It was inevitable that Pain would be exposed.
After an attack in The Hidden Mist Village, the new Fifth Mizukage, Terumi Mei, attempted to launch a plan using the Six-Tails Jinchuriki to ambush the Akatsuki. Unfortunately, Konoha encountered unexpected incidents with Kakuzu and others invading, and the plan ultimately fell through.
Nonetheless, Terumi Mei did not give up on the Six-Tails Jinchuriki, Utakata, and even sent people to persuade him to return to the village.
But the disheartened Six-Tails Jinchuriki refused Terumi Mei's proposal. Utakata believed he could protect himself, and returning to The Hidden Mist Village to face discrimination or those trying to take the Tailed Beast from him was even more dangerous.
Terumi Mei was truly helpless.
The entire Hidden Mist Village had been breached by the Akatsuki, so what could a mere Six-Tails Jinchuriki do? Staying outside at this time was just offering his head to the Akatsuki, wasn't it?
Unfortunately, Terumi Mei's authority truly wasn't enough.
Furthermore, Terumi Mei's approach was relatively gentle. She only assigned some ninjas to monitor and protect the Six-Tails Jinchuriki, continuing to persuade him to return to the village.
Regrettably, when facing enemies like the Pain of Six Paths, it was already commendable that those responsible for protecting and monitoring could manage to escape and deliver messages. At least they brought back information about a newly exposed member of the Akatsuki.
Strictly speaking, the blame should be shared by both Uehara Naraku and Shimura Danzo, with Danzo perhaps bearing more of it.
If it hadn't been for killing Shimura Danzo, rewarding him with the Dark Harvest, Uehara Naraku wouldn't have destroyed the Hidden Mist Village for the power of the Dark Harvest.
If Uehara Naraku hadn't destroyed the Hidden Mist Village, Terumi Mei wouldn't have been so deliberately opposed to the Akatsuki and wouldn't have deliberately protected and monitored the Six-Tails Jinchuriki.
Now, after Terumi Mei obtained information about the Akatsuki's newly appeared Rinnegan member and the disappearance of the Six-Tails Jinchuriki, she sent people to deliver this information to her ally, Konoha, because in the Akatsuki's reports, The Hidden Sand Village, Hidden Mist Village, and Konoha were sharing information mutually.
Inside Konoha Village.
The Fifth Hokage, Tsunade, was teaching at the Ninja Academy. This was quite rare for Tsunade, who always found time for leisure, even at the expense of official duties, as a stamp-oriented Hokage.
"Haah!"
Tsunade suddenly twisted her body and stomped on the ground, her immense power instantly shattering the floor, turning the entire empty area into ruins!
A group of pre-graduation ninja students watched this scene in a daze. They didn't feel the warmth of the Will of Fire, but experienced the violence of the Hokage.
"Hey, what are you standing around for? Clap your hands!"
Tsunade looked discontentedly at the group of kids.
The elementary students at the Ninja Academy were so startled by her words that it took a second of silence before awkward applause scattered through the crowd, making the scene even more uncomfortable than before.
The boys were mostly too scared to know what to do.
The girls were mostly little fans of the Fifth Hokage.
Tsunade looked around, satisfied, at the excited little girls, then reached out her hand to rub the head of a Byakugan little girl in the front: "Hanabi, you're eleven this year, right? You'll be graduating to become a ninja next year. Give it your all!"
"Yes, Lady Tsunade!"
Hyuga Hanabi nodded seriously, then suddenly spoke up: "Lady Tsunade, can I become your disciple?"
"Huh?"
A question mark appeared on Tsunade's forehead as she squatted down, looking at the Byakugan little girl in confusion, and chuckled lightly: "I've seen you practice Gentle Fist before, you're already a genius Hyuga ninja! You still want to become a Medical Ninja under me?"
"No."
Hyuga Hanabi calmly shook her head, her hair gently swaying. Even though she was only eleven this year, it was clear she would grow into a beautiful female ninja.
Hyuga Hanabi's expression turned solemn, her gaze becoming resolute: "I want to learn Lady Tsunade's Strength Jutsu to kill Uehara Naraku and avenge my father!"
Three or four years ago, during the chaos in Konoha caused by the Chunin Examination, the then Hyuga Clan Leader, Hyuga Hiashi, was severely injured by Uehara Naraku while protecting a group of Genins.
As a result, the entire Hyuga Clan was forced to elevate another family member, Hyuga Hinata, to become the Clan Leader, and at that time, she was still a Genin.
Since then, the Hyuga Clan began to keep a low profile.
Hyuga Hanabi grew up with the pride of the Byakugan clan, with her father and sister both doting on her. She herself was a little prodigy, having an excellent childhood.
After the end of the turmoil during the Chunin Examination, everything changed.
Hyuga Hiashi became depressed due to his injury, placing all his hopes on the shoulders of his two daughters. Hyuga Hinata, while maintaining a tough front outside, would often cry secretly at night.
After all, all the members of the Hyuga Main Family and Branch Family were counting on Hinata, the Clan Leader, to uphold their family's legacy and the prestige of the Byakugan!
Hyuga Hanabi had been watching all of this and had deeply etched the name of that enemy in her heart, as well as on her training dummy.
Uehara Naraku!
Uehara Naraku!
When Tsunade heard Hanabi's words and saw the determination and hatred on the little Byakugan girl's face, her smile gradually faded.
"I won't agree to this."
Tsunade shook her head.
That single sentence made Hanabi's face fall.
After a while, Tsunade slowly patted Hanabi's head and softly said: "If one day you wish not for revenge, but instead to better protect your family, to prevent Konoha's tragedies from repeating, come find me then!"