Another insect who doesn't know his place? Pathetic. Even shinobi trained by the Great Nations can't see the difference in strength… and so they come, one after another, to die.
Slash—
A black chakra rod cut through the air, leaving behind a crescent-shaped shadow. The Konoha shinobi who had dared to block with his body stared in disbelief as his life ended at Pain's feet.
Even in death, his eyes remained wide open, unable to comprehend why a single black rod carried such terrifying power—strong enough to cleave through a kunai with ease.
His weapon shattered, left defenseless, he had no choice but to meet the blow head-on. It was useless. He fell like so many before him.
The other Konoha shinobi who witnessed the scene seethed with rage, but not one of them let that fury cloud their reason.
Because they all knew—this enemy's strength was overwhelming.
The six bodies of Pain's Six Paths spread out, slaughtering Konoha's shinobi without mercy. Not even elite jōnin could withstand them; each attack pushed the defenders further back, preventing any confrontation.Animal Path: able to summon multiple creatures at once, and strong enough in close combat to crush opponents with raw taijutsu.Asura Path: a body modified like a puppet, with hidden weapons and the ability to launch its limbs like projectiles.Preta Path: capable of absorbing chakra and swallowing enemy ninjutsu whole.Human Path: terrifying, able to rip out souls and read memories—perfect for close combat and intelligence.Naraka Path: the controller of the King of Hell, who could only be seen by those caught by its grasp.Deva Path: crafted from Yahiko's body by Nagato Uzumaki, the strongest of all six, wielding the fearsome powers of the Rinnegan.The formation led by Sarutobi Asuma and the other jōnin quickly broke apart under the assault of summoned beasts. Forced back, they barely managed to regroup at a safer distance.
Then, from among the Konoha forces, a shinobi of the Uchiha clan stepped forward. Without hesitation, he rushed straight at the Deva Path. His Sharingan spun with three tomoe, casting a genjutsu as his kunai struck forward.
But—
A black chakra rod pierced his forehead in an instant.
The Uchiha elite collapsed, lifeless, before his genjutsu could even take hold. His kunai fell uselessly from his hand.
The gathered shinobi recoiled. One strike—just one strike—had ended an Uchiha with the three-tomoe Sharingan.
The Hyūga clan shinobi, watching with Byakugan active, shouted in alarm:
"Everyone, fall back! These enemies are not normal shinobi. Keep your distance!"
Through the Byakugan's vision, he saw something horrifying—Pain's body contained no chakra at all.
It was as if the black rods embedded in their flesh had drained every last drop of chakra, leaving them as empty shells.
The Deva Path moved. In a blur, his hand gripped the Hyūga's head and slammed him brutally into the earth. The skull shattered instantly.
The remaining Uchiha clenched their teeth.
"Damn it… what is this ability? He ignores genjutsu, moves faster than our eyes can track… Is it because of those cursed eyes!?"
Others shouted:
"Look! All of them have the same eyes! A new dōjutsu clan!?"
The Hyūga tried again to warn:
"Their chakra… it isn't inside them! It's all in the black rods—like conduits, like—"
Crash!
Before he could finish, the Deva Path appeared in front of him, a black rod slicing horizontally. The Hyūga was sent flying, lifeless.
"Too noisy," the Deva Path said coldly.
The remaining shinobi understood—this enemy was beyond anything they had faced. Those black rods… those unnatural eyes…
Still, the Uchiha clan's chūnin exchanged grim looks. Their Sharingan burned with resolve. If genjutsu failed, then they would fight with what the Uchiha were also famed for: shurikenjutsu.
Whsshh—!
Shuriken and kunai flew in intricate, intersecting arcs. The Uchiha's famed throwing techniques made the weapons dance through the air in dazzling, lethal beauty.
But—
The Deva Path raised one hand. His voice was cold, absolute:
"Shinra Tensei."
A gravitational force erupted outward. The dazzling storm of steel was repelled as though it had never existed, every weapon flung harmlessly away.
"You will not be allowed to damage this body."
This body—the body of Yahiko Nagato treasured it more than anything. He would not let even a scratch fall upon it.
Though the Shinra Tensei consumed massive chakra, Nagato used it without hesitation. The backlash forced him to recall the other five Paths, leaving only the Deva Path standing.But with his full attention and chakra focused on this single vessel, the Deva Path's power only grew more fearsome.