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Paralyzed with fear, Konohamaru stumbled backward—straight into a pillar. The sharp sound gave him away. Pain turned instantly.
Dragging the body of a limp shinobi, he walked toward the boy's hiding spot.
Then, a figure dropped in front of him. "You've gone far enough. I won't forgive scum like you."
Konohamaru's eyes went wide. "Ebisu-sensei!"
"Run now, Konohamaru," Ebisu said softly, preparing for battle.
Shuriken flew, but Pain tilted his head, letting them pass. Ebisu lunged with a swift kick, but Pain blocked with his arm, then hurled the body he was holding straight at Ebisu, sending them both crashing into the ground.
A crater spread beneath them. Pain's Rinnegan swirled, unblinking.
Ebisu staggered to his feet, blood at his lip. "Don't look away from me!"
Pain's voice was calm, chilling. "You'll never defeat me with this level of strength."
Ebisu's thoughts burned. No matter what… I must buy Konohamaru enough time to escape.
He hurled kunai in rapid succession, only for Pain to deflect them with his black rods. Ebisu rushed in, slashing and striking with all his skill, but Pain blocked each move with ease.
Steel clashed against steel. Their eyes locked.
He's gone… good. Konohamaru's safe.
Relief flickered in Ebisu's chest. But in the next instant, Pain's knee slammed into his face, driving him deep into the ground. Blood ran down his chin.
"Damn… I let my guard down. Still… my mission's done."
Pain seized him by the throat, lifting him like a doll. "Tell me. Is Naruto here in the village? Answer me clearly."
Hidden, Konohamaru's heart jumped. Big Brother Naruto…
Ebisu smiled faintly through the pain. "Don't underestimate me. I'm an elite teacher. Naruto is my student. At first, I thought he was an obstacle to Konohamaru's dream of becoming Hokage… but he's more than that."
"With his stubborn courage and boundless spirit, he's overcome trial after trial. I couldn't teach him much, but he's taught us all. Especially Konohamaru."
Pain's grip tightened. "Enough useless talk. Last chance. Tell me where he is!"
Ebisu coughed blood but kept smiling. "Naruto endured his master's death and carried his will forward. His strength has inspired Konohamaru… and the whole village. Naruto is one of us. I'll never tell you anything."
"Is that so? Then die."
The monster behind Pain stirred again, jaws wide.
"Die with your pride, then."
But before it struck, three kunai whistled through the air. Pain dropped Ebisu and leapt back.
On a rooftop, Konohamaru stood tall, voice fierce. "I'm your opponent!"
"Konohamaru?!" Ebisu gasped. "Why didn't you run?"
Konohamaru's eyes blazed with resolve.
"You always said I had the potential to be Hokage someday. If that's true, then I can't just stand by and watch. I won't let the village—or you—be destroyed!"
Konohamaru grinned. "I once made a promise. Someday, I'd challenge big brother Naruto, betting the title of Hokage itself on our fight!"
"That's why I won't run away!"
"Because if I take the path of a coward, Naruto won't be there at the end of it!"
The hulking Path of Pain lunged at him, black rod stabbing forward with terrifying speed.
"So fast!!"
Konohamaru twisted away just in time—BOOM!
The explosion rocked the street, smoke surging up as Konohamaru's body was sent flying, crashing to the ground. Before he could recover, Pain dropped from above, black rod stabbing down. Konohamaru rolled desperately, escaping by the skin of his teeth.
Another thunderous impact. The rod slammed into the earth, blasting a crater into the ground.
Pain gave him no breathing room. He came at him again, blow after blow, each strike forcing Konohamaru further back.
Konohamaru's chest tightened. He remembered the two Konoha chunin who had died miserably before him. If he grabs me… it's over.
He stumbled back until his shoulders hit cold stone. A wall.
Before he could react, a massive hand closed around his throat, lifting him off the ground. Behind Pain, that monstrous summon reappeared, radiating raw menace.
"Konohamaru!" Ebisu hurled himself forward in a desperate charge—only to be kicked aside like trash.
"Is Uzumaki Naruto in this village?!" Pain's roar shook the air.
Konohamaru stared into that merciless face. His mind flashed back to the dead chunin, and suddenly… something clicked. I think I'm starting to get how this guy's ability works.
"Answer me!!"
Konohamaru forced out his words, voice hoarse. "As if I'd know something like that!"
His tongue jerked unnaturally, stretching out against his will. The summon's tongue split into twin hands, seizing his. His body went limp, arms dangling uselessly.
…
Outside, in the real world.
"Konohamaru!!!"
Naruto's furious cry echoed. His fists clenched tight. "Damn it, why are they after me? If it's me they want, then come for me! Why kill my comrades?!"
Faces around him were twisted in shock. "Who the hell is this Pain, to storm straight into Konoha like this?!"
The Third Hokage shot up from his seat. "Konohamaru!!"
"Has the future of Konoha really grown this weak? To let someone invade the village and slaughter at will… unbelievable!"
Danzo, however, gave a cold laugh. "So this is what the future holds. Interesting. Let the people see how fragile their Hokage really is. Only I, Danzo, can lead Konoha to true greatness."
Disguised among the Sand elders, Orochimaru licked his lips. "Pain… those eyes are exquisite."
The Sand's elders trembled, eyes wide. "Even the Sage's Rinnegan has appeared in this future…?" Cold sweat dripped down their foreheads.
…
"Na… Naruto-niisan!"
POOF!
The body dangling in Pain's grasp exploded into smoke.
Pain froze. A shadow clone?!
He spun around—too late. Konohamaru charged in, a glowing sphere spinning wildly in his palm.
"Rasengan!!!"
The swirling ball of chakra smashed into Pain's gut. The blast unleashed a shockwave so violent it turned the world blinding white.
When the light faded, Pain's body lay crumpled on the ground, a gaping hole carved into the wall behind him.
Ebisu's jaw dropped. "H-how… when did he learn a technique that advanced?!"
Konohamaru stood tall, chest heaving. "I carry the name of this village. I'm a Sarutobi, and a shinobi of Konoha!"
He pointed at the fallen Pain, voice shaking but defiant. "Remember my name! Sarutobi Konohamaru!"
"..."
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