Kaito checked carefully, his sharp gaze sweeping over every corner of the moon. Not a single detail escaped him. Yet, despite his efforts, his brows furrowed tightly.
He had found nothing. Nothing out of place, nothing suspicious.
"Strange… isn't Ōtsutsuki Kaguya supposed to be sealed here?" he muttered under his breath.
Shaking his head, Ayanami Kaito admitted to himself that maybe his current perception wasn't enough to detect it. After all, the Sage of Six Paths and his brother had sealed their mother together. With such power, the seal would naturally be reinforced with countless safeguards.
Perhaps even the only surviving clansman on the moon, Ōtsutsuki Toneri, wouldn't know the exact location of Kaguya's prison.
Exhaling slowly, Kaito pushed aside the distracting thoughts. If he couldn't find it, then so be it.
Even if he did, what difference would it make? With his current strength, facing someone like Kaguya was suicidal. Finding her seal would only tempt the impossible — and that was a fight he couldn't win.
He gave a small smirk. "Better to just leave it and get some rest."
…
The sound of water echoed as Kaito emerged from the underground lake, stepping into the familiar stalactite cave. Without hesitation, he moved toward the exit, his footsteps steady and calm.
The golden sun hung high in the sky, bathing the world in its brilliance.
"So it's already noon," Kaito murmured, glancing upward at the dazzling light before his figure blurred, vanishing in the direction of Konoha.
…
Meanwhile, far from the village, six figures wearing cloaks patterned with red clouds moved quietly through the forest near Konoha.
Konan glanced sideways, her expression uneasy. "Nagato, are you certain about this? It's not too late to turn back. If Ayanami Kaito learns that we've attacked Konoha, he will come for us."
Pain's voice was calm but unwavering. "There is no turning back."
This time, Nagato's Paths of Pain were not using Yahiko's body. Instead, they had been replaced with new vessels, thin and lifeless yet brimming with power.
"Kaito isn't in Konoha. Without him, no one here can stop me," Pain said confidently, his eyes filled with the power of the Rinnegan.
Konan sighed. "Then I will follow with my paper clone. Just… be careful." Her body fractured into sheets of paper, scattering into the sky.
Pain's gaze hardened. "I will not fail. Once the Nine-Tails get captured, the plan can finally begin."
At his command, the Animal Path launched into the air, landing atop Konoha's rooftops.
"Summoning Technique!"
Beasts appeared one after another — a monstrous rhino, a bison, an endless centipede, each marked by the cold ripple-patterned Rinnegan. The other Paths of Pain materialized beside him.
"Spread out," Pain ordered.
In an instant, they vanished in different directions.
The invasion of Konoha had begun.
…
Within the village, the formation unit spotted the intruders. One shinobi paled, his voice urgent. "Quick! Report to the Fifth Hokage! Coordinates incoming — enemy forces have breached the village!"
"Understood!" Another ninja sped away without hesitation, aware of the grave situation.
Moments later, massive summoned beasts tore through the streets, sending villagers screaming in panic. The Six Paths of Pain rampaged, searching for Naruto. Explosions and cries filled the air as Konoha fell into chaos.
From the Hokage's office, Tsunade clenched her teeth. "Kaito was right… Pain has come while he's away!"
Thankfully, she had been prepared. The moment Kaito left the village, Tsunade gathered all the Jōnin, briefing them in detail about the Six Paths of Pain and their abilities.
Now, Konoha would not be caught off guard.
On the battlefield, Kakashi and his squad engaged one of the Paths. After a fierce clash, Kakashi struck down the puppet and quickly removed the black chakra rods embedded within.
"Send this body to the sealing team," he ordered, standing amidst broken rubble. "The rest of you, move out and support the others!"
"Yes, Kakashi-senpai!"
Across the village, Asuma, Kurenai, and other Jōnin worked in coordination, systematically destroying the Paths and disabling their bodies.
Unlike the original history, Konoha was not unprepared. They had information, numbers, and strategy on their side.
In less than an hour, only Pain remained.
…
Inside the Hokage office, reports poured in one after another. Shikaku couldn't help but let out a breath of relief. "With this preparation, the battle is already in our favor. Lady Tsunade, we owe this victory to your foresight."
Tsunade shook her head. "Don't let your guard down yet. The real body controlling them is still out there, and he's far more dangerous. Jiraiya has already gone ahead, but Kakashi and the others should reinforce him. Nagato is the true source of the Six Paths' power."
"Understood!" Shikaku nodded gravely.
…
In the darkness of his hideout, Nagato's pale fingers twitched on the control rods. His expression tightened as he sensed the sudden loss of his Paths.
"Impossible…" he whispered. "So quickly?"
The Rinnegan's glow flickered with surprise. It was as if Konoha had been waiting for him all along.
____
Updates might come a bit slower for a while.School resumed, My final year has started, and I'm currently focused on my project work and defense preparations. I'll still be posting whenever I can, just at a steadier pace for now (ㆁωㆁ)