Hidden Cloud Village, Cloud
A burly, bronze-skinned man moved rhythmically, making odd hand gestures and mumbling in a strange beat, almost as if he were lost in his own world.
Without warning, six figures appeared, surrounding him.
These were the Six Paths of Pain, and the man they encircled was none other than the Eight-Tails' Jinchuriki — Killer Bee.
Tendo Pain's sharp gaze fell on Bee's unusual movements and tone. His expression tightened as he spoke coldly,
"You must be the Eight-Tails' Jinchuriki, Killer Bee."
Bee paid him no mind, continuing his rap without pause.
Tendo Pain didn't waste time. He raised his hand.
"Almighty Pull!"
A crushing suction force burst from his palm, dragging Killer Bee toward him in an instant. Caught off guard, Bee was yanked into Pain's grasp. A black receiver slid from Pain's sleeve and pierced Bee's torso — only for his body to explode into smoke with a soft pop.
When the smoke cleared, Tendo Pain found himself holding nothing but an octopus tentacle.
His eyes narrowed, but before he could act, the Animal Path lunged forward, shoving him out of the way.
A booming voice came from above.
"Lightning Release: Lariat!"
A lightning-clad figure descended at blinding speed, his kick smashing into the Animal Path.
The impact thundered through the gorge. In a single blow, the Animal Path was reduced to mangled remains.
Tendo Pain sidestepped, his gaze following the newcomer.
"Fourth Raikage."
The Raikage's eyes swept over the remaining five Pains. His expression darkened at the sight of their Rinnegan.
"What… kind of eyes are those?" he thought grimly.
Dozens of Hidden Cloud shinobi appeared, surrounding the Pains with weapons drawn, their presence tilting the balance in the village's favor — or so it seemed.
Tendo Pain ignored the ring of enemies and addressed the Raikage directly.
"Where is the Eight-Tails' Jinchuriki?"
A's jaw tightened.
"Hmph! So you really are after the Tailed Beasts. You're bold to come here. Did you think this place was like the Mist or the Sand, where you can come and go as you please?"
"Is there a difference?" Tendo Pain's tone was flat, devoid of any sign of respect.
The insult was more than the Raikage's temper could handle. Lightning blazed brighter around him, his hair standing on end as raw power surged.
"Lightning Release Armor!"
His body vanished in a flash. Reappearing before Tendo Pain, he swung his arm in a devastating strike.
"Lightning Release: Horizontal Chop!"
Just before the blow landed, Pain murmured,
"Shinra Tensei."
A crushing repulsive force erupted, sending the Raikage hurtling backward.
Darui leapt to intercept, but the sheer force knocked both him and the Raikage into the nearby lake with a massive splash.
In seconds, two of the Cloud's strongest fighters were taken out of the fray.
Still, the Hidden Cloud was the fiercest of the Five Great Nations. Lightning sparked across the battlefield as shinobi unleashed their most powerful jutsu, surging toward the enemy.
The Preta Path stepped forward, raising both hands. A translucent sphere enveloped him, absorbing every lightning attack on contact, the jutsu vanishing as though swallowed by the sea.
The sight froze many in place — but Pain's onslaught didn't stop.
The Asura Path's arms shifted with a mechanical click, launching a barrage of missiles. Explosions tore through the ranks of the Cloud shinobi, bodies falling lifeless to the ground. The few who survived were left broken and bloodied.
Then the Naraka Path stepped to the shattered remains of the Animal Path. A massive spectral face wreathed in purple flame — the King of Hell — rose behind him. It opened its mouth, devouring the damaged body before spitting it back out, fully restored.
Without pause, the Animal Path formed hand seals and summoned colossal beasts, their roars shaking the gorge as they glared down at the remaining defenders.
Some Cloud shinobi's resolve shattered instantly, their knees hitting the ground.
But then, the lake churned. Two massive octopus tentacles surged upward, hauling the Raikage and Darui out of the water.
A cry rang out, rekindling hope.
"It's Lord Killer Bee!"
The Eight-Tails' massive head rose from the depths. A and Darui leapt onto its crown.
The Raikage's voice was hard and furious.
"Bee! I told you not to come out! They're here for you!"
Killer Bee's usual carefree tone was gone.
"Big Brother, these guys aren't normal. Gyūki says those eyes are the Rinnegan — the eyes of the Sage of Six Paths!"
"What?!" A's eyes widened in disbelief. "How can several people have them at the same time?!"
"Gyūki doesn't know, but he's sure they're the real thing!"
"Did he tell you their abilities? How do we counter them?"
"He said the Rinnegan are the eyes of a god… with the power to destroy the world!"
A cursed under his breath. "This is insane…"
Darui's voice was steady despite the chaos.
"Raikage-sama, if the Rinnegan are that dangerous, hiding Bee won't help. We have to fight with everything we've got."
A's eyes hardened. He reactivated his Lightning Release Armor and charged headlong at Pain.
Killer Bee's eight tentacles lashed out, ensnaring the summoned beasts.
Tendo Pain's gaze narrowed. His voice was ice.
"It seems the pain you've felt… is far from enough."
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