Plop!
Nawaki and Minato fell into the sea, slowly sinking.
They were too exhausted to continue battling the Third Mizukage under Madara's control. Their combat experience and chakra reserves were no match for their opponent, and it was already remarkable that they had held out this long.
"Senior Brother! Brother Nawaki!"
Nagato had just finished moving the last injured person when he saw them fall. His face twisted with anguish as he let out a desperate scream.
He sprinted toward the spot where the two had fallen, praying he wasn't too late. Everyone who could still move followed Nagato, racing after him.
"Very good."
"Pain and hatred are the sources of strength," the Third Mizukage said with a smile, satisfied by the scene before him.
He knew that a strong external stimulus would push the Rinnegan to grow even faster.
"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique."
Toying with them like a predator playing with prey, the Third Mizukage summoned several water dragons, sending them to attack Nagato and the others.
Judging by the size of the water dragons, it was clear he had held back. Killing Nagato by accident was the last thing he wanted.
"Nagato, go! We'll handle this," Yahiko shouted as he and the others rushed to intercept the water dragons.
But Nagato, blinded by tears, didn't even glance back.
He didn't know if Yahiko had heard him as he ran to the spot where Nawaki and Minato had disappeared. Without hesitation, he dove headfirst into the cold sea.
The dark, seemingly bottomless waters did nothing to stop Nagato's determination. He forced his eyes open and searched desperately for the sinking figures of Nawaki and Minato.
As the minutes dragged on, his anxiety grew. Every passing second pushed Nawaki and Minato closer to danger.
The deeper Nagato dived, the heavier the pressure from the seawater became.
Suddenly, something bit Nagato's sleeve. He turned to look—it was Samehada, pulling him downward at an angle.
If Samehada hadn't absorbed so little Chakra, it could have transferred energy to Nawaki and healed him on its own.
Before long, Nagato spotted Nawaki, still sinking, and Minato, not far away.
At that moment, his small body surged with power, and he darted through the water with newfound strength. Nagato first grabbed Nawaki's hand and then gripped Minato's clothing, dragging both of them toward the surface.
"You think you can stop me?"
The Third Mizukage chuckled as he watched Yahiko and the others struggle just to fend off his Water Dragon Bullets.
"If we don't try, how will we know?" Yahiko gritted his teeth, glaring ahead.
He knew the risks of his decision—he might die.
But so what?
Just as in the original story, Yahiko charged headlong, undeterred, toward Nagato's Kunai.
There were some things he would do, no matter the outcome.
Because he was Yahiko.
"Haha, laughable."
"A powerless ant dares to play the hero in front of me?" The Third Mizukage laughed loudly, full of scorn.
He didn't believe in bonds or friendships. He only believed in his own strength.
Through his methods, he intended to create a world without war or betrayal. In such a world, people like Yahiko would be everywhere.
What a wonderful world that would be.
"Get ready."
Yahiko's eyes were firm as he glanced behind him.
The Shishi Trio and Konan wore serious expressions, while a few of the Yuki Clan members appeared visibly nervous.
"Good."
Everyone responded in unison; there were no deserters at this moment.
"Water Release: Water Formation Pillar."
Yahiko charged forward, spitting out a large water ball at the Third Mizukage. Compared to the Third Mizukage's Water Release, it was far weaker, but Yahiko pressed on.
Drawing his long sword, he was convinced that if he could delay the Mizukage even a little longer, Nagato would have a better chance of rescuing Nawaki and Minato.
"Overestimating your own abilities."
The Third Mizukage pushed off lightly with his feet, leaping into the air. Ripples spread across the sea as he moved.
Blocking Yahiko's attack with his kunai, the Mizukage followed up with a powerful kick, sending Yahiko flying. Yahiko couldn't block even a single attack.
"Yahiko!"
Konan suddenly threw a paper spear toward the Third Mizukage.
He dodged sideways, and the spear missed its mark—but a violent explosion erupted nearby.
"The little girl is quite interesting," the Third Mizukage remarked, walking out of the waves unscathed. The Tailed Beast cloak surrounding him had completely absorbed the damage.
Still, he was a little intrigued by Konan's paper techniques.
The Shishi Trio rushed to surround him, but he easily dispatched them, leaving all three lying on the sea, unable to get back up.
In the blink of an eye, only Konan remained in the air, her wings flapping helplessly.
"Brother Nawaki, Senior Brother," Nagato muttered as he finally dragged the two out of the water.
Finding a large piece of shipwreck, he placed them on it. Both were unconscious, their internal organs damaged—that was why they had fainted in the first place.
Noticing their distended stomachs, Nagato immediately performed first aid to drain the water from their bodies.
After a thorough check confirmed no fatal injuries, Nagato let out a long sigh of relief.
Green Chakra light appeared in his hands as he began healing the two.
"No need to heal them; they're going to die anyway."
The Third Mizukage strolled leisurely under Konan's Paper Senbon attack, his movements so casual they seemed almost dismissive. The damage wasn't even enough to tickle him, and his defenses remained completely intact.
Perhaps he was annoyed or simply tired of the nuisance, because he waved his hand and a column of water followed the motion of his finger, striking Konan and sending her flying.
His steps didn't falter, steady and unhurried, as if he had done something utterly trivial.
With no obstacles left in his path, he walked step by step toward Nagato.
"You will be fine," Nagato murmured, as if unable to hear anything else. His words came in a constant stream, and he didn't glance at the Third Mizukage once.
"Nagato, be careful!" Yahiko called out anxiously, lying helplessly on the sea surface.
He tried to push himself up, but his body refused to obey. The blood dripping from the corner of his mouth made it clear he was seriously injured.
"Nagato!"
Konan's voice joined Yahiko's as she tried to rouse the already semi-delirious Nagato.
Pat-pat-pat.
The sound of the Third Mizukage's footsteps on the water echoed as he finally arrived in front of Nagato.
His shadow stretched across the sea, covering most of Nagato's body beneath the sun.
"How about letting them die in front of you?"
The Third Mizukage leaned forward slightly, his tone calm, as if discussing a simple matter.
"You… don't even think about it!"
At last, Nagato responded.
Nagato had healed Nawaki and Minato of their injuries, but neither had regained consciousness.
He withdrew his hand and looked up at the Third Mizukage. His eyes were fully exposed, revealing both Rinnegan in their mesmerizing purple glory.
Yet Nagato's still-slightly-childish face now carried a somewhat hideous expression.
"Yes, that's it. Keep it up," the Third Mizukage said, unconcerned.
He raised his hand, preparing to end Nawaki and Minato's lives. Their deaths, he believed, would serve as the catalyst for the growth of the Rinnegan.
As the water blade in his hand drew closer and closer to Nawaki and Minato's throats...
Nagato erupted.
"Ah~ Shinra Tensei!"
Nagato's eyes widened as he roared, unleashing an invisible shockwave that surged out from him with immense force.
The wave blasted toward the Third Mizukage, leaving Nawaki and Minato completely unaffected.
The surrounding seawater was violently displaced, creating a semicircular crater on the sea's surface as the wave surged forward.
"Have you already mastered some of your abilities?"
The Third Mizukage was knocked flying by the shockwave. But instead of panicking, a smile appeared on his face.
He landed on the sea surface, rolled a few times, and then stood back up.
It was clear that Shinra Tensei had caused him little harm.