great Combo exploded across the sea surface, briefly igniting the entire sea surface.
Nagato knelt on one knee, clearly exhausted, as all his clones dispersed.
"You're a genius."
"You could have become a great warrior even without those eyes."
The Third Mizukage's voice came from a distance, still calm and composed.
Mastering all five elemental natures at such a young age made Nagato truly deserving of the title "genius."
But against someone like him, it still wasn't enough.
"I will come with you."
"But I have one condition."
Nagato pulled out a kunai from his ninja tool bag and pressed it against his own neck.
"Go ahead."
Finally, the Third Mizukage's expression changed slightly.
If Nagato died, he truly wouldn't know where else to find a replacement.
Capture someone from Konoha? That would be far too troublesome.
"You cannot kill them."
"Otherwise, I will die right in front of you."
Nagato made a shocking decision.
In the current situation, the Third Mizukage could easily wipe everyone out.
And Nagato barely had the strength left to resist.
So Nagato decided to use his life as leverage—the Third Mizukage's goal had always been clear.
"No, I won't agree."
Yahiko forced himself to stand, slowly walking toward them.
He staggered across the sea surface, each step uncertain, constantly risking a plunge into the depths below.
"Enough noise already."
The Third Mizukage raised his hand and fired a sphere of water at Yahiko once again, sending him crashing down.
"Konan couldn't help but burst into tears, but she had no way to reverse this downward spiral.
"I promise."
Seeing the kunai pressed against Nagato's neck leave a bleeding mark, the Third Mizukage agreed.
"Look after them."
"Tell the teacher... I won't be coming back."
Nagato removed the kunai from his neck.
He turned around and gave Nawaki and Minato one final, deep look before resolutely stepping toward the Third Mizukage.
"Aren't you worried I'll break my word?"
The Third Mizukage looked at Nagato in front of him with surprise. Could it really be this easy for someone to trust another?
"Your goal is only me."
"Living might be hard, but dying? That's easy enough."
Nagato wiped away his tears, remaining unusually calm and mature beyond his years.
"Haha~ Interesting."
"Let's go."
The Third Mizukage didn't even bother sealing Nagato before taking him away into the distance.
At last, his eyes were his own again.
...
By the time Nawaki and Minato woke up, hours had passed.
The Third Mizukage had already taken Nagato on the road back to Kirigakure.
"Where are we?"
Nawaki opened his eyes, everything before him unfamiliar.
A sharp pain still lingered in his body.
Vaguely, he remembered being blasted away by the Third Mizukage's ultimate technique.
"You're awake," Konan's voice came from beside him.
"This is a ship bound for the Land of Fire. We were lucky—they rescued us as they passed."
Yahiko's face hadn't yet lost its expression of grief.
"Rescued us?"
Nawaki felt something was off.
What kind of people on a ship could rescue them from the hands of the Third Mizukage?
"Nagato went with the Mizukage."
"It was Nagato who saved us."
When Nawaki woke, Konan's emotions suddenly collapsed, tears streaming down her cheeks.
"What?"
"Ghh..."
His excitement caused Nawaki's pain to flare intensely within him.
"I wasn't strong enough."
Yahiko tightly pursed his lips, clearly showing the guilt on his face.
If only I'd been strong enough...
Bang!
Nawaki said nothing more and slammed the bed hard.
This chapter isn't over yet!
If you enjoy Naruto: Starting from Pursuing Tsunade, feel free to bookmark it here: (m.
"Ghh..."
Startled by Nawaki's pounding on the bed, Minato slowly stirred awake too.
"Minato, are you okay?"
Knowing Minato's body wasn't as resilient as his own, Nawaki asked with concern.
"I'm fine. Why are you crying?"
Still groggy and unaware of the situation, Minato had just woken up.
"Nagato was taken away."
With just those few words from Nawaki, Minato surprisingly showed no reaction whatsoever.
Now that he was still alive, a few moments of reflection were enough for him to figure out what had happened.
"Don't blame yourself."
"We need to return quickly and report to the Teacher."
"Only the Teacher can save Nagato now."
Minato calmly went through the possibilities in his mind. *If the Third Mizukage wanted Nagato dead, there would've been no need for such an elaborate setup.*
*In that case, there would've been no way for them to survive either.*
"Right, let's go back and find Kawaki."
"He'll know what to do."
Nawaki brightened at the mention of Kawaki. In his eyes, Kawaki was a living deity.
"How much longer until we get there?"
Minato turned to Yahiko.
"We'll arrive tonight."
Yahiko hadn't lost his head entirely—he still had a firm grasp on time.
"Alright then, I'll head back first."
"You should take breaks on the way."
Minato knew most of them were injured; they wouldn't be able to move quickly over such a distance.
As for himself, with the [Flying Thunder God Technique], he could return faster than anyone else.
"Fine, be careful on your way."
Nawaki nodded in agreement. This way, they could get word to Konoha faster.
[Regarding summoning beasts delivering messages—I remember in the original plot, Sage of Six Paths placed a communication frog in Konoha. If this part seems a little off, please go easy on me… Thanks...]
"Hmm."
After saying that, Minato lay down and closed his eyes. He didn't have much time to rest.
As night fell, a cargo ship docked at the harbor of the Land of Fire.
A group of people made their way directly toward Konoha. In a flash, Minato vanished.
...
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