"Uncle looks kinda scary."
At the dining table, Ginji whispered close to Tsunade.
"Don't meddle."
Tsunade shot Ginji a sharp glare. Why does that brat always bring up the worst stuff?
Didn't he see everyone trying to eat peacefully?
"Forget about it—come here and give Big Auntie a hug."
Natsuki looked at Sakumo, then opened her arms toward Ginji.
"I don't want to get anywhere near Uncle."
Ginji immediately rejected Natsuki's offer.
"You're such a kid..."
Natsuki chuckled and gave Sakumo a light pat on the back.
"I'm just the head of Anbu. Not much I can do."
"And what if I want to sulk on my own?"
Sakumo put down his bowl and chopsticks, looking like a grumpy housewife.
"Big bro, what are you talking about."
Tsunade wore an expression of helplessness. This conversation was all over the place—now dragging positions into it?
"You're the Hokage. He's with you."
"Do you two really have the heart to send those three back to the Land of Rain alone?"
Sakumo first pointed at Kawaki, then gestured toward Nagato and the others who were quietly enjoying their meal.
Minato was already enjoying the unfolding drama.
"Listen to me, Big bro."
"If I let them go, obviously I have confidence in it."
Kawaki honestly didn't know how to respond. He couldn't very well say that young Nagato was super powerful, could he?
"You've got no confidence at all."
"Tell me what confidence you even have?"
"Easier said than done."
Right now, Sakumo wasn't listening—he'd clearly lost his cool.
His fatherly concern was coming through loud and clear.
If he acted like this in the original plot too, he probably never would've committed suicide.
"Fine."
"Then come with me."
"Nagato, stop eating."
"Let's go outside."
Seeing is believing. Kawaki decided to show Sakumo just how strong young Nagato really was.
"Yes, teacher."
Nagato put down his bowl obediently and trailed behind Kawaki.
"Hmph—I'd like to see what trick you've got up your sleeve."
Sakumo coldly snorted, then stood up and followed along.
"These two can't even eat in peace."
"Never mind them. We'll keep eating."
Natsuki watched the trio leave the dining room, shrugging as she invited everyone else to continue.
They are blood brothers after all. This kind of thing's been happening for years.
One more time wouldn't make much difference.
"You two better not turn out like them."
Tsunade warned Kakashi and Ginji preemptively.
The two young ones nodded obediently. If things keep going like this, they'll probably be fine—for now.
Who could predict the future though? For now, nodding was always the safest bet.
Tsunade smiled satisfiedly. Good parenting starts young.
Meanwhile, with the Flying Thunder God technique, Kawaki whisked Nagato and Sakumo away to some secluded spot in Konoha.
"What did you bring us here for?"
Sakumo pulled away from Kawaki's grip, still clearly unwilling.
"Don't hurry. You'll see where my confidence comes from soon enough."
Kawaki kept his tone mysterious, which made Nagato uneasy.
"Teacher, what are you planning?"
Nagato took a couple steps back—he felt danger approaching.
"Teacher, it's been a while since you've tested me."
"Let me see how far you've come today."
As soon as Kawaki finished speaking, the Red Cursed Seal spread across his face.
A surge of immense chakra startled Sakumo.
Is this really necessary?
"Teacher, let's talk this through calmly."
Nagato wasn't stupid. In a flash, he appeared on a distant tree.
He knew all too well about Kawaki's strength while in Sage Mode.
"Fight first, then we'll talk. It'll also ease your uncle's worries."
Kawaki didn't give Nagato another chance to speak.
His figure vanished abruptly—the Flying Thunder God technique had activated.
"Shinra Tensei!"
Without hesitation, Nagato immediately used his ultimate move for defense.
Each of them bore the Flying Thunder God mark from Kawaki.
"Reaction's pretty quick."
Kawaki's fist, crackling with lightning, was already before Nagato's eyes, and he still wore a smile.
He clearly saw Nagato's eyes constrict suddenly.
Too bad that tiny gap made all the difference—so close, yet just out of reach.
He came fast, but was sent back even faster—a blast hurled Kawaki backward like a missile.
The trees surrounding Nagato exploded outward, with him at the epicenter.
Even Sakumo had to retreat from the violent winds.
"This wasn't anywhere near the level of power he remembered this technique having."
Naturally, Kawaki wasn't defeated by damage of this level. When he reappeared before Nagato, the only sign of disruption was his slightly disheveled hair.
In his hand was a long spear forged entirely of lightning, with a faint thunder dragon coiling around it.
[Thunder Dragon Roar]
Kawaki leaned back, balancing on one leg as he hurled the spear straight at Nagato.
The moment it left his hand, the weapon fully transformed into a mighty dragon.
Its gaping, bloodthirsty maw flew straight toward Nagato, scorching everything in its path.
"Are you trying to kill him?!"
Sakumo roared—this was one of Kawaki's newer jutsu techniques developed in recent years.
Extremely deadly!
Even he doubted he'd survive a direct hit—less than a one in ten thousand chance.
[Universal Pull]
Rather than simply deflecting using Shinra Tensei, Nagato chose to employ Universal Pull this time.
He understood Kawaki's intention perfectly—only by letting Sakumo witness his true capabilities could he truly set his mind at ease.
A massive suction force cracked the ground beneath them.
In an instant, an enormous boulder burst forth from beneath the earth. Following Nagato's arm movement, it smashed forcefully into the Thunder Dragon.
Boom!
A massive explosion rang out, and the rock shattered into pieces.
A rain of stone fragments fell across the sky.
Activating his Lightning Strike Armor, Sakumo defended himself, frowning up at the airborne threat.
The Thunder Dragon hadn't disappeared—it was obvious that attacks of this level couldn't counteract the new jutsu's power.
By now, Nagato had already regained his composure. He slowly extended his right hand.
With a smile, he waited for the Thunder Dragon to arrive.
After all, they weren't enemies. Kawaki stood quietly, waiting for Nagato's display without launching another attack.
"Dodge quickly!!"
"Sakumo had expected Nagato to use Shinra Tensei to deflect the weakened Thunder Dragon, but instead, he made no move to activate the technique at all.
By the time Sakumo wanted to step forward, it was already too late.
The massive Thunder Dragon instantly crashed into Nagato.
[Preta Path: Chakra Absorption!]
As Nagato whispered those words, the Thunder Dragon could no longer advance an inch.
An invisible barrier blocked its path.
A moment later, the Thunder Dragon vanished right before Nagato—completely devoured.
"What kind of jutsu is this?"
"Is he absorbing chakra?"
Sakumo's experience ran deep. Though unfamiliar with the technique, he quickly guessed its nature.
"That's exactly it, dear Big Brother."
"Is this version of Nagato enough for you?"
"If not, I can have him show off even more."
Before Sakumo could speak, Kawaki spoke again toward Nagato.
"Summon a few beasts so your uncle can see something new."
Nagato nodded and formed hand seals, then slammed one palm onto the ground.
[Animal Path:]
Bang! Bang! Bang!
After three bursts of smoke, three enormous beasts appeared before the trio.
A three-headed hound, a hell-born crab, and an eight-fathom bird.
They looked intimidating just by appearance alone.
"Well then? Are you satisfied with this level of strength now?"
"If that's not enough, there are still bigger moves."
Kawaki mused quietly, wondering if unleashing Planetary Devastation would be too sudden.
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