In the spectator stands, seeing the arriving Six Paths of Pain, Shiboku's expression changed drastically. He quickly grabbed Fu, intending to flee. Unfortunately, it was already too late.
Tendo Pain, hovering in the air, extended his right hand. Bansho Ten'in.
Shiboku and Fu's bodies were instantly pulled towards Tendo Pain. Fu's back immediately sprouted a pair of wings, which beat frantically as she tried to break free from the Universal Pull's grasp.
At this critical moment, someone in the spectator stands made a move.
Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!Fire Style: Fire Dragon Flame Bullet!
Several large snakes shot out from Orochimaru's right hand, firmly coiling around Fu's body. From another direction, an ANBU-clad ninja spewed a massive fire dragon from his mouth, which surged directly towards Tendo Pain. The power of the fire dragon was considerable, instantly raising the temperature in the spectator stands by several degrees and also disrupting Tendo Pain's Universal Pull.
Faced with the oncoming fire dragon, Tendo Pain showed no intention of dodging. Just as the fire dragon was about to strike him, the Preta Path flickered in front of Tendo Pain. He extended his hands slightly, and an invisible, transparent shield immediately enveloped him. The impacting fire dragon was directly absorbed by the Preta Path. This was the Preta Path's unique ability: Sealing Jutsu Absorption.
By the time the fire dragon dissipated, Fu and Shiboku had already been pulled back by Orochimaru's Hidden Shadow Snake Hands. However, Tendo Pain's attention had now shifted to the ANBU ninja who had just unleashed the Fire Style jutsu. From this person, he sensed a once-familiar aura.
Orochimaru's gaze also shifted in that direction.
Under the scrutiny of both his opponent and Orochimaru, this ANBU ninja took a few steps forward, reached up, and removed his mask, looking directly at Tendo Pain. "Yahiko," he said, his voice grave, "why do you possess Nagato's Rinnegan? Where are Nagato and Konan?"
The ANBU ninja before them was none other than Jiraiya, one of Konoha's Sannin. He had also been secretly recalled from the front lines by Tsunade.
"Master Jiraiya," Tendo Pain replied, his voice cold and devoid of emotion, "we are doing this for the peace of the ninja world."
"For the peace of the ninja world? What kind of joke is that!" Jiraiya's expression was incredibly complex. His own student, whom he had poured so much effort into training, was now leading an assault on Konoha. This was something Jiraiya found almost impossible to accept. He desperately wanted to understand the reasons behind such a drastic transformation in Yahiko, Nagato, and the others.
However, Nagato gave him no opportunity for conversation. He manipulated the Six Paths of Pain to launch an immediate attack. The Asura Path spread its arms, and a barrage of missiles shot forth. Tendo Pain once again extended his right hand, unleashing Universal Pull. This time, the Universal Pull targeted both Orochimaru and Jiraiya.
Orochimaru didn't struggle. He bit his thumb and directly performed a summoning.
Poof!
A cloud of white smoke erupted, and Manda's colossal serpentine body appeared out of nowhere, nearly crushing the spectator stands beneath its immense weight. Manda's tail whipped out violently, lashing towards Tendo Pain.
On the other side, Jiraiya's hands quickly formed a series of seals. Ninja Art: Needle Jizo! Jiraiya's long white hair rapidly extended and hardened, then shot out countless sharp needles, like a hellish barrage, towards Tendo Pain.
Faced with their combined assault, Tendo Pain murmured softly, Shinra Tensei!
An immense repulsive force instantly blasted Manda's tail and Jiraiya's steel-like hair away. Under the tremendous counterforce, Manda, along with Orochimaru on its head, was sent flying. Jiraiya, however, used this repulsive force to rapidly retreat, simultaneously performing a summoning technique to bring forth Fukasaku and Shima, the Two Great Sage Toads.
After summoning the two toad sages, Jiraiya immediately clasped his hands together and continued to retreat. He was preparing to enter Sage Mode. In this battle, facing the incredibly powerful Six Paths of Pain, Jiraiya knew he had to fight with all his might.
Seeing Jiraiya's actions, Orochimaru, who had been sent flying, was the first to launch a counterattack. Orochimaru leaped down from Manda's head, his body crouching low to the ground as he began to perform the Striking Shadow Snakes technique. Soon, a dense swarm of innumerable snakes began to pour forth from Orochimaru's mouth, rapidly converging into a veritable mountain of serpents that surged towards Tendo Pain. Orochimaru didn't expect this attack to actually injure Tendo Pain; he merely wanted to buy Jiraiya some time.
In the tournament arena, beside Obito, who was still observing the chaos, a giant Venus flytrap-like Zetsu slowly rose from the ground. The Zetsu opened, and Black Zetsu said to Obito and Tobi, "Konoha's reinforcements have arrived."
Hearing this, Tobi's voice, from beneath his mask, sounded excited, "I'll go stop them!" With that, Tobi was about to rush off alone to intercept Konoha's support team.
Obito, seeing this, grabbed Tobi's shoulder. A spatial vortex immediately appeared out of thin air, quickly swallowing both of them.
Several hundred meters from the battle-torn area, in the sky above the forest, Tsunade, Uchiha Misuke, Shisui, and their group, who had been rushing towards the scene, suddenly stopped. In front of them, Obito and Tobi had appeared together.
"Ta-da! We won't let you pass, oh!" Tobi said to Tsunade and the others, his voice filled with playful excitement. After speaking, Tobi turned his head to look at Obito, as if awaiting his command.
"Go," Obito said indifferently.
Upon hearing this, Tobi clasped his hands together. Instantly, the earth beneath their feet began to tremble violently, and a colossal Buddha statue, possessing countless massive arms, slowly rose from the ground.
"This is Wood Style!" Seeing this, Tsunade's expression instantly turned extremely grim. As Hashirama Senju's granddaughter, Tsunade naturally recognized this ninjutsu at a glance. Beside Tsunade, Uchiha Misuke and Shisui also tensed, their expressions serious. From this giant Buddha statue, they sensed an immense, overwhelming threat. The legendary reputation Hashirama Senju had established with his Wood Style was enough to make anyone feel a deep sense of apprehension.
"I will hold them here. You two go and support the others over there," Tsunade said to Uchiha Misuke and Shisui, looking at Tobi, who was controlling the giant Buddha statue. The battle scene at the examination grounds was clearly visible from a distance; Naruto, Sasuke, and the other young ones were clearly at a disadvantage under the assault of the Akatsuki members. By now, Guy had already opened the Seventh Gate of the Eight Inner Gates, the Gate of Shock, his body enveloped in blue steam. Naruto's body was also covered in a crimson chakra cloak, four tails swaying behind him as he radiated intense chakra fluctuations. If not for Naruto in his Tailed Beast state and Guy's all-out burst of power, their side would likely have collapsed long ago. Sasuke and Choji, despite having powerful summoning beasts assisting them, were still no match for Sasori and Kakuzu. The difference in their fundamental strength was simply too great.
In this critical situation, they naturally couldn't afford to delay here any longer. Tsunade had already resolved herself to hold off Tobi and Obito, even if it meant sacrificing her own life. As Hokage, this was her duty.
Behind her, Shisui stepped forward. "Lady Hokage, allow me. I will hold them off. You and Sister Misuke go and provide support." As he spoke, the three-tomoe Sharingan in Shisui's eyes once again transformed into his Mangekyo Sharingan.
"You intend to use that technique!" Seeing this, Uchiha Misuke's expression changed slightly.
"Indeed!" Shisui nodded, his face a mask of firm determination.
Hearing their exchange, Tsunade was slightly surprised. From the conversation between Shisui and Uchiha Misuke, it was clear that Shisui still possessed a powerful, hidden trump card. However, now was not the time to focus on that. Sensing the confidence and unwavering resolve emanating from Shisui, Tsunade prepared to leave with Uchiha Misuke first.
"That won't be necessary." Just as Shisui was about to unleash his Kotoamatsukami to control Tobi, a calm, indifferent voice suddenly sounded beside his ear.