Rewind to before Tsunade's meeting.
At the guard post outside the Konoha walls:
"Who are you!?"
"Register at the main gate if you want to enter Konoha. Don't come any closer!"
"Back off, I'm warning you again... Ugh!!!"
Before the Konoha chūnin could finish his warning, a golden chakra fox tail pierced his chest.
A slowly beating heart bled from the tip of the tail.
"How annoying."
Menma flicked his fox tail, casually tossing the lifeless body and heart to the ground. He glanced at the retreating Konoha ninjas, who were frozen in shock, and spoke softly.
"Do it."
The Konoha ninjas reacted instantly, scattering in all directions.
"Everyone, split up and retreat!"
"Report the intruders to the village... Ah!!!"
Whoosh!
Before the ninja could finish his shout, a fist connected by black lines pierced through his body. It was none other than their money-grubbing teammate, Kakuzu.
"Everyone, please try to keep the bodies intact. Thank you."
As soon as Kakuzu finished speaking, Zabuza appeared behind a Konoha ninja. His Executioner's Blade swept down, cutting the ninja in two. Organs and intestines spilled onto the ground.
"Everyone, please try to tear the enemy to pieces. Leave no survivors. Thank you."
Zabuza looked at Kakuzu provocatively, his arrogant expression making his intent clear: he wasn't letting Kakuzu make any money.
"Leave the left side to me. Deidara, you hold off the right."
Sasori, appearing in his true form, ignored Zabuza and Kakuzu's banter. He formed the hand seals for Impure World Reincarnation in front of his chest.
Boom! Boom!
Two coffins suddenly rose from the ground. The reanimated Third and Fourth Kazekage emerged from them.
Blue chakra threads extended from Sasori's hands, connecting to the two Kazekage. With a sweep of his hands, the two Kazekage raised their arms.
Immediately afterward, iron sand and gold sand surged from the ground, gathering in mid-air. They transformed into countless thin, sharp spikes, shooting toward the fleeing Konoha ninja.
The ninja were riddled with holes, blood seeping from their bodies.
Magnet Release: Gold Dust Rain!
Magnet Release: Iron Sand Drizzle!
Deidara watched as the last remaining Konoha ninja fled to the right. A wide smile spread across his face.
"Though I'm the youngest, my art won't lose to yours, hmm!"
As he spoke, Deidara spread his arms forward. From the mouths of his palms, two clay centipedes quickly crawled out and burrowed into the ground.
The next second, beneath the feet of the fleeing Konoha ninja, the ground cracked open. Large clay centipedes shot out, instantly coiling around their bodies.
"Hah!" Deidara uttered a soft shout, his right hand forming a hand seal.
BOOM!!!
Two terrifying explosions erupted. The shockwave swept outward, causing the surrounding forest to rustle incessantly.
Finally, Black Zetsu emerged halfway from the ground, asserting his presence.
"Taken down without even lifting a finger. Very good."
Seeing that all the Konoha ninja at the outpost had been dealt with, Menma looked toward Konan, who hadn't yet made a move. He also saw Pain, Sakura Haruno, Jiraiya, Iruka Umino, Sasuke Uchiha, and Teuchi.
"We can begin, Pain."
"I thought you, the one giving orders, was the leader," Pain joked casually. Then he surveyed the Akatsuki members.
"Although I've already explained this before, I'll repeat it again. The operation to capture the Nine-Tails will now be divided into three groups."
"The first group is the interception group, responsible for blocking other Konoha ninja from interfering with me. They are Zabuza, Kakuzu, Deidara, Sasori, and Zetsu."
"The second group is the clearing group, responsible for clearing the area and eliminating any ninja who breaks through. They are Menma and Konan."
"The third group is the capture group, responsible for capturing the Nine-Tails jinchuriki. They are the Six Paths of Pain."
Having said that, Pain turned his gaze to Menma. "Following Menma's method of avoiding the activation of the barrier, let's set off now. From this moment on, let the world feel pain!"
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
The instant the words were spoken, everyone vanished in a blur of movement. Only a cloud of dust remained.
---
Meanwhile, inside the city walls, on the streets of Konoha:
The surrounding villagers stared curiously at the strangely graceful group of red-robed figures who had suddenly appeared before them.
"What's this?"
"Is some band coming to hold a concert?"
"Another good thing!"
Amidst the villagers' whispers, Pain's voice rang out.
"Start the operation."
"Scattered!"
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Everyone except Deidara scattered.
Deidara, laughing, shoved his hands into the clay pouch at his waist.
"Hmm! Hmm! Hmm! That's right, it's a concert! It's a concert called 'Art of Dawn'!"
"Go, my lovely and delicate C1 babies!"
Deidara's hands scattered in all directions, and countless clay spiders and grasshoppers flew out. They all landed on the surrounding pedestrians and buildings.
"Is this a clay doll?"
"Damn it, so disgusting! This doll can even move!"
"Bastard, get this thing off me and compensate me for my emotional distress! I'm a local!"
"Don't worry, it'll be over soon, hmm!" Deidara conjured another giant clay bird and dragged himself into the sky.
Finally, he formed a ninja hand seal with his right hand, holding it up in front of his grinning mouth.
"Hah!!!"
BOOM!!!
In an instant, the entire street was engulfed in towering flames! Amidst the ruins, the villagers who had just been there lay scattered, their faces devoid of life, still bearing the lingering anger of their former selves.
---