Chapter 371: From Today On, You Belong to Me
Nagato and Konan flew swiftly through the air. Suddenly, a figure flashed ahead, blocking their path.
"So you're that Nagato who calls himself a god?
"What an excellent body!
"Worth making this special trip to meet you."
This person was none other than Isshiki Ōtsutsuki.
Ever since the Shell Organization's outer base was exposed, Isshiki hadn't been idle—constantly investigating who was causing him trouble.
Uchiha Madara's identity was so obvious that a casual investigation led straight back to Konoha Village.
He certainly wanted to eliminate this nuisance once and for all, but Jigen's body limited him, preventing him from unleashing his full combat power. Against Uchiha Yasushi and Uchiha Madara, even if he could win, his body would likely collapse in the process.
That made him increasingly concerned about finding Jigen's replacement.
The Akatsuki organization had built quite a reputation these past years. Their leader Nagato especially—comparing himself to a god, defeating even the combined forces of Rock and Mist Villages.
This piqued Isshiki's interest.
Since he dared call himself a god, his physical constitution and bloodline talent should be quite decent, right?
With an experimental mindset, Isshiki made this special trip to see whether Nagato's body could serve his purposes.
Nagato possessed Uzumaki bloodline—a standard Sage Body. There were good reasons why Madara had selected him as a vessel to cultivate the Rinnegan.
Truthfully speaking, Nagato's bloodline likely surpassed even Shinyu and Karin.
Only he'd been burdened first by Rinnegan eyes that didn't belong to him, then suffered years of severe injuries. His bloodline's natural effects simply couldn't manifest.
After Yasushi healed him with dojutsu, his bloodline advantages finally emerged. His entire body now brimmed with vital energy—yin and yang united as one.
A body of this caliber, while perhaps not fully meeting Isshiki's requirements, still vastly exceeded Jigen's vessel by a hundredfold.
Seeing hostile intent from this newcomer, Nagato handed both jinchūriki to Konan and waved her back.
"Reinforcements from the shinobi alliance?
"Coming alone—you intend challenging a god?"
"Hahaha..." Isshiki burst into loud laughter, his face full of contempt as he regarded Nagato.
"Arrogant ignorant creature. You don't even know your own worth yet spout such nonsense.
"In terms of insight, you fall far short of those two Uchiha. But fortunately, your body is quite excellent—perfect for my use.
"Come, let me brand you first!"
With that, Isshiki raised both hands.
Nagato's Rinnegan suddenly constricted. His hands moved rapidly, black receivers spinning into a defensive web before him.
Clink clink clink clink...
A series of dense sounds rang out like hammering iron. Over a dozen black receivers suddenly manifested before Nagato—each deflected away by his defensive strikes.
"Sudden enlargement?" Nagato's voice carried cold mockery. "Indeed a decent trick, but such laughable methods cannot deceive a god's eyes."
"Truly excellent eyes."
Seeing conventional tactics prove ineffective, Isshiki frowned slightly but ultimately decided to release more power.
For such a rare vessel, even burning through some of Jigen's remaining lifespan would be worth it.
His thoughts shifted. The seal covering Jigen's body began loosening bit by bit, releasing more energy.
Dark red patterns emerged from his brow, spreading downward across his entire body. A single horn slowly grew from the back of his head, coiling beside it.
Like a boss entering its second phase, the aura surrounding him completely transformed—radiating suffocating pressure.
Even the surrounding air began twisting and trembling from this violent energy.
Isshiki rolled his head side to side, producing cracking sounds from shifting joints. He crossed his hands, loosening his wrists.
"Good. Now things get serious."
Before his words finished, his figure vanished.
Nagato's heart exploded with warning. Mortal danger screamed through his very soul.
Almost instinctively, he raised his hands and unleashed Shinra Tensei at full power.
The repulsive field erupted with unprecedented speed and intensity, centered on him.
BOOM!
A tremendous explosion rang out. The enemy who'd disappeared suddenly reappeared, right leg raised high like a battle axe descending.
Without using any ninjutsu—merely pure taijutsu pushed to its absolute extreme—wrapped in unimaginable force and some higher-tier energy, the kick slammed into the invisible repulsive field.
Physical attack meeting rule-based repulsion. A direct, unyielding clash.
Their collision produced a shockwave even more intense than a Tailed Beast Ball explosion.
This transcended normal ninjutsu collision parameters entirely.
Space itself seemed to warp and shudder.
A visible ring of terrifying force expanded from the impact point, sweeping across the heavens like a supernova burst.
High-altitude clouds vaporized and scattered instantly, revealing brilliant blue sky. Unobstructed sunlight poured down, illuminating the heart-stopping collision below.
The aftershock alone could critically injure any Kage-level powerhouse approaching. Even Konan was blasted away by the sudden shockwave.
Konan grunted, her paper wings shredding. Her body flew backward uncontrollably. She barely stabilized, staring toward the collision center with horror in her eyes.
Nagato hovered in midair, arms thrust forward. The repulsive field around him manifested like a tangible dome of light, expanding outward frantically.
Isshiki's single leg pressed against the dome's surface, his posture like sculpture. Where leg met dome, space continuously rippled with tiny black distortions.
Both forces achieved brief equilibrium in midair—neither yielding, neither able to overcome the other.
Time seemed frozen.
But several breaths later, Isshiki chose to retreat voluntarily.
Using the repulsive rebound, his form drifted gracefully backward dozens of meters before settling steady.
"Excellent eyes. Excellent body. Pity the person is too weak."
His calm assessment carried increasingly fervent focus fixed on Nagato.
"What a rare 'vessel'!
"From today on, you belong to me.
"Let me show you what a true 'god' actually is!"
With that, Isshiki's form shifted slightly—already crossing the space between himself and Nagato.
Not teleportation, but pure speed pushed to extremes that nearly violated physical laws—as though space itself automatically shortened distances before him.
This time he used no ninjutsu, no longer employing the dojutsu techniques Nagato had just blocked. He relied purely on the simplest, most fundamental punches and kicks, attacking Nagato directly.