"It's done?"
"It seems so."
The group exchanged glances. They hadn't expected Pain to head for Konoha so easily. They had thought Pain would suspect there was a spy among them, and some of those already affected by Kotoamatsukami were even prepared to sacrifice themselves for the plan.
Unfortunately, they underestimated Pain's or rather, Nagato's confidence in his own strength. In Nagato's eyes, the Six Paths of Pain, backed by the legendary Rinnegan, were invincible. Ever since Yahiko's death and the creation of the Six Paths, he had come to believe that no one in the shinobi world could stand against his "divine power."
Outside Konoha.
Pain rapidly advanced toward the village.
The Deva Path intended to fly directly above Konoha and unleash a devastating Super Shinra Tensei, just as he would have done in the original timeline, reducing the village to ruins in a single strike.
But that vision remained nothing more than a fantasy.
Before he could even reach Konoha's airspace, an old man wielding the Adamantine Staff suddenly appeared and swung it toward Pain's head. At the last moment, Shinra Tensei repelled the strike, deflecting both the weapon and its wielder.
However, the old man refused to retreat. After landing, he immediately launched another attack.
"Five Release Great Combo Technique!"
The Third Hokage rapidly formed hand seals. Four shadow clones split from his body, and together they unleashed Fire Release, Wind Release, Lightning Release, Earth Release, and Water Release simultaneously.
The combined torrent of five chakra natures surged toward the Six Paths of Pain.
Since Shinra Tensei had its well-known cooldown interval, the Deva Path remained still. The Preta Path stepped forward instead and activated its absorption ability, swallowing the Five Release Great Combo Technique and converting the chakra into nothingness.
"Hiruzen Sarutobi? It seems my movements have been exposed. That confirms it there is indeed a traitor within Akatsuki."
Pain's expression changed slightly when he saw the old Hokage charging forward with Enma transformed into the Adamantine Staff.
Yet it was only a trace of surprise.
In his eyes, the elderly Third Hokage was no longer the "Professor" who once stood at the pinnacle of Konoha. Age had weakened him considerably. Pain even felt that he barely needed to attack; the old man might collapse from exhaustion before the battle ended.
Hiruzen naturally understood his current condition.
Even in his prime, this enemy would have been difficult to overcome.
However…
"Indeed… if it were only me… I wouldn't be enough to stop you…"
Holding the Adamantine Staff tightly, Hiruzen stared at the Six Paths of Pain.
He had already received detailed intelligence from chinatsu.
Deva Path: Shinra Tensei and Banshō Ten'in.
Asura Path: Mechanical weapons and missiles.
Human Path: Soul extraction and mind reading.
Animal Path: Summoning Jutsu.
Preta Path: Chakra absorption.
Naraka Path: King of Hell.
Most troublesome of all, the Six Paths shared vision through the Rinnegan. Anything one body saw was instantly seen by the others.
Troublesome.
Extremely troublesome.
["Don't worry~ You're only going there to buy time. There are others too."]
Hiruzen recalled chinatsu's words.
Yet he sensed no reinforcements nearby.
Still, even if no one came, he would never allow these enemies to step foot inside Konoha.
He was prepared to stake his life on it.
Hiruzen tightened his grip on Enma. Just as he prepared to use Body Flicker Technique and charge forward, lightning flashed from both sides of Pain, while a gigantic sphere of chakra appeared simultaneously.
"Kagutsuchi: Chidori!!!"
"Sage Art: Super Giant Rasengan!!!"
BOOM!!!
A deafening explosion echoed through the forests surrounding Konoha.
Even inside the village, countless shinobi heard the blast.
Naruto and Sasuke made their dazzling entrance.
"Wow! That explosion was huge! Sage Mode really is amazing! I'm way stronger now!"
"Huh? I'm the stronger one. Combining Kagutsuchi with Chidori is something only I can do. Your Rasengan was just assisting."
The two of them still found time to argue despite facing the legendary Rinnegan.
Hiruzen couldn't help but laugh bitterly.
These two children had become absurdly powerful.
Naruto had already mastered Sage Mode under chinatsu's arrangements in Shikkotsu Forest, while Sasuke had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan after Itachi's death and was now steadily learning to control Susanoo.
Both were only thirteen years old.
A shinobi reaching jōnin level at that age was already considered a once-in-a-generation genius.
As the smoke cleared, none of the Six Paths of Pain had fallen.
However, Naruto and Sasuke's sudden attack had clearly forced them into a more cautious stance.
"So the Nine-Tails jinchūriki and the last Uchiha survivor besides Uchiha Chinatsu have grown to this level."
Pain's Rinnegan locked onto the two boys.
"I underestimated you. It's fortunate I came personally today. If I allowed you a few more years to mature, perhaps you truly might become obstacles to my plan."
Although wary, Pain still didn't believe defeat was possible.
His opponents consisted of an old man and two thirteen-year-old children.
His side possessed the Six Paths of Pain, the power of the Rinnegan, and the authority of a god.
There was no reason for him to lose.
No possibility of defeat.
Yet the ominous feeling in his heart refused to disappear.
Pain slowly raised his hand.
The other five Paths also entered battle positions.
"Know pai "
"WAIT!!!"
Pain's body stiffened.
The Shinra Tensei he was about to unleash stopped abruptly.
Who?!
Who shouted "wait"?!
The Deva Path immediately ruled out Naruto, Sasuke, and Hiruzen.
That voice belonged to…
Kakuzu?!
Pain turned around.
Kakuzu was approaching from the distance alongside Hidan, Deidara, Sasori, and Kisame Hoshigaki.
The five landed behind the Six Paths of Pain.
Even Kakuzu himself looked slightly surprised.
He hadn't expected Pain to actually stop after hearing "Wait."
Pain's face darkened.
He didn't understand why he had paused.
By the time he realized what had happened, he had already interrupted Shinra Tensei.
Damn it!
"What are you doing here?" Pain asked coldly.
"Naturally, we're here to help the boss deal with Konoha."
Kakuzu narrowed his eyes.
The group behind him spread out without hesitation.
Front: Naruto, Sasuke, Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Left: Deidara and Sasori.
Right: Kisame Hoshigaki and Hidan.
Rear: Kakuzu.
The Six Paths of Pain suddenly found themselves surrounded.
Pain glanced from side to side.
The unease in his heart expanded rapidly.
A possibility he had never seriously considered before finally surfaced.
His Rinnegan slowly widened.
"You… don't tell me…"
"You've all betrayed Akatsuki…"
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