Chapter 319: Akimichi Butterfly Transformation
Tianyu and Maki's signatures were Phantom Taijutsu and Genjutsu, but they seemed to be severely countered by the enemy before them. Neither was particularly proficient in high-level Ninjutsu.
The opponent seemed fully prepared against illusionary attacks; whether visual or auditory, their Genjutsu was easily dispelled. Even with Phantom Taijutsu, they didn't dare make direct physical contact. The scene of the Ningendo (Human Path) ripping out a ninja's soul was still fresh in their minds.
Currently, they could only use Phantom Taijutsu to buff their physical stats and fight with swords. In this regard, Wataru was their core strength.
"We'll provide support. Wataru, we're counting on you!" Tianyu and Maki said seriously. This was the toughest battle since their debut: three Genin facing an enemy capable of killing Master Jiraiya.
"Right. Here I go! Soaring Dragon God Slash!" Wataru swung his longsword. The wind-natured chakra manifested into the form of a soaring dragon, showcasing incredible shape transformation.
Whoosh!
"Almighty Push (Shinra Tensei)."
The Tendo (Deva Path) sent Kakashi and the others flying. Some ninjas, unable to withstand the sheer repelling force, died on the spot.
"Everyone..."
Seeing the situation, Choji's eyes filled with grim determination. Enduring the pain racking his body, the fat within him began to rapidly convert. His back heaved, and a pair of massive butterfly wings burst from his spine.
"That's... Butterfly Transformation..."
The weakened Choza watched in shock. Choji had achieved the state without using the family's secret pills. In the history of the Akimichi clan, no one had ever manifested the wings without medicinal aid, because the sudden extraction and conversion of fat-stored chakra required the pills to act as a catalyst.
He saw hope. Perhaps now, Choji could do it...
"Unforgivable!" Choji roared, his inner fury boiling over. A massive chakra pressure blanketed the area, felt by every ninja present.
"I can't fall behind either!" Choza swallowed the secret pills he had kept ready since Tsunade assigned the mission. Like Choji, massive wings sprouted from his back.
"The Akimichi secret technique?" Pain muttered, feeling their rising momentum. His gaze then shifted to Kakashi, who was observing him from a distance.
"Double Crushing Palm!"
After their transformation, both father and son changed physically—their faces leaned out as chakra condensed into an offensive Taijutsu shroud.
Zip!
Choza struck first. Pain was forced to use Almighty Push to repel him. But at that exact moment, Choji moved.
Boom!
Caught in the Jutsu's cooldown, Pain took a direct punch to the face. His features contorted under the impact, and though he didn't die, the sheer force sent his body flying like a cannonball.
Crash! Crash!
Buildings were leveled as he smashed through them. The father and son duo gave chase immediately. Armed with intelligence, they didn't attack simultaneously; they cycled their strikes to effectively exploit the interval between the enemy's techniques.
Kakashi moved to support them, but the Shurado (Asura Path) taught him a lesson with a volley of missiles. He had to deal with the mechanical threat in front of him first.
On the outskirts of Konoha.
Tobi stood atop a tree branch, watching Pain's setbacks. "That guy doesn't seem ready to move yet. Can Pain handle these small fry?" A black-and-white head emerged from the trunk to speak to him.
Tobi replied: "Is something delaying him? According to our intel, he isn't out on a mission. Even if he were, he should be back by now."
"Or maybe he's like Danzo, waiting for the right moment?" Zetsu suggested.
"An opportunist?" Tobi recalled the past. Tonbo shouldn't have the history of an opportunist. He had a beautiful family—elderly to care for, children to raise.
"True. He must be tied up by something. Maybe Danzo is behind it. After all, this is a moment of life or death for Konoha, yet he hasn't lifted a finger." Zetsu was puzzled by Tonbo Tobitake's current inaction.
"It's a bit early to talk about 'life or death.' Konoha seems to have many capable people left. To resolve this, a price must be paid," Tobi said, watching the battle unfold. From the current situation, if Nagato's main body didn't intervene, it would be difficult to take Konoha. Or, he would have to use that move... Konan would probably try to talk him out of it.
"Should we help? I didn't expect the Deva Path to be suppressed by two Akimichi. That's a remarkable secret technique," Zetsu remarked. A technique that multiplied strength by over tenfold was difficult for the Deva Path to handle alone, even with the Rinnegan.
"No. I believe he can solve it himself."
"Ugh!"
"Agh!"
"Let go of me!"
Tianyu and Maki were caught by the Human Path. They kicked out desperately at him.
"Where is Naruto?" The Human Path asked mechanically, his hands already using the ability to pull out their souls.
"You fell for it! Now, Wataru!" Just as his soul was halfway out, Tianyu grinned triumphantly.
The Human Path whirled around.
"One Cut in Two: Great Ryujin Sword!"
In his vision, a massive Wataru Watabe appeared behind the smaller one, swinging a colossal longsword downward.
Slash!
The soul-extraction process halted instantly. Tianyu and Maki quickly seized their half-extracted souls and yanked them back into their bodies. The Human Path's body was cleaved in two.
"Wataru, nice one!" Tianyu and Maki patted him on the shoulder.
"Great! This time we didn't even use our 'Proxy Licenses' to defeat a powerful enemy. When Konohamaru finds out, he's going to be so jealous, hehe."
"Whirlwind Punch!"
Asuma wrapped a wire around the neck of a Giant Drill-Beaked Bird. He was yanked into the air, using the momentum to swing himself onto its back. Standing on the bird, he crossed his chakra blades over its neck.
Poof!
The bird vanished in a cloud of smoke.
"Whoa—I forgot I can't fly!" Asuma's eyes went wide as the ground rushed up to meet him.
"Elastic Love!"
Fwoosh!
A massive chakra net caught Asuma. In the distance, Ino appeared, smiling as she caught her teacher.
"Well done, Ino!"
Barrier Team Headquarters.
"They're all doing quite well!"
Tonbo Tobitake's clone offered praise, but internally he felt things were getting complicated. He had left a shadow clone here fearing Tsunade wouldn't be prepared, intending to activate the "Golden Bell Inversion Barrier" himself. Now, it looked like Pain might be defeated by the Choza-Choji duo before he even got a chance to use his ultimate move.
Surely not? Pain had more power than this, provided Nagato was willing to expend the chakra. Most importantly, would Naruto still get his chance for "Talk No Jutsu"? If not, Tonbo would have to finish off Otsutsuki Urashiki and rush back to save the day. If that happened, the familiar plot would completely collapse.
Still, Obito was ready; the Fourth Great Ninja War would likely happen regardless. Beyond capturing the Eight and Nine-Tails, Obito had other things to consider.
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