Once Kakashi figured out Pain’s intel, he stopped wasting chakra on testing.

"Choza, Choji."

Kakashi called to the only two remaining Akimichi Clan members beside him, father and son; everyone else was tied up by the Asura Path.

"His ninjutsu has about a five-second cooldown after each use. I need you two to buy time with your Expansion Jutsu."

"I’ll finish him within the next five seconds."

"Understood."

"Any strategy is useless in the face of absolute power."

The Deva Path looked down on their open discussion of tactics. Nonetheless, Kakashi and the two prepared to carry out their plan.

The Choji father-son duo charged at the Deva Path first. Kakashi threw several smoke bombs from behind to obscure the view.

However, all their movements were watched by the nearby Asura Path. The ninjas trying to stop him were mere foot soldiers to him; he had more than enough attention to spare to help the Deva Path.

Thanks to shared vision, Choji’s actions were tracked. The Deva Path immediately used Universal Pull to lock him down. Seeing this, Kakashi swiftly rushed in front of Choji.

"Earth-Style Wall."

Kakashi used the Earth-Style Wall to block the path Choji was being pulled along.

"Saved, Kakashi-sensei."

"Expansion Jutsu, Human Bullet Tank!"

Choji directly smashed through the Earth-Style Wall in front of him and launched another attack at the Deva Path.

This time, the Deva Path could only use Almighty Push to defend. Because it wasn’t just Choji; an attack from Choza was also coming from another direction.

The two Human Bullet Tanks thus sandwiched the Deva Path between them. However, they didn’t manage to hurt him; the Deva Path kept the Almighty Push’s range to a minimum, barely blocking the damage.

Then, the father and son were sent flying by the Almighty Push as its range gradually expanded, but this assault was far from over.

Kakashi had already used Earth Release to get beneath the Deva Path’s feet, and thrust a Lightning Cutter into the Deva Path’s chest.

"A good strategy works even if you’re told about it to your face."

"Yes, it really is a pretty good strategy."

The Deva Path suddenly raised its left arm, and a black rod emerged from its sleeve. This was not something someone gravely wounded should be able to do.

Kakashi suddenly remembered Hatake Satoru’s words: No true body.

To overlook the most crucial piece of intel during battle... Am I finished here?

Of course not. The village’s crisis isn’t resolved yet; I can’t just fall here.

"Kamui!"

Kakashi looked up and warped the black rod aimed at him into the Kamui dimension. The drain was enormous, but he barely managed to escape the immediate danger.

However, Kakashi, focused on the attack in front of him, didn’t realize an attack from the Asura Path behind him was already locked on.

All the ninjas tangled with the Asura Path had already been knocked to the ground. Not surprising, as the Asura Path was the one with the strongest offensive power among the Six Paths.

"Kakashi... watch out..."

Choza, who had been sent flying earlier, barely propped himself up to warn Kakashi.

A chill ran down Kakashi’s back as he sensed the incoming attack. But now, it was too late for him to dodge; the Deva Path in front of him had firmly grabbed the hand he’d used for the Lightning Cutter. What to do next? This time, I might really die.

"That’s quite an expensive welcome gift. Did you plan for me to see my little brother’s corpse the moment I arrived?"

Perfect timing. A man with silver hair intercepted the Asura Path’s attack.

Hatake Satoru makes his entrance.

Blocking the attack, Hatake Satoru used his Kagura to blow the Asura Path to pieces.

Wasn’t he just dealing with the Human Path? How did he get here so fast? The Deva Path was puzzled seeing Hatake Satoru.

"A clone technique? Not long ago, you were still with the Human Path."

"Oh? You mean him?"

Hatake Satoru threw the Human Path—with limbs broken and eyes gouged out—right in front of the Deva Path.

"Ah, so it’s a space-time ninjutsu."

"Almighty Push."

Even with such severe injuries, he could still use ninjutsu as if he were perfectly fine. The power of the Rinnegan truly is terrifying.

Hatake Satoru pulled Kakashi, whose hand was still stuck in the Deva Path’s chest, to safety.

"Brother..."

"Did you get the intel out?"

"I sent out all eight ninja hounds. By now, it should have reached Lady Tsunade."

"Good. That intel is crucial for the village to deal with them."

At the Hokage’s office.

After five of the eight ninja hounds were sacrificed, Uruishi finally delivered the message.

Upon receiving the intel, Tsunade went up to the roof of the Hokage’s office.

Tsunade bit her thumb and was about to summon Katsuyu when she was stopped.

"Master, let me do it. The village still needs you to lead."

"Sakura, now’s not the time to be stubborn."

"Master, I won’t let you down. Now is the time to test the results of my training these past few years."

Seeing Sakura’s firm resolve, Tsunade couldn’t say anything more.

"Summoning Technique!"

Sakura summoned about forty percent of Katsuyu.

"Lady Katsuyu." "Katsuyu."

"Huh? This is Konoha?"

"Has it been invaded?"

Tsunade told Katsuyu the intel brought by Uruishi.

"No time for surprise. Quickly spread the information."

"I understand."

Katsuyu instantly split into pieces the size of an adult’s thigh, scattering towards every corner of the village.

In the village, Ebisu was protecting Konohamaru as they fled.

"You’re going to be Hokage someday, Konohamaru. Survive."

Ebisu might usually be a pervert, but he’s pretty reliable in a crisis.

However, as a Special Jonin, his strength definitely wasn’t enough to face the Naraka Path alone.

Konohamaru hadn’t run far when he heard Ebisu’s groan. He was already being choked by the King of Hell summoned by the Naraka Path.

"Ebisu-sensei..."

Hiding in a corner, Konohamaru was conflicted. Should he try to save his teacher? With his own strength, he probably wouldn’t survive either.

Just as Konohamaru was struggling with the decision, the Naraka Path suddenly let go of Ebisu. It turned and ran towards a certain place behind it.

"Ebisu-sensei! Are you okay?"

"Really saved my skin. Don’t know why he suddenly let me off."

Of course, it was because he didn’t have time to deal with irrelevant people anymore. The Naraka Path first went to the Animal Path’s location. And revived it.

"Summoning Technique."

The two rode on an Archaeopteryx towards the Deva Path’s location. The Animal Path took the chance to summon the Hellhound, centipede, crab, and other summoned creatures again to wreak havoc in Konoha.

The Archaeopteryx quickly reached the Deva Path and dove straight towards Hatake Satoru and Kakashi.

The Archaeopteryx’s dive kicked up a huge cloud of dust.

The summoning of the landed Archaeopteryx was canceled. Hatake Satoru looked ahead.

A gigantic King of Hell seemed to be chewing on something.

"Tch, as expected, instead of the intel, the one that should have been dealt with first is this guy."

The revived Deva Path and Naraka Path slowly walked out. The battle had returned to its starting point.