Chapter 112: The Fierce Battle of Pain

Just as the iron monstrosity was about to step into the high tower, the situation took a sudden, violent turn.

A nimble ninja, moving with the agility of a panther, leaped into the air. His eyes gleamed with malice, and the blade in his hand shimmered with a cold, lethal light. He had only one thought: to strike deep into the creature’s vulnerable neck. In his mind, he already saw the glorious moment of his enemy's demise.

Beneath the iron monstrosity’s hood, the mysterious red light pulsed sharply. Its sophisticated systems instantly calculated the ninja’s trajectory. With lightning speed, it side-stepped the strike and caught the blade firmly in its hand. The mechanical arm exerted immense pressure, and with a crisp snap, the forged steel sword was easily crushed into fragments.

The ninja froze, his eyes widening in shock and disbelief. The iron monstrosity gave him no time to react; it grabbed him by the collar, hoisting him up like a helpless ragdoll, and slammed him violently into the ground. Without pause, the creature thrust its energy greatsword downward. The high-frequency vibrating blade collided with the ninja’s body, producing a sickening grinding of bone as the weapon pulverized his skeletal structure in an instant.

In truth, the man could no longer feel the pain, for the blue energy flickering across the sword’s surface had acted like a lethal bolt of lightning, searing his internal organs and snuffing out his life in a heartbeat.

Another ninja emerged silently from behind the creature. His hands blurred through a series of hand seals as powerful chakra surged in his palms, unleashing a potent Water Release jutsu. Along both sides of the corridor, water dragons infused with metallic debris erupted. Their maws gaped wide, and the high-pressure water, sharp as fangs, lunged viciously at the creature’s back.

The iron monstrosity, as if it possessed eyes in the back of its head, pivoted its waist with uncanny fluidity. Pushing off with its feet, it leaped high into the air, effortlessly evading the attack. While airborne, the creature swung its energy greatsword, the weapon whistling through the air as it descended upon the ninja who had cast the jutsu.

Terrified, the ninja scrambled to roll away, narrowly dodging the lethal blow. However, as the sword struck the floor, a violent shockwave surged outward. The ninja was blasted into the air, and with a single gunshot, a gaping hole was blown through his chest. His limp body fell into the deep water beside the passage, and silence returned to the hall.

"I will not let you continue this rampage!"

A taijutsu specialist stared fixedly at the iron monster, his heart burning with rage as he waited for an opening. Finally, spotting his chance, he lunged forward. His fist, encased in Earth Release chakra, slammed into the creature’s chest with a thunderous boom. Yet, the iron monstrosity’s structure was as immovable as a mountain of steel. The punch merely made it sway slightly; its cold metal frame seemed to mock his futility. The creature allowed no second chance; its mechanical arm reversed its grip on the greatsword, and the hilt swung with a whistling arc, striking the ninja’s head. His skull collapsed instantly, and he fell into darkness, his consciousness extinguished in a gruesome display.

Now, a group of ninjas gathered within the tower, launching a coordinated assault. Tools and jutsu rained down upon the iron monstrosity. Instead of retreating, the creature advanced. Its internal differential engine whirred at high speed, activating the energy mode of its greatsword, which erupted in a brilliant glow.

It swung the blade with life-like precision, weaving a flawless screen of light before it. Ninja tools either clattered away upon contact or were sheared in half, falling to the ground. Like a ferocious beast of steel, the monster charged into the ranks of the ninjas. Its greatsword swept left and right, each stroke accompanied by a spray of blood and a chorus of screams, turning the hall into a living hell.

When Nagato arrived at the battlefield below, controlling the prepared Six Paths of Pain, his pupils dilated in horror. There was not a single living soul left; only the pungent stench of blood hung in the air. A massive, heavily armored iron figure stood like a giant tower. The black rags that had once covered it were now shredded remnants. Its massive body shone with a cold, metallic luster, and its head featured a single camera lens, glowing with an eerie, chilling red light.

The creature’s chest remained still, devoid of any sign of life. This grotesque creation, the grim ruins of the battlefield, and its senseless slaughter sent a chill down the spine of even a man as accustomed to hell as Nagato.

"You, a mortal construct, dare to trespass upon the domain of a god. You know not the meaning of death."

Nagato controlled the remains of Yahiko, fashioned into the Deva Path. Yahiko’s face, once full of vitality and warmth, now wore only cold indifference and arrogance. Looking down from above, Nagato spoke with chilling authority: "Regardless of your intent, what is the penalty for acting with such insolence in the realm of a god?"

The iron figure did not reply. Within its cold mechanical skull, programs raced. As it observed the Deva Path, the red light in its lens flashed, and the four guns mounted on its back opened fire simultaneously, bullets howling like a storm.

"Shinra Tensei!"

The Deva Path remained expressionless. He slowly extended his hands, and in that instant, a massive, overwhelming repulsive force was released, as if pushing the very fabric of space aside. The four bullets were deflected away from the creature’s body and out the door, triggering a massive explosion. With a deafening roar, the wide corridor outside the gate collapsed, stone falling and dust choking the air.

"A gift deserves a return."

The Asura Path began to transform amidst a haunting, metallic screeching, shifting into a bizarre eight-limbed puppet. Its joints flickered with an ominous glow as it charged at the iron figure with unstoppable momentum. With a sharp crack, the Asura Path exerted its strength, forcefully tearing one of the iron figure’s arms away. It stood victorious, the mechanical puppet’s movements filled with a faint sense of triumph.

However, the iron figure was not defeated. It shifted its body slightly and delivered a powerful kick, sending the Asura Path flying. The puppet smashed through the tower wall like a cannonball and vanished into the distance.

The first exchange had concluded, and Nagato’s expression turned grave. His mind raced—this enemy was more powerful than he could have imagined, the most troublesome opponent he had faced in years. A sense of unprecedented crisis began to spread within him as he began to re-evaluate the iron man, contemplating the strategy needed to strike it down.