In the terrified gazes of the Hidden Cloud shinobi, Tendo Pain's body slowly rose into the sky, suspended as if by unseen strings. Below, the remaining five Paths of Pain vanished in a puff of smoke, leaving only the silent, watchful figure above.
The oppressive air pressed heavily on the Hidden Cloud Village. A's patience finally snapped. He roared up toward the floating figure, his voice echoing through the ruined streets.
"You bastard! What exactly do you want?!"
Tendo Pain's gaze remained cold and unreadable. His reply was calm, almost chilling.
"Have you ever felt pain?"
"Nani…!?"
A faltered, momentarily thrown off by the unexpected question.
"How," Pain continued, his voice steady, "can someone who has never experienced true pain understand real peace?"
A's teeth ground together. "Nonsense! Killer Bee, take him down!"
Killer Bee nodded once, stepping forward. Opening his mouth wide, he began forming a massive pitch-black energy sphere — a Tailed Beast Bomb — before launching it toward Pain.
Tendo Pain spread his arms. His voice resonated with ominous finality.
"From now on… this world shall know pain. Super Almighty Push!"
A blinding white light engulfed the sky. An overwhelming repulsive force erupted outward, effortlessly reversing Killer Bee's attack. The Truth-Seeking Orb was hurled back before it could even detonate.
The shockwave swallowed the land. Mountains of rock, earth, and debris were thrown aside like drifting sand. For a moment, the world went silent.
Far away, hidden within the hollow of an ancient tree, the five other Paths of Pain lay motionless. Above them, Nagato sat pale and drawn, with Konan watching him intently.
"Nagato," she said, her tone worried, "can your body still endure this?"
"It's fine," he replied, my pforcing strength into his voice. "If it's only to this extent, I can still manage."
With a grimace, Nagato gave a low command. The five Paths stirred, then disappeared from sight once more.
Back at Cloud, the once-protruding cliffs had been completely flattened by the Super Almighty Push. The shattered remains of Hidden Cloud shinobi lay scattered across the devastated battlefield.
Those lucky enough to survive dragged themselves from the rubble, coughing weakly before collapsing unconscious.
On the surface of the lake, A cradled Killer Bee in his arms. His voice was hoarse with urgency.
"Killer Bee! Stay with me!"
When the repulsive wave had erupted, Killer Bee had thrown himself between A, Darui, and the incoming force. Even in full Tailed Beast form, the attack's sheer magnitude was beyond enduring. The blast had ripped him back into his human form, leaving him limp and unconscious.
Pain descended to the ground. Five puffs of smoke appeared beside him as the other Paths returned.
"I will never hand Killer Bee over to you!" A snarled.
Before he could take another breath, Asura Path flashed forward, driving a mechanical fist into A's back. Weakened and exhausted, A couldn't react in time. He was sent crashing into the depths of the lake.
Darui quickly formed hand seals, but the shared vision of the Pains betrayed his every move. Asura Path turned and kicked him aside without hesitation.
With the two obstacles removed, Asura Path slung Killer Bee over his shoulder. In another instant, all six Pains vanished.
The surviving Hidden Cloud shinobi stared in stunned silence.
"Quickly… save Raikage -sama!" one finally shouted.
A sudden splash drew their attention. From the lake emerged Killer Bee — the real one — supporting a sputtering, coughing A.
"Bee… how…?" A managed between breaths.
"Relax, brother. They only took a clone I made from my tail," Killer Bee explained with a faint smirk.
Relief briefly softened A's face, but it quickly darkened again as his eyes swept over the ruined landscape. "Our village…" His voice cracked, and tears threatened to fall.
Bee lowered his gaze. "Brother… what's done is done. Right now, we need to unite with the other villages. That Rinnegan isn't something the Hidden Cloud can handle alone."
A's eyes widened slightly at his brother's tone. After a pause, he gave a small nod. "…You've grown, Bee."
Word of the Akatsuki's assault spread quickly. The Hidden Sand and Hidden Mist, both of which had suffered similar attacks, voiced immediate concern. Even Iwagakure, yet untouched by the Akatsuki's direct assault, had reason to act — their own Jinchuriki had already been captured.
Konoha
Inside the Hokage's office, Minato, Tsunade, Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and other senior figures of the village gathered. Uchiha Chiga sat at the head of the table.
In recent months, Konoha had established a Scientific Department, with Orochimaru appointed as its first head. Chiga had granted him permission to conduct experiments — strictly limited to condemned criminals or enemy shinobi taken in battle. Orochimaru seemed content with the arrangement.
Shikaku Nara's face was grave. "Hokage-sama, the Fourth Raikage has invited us to the Land of Iron to discuss the Akatsuki threat with the other villages."
Chiga leaned back in his chair. "A Five Kage Summit, then. Looks like the Hidden Cloud took a heavy beating."
"Indeed. Reports say one of the Akatsuki wields the Rinnegan — and their attack caused massive casualties."
At the mention of the Rinnegan, Minato and the others exchanged subtle glances. They knew that Chiga possessed such eyes himself, though he had never displayed their full power.
Chiga stretched lazily before standing. "The Rinnegan… troublesome, perhaps."
Shikaku, unaware of his Hokage's secret, continued. "The Akatsuki is hunting every Tailed Beast. Only the Nine-Tails remains. I recommend we secure Naruto."
"No need," Chiga replied smoothly. "If the Cloud wants a summit, I'll attend — and Naruto will come with me."
Shikaku considered this and nodded. "That's likely the safest option."
Minato, as Naruto's father, showed no concern. In truth, he trusted Chiga's strength completely.
Itachi, seated quietly, said nothing. He had seen Chiga's Rinnegan firsthand — twelve tomoe swirling within each eye. In his mind, there was no question: his Hokage's power surpassed even the leader of the Akatsuki.
_____
Milestone,
100 Power stones = 1 Bonus Chapter