Tō had now spent two whole days in the town, growing increasingly anxious. Kakashi and Gai had uncovered no leads: Pain's secrecy was exceptional—Rain Village's operations remained hidden from the Shinobi nations, even at the outbreak of the Fourth Great Ninja War.
Kakashi would eventually have to go directly to Rain Village to find answers, but Tō feared that would be a suicide mission. If Kakashi took others with him, Pain would mercilessly slaughter them. It would destroy the futures of two future Jonin-level elite. Worse, the Third Hokage might blame Tō—and Danzo would certainly seize the chance to eliminate him.
Tō sighed, unsettled—and his Pikachu companion was nowhere in sight. Summoning the Demon Beast (Yokai), Tō considered the risks. If he sent the Demon Beast to negotiate with Pain, its abilities might impress him—or worse, Pain might recruit it for Akatsuki. Still, its immense power couldn't be ignored.
Tō summoned the Demon Beast with a firm hand seal. A swirl of smoke heralded its appearance, and with echoing gravity in its voice, it said, "Master, to send me to protect your mother is unwise!"
Tō smirked coldly. "I trust you. But now you must be sent." The beast had previously trained with Hidan, training beyond the abilities of conventional ninjas.
"Is Danzo making a move?" Tō inquired, voice steely. Demon Beast replied, "Danzo's first team failed. A second squad led by Gita is on its way, with fifty elite shinobi. They'll arrive tomorrow at noon. Your kenjutsu teacher, Gentai, is among them—he's tailing them."
Tō's expression turned serious. If Gentai were caught in Pain's territory, that would compromise everything. So Tō refined his plan: "Go first to Rain and alert Pain and Konan that fifty elite shinobi are approaching. Tell them I'll deliver them to Pain's discretion." He handed Demon Beast the sketches of Pain and Konan, and their location on the scroll.
Moments later, Kakashi and Gai returned, visibly frustrated by another day without progress.
"You're back—but I have bad news," Tō said quietly.
Kakashi and Gai exchanged startled looks.
"You know how? Was it Gentai?" Kakashi asked.
Tō nodded, his informant confirmed.
"When will they arrive?" Kakashi asked next.
"Noon tomorrow. I will lead them into your trap—do not interfere, or it'll ruin everything," Tō warned.
They nodded, though Tō appeared unsettled. He stared at his map—Rain Village's position among waterways and tall buildings. Demon Beast reappeared, drawing five kunai through its presence—evidence of the enemy's deadly accuracy.
Konan suddenly dove from above. Demon Beast's wings stirred in combat reflex, dodging swift kunai strikes. Using illusions and vanishing into walls and the earth, the Demon Beast revealed its otherworldly nature.
Konan frowned at its wings, noting they were not ninja-made. Demon Beast recognized her from Tō's image: she was the real Konan, and the woman standing next to her was Pain himself.
"Are you Tō's envoy?" Pain asked, launching off the ground. Demon Beast nodded, unfurling the scroll and tossing it to him. Pain studied the drawings, sensing the Demon Beast's unusual non-chakra aura.
"But how trust?" Pain asked sharply.
Demon Beast replied lightly, "I am his summon. Ask the Pikachu on your shoulder."—and Pikachu gave a confirming nod.
Pain bowed his head in acknowledgment. "I'll accept what you bring me," he said, then turned away. Konan patted Pikachu and followed. The Demon Beast hovered, uneasy at the encounter.
"Your master faces frightening foes. That man's power terrified me. He is not an illusion—he must be truly formidable."
Demon Beast's voice wavered as it descended to fulfill Tō's mission. Tō watched from the shadows, settling uneasily that the world was far more perilous than it appeared.
This chapter reveals Tō's calculated intrigue: to use Pain's overwhelming force as leverage, and to orchestrate events from the shadows—protecting what he cherishes while manipulating both ninja factions in a deadly game of allegiances.