Big chapter. Most of it was fallout from the Pein invasion, and it was clearly handled very well. Konan's speech also made sense.
One thing i wonder is if Konan was told by Koyomi that Nagato's eyes were transplanted into him. She died in the manga with the belief that Nagato awakened the eyes. It likely wouldn't make a huge difference, but it might affect her own views.
If Sage has the fully awakened Rinnegan, wouldn't she be able to summon the Gedo Mazo? She could have simply summoned it to prevent Akatsuki from sealing what they believed was Bee. In fact, even if Tobi gains the Rinnegan from Nagato, i'm assuming Sage could overpower his connection with the Gedo Mazo because hers are a fully awakened Rinnegan instead of a transplant like Nagato or Tobi's. Either that or the two could simply keep summoning it to themselves in a tug of war.
Looks like Karin healing Sasuke in the Bee fight really made the difference. In this one Taka was gonna die.
No kage summit it seems. Actually happy about that somewhat. More difference from canon. Although wondering how the Tsuchikage can claim that the other kage worked with Akatsuki to steal Iwa's jinchuriki. He's the one that hired Akatsuki. So he's basically lying off his ass because he doesn't want to deal with Akatsuki. Wonder what the difference is from canon that would change his mind. Maybe because Kumo and Konoha both still have two jinchuriki, he's feeling a little self-conscious compared to where it was thought only Naruto was free.
Konohamaru is in on the plan. At least somewhat since he doesn't know the full story yet. He also is the one to point out where Sasuke is, and even gets to act as the knight in shining armor for Kaho.
Somewhat surprised by Shukaku's rather quick acceptance. He is suppose to be basically completely insane, so reasoning with him should have been a futile endeavor. Can't complain though. Keeping Shukaku sealed in a tea kettle to stop him from destroying everything would have been a waste.
The battles were good. Haku managed to reclaim Zabuza's weapon, Kisame had to somehow deal with a perfect jinchuriki? or whatever Yugito is by this point, and Sasuke finally turned to the darkside. Stabbing his own mother through the heart. You don't get more darkside then that. Sasuke finally got his ass kicked by Naruto. It's been a long time coming in my opinion. How did he know Izanagi though? He didn't know it when he faced off against Danzo in the manga, and this is about the same equivalent time. Guess Tobi must have told him about it. You know he's now going to take Itachi's eyes to negate losing one and because he now knows he's no match for Naruto in his current state. Bee is also going to get an ass kicking. I actually figured this was the real one despite picking up that Sasuke still managed to cut off a tentacle earlier in the chapter. I figured Kisame and Samehada wouldn't have been fooled. Seems Bee is too slick for them.
As for the poll,. I already voted,but i still have to say something. Matsu...please. She's my favorite Sekirei character, but she's very underappreciated in my opinion. She's like five voted from being in the top five. Won't mind if you don't use her though. Know you'll do good.
Great chapter, hope you update soon. 'Reunion.' I assume that is meant to mean Kushina and Mikoto will finally talk. Still have no idea how this blast from the past arc will work though. Are they Edo Tensei zombies revived by Kabuto or do they really go back in time? Unsure, but looking forward to it.
Author's response
Thanks for the review.
To answer your question about the Rinnegan, I think it would be best to remember that technically the Statue would still under the last person to Summon it control. One reason I believe that it responded to Nagato was because Madara did summon it originally and then gave his eyes to Nagato. But for lack of a better phrase it never changed owners really. Sage has the ability to control it but first I imagine she'd need to establish a connection with it, to synch up with as it were before she could override the will already directing it. Which is alive and well in Black Zetsu
AS to Sasuke knowing Inzanagi are you so sure that is what happened. After all if he had used that jutsu yes his eye would have faded, but he would have appeared otherwise unharmed.
Thanks again for reading and reviewing