The battlefield shook beneath the torrential rain of Ame as Naruto appeared beside Jiraiya, Kakashi, and Gai—facing the Six Paths of Pain. His sudden arrival drew every gaze.
"Sorry I'm late," Naruto said lightly, though his eyes remained fixed on the enemy. "Hope I didn't keep you waiting."
Kakashi, half-joking but clearly worried, asked, "Naruto, you came faster than I expected. How did things go with Sasuke?"
Though the question was simple, Kakashi's concern lingered in his tone. He had guessed that Naruto must have defeated Sasuke if he was here now, but a part of him still hoped his student had found another way.
Naruto gave a faint smile. Kakashi's care for Sasuke was genuine—always guiding, always worrying. A true teacher, through and through. Too bad things didn't turn out as he wished.
"I fought Sasuke," Naruto answered evenly. "He was in pain… something was wrong with his body. So I left him be."
Kakashi nodded slowly. He didn't push further, though inside, he wondered. Naruto hadn't even spoken of bringing Sasuke back. From the start, he hadn't seemed to try. But Kakashi respected his students' choices—he could only hope, not interfere.
Jiraiya stepped forward, his eyes searching Naruto's. "Can you still fight?"
"No problem." Naruto's voice was steady, his confidence unwavering. He knew his own limits better than anyone.
Fukasaku and Shima greeted him warmly, and even Gai clapped him on the shoulder. Their support wrapped around him like a shield.
Then one of the Six Paths—the Deva Path—spoke, voice cold and unyielding. "Uzumaki Naruto, Nine-Tails' jinchūriki. You saved me the trouble of finding you. I'll capture you here and now."
Naruto almost laughed. Capture me? Where does Nagato get such confidence? Is it the Rinnegan alone he clings to?
But before he could retort, he spoke clearly to his allies: "Pervy Sage, all of these are just corpses he controls from a distance. His real body is hidden somewhere in the Rain."
Jiraiya's eyes widened in surprise. "So you knew too… How?"
"I sensed it when I fought Sasuke. Sage Mode picked up on it," Naruto explained.
Jiraiya's heart swelled with both pride and unease. "You've grown so much, Naruto. Your Sage training has surpassed even my expectations."
Shima chuckled on his shoulder. "Little Jiraiya, your student's already leaving you behind. Aren't you ashamed?"
"Ha! Spare me," Jiraiya laughed awkwardly, though his chest ached with complicated feelings.
Before more could be said, Kakashi shouted sharply, "Everyone, watch out! The attack's coming!"
"Shinra Tensei."
Deva Path had grown tired of their chatter. His palm extended, and a tremendous wave of repulsive force surged toward them. It was no ordinary push—this was nearly his strongest Shinra Tensei short of the catastrophic one.
"Seventh Gate—Open!" Gai roared, his body igniting with steam. "Hirudora!"
"Senpō: Chō Ōdama Rasengan!" Jiraiya slammed his palm forward.
"Doton: Doryūheki!" Kakashi raised an earthen wall in tandem.
The three attacks collided with the wall of repulsion.
BOOM!
BOOM!
BOOM!
The ground split. Shockwaves tore through the battlefield, shattering stone and uprooting trees. Dust and chakra clashed in the air until it felt like the sky itself might collapse.
Through the chaos, Naruto's focus sharpened. He had already gathered natural energy, and with calm control, his eyes turned golden—the orange pigmentation framing his face. Sage Mode was active.
While Deva Path wrestled with Jiraiya, Kakashi, and Gai, Naruto seized his chance.
From the corner of his vision, he saw a massive multi-headed dog charging toward him. Its snarls split the air, each head regenerating whenever cut.
Naruto bit his thumb, slammed his palm to the ground. "Kuchiyose no Jutsu!"
Smoke burst forth, and Gamabunta's towering form loomed over the battlefield.
"Boss Bunta, take care of the dog. I'll handle its summoner," Naruto commanded.
"Leave it to me!" Gamabunta leapt, blade gleaming, intercepting the beast with sheer force.
"Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
Five Narutos split into existence. Three of them surged forward, engaging the remaining Paths to hold them down. The original and two others dashed straight for the Animal Path.
The summoner saw him coming and began weaving hand seals for another creature.
But Naruto was already there. Two clones grabbed him mid-run, flinging him like a spear toward the enemy. Chakra roared in his palm, spiraling violently.
"Rasengan!"
The orb slammed into the Animal Path's chest, sending the corpse flying and smashing into the earth. Its body went still, lifeless.
The massive dog vanished in a puff of smoke with its master's defeat.
Another Path is gone.
Dust settled, and Deva Path's eyes narrowed. "Uzumaki Naruto. You are… dangerous. I cannot let you live."
Naruto stood tall, calm, almost mocking. "You keep saying that. If you think you can capture me, go ahead and try."
Beside him, Jiraiya, Kakashi, and Gai all smiled faintly. They had seen Naruto's precision—the way he'd dismantled Pain's formation in moments. He was no longer the boy they once protected.
Gai clenched his fists, burning with optimism. "If we keep pressing, we can finish this. Only four left!"
But Naruto raised a hand. "Pervy Sage, leave the rest to you. I'm going after the real one."
Jiraiya's heart clenched. "Then I'll go with you." He needed to see Nagato with his own eyes.
But Naruto shook his head. Jiraiya understood instantly—if he left, Kakashi and Gai would be overwhelmed by the remaining Paths.
"…Be careful, Naruto. Don't get reckless," Jiraiya said at last.
"Don't worry, Pervy Sage," Naruto answered with a faint grin before turning away.
He had barely taken a step before Deva Path thrust out his hand again. "Banshō Ten'in!"
The gravitational pull yanked Naruto violently, dragging him toward the Path like a puppet.
But Naruto wouldn't be caught so easily. He raised his hand, chakra screaming into form.
"Senpō: Fūton Rasenshuriken!"
The spinning shuriken of wind roared as he hurled it.
Deva Path clicked his tongue, forced to switch techniques. "Shinra Tensei!"
The Rasenshuriken shattered against the invisible wall, dispersing into fragments of wind that tore harmlessly through the air.
But the exchange gave Naruto the opening he needed. He broke free of the pull, leapt back, and vanished into the storm.
Deva Path lowered his arm slowly, expressionless. "So be it. Nagato himself will deal with him."
Kakashi exhaled. "That was close… I thought he'd be taken."
Gai flashed a thumbs-up. "Believe in Naruto. He won't lose."
Far away, Naruto darted through Ame's endless towers. He tried to gather natural energy on the move, but quickly realized it was nearly impossible to balance. So he stopped, closed his eyes, and let nature flow into him. Within seconds, Sage chakra filled him anew.
He pressed onward. His heart was steady. If Nagato were here, then everything—the Akatsuki, the destruction, the suffering—would finally come into focus.
At the highest tower, the air grew still. Water dripped from unseen pipes, echoing in the dark hall.
Naruto slowed, his hand brushing the hilt of a kunai marked with his seal. If it came to it, he could leave instantly. But running wasn't his plan.
Inside the gloom, a frail figure stirred.
Nagato opened his sunken eyes, the ripple-pattern of the Rinnegan glowing faintly in the shadows. His voice, weak yet unyielding, reached Naruto.
"So… you've come already. Faster than I expected."
Their gazes met—two pupils of Jiraiya, standing on opposite sides of fate.
And the true confrontation began.
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