Konoha couldn't match Amegakure's efficiency in rebuilding its frontline defenses. No matter how quickly they organized their troops for an attack, it proved useless. When Amegakure determined that the Land of Grass was lost, they immediately abandoned the battle there and retreated to their own country, reinforcing their defenses.
Although Nagato's orders on handling the invasion threat were somewhat vague, the ninja who had survived under Hanzo's reign knew exactly what to do—prevent the enemy from reaching the village gates.
This defensive strategy had never been breached and remained effective more than twenty years later. Moreover, Nagato had the foresight to teach dozens of senior ninja the [Grudge Rain] jutsu, greatly enhancing Amegakure's military might.
Nagato was preparing himself mentally and physically for the upcoming defense battle. He would stretch his abilities to their limits, strategically deploying the Six Paths where needed most while receiving real-time combat updates.
"Everything I've lived for has led to this moment," he murmured, drawing in a deep breath as he completed his meditation.
At this moment, he needed to be more aware than ever of his ultimate goal.
"They actually believe they can lay siege to a village that's never been breached—a nation no one has ever shattered… Such arrogance!"
The eye of the storm—that's what it felt like now. And soon, he would unleash a tempest like none before it.
In Konoha's current forces, only one ninja—the Hokage—could confidently walk into this battlefield and challenge his [Six Paths of Pain] head-on.
They needed someone to deal with him, but their only hope had already fallen to him.
Just then, a figure dressed in black with a porcelain mask emerged from below the balcony on the left side of the room, vanishing into the eaves' shadow, avoiding the rain outside.
Of course, Nagato already knew who had come. Naruto pulled off his mask to confirm what he saw—despite having the Sharingan, he needed absolute certainty that this was the real body.
Wild red hair, skin deathly pale, a thin, skeletal frame, and back pierced by countless bizarre black rods—more than any radio relay tower could hold—and confined to a chakra-powered wheelchair.
Damn… how utterly pitiful. What kind of person… could fall so low? Ever since Jiraiya told him everything about his mentor, Naruto felt only sorrow at seeing this sight.
Yet at the same time, Naruto didn't hesitate to acknowledge this man as a genius. Despite hating Pain and despising Nagato, Naruto still admired the achievements he had accomplished from such a condition. He had nearly bent the entire ninja world to his will.
When Jiraiya had first revealed the truth behind the technique, Naruto had already realized its power. But now, seeing it in person, he finally understood—[Six Paths of Pain] was the most brilliant illusionary technique he'd ever encountered.
It was just like how Danzou pretended to be crippled for decades just to conceal the Sharingan he'd implanted, or how Itachi Uchiha remained undercover within Akatsuki in order to protect his secret identity as Konoha's spy. There was absolutely no doubt in his mind.
He couldn't comment on those previous events, but this one…
…This one would definitely go down in history textbooks, serving as a lesson for every young ninja student learning what it truly means to "understand the deeper truth behind things."
Who could have imagined that the most feared terrorist currently striking fear across the entire ninja world would turn out to be a frail man so weak and thin-boned he seemed ready to collapse at any moment?
Naruto Uzumaki stood before Nagato, his heart filled with shock:
"This is the man who nearly brought the entire world to ruin."
It was beyond anything he could have imagined—utterly unbelievable.
Slowly opening his eyes, Nagato seemed entirely unshocked by Naruto's sudden presence.
At first, he seemed surprised; then his expression hardened as he questioned how Naruto had found him:
"After what happened with Yahiko, I should no longer be capable of surprise. In my long career as a ninja, countless assassins have tried to kill me—but none ever came this close to succeeding."
For safety's sake, once he landed securely, Naruto exited Sage Mode. He pulled off the breathing mask connected to the oxygen tank on his back and grinned:
"Aren't you at least a little curious how I made it all the way in here?"
"I've given it some thought," Nagato replied calmly. "Since you're so eager to share, indulge my curiosity then. The last time you infiltrated Amegakure, I detected you the instant you crossed the rainfield surrounding the village."
"This time, I came prepared with a few new tricks—specifically designed to bypass your rain sensors. You wouldn't believe how cold it gets up above the clouds—even under bright sunlight. I didn't figure that out until a couple days ago."
"Students of Master Jiraiya always seem drawn to danger. You haven't broken that tradition."
"You haven't changed one bit."
The two fell silent. Naruto noticed a flash of anger cross Nagato's face, though he couldn't guess why. Before arriving upstairs, he had already taken care of certain things—he thoroughly understood the situation inside.
Shaking his head slightly, Naruto pointed downward:
"If you're hoping your Six Paths will come charging in to rescue you, forget it." He lifted one of Nagato's signature Black Receivers high enough for his opponent to see clearly, then tossed it to the ground. "And I really dislike you using Lord Danzō's body to control the Paths." His voice grew heavier.
Had he sealed the Six Paths of Pain? That didn't seem possible. But he obviously understood how the technique worked. Otherwise, he wouldn't have just sealed the Six Paths—he would've destroyed the entire staircase leading up here, which meant he must've known exactly where Nagato would be.
When Nagato wasn't actively using the Six Paths, he'd disconnect his link to them to rest and conserve chakra, because maintaining the jutsu required continuous expenditure. Damn...
"Why?"
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