"Naive, the Split Dog doesn't..."
The long-haired Animal Path started to speak, only to find that the parts of the Split Dog's torn body had somehow been firmly frozen solid by ice.
"Just who are you? How do you know our information?"
Asura Path, Human Path, Preta Path, Naraka Path, and Deva Path all stepped forward.
A unified voice spoke from all six mouths, adding an eerie atmosphere to them.
"Hehe, guess~"
Shaking a kunai out from the summoning scroll in her hand, Sakura wrapped the scroll engraved with the cherry blossom mark around the kunai.
Facing a coordinated Ninja Group like Six Paths of Pain, the Flying Thunder God Technique had to be ready at all times to prevent unexpected events.
"Unnecessary. I will get what I want from your memories!"
Animal Path scratched his palm with a fingernail, and the Summoning Technique began again.
A strange bird with an oval-shaped sharp beak cried out, instantly scattering a large number of light green sticky orbs.
An orange-yellow light bloomed from within the sticky orbs. The continuously rising heat collapsed inward towards the center, and then the orbs expanded.
"Hmm! Gamaken-san!"
"Alright!"
Sakura took a step back as a large, bowl-shaped shield slammed down in front of the two of them.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Continuous explosions covered the entire area. Five figures charged into the smoke screen one after another.
Sakura looked up, her Observation Haki detected several blades slashing towards her head at high speed.
Asura Path!
She ducked low, her hands flying through hand seals.
[Water Release: Water Formation Wall!]
A high-speed rotating stream of water constructed a defense like an iron wall. Using Water Release in an environment like the Land of Rain was very Chakra-efficient, so Sakura simply expanded the protection to envelop Gamaken as well.
Just as the water screen rose, a series of clanging sounds rang out from outside, accompanied by several explosions that were also blocked off.
However, outside the water wall…
The tall and burly Preta Path aimed his arms at the Ninjutsu before him.
"Blocking Technique Absorption Seal!"
A transparent membrane rapidly grew, and the high-speed rotating water screen was swallowed upon contacting the membrane.
Infinite Chakra was sucked out of the Ninjutsu, turning the turbulent, rushing vortex into pure, ordinary water.
Seeing the path opened, the other Pains prepared to swarm in. The Animal Path, riding its chameleon, went to ambush Sakura.
"Summoning, swallowing Ninjutsu, repulsive force, internal weapons... truly remarkable abilities!"
A low, slightly hoarse voice suddenly rang out, causing the attacking Pains to pause.
"Jiraiya-chan, you fool, couldn't you call for us in a safer place?"
"Don't say that~ Wifey, Jiraiya-chan has his reasons."
Walking towards them across the water, against the shockwaves, was a toad that had almost taken human form.
On his shoulders stood two other toads, merged with his body using the Sage Art: Amphibian Technique.
"Sorry, Boss, Big Sis!"
He spread his knees and jumped forcefully, creating ripples on the calm water surface.
A Sensory Jutsu infused with Chakra extended out, directly locking onto the several Pains within the battlefield.
"I'm late, Sakura!"
"And Gamaken, you can return now!"
Jiraiya, who is now in Sage Mode, seemed exceptionally calm and balanced. His Chakra felt as if wrapped in a thick layer of oil, and his entire presence became blurred in Sakura's perception.
"Ara, Hubby, look at that."
Shima, who is integrated into Jiraiya's shoulder, whispered.
"Hmm? Look at what?"
Fukasaku turned his head in confusion.
"Over there, over there! The new contractor of Shikkotsu Forest the Great Toad Sage mentioned!"
Hearing Shima's words, Fukasaku's eyes widened, staring straight at Sakura.
"Boss, Big Sis, now is not the time for catching up!"
"Let's go!"
Jiraiya reminded them, his thoughts transmitted to their minds through the connection with the two Toad Sages.
"Right, let me go first!"
Shima took the lead, spitting out a tongue like a python from her mouth, swiftly lashing towards the distant chameleon.
'So fast!'
Animal Path Pain didn't even have time to give an order to the chameleon before it was entangled by Shima's tongue.
The bumps on the tongue wriggled, spewing acidic mist that instantly made the transparent chameleon visible.
"Water Release: Water Severing Wave!"
Sakura formed hand seals. A massive amount of Chakra gathered in her chest. The spewed water stream collapsed, transforming into a sharp blade that shot out.
It cut through the chameleon like a hot knife through butter, piercing its body, tearing through its rotting flesh, causing it to explode violently.
"Oh, a decisive child!"
Shima retracted his tongue and praised.
"Then I'll go too!"
Jiraiya, carrying the two Sages, charged out from the side. Chakra gathered in his hands, forming a giant ball.
Sage Art: Odama Rasengan!
Boom!
The Chakra that had undergone Shape Transformation became slender and needle-like, swirling like flying needles inside the Animal Path's body!
It turned the body, along with the ground, into a giant crater.
"One down!"
Jiraiya formed hand seals and turned around, but Animal Path below, with a giant hole in its stomach, suddenly raised its hand. A black rod shot from its palm straight towards Jiraiya's head.
But Shima's perception caught the attack a step earlier. Using Fighting Tongue Bind, his tongue wrapped around Animal Path, spewing acidic mist.
Fukusaku also opened his mouth, and Demonic Illusion: Toad Confrontation Chant, carrying turbulent sound waves, rushed out.
Although Animal Path was restrained by the two Sages' respective techniques, the extension of the black rod did not stop, reaching the tip of Jiraiya's nose in the blink of an eye.
"Not good, Jiraiya-chan!"
[Flying Thunder God Technique: Second Step!]
A kunai shot forward. The Chakra connection pierced through Space-Time, locking onto the cherry blossom mark on the kunai's handle.
In that instant, a stream of light tore through space. A small, pale hand reached across hundreds of meters to land on Jiraiya's back.
"Shift!"
Breaking through Space-Time a second time, consuming a large amount of Chakra to activate the Flying Thunder God with another person in such a short time-
Sakura finally pulled Jiraiya out of this certain-death strike, their figures flickering as they escaped hundreds of meters away.
"Haah... Haah..."
Cold sweat slid down Sakura's temple. The adrenaline rush from saving someone made her heart beat very fast.
"Jiraiya-sensei, it'll be very difficult for me if you're so careless!"
Taking a Flying Thunder God Kunai from her tool pouch, Sakura took the opportunity to stuff it into Jiraiya's hand.
"Ah, my apologies."
Jiraiya showed an understanding expression and tucked the kunai close to his body.
Truthfully, Sakura also understood it was a problem of information gap between the two sides.
Even though she had done her best to convey intel about Pain to Jiraiya, the situation on the battlefield changed in the blink of an eye.
There was no time for Sakura to hold a class and explain everything to Jiraiya in detail. Brief information transmission was bound to have some distortion… it couldn't be helped.
Ahead of them, the phantom of the King of Hell from Naraka Path dissipated. Animal Path, which Jiraiya had destroyed with great difficulty, reappeared perfectly intact.
Deva Path led Asura Path, Animal Path, and Preta Path to surround them again, while Naraka Path and Human Path slowly faded away, concealing themselves.
"Recovery, offense, intel, defense, summoning... This is practically a complete Ninja Unit..."
Seeing this, Jiraiya clearly felt the gap between enemy and ally, his thoughts rapidly turning grim.
"Sakura, any other information?"
"None. Uchiha Itachi only gave this much!"
Sakura's expression was grave as she shook her head helplessly.
"Then, let's retreat for now. We'll report the situation to the village and investigate slowly later!"
Jiraiya formed hand seals, bit his finger, and forcefully slapped his palm in the air, summoning another toad.
A deep blue toad climbed out of the lake water, opening its mouth to reveal a passage leading into its stomach.
Jiraiya stepped one foot into the toad's mouth, turning back to say:
"Yahiko! No matter what happened to you, I will definitely investigate it thoroughly!"
"Don't even think of escaping!"
Asura Path among the Six Paths of Pain broke off his own arm, revealing numerous cannon ports underneath.
Flesh tore and Chakra surged. Large amounts of flesh grew and transformed into missiles, roaring as they shot towards them with trailing flames.
Animal Path slapped his palms against the void, summoning the Hell Crab, then controlled the Hell Crab to unleash Water Release: Bubble Wave.
The entire inland lake of Amegakure instantly turned into a sea of bubbles, swirling and rushing towards them, washing away the Flying Thunder God's marks Sakura had placed in various locations.
Deva Path Pain directly threw three black rods. With an eruption of repulsive force, the air in front of him exploded violently.
The black Yin-Yang Release Creations pursued them like maggots clinging to bone.
"Wow, so enthusiastic!"
"But you know, men who are too clingy aren't very likable!"
Sakura's figure appeared directly in the path of all the attacks, the Supreme Grade Sword, Ace in her hand humming softly.
Conqueror's Haki roared from the void. Black lightning suddenly expanded and erupted!
A faint arc of cherry pink light seemed to wrap around the Supreme Grade Sword Ace, though it flickered like a lightbulb on its last legs.
Swordsmanship inherited from Roger was once again displayed in this world. Sakura swung her sword with all her might!
"Divine Departure!"
Clang!!!
The immense, blazing power contained within the blade gushed forth, transforming into a slashing attack that ran rampant!
It tore through the sea of bubbles with the most direct violence, sliced apart the rockets, and shattered Pain's black rods.
Unfortunately, no matter how fiercely this sword light raged, it could not cross the wall of repulsive force surrounding Deva Path that blocked all Ninjutsu and Taijutsu!
Amid the shockwaves that churned the lake water incessantly, the phantom of the King of Hell suddenly broke through the water's surface.
Its huge mouth opened. Two figures shot out from within… one extended a black rod to pierce Sakura's chest, while the other pressed down on her head from behind.
"It seems your peculiar Sensory Jutsu cannot detect the isolation of the King of Hell's Mouth!"
Naraka Path's cold gaze swept over them, the black rod in its hand continuously extending.
"Daring to defy the will of God, this is the punishment you deserve. Mind Reading!"
Under the influence of the Rinnegan's ability, the Human Path's spirit pierced deep into Sakura's soul, attempting to read her memories.
Before her eyes, infinite illusions appeared: the deathly stillness and cold from the soul, endless falling.
It felt like a genuine hell, pulling at the soul, endlessly eroding reason, trying to make one sink into it, never to return.
Human Path's consciousness slowly delved deeper. At the very bottom layer of the soul, he suddenly saw... a large golden egg?
[Notice: Detection of foreign mental energy intrusion. Exterminate: yes/no]
"No need, partner. I want to deal with this guy personally!"
A clear voice rang out in the darkness. A smiling pink-haired girl was approaching him.
Human Path was suddenly startled but found it could no longer move.
"Pain... no, perhaps I should call you Nagato!"
Countless emotions churned incessantly within the girl's soul, yet her movements didn't falter in the slightest. Her consciousness grew clearer! Her eyes brighter!
"It's just a pity that meeting you is really too early!"
"Right now, I am not your match. I admit this defeat with immense pleasure."
"But this will absolutely not be my ultimate defeat!"
Within her emerald-green eyes, a blazing will surged silently.
All emotions were completely devoured and burned away by this will, converging into something that could scorch the world as it rose.
Only pure, straightforward fighting spirit remained. Following the weapon condensed from this will, it thrust along the Chakra Link towards the heart of the emaciated man deep underground in Amegakure, his body pierced by numerous black rods.
Before him, it materialized into a giant that reached the sky, the great spear in its hand wailing mournfully, the giant axe ringing sharply. A spiral impact of interwoven black and pink slashed out.
"Ah!"
All Six Paths of Pain simultaneously suffered the impact of this Haki, causing a disruption in their connection.
Animal Path and Asura Path, which had been charging to pursue Jiraiya, lost control and fell into the lake, sinking into the depths.
Sakura's Chakra followed the Space-Time sense, locking onto Jiraiya's location. The next second, a flash of Space-Time gently lifted the girl's body.
In the instant before she disappeared, her eyes lowered slightly.
She looked towards the furious Pains on the water's surface.
Noticing the anger and killing intent revealed in those purple Rinnegan, a smile spread across her exquisite features, stained with blood.
"Don't be impatient, my enemy. Wait for me to return from hell."
"Then, let us be enemies again happily!"
Swoosh!
Pink light exploded and scattered. Naraka Path's black rod continued forward, piercing through Human Path's body. The Human Path's hand clenched down, crushing the Naraka Path's neck.
Amid the chaotic scene, another voice full of rage echoed incessantly.
"Haruno Sakura!!!"