They were precisely the Five Kage who had used the Transformation Technique. The rest of the accompanying personnel were also famous elite ninjas from each ninja village, which showed the determination and emphasis placed on this operation.
The reason so many people were traveling together was not only to reliably deal with the suspected Rinnegan-wielding leader of the Akatsuki, but also to guard against other unexpected situations.
For example, if other Akatsuki members who had not yet shown themselves were hidden near the leader, with the ample combat power on this trip, they could handle it calmly.
.....
Traveling day and night, three days later, the Five Kage and the other accompanying ninjas finally arrived at the location of the Akatsuki leader and indeed saw the other's Rinnegan with their own eyes, confirming that the information was accurate.
After confirming that the legendary Rinnegan truly existed, everyone present could not help but feel some stirrings in their hearts. However, all the ninjas who had joined this operation to deal with the Akatsuki leader were people with strong wills and could not possibly be directly intimidated.
After a brief moment to calm their emotions, without much exchange, a streak of lightning had already arrived in front of the Deva Path. As a response, however, the other merely extended his palm toward the Raikage.
"Shinra Tensei"
A massive repulsive force surged outward from the Deva Path in all directions, sweeping everything around clean. Even the powerful Raikage could only resist for a moment before being sent flying backward uncontrollably.
While using Shinra Tensei to repel the Raikage, inside a massive tree far away in the Land of Fire, the Animal Path—who also possessed the Rinnegan and had black rods inserted into his body—began to form hand seals.
"Summoning Technique"
Accompanied by the burst of power from the Rinnegan, the next moment, the Deva Path—who had originally been surrounded by the Five Kage and the other ninjas—appeared in front of the Animal Path, along with the other four Paths.
"How is the plan progressing?"
Near the Six Paths, accompanied by a distortion in space, Obito's figure slowly emerged from within. His gaze turned toward the deepest part of the tree hollow, where Nagato sat with red hair and an emaciated frame.
"Why have you come? Didn't I say to let White Zetsu pass on the intelligence?"
Seeing Obito appear, before Nagato could speak, Konan—who had been guarding beside him all along—already questioned him in a rather displeased tone.
She could not be blamed for her bad temper; every time she saw this masked man who called himself Uchiha Madara, she always felt that nothing good would come from him—he never brought any good news.
"That guy is too flighty. For something this important, I still prefer to hear the most accurate answer directly."
"?"
Konan was clearly not very satisfied with Obito's reply, but after noticing Nagato's meaningful glance, she only frowned this time and did not continue speaking.
"It's confirmed. The Four Kage, as well as Chiyo representing the Hidden Sand Village, are all there. The rest are also famous ninjas from each village."
"All Four Kage have come out? It seems they take you quite seriously. But that's fine—this way, our subsequent actions can be much easier."
Hearing about the combat power mobilized this time to deal with Pain, Obito could not help but click his tongue. Just hearing their names was enough to know none of them were easy to handle. If even a portion had stayed in Konoha, it would have caused them great trouble.
After all, although each of them was very strong, their numbers were ultimately too few. Every person drawn away by the Deva Path would increase the threat to a certain degree—especially in a group battle where they were being surrounded and attacked.