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Boom!
A deafening crash split the air as cracks spread across the massive Chibaku Tensei hanging in the sky. A moment later, it shattered with a thunderous roar, breaking apart into countless fragments. It wasn't that the Chibaku Tensei was weak—it was just that Hayato's punch was far too powerful. After all, this was the same guy whose fist could even crack the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path.
With a single strike, the Chibaku Tensei exploded, sending a storm of rubble raining down from above.
Nagato froze, completely dumbfounded. He had never imagined Hayato's strength could be this overwhelming, his power this insane. To destroy a Chibaku Tensei with one punch—unbelievable. Of course, part of it was because Nagato himself still wasn't strong enough yet.
Boom!
The sky rained boulders, burying nearly the whole battlefield. Nagato was so stunned he didn't even react until a giant stone came crashing straight for his head. His expression twisted in shock, and he leapt desperately toward the ruins of a nearby factory to dodge. Unfortunately, he was a split second too late.
Crash!
The boulder slammed down on his leg. Nagato let out a scream of agony.
The sound caught Hayato's attention. With a furious roar, he charged forward, his massive fist swinging down toward Nagato like a hammer.
Nagato's face went pale as he looked up at the towering figure. That enormous fist sliced the air with such force that even the currents around it were visible. Despair filled his eyes. He had never been on Hayato's level to begin with, and now, with both legs crushed, he couldn't even crawl away.
Hopelessness swallowed him whole.
Boom!
The ground split open under the impact, sinking deep, fractures racing in all directions as chunks of earth jutted upward like after a meteor strike.
The scene was horrific.
As the dust slowly cleared, the ground was gone, replaced by a massive crater that had already filled into a lake. At its center, standing tall and menacing, was Hayato.
"Raaaghhh!"
He let out a furious roar, voice filled with rage and madness—because Nagato wasn't dead. Even though the battlefield had been blasted to ruins and Nagato had vanished, he had survived.
Just before Hayato's blow could land, a black-and-white figure emerged from the ground—Black Zetsu and White Zetsu fused together. They grabbed Nagato and dragged him underground, tunneling deeper and deeper until they were nearly a hundred meters below the surface. Only then did they stop, their bodies trembling as the faint vibrations from above still reached them. If they had been even a fraction slower, Hayato's strike would've reduced them both to pulp.
"A monster… He's a damn monster! How can something like that even exist? That kind of power—it's terrifying! Seriously, is Nagato an idiot? Picking a fight with something like this? We finally found someone with the Rinnegan, and now look at this mess. If it weren't for that, I wouldn't even care if he died!" Black and White Zetsu muttered bitterly, glaring at the unconscious Nagato.
Not long after Nagato escaped, Hayato's rage finally burned out. His body shrank back down from towering giant to human size, and the moment he reverted, he collapsed unconscious. Hayato didn't always pass out when he transformed, but every time his "limit" pushed higher—every breakthrough—he'd crash afterward. This time was no exception.
A short while later, fluttering sheets of paper appeared, swirling together until Konan materialized at Hayato's side. She looked a little worse for wear, but thankfully, she was unharmed.
When her eyes fell on the unconscious Hayato, however, her cheeks flushed red. His transformation into the Hulk had shredded his clothes to rags. While his massive green form hadn't drawn her attention in that way, now that he was back to normal size… well, it was different.
Blushing furiously, Konan waved her hand, and paper sheets flew out to lift Hayato's body, carefully wrapping around him to cover what needed covering. Only then did she sigh in relief, though her face was still burning hot.
…
When Hayato finally opened his eyes, the first thing he saw was Konan's delicate face hovering over him. Seeing her safe made him exhale in relief. Thank God nothing had happened to her. Considering the Demonic Statue and his Hulk transformation were like nuclear-level weapons, it was a miracle she had survived untouched.
"Konan… listen. If I ever transform again, get as far away from me as possible, no matter what. Once I lose control, I'll attack everything around me, even you. If you're too close, I… I might…" Hayato's voice grew heavy as he warned her.
"I… I understand, Hayato-nii," Konan said softly, nodding, her face flushing again as if something else had just crossed her mind.
Hayato blinked at her sudden blush, immediately worried. "Konan, why's your face so red? Are you hurt? Let me see!"
"N-no! I'm fine! Really! I just… um… made some soup, I'll go check on it!" she stammered, turning quickly to leave.
Hayato frowned, still concerned, but when she didn't look injured, he let it go. Then he noticed something else. Pulling back the blanket covering him, he realized he was dressed in a set of pajamas. He froze for a moment, then his own face reddened.
Neither he nor Konan ever brought up the matter of changing his clothes, but the awkwardness lingered between them.
"....."