Konoha.
Hokage Building.
The Third Hokage frowned, staring at the figure on the screen.
"Shikaku, what do you think?"
Shikaku put down the documents in his hand.
He continuously integrated all known information in his mind.
Then, he replied in a deep voice.
"Lord Third, the enemies encountered by the screen Konoha currently seem to share a common characteristic: a pair of Rinnegan. After analysis, the probability that these are Pain's clones is extremely high. Looking at it this way, it's not so much an invasion of Konoha as it is a dimension-shattering strike by Pain alone against Konoha…"
Shikaku thoroughly analyzed all the words revealed by the enemy and largely assessed the situation of the Ninja World on the screen.
He reached this conclusion.
Konoha was not the first Ninja Village to suffer such an attack.
Pain was not Konoha's enemy.
He was the enemy of the entire Ninja World!
Yet, he possessed terrifying strength, capable of fighting thousands alone.
He transcended ordinary Ninja!
He was like a true god of the Ninja World!
An unprecedented major crisis!
However, Shikaku also provided corresponding preventative measures.
If Konoha were to encounter such an invasion again, it shouldn't be as defenseless as it was on the screen.
After all, this information was transmitted by the Ninja who died or were injured in screen Konoha.
Next, the urgent matter was to continue observing this battle.
More battle information and the origin of Pain were needed!
Hidden Cloud Village.
Just as the Third Hokage had Shikaku, a person who could calmly analyze the battle situation, by his side.
The Fourth Raikage also had a similar strategist.
"Samui, have you finished your analysis?"
Samui, with her light yellow short hair, had an exceptionally calm gaze.
This was also why the Fourth Raikage trusted her; she wouldn't react emotionally to anything.
Rational and wise.
"This Pain, who possesses the Rinnegan, has abilities including… Therefore, for now, our Hidden Cloud Village cannot defeat him!"
Hidden Cloud Village was renowned for its taijutsu.
But Pain's repulsive and attractive forces completely countered taijutsu!
If Lord Raikage used force to rush into mid-air.
Pain could simply use a repulsive force to push Lord Raikage away like a live target.
Just getting close became a huge problem!
How could they talk about defeating him!
Hearing Samui's undisguised answer.
Although the Fourth Raikage was helpless, there was nothing he could do.
Killer Bee, however, didn't think so.
"I have seven sword techniques, and the invincible Eight-Tails! I can defeat Pain in minutes!!"
Samui ignored this amusing character.
The Fourth Raikage also ignored him and turned to look at the screen.
He recalled the scene of the dark figure floating in mid-air.
"Fifth Hokage, how will you respond…" Hidden Sand Village, Iwagakure, and other Villages, even many without a Jinchuriki, were all watching this battle.
Preparedness, preparedness first.
The common enemy of the Ninja World, no one could stand idly by!
Outside Hidden Rain Village.
At the cave entrance.
The Akatsuki Organization members were also amazed by Pain's plan.
To capture all Jinchuriki in the Ninja World!
To become enemies with the Five Kage!
This had a similar approach to the actions of the former God of Shinobi, the First Hokage, and the founder of Konoha, Senju Hashirama.
They were all collecting Tailed Beasts!!!
Nagato, Pain, Konan, and others all had grim expressions.
They had been exposed.
Their plan was mercilessly exposed by the shameless screen.
The Ninja World must now consider them enemies.
And they hadn't even begun to show signs of hunting Tailed Beasts.
Before the screen appeared, Nagato was preparing to gather war materials for future battles.
He hadn't even proceeded to the next step of collecting Tailed Beasts.
It was important to note that even the Akatsuki Organization members with ulterior motives didn't know his plan.
This screen directly exposed his biggest conspiracy in the future!
Looking at Pain on the screen, Nagato's Rinnegan flickered with an unusual movement.
"Now…" Hidan clicked his tongue: "Pain is truly the one who should be the leader of our Jashinism! This plan is simply incredible…"
Deidara's eyes also shone with brilliance.
The continuous explosions in the screen Konoha earlier had already satisfied this explosion maniac.
Now, hearing that screen Pain had already captured other Tailed Beasts.
He eagerly imagined what kind of art he himself had created on the screen!
Itachi seemingly watched the screen, but in reality, he was constantly observing Pain's movements.
He was looking for an opportunity to potentially take down this great enemy of Konoha in advance.
Of course, he wasn't reckless.
If he wasn't absolutely sure, he would continue to lie low.
The Fifth Hokage on the screen probably couldn't defeat Pain either.
This was Itachi's assessment based on the information revealed by the screen and his years of undercover work in the Akatsuki Organization.
So, would it still have to be Naruto, like the protagonist?
Zetsu, one of the Akatsuki Organization members, quietly watched the screen.
In reality, a tumultuous storm was brewing in his heart.
The first time he encountered the screen, he was so shocked he almost prostrated himself.
His mother, Kaguya, didn't possess such immense power upon her revival!
He then continued to watch the screen's content.
He looked at Light Screen Naruto and increasingly felt that this person was somewhat similar to Ashura.
Not strong in power, ordinary in Talent.
But he couldn't be killed, couldn't be destroyed, as if naturally full of resilience.
He was practically Ashura reincarnated!
It should be known that Black Zetsu and Ashura were not on good terms.
After all, he was a descendant of Ōtsutsuki Hagoromo, who had sealed Kaguya.
This screen had also been continuously broadcasting Naruto's glorious moments.
It was clearly on Naruto's side.
If the screen continued to develop.
Now it exposed Akatsuki Pain, then it would expose Obito, Madara.
And even eventually expose Black Zetsu himself.
How could his "mother-saving" plan be implemented!
Thinking of this.
Zetsu was already preparing to advance his plan.
If he waited any longer, he would be an enemy of the entire world!
...[Hokage Building Rooftop]
"The Jinchuriki have mostly been captured. The balance of power between Ninja Villages, maintained by the Tailed Beasts, can no longer be sustained. Now, even protecting the Nine-Tailed is meaningless."
Tsunade looked over coldly.
"So your target is Naruto, after all?"
Pain lowered his eyelids.
"Soon, conflicts will erupt everywhere, and the seeds of war will be scattered. Then we will control these wars. If you assist us, we might spare you."
"In this situation, you should be well aware of our strength."
Tsunade was enraged by the content of his words.
As the Fifth Hokage.
While others were resisting tenaciously.
How could she surrender at the enemy's mere words?
She was Tsunade, the Princess of Konoha!
Possessing an unyielding spirit!
Pain's words!!
"Don't underestimate the Five Kage!!"
"You want to completely destroy the peaceful life that our ancestors pursued for generations and diligently maintained? Whatever you say is useless."
After listening, Pain opened his eyes.
A massive surge of chakra was released from his body, instantly stirring up a gust of wind.
"Don't be so arrogant."
After a conversation.
Pain knew there was no possibility of compromise between them.
At the same time.
In another location, Pain's Human Path clone was searching for Shizune and the secret base of the analysis team.
Meanwhile, Shizune, Ino, and the analysis team were gathering intelligence from the enemy's mind through mind-reading techniques.
Soon, the Human Path encountered Shizune and the analysis team, and a conflict ensued.
Neither the analysis team nor Shizune were skilled in combat.
The next moment, the Human Path grabbed Shizune.
Pain's Human Path.
The Mind Reading technique could read memories.
The Soul Absorption technique could extract souls.
[The Human Path grabbed Shizune's head, extracting her soul.]
[Subsequently, Shizune's body fell to the ground like an empty shell.]
[At this moment.]
[The Rinnegan shared its vision and memories.]
[Pain received news of Naruto.]
On the mountain path.
Tsunade watched the scene of screen Shizune's death.
Her heart felt as if it had been pricked by needles.
Shizune had also sacrificed herself in this battle!!
She had always stayed by her side.
No matter how big or small the matter, if Tsunade said it, she would ensure the task was completed.
In casinos around the world, Tsunade always left Shizune with one mess after another.
But Shizune never complained.
Unbeknownst to them, the bond between Shizune and her was now closer than family!
But she, on the screen, failed to protect her!
Tsunade was filled with unbearable guilt, her eyes welling up with tears.
"Lady Tsunade, it's alright. I am prepared to sacrifice myself for Konoha."
Shizune said with a faint smile.
Tonton nudged Shizune, sensing the heavy atmosphere.
Tsunade was not a weak woman either.
In terms of resilience, she was no weaker than a man.
But this was an accumulation.
Tsunade deeply empathized with Screen Tsunade.
Screen Tsunade, as the Fifth Hokage.
She wanted to protect Konoha.
Screen Tsunade received fragmented information.
She didn't even receive the news of Shizune's sacrifice later on.
But Tsunade, at this moment, witnessed it with her own eyes.
Just like when Nawaki and Dan sacrificed themselves.
She failed to protect Dan's niece!