The Deva Path slowly lowered his head and spoke softly.
"This operation is divided into two routes: a feint and reconnaissance. The feint will be handled by the Asura Path, Animal Path, and Preta Path. The reconnaissance team will be the Deva Path, Naraka Path, and Human Path. Konan, you'll join the reconnaissance group."
"I understand," Konan replied.
"First, follow the original plan. Drop the Animal Path into the airspace above the Hidden Leaf Village and attempt Itachi Uchiha's code signal. Even if the code is incorrect, it will mislead the enemy into misjudging our numbers and disrupt them. Then wait for the Animal Path's summoning technique."
Whoosh!
As soon as the words fell, the Asura Path hurled the Animal Path forward.
As it passed through the barrier, inside the central monitoring room of the Hidden Leaf Village—
"An intruder has appeared! Target is a single individual, location: East Gate Point A!"
"Understood, notify the Hokage immediately!"
Yamanaka Inoichi's expression turned grave as he casually closed his eyes.
Ninja Art: Mind Body Transmission Technique!
...
Inside the Hokage's office—
"Lady Hokage, the Akatsuki has invaded the Hidden Leaf Village. The barrier team reports the enemy is a single individual at East Gate Point A."
Tsunade heard Yamanaka Inoichi's message in her mind.
"So they've finally come…" Tsunade's gaze darkened. "Understood, Inoichi. Keep monitoring Akatsuki's movements at all times."
She turned to Jiraiya. "Akatsuki has appeared!"
Jiraiya frowned slightly. "Then we need to act quickly too, Tsunade!"
Immediately, Tsunade and Jiraiya headed to the rooftop of the Hokage building, followed by four Hidden Leaf Village ANBU.
Tsunade bit her fingers, formed hand seals, then slammed her hands down.
Summoning Technique!
As the smoke cleared, Katsuyu appeared. Tsunade placed a hand on her hip.
"From now on, you will accompany the ninjas participating in the battle throughout the village. Use my chakra to heal the injured and assist with communication."
"I understand," Katsuyu responded, then instantly split into countless smaller slugs that scattered toward the battlefield.
Tsunade stared into the distance, her voice resolute.
"I will protect the village, staking the name of the Fifth Hokage!"
After Katsuyu dispersed, Tsunade moved slowly, preparing to transmit chakra through her. She glanced back at Jiraiya and smiled faintly.
"I'll leave my safety to you now."
Jiraiya gave a thumbs-up, flashing a wide grin.
"Leave it to me!"
He then remained by Tsunade's side, his gaze fixed toward the east.
...
Inside Rorin's home—
Rorin slowly stepped out of the bathroom, rubbing his wet hair with a towel.
A small Katsuyu wriggled its way to his feet. Rorin looked down.
Seeing it, he crouched slightly, his expression serious.
"Lady Katsuyu, has Akatsuki already arrived?"
"Yes, Rorin-kun. Lady Tsunade sent me to find you and inform you of Pain's location. They've already invaded the village—East Gate Point A."
After setting aside the towel, Rorin used Flying Thunder God to teleport to the location closest to where Pain had landed. Over the past few days, he had left many Flying Thunder God markers throughout the village.
Moreover, the landing point was very close to his home.
After landing, the Animal Path walked around briefly, then used the Summoning Technique to call forth the other five Paths of Pain and Konan.
The Deva Path spoke calmly, "It seems Itachi Uchiha truly has issues."
Konan nodded slightly. After entering the Hidden Leaf Village, they noticed there were no civilians on the streets, nor any trace of ninjas nearby.
"No matter what, capturing the Nine-Tails jinchūriki must proceed. Spread out!" the Deva Path said indifferently.
Just as the Six Paths of Pain and Konan were about to split up, a voice rang out—
"Why split up? Wouldn't it be better to stay together? A family should be neat and complete!" Rorin landed lightly, smiling as he spoke.
Then he felt a bit of a headache—among the three newly created Paths of Pain, he couldn't tell which one was the Naraka Path.
Seeing Rorin appear, the Deva Path stepped forward, his expression cold.
"Where is the Nine-Tails?"
...
Within the Hidden Leaf Village, in the designated ninja mobilization area, all participating ninjas had gathered.
For the past few days, they had remained on high alert, standing by here at all times.
Of course, Rorin was an exception.
For someone capable of reaching the battlefield instantly with Flying Thunder God, Tsunade had no strict requirements.
"So Akatsuki really came… Sasuke wasn't lying!"
After receiving the notification from the Katsuyu beside him, Naruto clenched his fists, his shoulders trembling slightly as he muttered.
"Naruto! It's time for us to move!" Kakashi approached him, patting his shoulder as a reminder.
Naruto closed his eyes, took a long breath, and when he opened them again, they were filled with determination.
Soon, the Hidden Leaf Village's ninja forces set off together toward Pain's landing site.
...
The Six Paths of Pain and Konan stared at Rorin. Their formation was two in front, two in the middle, and three at the back, with another Path standing behind Konan and the Deva Path.
Seeing this formation, Rorin's lips curled slightly as he thought, Isn't this basically telling me which one is the Naraka Path?
The awkwardness of not recognizing it vanished instantly. Rorin looked forward and spoke.
"I want to meet your real body."
The Deva Path and Konan frowned. Then the Deva Path slowly raised his right hand.
Universal Pull!
Rorin frowned as a powerful force of attraction surged toward him. He shook his head slightly.
"Looks like I'll have to defeat you first."
He immediately used Flying Thunder God to vanish, reappearing behind the last Path standing in the formation.
Bang!
Rorin stepped down on him and drove his fist into the Path, disabling it instantly.
The Deva Path slowly turned around, staring coldly at Rorin.
"It seems my guess was correct. Last time wasn't coincidence—you have extensive knowledge of us."
Rorin sensed something off. The Path beneath his foot suddenly disappeared.
It had been summoned away by the opposing Animal Path. Then Rorin saw them summon the King of Hell and toss the body into it.
The King of Hell began chewing, and shortly after, a new Path of Pain emerged.
So that positioning earlier was deliberate—it wasn't the Naraka Path at all.
Rorin gave a bitter smile.
Got played, huh?
His gaze sharpened again—but so what? It would just be a bit more troublesome.
The Animal Path then summoned a giant centipede and an enhanced hellhound, wreaking havoc throughout the Hidden Leaf Village.
Seeing the Animal Path get to work, the Asura Path grinned wickedly and, not to be outdone, detached its arm and launched a barrage of missiles across the village.
Boom! Boom!
The sounds of collapsing buildings and exploding missiles echoed everywhere. The ninjas rushing toward the battlefield couldn't help but quicken their pace at the sight.
Rorin clenched his fists, frowning as he thought, Hey, hey, hey! My house is around here, damn it!
...
Outside the gates of the Hidden Leaf Village, Sasuke Uchiha and Itachi Uchiha watched the smoke rising within.
"It's time. We should move too, Sasuke," Itachi said as he adjusted his straw hat.