Chapter 196: Chapter 196
"At this moment, Toad Sage Fukasaku and Shima Sage found their Chakra surging through every fiber of their body.
After what seemed like an eternity, Fukasaku finally opened his eyes, determination etched across his aged face.
"Alright! It's ready," he declared with fervor and a sense of urgency.
"Let's do it and believe in that boy!" spoke Fukasaku.
"Understood," Shima replied, her voice resolute.
However, just as they were ready to face their adversary, the Deva Path raised his arm abruptly.
In a swift motion, he aimed and unleashed the devastating jutsu pulling Fukasaku towards him.
"Fukasaku!"
"Grandpa Sage!"
Naruto's cry filled the air and his eyes widened in shock as he bore witness to this devastating display.
With all his might, Naruto raced towards the Deva Path, his heart pounding with a sense of urgency and desperation.
But despite his valiant efforts, he was unable to save Fukasaku, who was now mere inches away from the looming threat.
He stood mere feet from Deva Path, forced to watch helplessly as the black rod in Deva Path's hand pierced through Fukasaku's body, blood splattering in every direction.
"Damn it!"
Naruto seethed in fury; his anger was completely directed towards the Deva Path.
The powerlessness of witnessing his loved ones perish right before his eyes almost completely drove him to the brink of madness.
What stung even more was that these tragic incidents were taking place on his home turf, in Konoha Village, and directly affecting him.
Now, these events weren't just fights between Pain and Konoha; they were personal affronts against Naruto himself.
Toad Sage Fukasaku had lived a peaceful life at Mount Myōboku, far removed from these turbulent conflicts.
He was leading a life free from these fights.
Yet, when the need arose, he had willingly offered his aid, and chosen to intervene without even a single hesitation or complaint.
Seeing such a noble soul meet a tragic end right before him left Naruto heartbroken.
It completely devastated him, and he couldn't help but be overwhelmed by sorrow.
Amidst the chaos and turmoil, when Konoha's ninja got to know that Pain was merely a puppet in a larger scheme of things.
They knew that they couldn't afford to remain idle as unmasking the true mastermind, the puppeteer behind these actions was the key to resolving the crisis.
"Shizune is dead," one of the ninjas solemnly declared, mourning her death.
"But we can't let her sacrifice be in vain.
We must unravel the truth behind Pain's motivations and find the mastermind, the puppeteer pulling the strings and orchestrating this entire plot.
Before that we can afford to grieve."
Another declared with unwavering determination.
"That's right," someone else concurred.
"Our immediate task for now is to locate Pain's true location as quickly as possible."
Turning to a powerful comrade, they inquired.
"You're incredibly skilled in this, so can you detect the enemy's Chakra and attempt reverse tracking him?"
The ninja nodded, his determination undiminished.
"I've tried," he responded.
"But the enemy constantly alters their Chakra. It's proving to be a formidable challenge."
Both sides were now fully engaged in the unfolding battle.
Before Naruto could fully recover from his sadness, Deva Path used Universal Pull once more, without hesitation.
Deva Path wasn't unwilling to wait any longer.
The constant fights had left him with no patience for any delay.
Suddenly, Naruto felt an irresistible force tugging at his body, pulling him uncontrollably towards the Deva Path.
The force rendered him utterly powerless, and it was as if a magnetic pull was drawing him in.
As he hurtled toward Deva Path, there was a distinctive sound that resonated in the air, and in an instant, Deva Path extended a hand, reaching out to grasp Naruto's throat.
His hand wrapped firmly around Naruto's throat, slamming him against the ground, this was Naruto's worst nightmare.
With a swift, unrelenting motion, the Deva Path imposed Naruto's hands upon one another, bringing a sinister-looking black rod in his hand.
With a chilling sound that seemed to echo throughout Naruto's consciousness, the black rod drove mercilessly through both of Naruto's palms, firmly anchoring him to the ground.
Agonizing pain surged through Naruto's entire body, forcing an anguished and distressed cry to escape his mouth.
Nagato, using the formidable power of the Rinnegan through the Deva Path, loomed over Naruto with an eerie calm.
He addressed the captive Naruto, his voice laced with a chilling tone.
"So, can you finally find some peace, Nine Tails?"
Tears welled in Naruto's eyes as he grappled with the torment of his situation, struggling for answers.
"Who are you and why are you doing this?"
Naruto, pinned to the ground, screamed in hysteria.
"Who are you killing everyone and causing destruction here?"
His voice trembled with a mixture of fear and desperation, aching for an explanation.
Not far away, Toad Sage Shima watched the unfolding tragedy in despair, tears streaming down her face.
As she was forced to bear witness to Naruto's torment, her heart was filled with heavy sorrow.
Meanwhile, the three toad brothers, Gamabunta, Gamahiro, and Gamaken, had been forcibly thrown out from the village, their fates unknown.
Now, their comrade had fallen victim to the Deva Path's cruel grasp.
Naruto, now captured once again, found himself in a despairing situation.
Everyone's fragile tendrils of hope appeared to shatter right before their very eyes.
Now, their future looking absolutely bleak.
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