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Chapter 33: Complete Break, Taking Konan Away!
Time rewinds to roughly half an hour earlier.
While Oborotsuki was still in the Hōzuki clan grounds having an in-depth heart-to-heart with Kushina,
Back in Amegakure, Pain's Deva Path had returned to headquarters and been summoned alone by Uchiha Obito.
"Deva Path, I have a task for you."
The man masquerading as Uchiha Madara spoke bluntly the moment Deva Path entered—his eyes flashing with a dangerous, unapproachable intensity.
"What task?"
Deva Path asked expressionlessly.
"Kill Hōzuki Oborotsuki!"
Obito narrowed his eyes and spat the order through gritted teeth.
Deva Path asked for no reason.
"Understood."
"I also have something to report to you."
"What is it?"
Obito's gaze darkened as he looked over.
"Hōzuki Oborotsuki is originally from Kirigakure. The Fourth Mizukage is now publicly calling for all missing-nin who left the village to return."
"He is no longer suitable to remain in Akatsuki."
"I was already planning to request permission to eliminate him to prevent any risk of intelligence leaks."
Deva Path replied coldly.
He did not mention Konan's pregnancy to the man before him—the so-called "Uchiha Madara."
After all, this was still his closest friend and most important companion.
Oborotsuki could die—Konan could not.
If "Uchiha Madara" learned that Konan was carrying Oborotsuki's child, not only would the baby be doomed—Konan herself would almost certainly be killed.
"In that case, what are you waiting for?"
Obito said immediately.
Deva Path said nothing more. He turned and walked out of the sealed chamber.
"Make it clean. Preferably set a trap. That kid's strength is far from ordinary!"
Obito reminded him.
"I know what to do."
With those final words, Deva Path left the chamber.
…
…
Seeing Pain's Deva Path suddenly appear, the words Oborotsuki had been about to say—to tell Konan to leave with him—caught in his throat.
"Oborotsuki, Madara wants to see you."
Deva Path approached Oborotsuki and Konan, giving Konan only a brief glance before addressing Oborotsuki.
"That guy wants to see me again?"
"I'll head over now…"
Oborotsuki's heart stirred slightly.
Had Uchiha Obito recovered from his injuries so quickly?
As expected from someone who transplanted Hashirama's cells!
Since the man was back and specifically requesting to see him… wait!
Oborotsuki suddenly grew alert.
Obito had no way of knowing he had returned alive.
He might not even be certain whether Oborotsuki had died in Konoha!
So why would Deva Path immediately say "Madara wants to see you"?
Something's off here…
Realizing this, Oborotsuki casually glanced at Deva Path again.
But the figure was already a corpse—face utterly devoid of expression, perfectly concealing all emotion.
"Oborotsuki, I'll go with you."
Konan tugged lightly at Oborotsuki's sleeve.
She gave Deva Path a meaningful look.
She vaguely sensed something wasn't right.
The conversation that night seemed to indicate that Nagato still didn't fully trust her…
"Madara didn't ask for you. There's no need for you to come."
"Don't forget the rules, Konan."
Deva Path looked over coldly.
With that, he turned and left without waiting for her response.
"Don't worry, Konan-senpai. Wait for me here."
Oborotsuki gave Konan a knowing look and—while no one was paying attention—secretly left a permanent Flying Thunder God seal on her body with a trace of chakra.
Then he followed Deva Path and left.
…
Not long after, Oborotsuki arrived with Deva Path at a vast underground space.
The chamber was enormous. To their left stood a gigantic wooden statue—over a hundred meters tall.
"The Demonic Statue of the Outer Path…"
Oborotsuki recognized the colossal figure at a glance.
His wariness instantly rose.
"Wow, I've never been to this place before. By the way—what the hell is that thing?"
Oborotsuki rested the Decapitation Greatsword on his shoulder and asked curiously, looking at Deva Path's back as he walked ahead.
The moment the words left his mouth, Deva Path stopped.
At the same time, several figures appeared around them—standing atop the massive fingers of the Demonic Statue.
Oborotsuki only needed one glance to recognize them.
From left to right: the remaining five Paths of Pain—Animal Path, Preta Path, Asura Path, Human Path, and Naraka Path.
Together with Deva Path, they completely surrounded him.
Clearly—they came with hostile intent.
Oborotsuki understood exactly why the Six Paths of Pain had surrounded him.
There were only two possible reasons.
First: Obito's order.
Second: Nagato had discovered Konan's pregnancy.
But it didn't matter.
He hadn't come back today just to catch up.
"These guys… I've never seen them before…"
"Are they new members?"
Oborotsuki continued the act, pretending curiosity even as the Six Paths appeared.
In reality, the chakra inside him was already beginning to blaze.
"Oborotsuki."
"You have violated the organization's rules. Therefore, you will die here."
"Accept the judgment of God."
Deva Path spoke coldly, raising his hand and aiming his palm at Oborotsuki.
"As expected…"
"You guys really do look suspicious."
"But if you think you can kill me that easily—think again!"
"Water Style: Great Exploding Water Colliding Wave!!"
The chakra he had built to its peak erupted like a tsunami.
In an instant, thousands upon thousands of tons of water surged outward from Oborotsuki's body in every direction.
The immense force could easily sweep away mountains.
At the same time, thick fog instantly blanketed the entire underground chamber—rendering visibility impossible beyond a meter.
The moment the fog spread, Oborotsuki activated Flying Thunder God and vanished from the spot.
Now was not the time to fight the Six Paths of Pain.
"Almighty Push!"
Facing the spreading fog and the mountain-crushing torrent of water, Deva Path acted decisively.
A single Almighty Push effortlessly shattered Oborotsuki's Great Exploding Water Colliding Wave.
In the same instant, the thick fog that had filled the chamber was instantly dispersed.
But when the mist cleared, the Six Paths discovered that Oborotsuki was already gone.
Their shared vision through the Rinnegan scanned left and right.
After confirming the target was no longer inside the cavern, Deva Path issued the order coldly:
"Find him—dead or alive. Pursue!"
With that, all six figures vanished from the spot.
Oborotsuki hadn't fled directly out of Amegakure.
Instead, he appeared beside Konan.
"Oborotsuki? You—"
Konan was stunned by his sudden appearance.
But before she could ask what happened, Oborotsuki grabbed her hand and activated Flying Thunder God once more—both disappearing from the spot.
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