Comeback of Senju Clan

Chapter 45: Tetsuya vs Nagato

The air was thick with tension as Tetsuya Senju, the Fifth Hokage, faced off against Nagato, the true mastermind behind Pain. Nagato, frail and emaciated, sat within a mechanical contraption, his Rinnegan eyes glowing with malevolent intent. The remnants of the tower cast long shadows over the battlefield, a fitting backdrop for the epic confrontation that was about to unfold.

Nagato's mechanical arms extended, launching black rods imbued with chakra. Tetsuya dodged with blinding speed, using Flying Raijin to stay ahead of the projectiles. He retaliated with a series of water-based attacks, each one powerful enough to carve through the tower's structure.

"Water Style: Raging Waves!" Tetsuya unleashed a massive wave of water, crashing towards Nagato. Nagato countered with Shinra Tensei, the force of the attack dispersing the water in all directions. The resulting shockwave shook the entire tower, debris raining down from above.

"You can't keep this up forever, Nagato," Tetsuya called out, his voice steady. "Your paths are defeated. It's over."

"Over? It's far from over," Nagato snarled. "You underestimate my resolve."

Nagato's chakra surged, and he summoned a colossal, skeletal figure—the Gedo Statue. The statue's eyes glowed with a terrifying light as it loomed over the battlefield. Tetsuya's eyes widened but remained focused.

"So this is your trump card," Tetsuya said, his voice calm despite the overwhelming presence of the Gedo Statue.

The statue roared, its immense power radiating across the battlefield. Nagato's control over the statue was absolute, its movements precise and deadly. Tetsuya knew he had to act quickly.

"Flying Raijin: Sage Mode Assault!" Tetsuya roared, teleporting directly in front of Nagato. His fists, imbued with natural energy, struck with incredible force. Each punch shattered bones and crippled Nagato's defenses. But Nagato was relentless, countering with his Rinnegan abilities.

"Chibaku Tensei!" Nagato shouted, raising his hand. The ground beneath Tetsuya trembled as a massive sphere of earth and rock began to form, pulling everything within its vicinity towards it. Tetsuya leaped into action, using his Flying Raijin to teleport out of the gravitational pull.

"You're not getting away," Nagato growled, his voice echoing with power. He directed the Gedo Statue to launch a barrage of chakra rods at Tetsuya. Tetsuya evaded the attacks, teleporting around the battlefield with blinding speed.

"Sage Art: Water Severing Wave!" Tetsuya shouted, slicing through the air with a razor-sharp jet of water. The attack cleaved through the Gedo Statue's arm, but the colossal figure quickly regenerated, its power seemingly limitless.

Nagato's eyes glowed with malevolence as he extended his hand. "Shinra Tensei!" he bellowed, unleashing a powerful force that sent Tetsuya crashing through the walls of the tower. Tetsuya gritted his teeth, feeling the impact reverberate through his body.

"You think you can defeat me, Hokage? I am a god!" Nagato declared, his voice filled with conviction.

Tetsuya stood up, his determination unwavering. "You're not a god, Nagato. You're just a man who's lost his way."

With a burst of speed, Tetsuya closed the distance between them, his movements a blur. "Flying Raijin: Sealing Slash!" he intoned, teleporting behind Nagato and severing the mechanical limbs supporting him. Nagato fell to the ground, but his resolve remained unbroken.

"You can't stop me," Nagato spat, blood trickling from his mouth. "I will bring true peace to this world, no matter the cost."

Tetsuya's eyes hardened. "Peace built on pain and suffering is no peace at all."

Nagato's chakra flared once more, and he summoned the full power of the Gedo Statue. The statue's eyes blazed with an unholy light as it prepared to launch a devastating attack. Tetsuya knew he had to act swiftly.

"Sage Art: Great Water Rasengan!" Tetsuya yelled, forming a massive Rasengan imbued with natural energy. He launched the jutsu at the Gedo Statue, the impact creating a massive explosion of water and chakra. The statue staggered, its movements faltering.

But Nagato was not done. With a final, desperate effort, he directed the Gedo Statue to unleash its most powerful attack. "Shinra Tensei: Cataclysm!" he roared, the ground shaking as the statue channeled its immense power.

Tetsuya braced himself, knowing this was his last chance. He gathered all his remaining chakra, his body glowing with the energy of Sage Mode. "Flying Raijin: Ultimate Strike!" he shouted, teleporting directly in front of Nagato.

The clash was cataclysmic. Tetsuya's attack collided with the Gedo Statue's, the resulting explosion tearing through the battlefield. The shockwave knocked both combatants back, the force of the impact sending them crashing into the rubble.

As the dust settled, Tetsuya struggled to stand. Blood streamed from multiple wounds, his vision blurring. He looked over at Nagato, who was equally battered. The mechanical contraption that supported him was shattered, his body broken and bleeding.

"It's over, Nagato," Tetsuya said, his voice weak but resolute.

Nagato's eyes were filled with pain and fury. "I will not be defeated... I am a god..." he murmured, his voice fading.

With a final, desperate effort, Nagato directed the last of his chakra towards Tetsuya. "Shinra Tensei!" he whispered, the force of the attack sending Tetsuya crashing to the ground.

Tetsuya's vision darkened as he felt his life slipping away. He had given everything in this battle, but in the end, it was not enough. He failed.

Nagato, too, was at his limit. The battle had taken everything from him. His limbs were shattered, his body broken beyond repair. He looked down at Tetsuya's lifeless form, his eyes filled with a mixture of triumph and sorrow.

"Even in death, you were a worthy opponent, Tetsuya Senju," Nagato whispered, his voice barely audible. "But your vision of peace was flawed. Only through pain can true peace be achieved."