This was the first operation of the heavenly Return.
And for Naruto, it was also a step toward strengthening his own divine power—his goal this time was to bring someone back to life.
That man who could never die!
Even during Naruto's own rule, Orochimaru—Aunt Snake, that eternal man—had continued to pursue truth and contribute to Konoha in his own peculiar way.
After all, Naruto had granted him the title of Chief Scientist of Konoha, allowing him to continue his research under supervision. Of course, it came with restrictions—no more of the twisted experiments of the past.
In Hidden Rain Village, Naruto had already placed a space–time mark and left behind a shadow clone to guard it.
After all, the Rain Tiger at Will Technique constantly monitored intrusions—if anyone entered the village, he could return instantly via the Flying Thunder God.
Since Nagato relied on black chakra rods to transmit chakra and was physically crippled—bound to that massive transmitter—Naruto simply marked the transmitter itself for teleportation and brought Nagato along directly.
They appeared in a forested area of the Land of Fire, about thirty kilometers from Konoha.
This was one of the points Naruto had marked before leaving the village.
From here, Konoha's sensory units would not be able to detect them.
From his memories before returning, Naruto knew that Anko Mitarashi was currently on a mission somewhere—and he could roughly guess where.
Naruto entered Sage Mode again and had Nagato summon his large green-feathered bird.
He created a shadow clone to help secure Nagato and the transmitter to the bird's back. Then, with the bird taking flight, Naruto sat cross-legged atop its head, activating Sage Perception to scan a wide area below.
Somewhere in the Land of Fire—
Anko Mitarashi was on a mission with Captain Yamato and Sai, tracking down signs of Orochimaru's whereabouts.
Studying the map spread before them, Sai said, "I've already scouted these areas with my Super Beast Imitating Drawing, and they're all empty."
Yamato sighed, glancing at the few remaining marks on the map. "They say a crafty rabbit has three burrows. Looks like Orochimaru's the true master of setting up decoys."
Anko interrupted sharply, "No! That's not it."
Frowning, she pointed at the map. "You've never dealt with him. You wouldn't understand—this man leaves behind multiple research bases simply for convenience. Even if one is destroyed, others preserve his work!"
Sai blinked. "People like that actually exist?"
Yamato groaned. "What a madman."
Anko stared at them both. "To him, the pursuit of truth is everything. And trust me—he's not someone who dies easily."
As she said that, her hand brushed the cursed mark on her neck.
That man had left her with too many scars to count.
Lost in her memories, Anko suddenly stiffened—her exceptional sensory instincts had picked up something.
"What is it?" Yamato asked immediately.
Anko frowned. "Someone's moving toward us—fast! And… it's not from the ground. Wait… they've landed. Just ahead."
Naruto, in Sage Mode atop the great bird, had already spotted Anko's team as he neared their position.
He descended several kilometers away.
Konan glanced at him. "Looks like they're from Konoha, Naruto. Should we go say hello?"
Naruto shook his head. "If this will help save the shinobi world, there'll be time to talk later. Brother Nagato, full power—work with me. I want them alive."
Nagato's voice was calm but firm. "Leave these ones to me, Naruto-kun. You don't need to reveal yourself yet."
No sooner had he spoken than several lions leapt from the bushes toward them.
Nagato frowned. Just as he had finished speaking, the enemy attacked first—hardly giving him any face as a former leader of Akatsuki.
The next moment, the Six Paths of Pain moved out.
The lions were destroyed within seconds.
Naruto nodded approvingly. Having a powerhouse like this around really did save him the trouble of lifting a finger.
Judging by the technique, it was Sai's doing—a simple probe.
Nagato's mind stirred, and all Six Paths advanced in unison.
Yamato, Sai, and Anko finally caught sight of the newcomers.
Akatsuki!
Why on earth were they here?
The tendō Pain stepped forward without a word and unleashed a technique—
"Universal Pull!"
Anko felt her body being drawn toward him. But she wasn't one to panic—she decided to turn it to her advantage.
"Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!"
Dozens of snakes shot from her sleeves, fangs bared, aiming to coil around the Deva Path like roots wrapping a tree.
"Naïve," the Deva Path sneered.
"Preta Path!"
A burly Pain suddenly appeared in front of him, hands outstretched. The snakes vanished the instant they made contact—chakra absorbed cleanly.
Anko's eyes widened. "What…?"
So this Pain could absorb chakra!
"Captain Anko!"
Yamato shouted, using Wood Release—his arms exattending into wooden tendrils that wrapped around her and yanked her back before she was pulled in completely.
After dragging her to safety, Yamato shot Sai a quick signal.
Sai immediately drew several lions with his brush, sending them charging forward.
Nagato turned to Naruto. "Naruto-kun, you only need them alive, correct? Some injuries are acceptable?"
Naruto, arms crossed atop the bird's head, nodded. "As long as they don't die, it's fine."
"Understood," Nagato replied.
The Asura Path raised its arms, launching a barrage of missiles.
The Animal Path summoned a massive chameleon.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Explosions rocked the forest. Sai's ink lions were blown apart, reduced to puddles of ink.
The three Konoha shinobi dodged frantically, scattering.
From her perch on a tall tree, Anko looked at the masked figures of Akatsuki, a chill running down her spine.
Could Orochimaru have discovered their mission and sent Akatsuki to erase them?
What now?!
Before she could act, something wet and invisible coiled around her body—it was too late to react.
Her limbs locked tight; even her face was pressed by the sticky cord.
When she realized what it was, horror struck—it wasn't a rope at all, but the chameleon's tongue!
She tried to flare her chakra, but the tongue constricted further, immobilizing her hands before she could form a single seal.
Then the Preta Path appeared, arms closing around her. It drained her chakra completely, preventing her from using any technique.
"Anko-sensei!" Yamato and Sai rushed to help—
But the Deva Path simply raised his hand.
"Almighty Push!"
The immense repulsive force hurled both of them backward, slamming them into the trees.
The chameleon's tongue recoiled, swallowing Anko and the Preta Path whole before vanishing into invisibility once again.
Nagato turned his head toward Naruto.
"Brother… target captured."
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