__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Fat Pain stared down at the black rod in his hand, then at the fallen Animal Path lying on the operating table. In an instant, he realized Konoha had been studying Pain's abilities.
Just then, a violent white whirlwind tore into the room. Fat Pain immediately yanked the corpse off the table and used it as a shield to block the deadly strike.
He leapt up to the wall, watching the intruders closely. Kiba grinned and shouted to his mother:"Just like the intel said! He's no good against direct physical attacks!"
"For us Inuzukas, that makes him the perfect prey."
"Mom! Let's finish him in one go!"
But Tsume held him back."Wait, Kiba! Don't underestimate him. He's one of the Six Paths who defeated Jiraiya-sama!"
"We can't afford even the slightest carelessness."
Kiba's forehead broke into a nervous sweat."R-right…"
Konoha was drowning in tragedy. Bodies lay scattered across the village, and tiny slugs crawled over the wounded, glowing green as they poured healing chakra into them.
The Aburame clan now faced off against Konan, whose body had unraveled into sheets of paper floating ominously in the air.
"Shino," one of them called out, "go all out and take her down!"
Above the Hokage's office, Tsunade sat in the center, her chakra flaring like a storm. Around her, ANBU surrounded their Hokage, ready to guard her with their lives.
A lone figure began walking slowly toward them.
Tsunade lifted her head, turning gracefully.
"Nose piercings—six of them. Seven more on the ears…"
She rose to her feet, eyes locked on the figure."You're… Pain?"
Pain's voice was cold but steady."It's been a long time, Tsunade-sama. Of the Sannin, only you remain."
"There are things I wish to say to you."
"Dynamic Marking!!"
Riding atop Akamaru, Kiba charged at Fat Pain, spraying him with a torrent of foul-smelling yellow liquid.
Fat Pain scrambled to dodge while Tsume hurled a kunai. Pain kicked up a wooden plank from the ground, blocking the strike, then burst through the window.
"Damn it! Don't think you can get away!" Kiba yelled, giving chase with his mother close behind.
"Once Akamaru's marked you, there's nowhere you can run. We'll find you no matter what!"
And they both sprinted after him.
Konan's scattered sheets of paper slowly reformed into her body as she faced the three Aburame clan members.
"This one isn't Pain," one of them muttered.
"She doesn't match the description we were given."
"Stay sharp!"
"Don't worry," Shino's voice was calm and low. "I never underestimate anyone."
Just then, Konan glanced upward—and her eyes widened. Above her, the sky was thick with insects. The swarm dove at her, wrapping her in a living black cocoon.
A loud bang! echoed—Konan's body burst into countless slips of paper again, the insects dispersing into the air.
But in the blink of an eye, the sky filled with Konans, each one made of paper.
"Paper clones?"
Shino's voice was steady."No matter how many clones you create, my insects will consume them all."
The swarm surged, smothering each paper body one after another.
But suddenly, white smoke began pouring out from the trapped clones.
"That smell!"
"Shino! Get back—now!"
The paper clones erupted in fiery explosions, blasts tearing through the battlefield. The three Aburame barely leapt clear in time, the village glowing red as fire and smoke consumed the air.
Konan emerged slowly from the flames, her real body at last.
"So the real one was hidden in the water all along?" one Aburame said grimly.
"She turned her own weakness into a weapon," another added.
"This one's dangerous."
Tsunade studied Pain's face, memories flashing."You really are… that brat from back then."
"So you remember," Pain replied coldly.
The ANBU around her muttered in confusion."Tsunade-sama, you know him? Who is he?"
"I am the god who brings order."
The ANBU sneered."So he's insane, then."
"Where is Naruto Uzumaki? Where is the Nine-Tails?" Pain demanded.
"The other Jinchūriki have already been captured. The tailed beasts kept the balance of power between the villages… but that balance is gone."
"Even if you continue hiding the Nine-Tails, it won't matter."
"So your target really is Naruto."
But Pain didn't answer directly. Instead, he spoke of his vision."War will spread across the world. Only through us will those flames be controlled. If you cooperate, I might even spare you."
"You've seen our power. You know resistance is useless."
Tsunade's eyes hardened."Don't underestimate the Five Kage. You think we'll let everything our ancestors built—the peace they fought so hard to protect—be destroyed by the likes of you?"
Pain's Rinnegan glowed."Don't be arrogant. This is your last warning. Tell me where Naruto is."
Tsunade shook her head."All I'll tell you is this—we'll gather all our strength and defeat you. And one more thing: what you seek will never be yours."
Pain's voice thundered back."You think Konoha can protect him forever? Wrong!"
Tsunade's lips curved into a smile."Naruto's stronger than you think."
Just then, the long-haired Pain appeared, seizing Shizune by the head. In moments, he ripped the memories from her mind.
"Myōbokuzan…!" he growled.
Ino gasped."He pulled the memory straight out of her head—like my father's jutsu, but without any tools. Just seconds!"
Pain's Deva Path absorbed the information."So Naruto isn't here. He's at Mount Myōboku."
"What?!" Tsunade's heart lurched.
Meanwhile, Pain's summoned beasts wreaking havoc in the village suddenly vanished in puffs of white smoke. The Animal Path retreated as well.
"Mount Myōboku… the land of toads. Seems we've been wasting time here," Pain said calmly.
He glanced at the seals beneath his feet."These chakra patterns… were you preparing a trap for me? So, you've already uncovered part of my abilities."
"But against overwhelming power, it won't matter."
"..."
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________