Jiraiya took a deep breath behind Yoruha, the air hissing through his teeth.
This was his first time experiencing Shinra Tensei (Almighty Push) up close.
And even without being its target, the sheer power behind it chilled him to the bone.
The level of destruction it caused… it said everything.
"You're far stronger than I expected, Yoruha," Jiraiya muttered. "But don't get cocky—this is far from over."
"Everything is just getting started!"
From the underground chamber, Nagato's cold voice echoed through the Six Paths of Pain.
His plan was simple.
First, he'd use Banshō Ten'in (Universal Pull) to drag Yoruha in, and then have the other five Paths attack together—an overwhelming assault to crush him completely.
But Yoruha stood firm, blade stabbed into the ground, hands on the hilt like a god standing tall amidst chaos.
He didn't budge.
"Is that it?" Yoruha said with a mocking smile. "This is your big plan? Are you even trying?"
"This… this can't be happening!"
Konan stared wide-eyed, disbelief written across her face.
Even the combination of gravity and repulsion—Nagato's greatest Rinnegan techniques—had failed to move him.
How was that possible?
"Attack. All at once!"
Nagato's voice rang out again.
He no longer underestimated Yoruha. If this man could resist Shinra Tensei and Banshō Ten'in combined, he was even more dangerous than Sage Mode Jiraiya.
No more testing.
He launched a full-scale assault.
First, the Animal Path summoned an array of bizarre and monstrous creatures—deadly summons powered by Rinnegan control, immune to pain and filled with killing intent.
Next, the Asura Path unleashed a barrage of mechanical weapons and energy blasts, trying to suppress Jiraiya and Yoruha's movements from a distance.
"Earth Style: Earth Wall!"
Both Jiraiya and Yoruha responded in sync, raising twin barriers of stone.
One wall was reinforced by a giant toad summon; the other carried a glint of elegance as Yoruha's chakra flowed like wind over its surface.
But then—
CRACK!
A spinning metal saw from the Asura Path drilled through Jiraiya's wall and slashed into his shoulder, drawing blood.
And just as Jiraiya staggered, the Preta Path, Naraka Path, and Asura Path surged forward together.
Nagato's intent was clear: take Jiraiya out first before dealing with Yoruha.
CLANG!
Yoruha's blade exploded with wind chakra as he swept forward, slicing clean through the Asura Path's weapon—cutting the long blade aimed at Jiraiya.
With a sharp turn, he brought the sword back around and forced the other three Pains to retreat.
But just then—
The Deva Path began charging another mid-level Shinra Tensei.
The other Pains leapt back immediately.
Hovering midair, the Deva Path raised his palm toward them.
"Shinra Tensei!"
This time, the force was five times stronger than before!
Yoruha didn't hesitate.
He grabbed Jiraiya by the collar and vanished in a flash using the Flying Thunder God technique.
You couldn't hit what wasn't there.
BOOM!
The Almighty Push struck the ground like a meteor.
A massive crater formed—over ten meters wide—its center smoldering and cracked.
"Did we get them?" Konan asked, swallowing hard as she watched the dust settle.
She wasn't sure anymore.
But from the smoke…
Yoruha emerged, holding a breathless Jiraiya in his arms.
"That one had some force behind it," Yoruha said casually, setting Jiraiya down. "But what's the point if it doesn't hit?"
Jiraiya was visibly drained.
He had pushed his Sage Mode to the limit. Even with all his strength and skill, there was no denying it—without Yoruha's arrival, he would have died.
And that wound from earlier was still bleeding.
"Hmph. You escaped—lucky," the Deva Path growled. "I've heard of the Flying Thunder God. It earned the Fourth Hokage his title of Yellow Flash. But is Yoruha only capable of running away?"
Nagato was baiting him now—trying to provoke a reckless attack.
The Flying Thunder God technique was incredibly hard to counter.
If Yoruha wanted, he could simply warp around indefinitely, untouchable.
Nagato hated that.
"Oh?" Yoruha grinned. "You want to see me go on the offensive with Flying Thunder God?"
"Then let me grant your wish."
In one smooth motion, he pulled out four marked kunai from his pouch.
Whoosh—whoosh—whoosh—whoosh!
They flew toward the Six Paths.
Of course, Nagato wasn't that naive.
The Pains easily dodged the projectiles, eyes locked on the sky and ground, waiting for the moment Yoruha would warp in.
They were ready.
But the next instant—
FLASH!
Yoruha vanished.
A brilliant burst of light exploded in the air—a flashbang technique combined with Flying Thunder God.
"Flying Thunder God: Super Flash Dance – Triple Echo Style!"
The technique used light to blind, Flying Thunder God to reposition, and a devastating three-strike combo to kill before anyone could react.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
In less than a second—
Five of the Six Paths were down.
Only the Deva Path remained.
Pain's greatest illusion—six invincible warriors—shattered like glass.
Nagato could revive them, of course. The Rinnegan allowed that.
But what would be the point?
If Yoruha could kill them once, he could kill them again.
The truth was simple: only the Deva Path held enough power to matter.
From deep underground, Nagato exhaled, slumped in his wheelchair.
What a pity…
If only he still had his legs.
If the full power of the Rinnegan could be focused in one body—in himself—he might have conquered the ninja world long ago.
But here, in the Rain Village, he was still bound.
And this was his home.
His past. His future.
He couldn't unleash massive techniques like Chibaku Tensei or the true Shinra Tensei here. Not without destroying everything he had built.
So Nagato made a choice.
He recalled all six Paths and Konan using reverse summoning.
Their bodies disappeared in flashes of smoke, returning to the hidden chamber beneath the tower.
At the same time—
Reinforcements finally arrived.
Dozens of Hidden Rain Village shinobi swarmed into the ruined streets.
"Yoruha!" Jiraiya gasped, still clutching his wounded shoulder. "I can hold them off. Go after Pain!"
Despite his injuries, Jiraiya was ready to keep fighting.
Even if he had to squeeze every last drop of strength from his body.
But Yoruha shook his head.
"No. Our mission was intel. And after all this..."
He glanced around at the wreckage.
"…we've got more than enough."
He grabbed Jiraiya's arm.
"Let's go."
And with a flash—they were gone.
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