"That face… it looks just like Naruto?!"
Upon seeing the face beneath the Wind Cloak mask, Pain's twelve eyes widened in shock. Even Nagato, the controller behind the puppet, was completely bewildered. However, he quickly regained his composure, pulling the Paths of Pain back together.
"Menma, you really have a twisted sense of humor."
"But your disguise ninjutsu is quite good; even my Rinnegan couldn't detect any flaws…"
Although the appearance beneath the Wind Cloak mask was identical to Naruto Uzumaki's, Nagato didn't believe Menma was a shadow clone of Naruto. After all, he had never heard of a shadow clone attacking its own original body! And with such psychological torture, it completely broke Naruto!
Even Nagato himself felt a pang of sympathy for the boy. He felt Naruto's suffering was no less than his own—perhaps even greater.
Although Nagato had previously stained his hands with the blood of his close friend Yahiko due to Hanzo and Danzo's machinations, that was only Yahiko; Konan was still alive! Now, on Naruto's side, his teacher, close friend, and beloved were all forcing him to kill them with his own hands. This was simply the ultimate form of torment.
If it hadn't been Danzo and Hanzo who plotted against him, but rather the old codger Kabuto Yakushi, Nagato felt he would have ended up like Naruto now—completely broken, ultimately becoming a mindless, walking corpse. It would have been impossible for him to establish Akatsuki, avenge his friend, or fulfill Yahiko's dying wish.
Although many of the dialogues and details were genjutsu created by Kabuto using his Sharingan and displayed to Naruto, many actions still required Nagato controlling Pain to achieve a realistic effect. So, he knew the general direction of the plot and the kind of mental torture Naruto had suffered.
If it weren't for Naruto's terrifying past achievements, Nagato genuinely didn't want to agree to Menma's ultimate defense-breaking plan!
Shaking his head, Nagato pulled himself back from his turbulent thoughts. Controlling the Pains, they all turned their gazes to the four people behind Menma.
"Now I finally understand why I felt something was off during the previous gathering. So you were all already turned by Menma, betraying Akatsuki…"
"Betrayed?" Menma laughed. "You forced them to join, so how can there be betrayal without loyalty? Besides, people strive for higher positions; water flows downhill. Don't I need to teach you that? They've simply found a better place, a bigger platform, and more lucrative benefits."
The Pains didn't immediately attack, and Menma was happy to keep quiet, engaging Nagato in this banter. Once the main body's situation was resolved, the Six Paths of Pain could be dealt with a wave of his hand.
Hearing Menma's words, Sasori, Deidara, and Kakuzu, who were initially somewhat apprehensive, all now showed expressions of resignation.
That's right, they hadn't sincerely joined in the first place; they all joined after being beaten up! So, wasn't it normal for them to be beaten up again by Menma and then join the Four Star Village?
Thinking of this, Deidara, who had been somewhat embarrassed and avoiding Pain's gaze, immediately puffed out his chest.
"I joined Akatsuki because I lost to Itachi Uchiha's art. Now that Itachi's art has been defeated by Menma, it's perfectly reasonable for me to join Menma's Four Star Village, hmm!"
Sasori also waved his hands, and chakra threads summoned a large number of Impure World Reincarnation puppets, surrounding them.
"Chief Pain, you've seen it too. This is Impure World Reincarnation, a powerful ninjutsu that Menma taught me. Although it's not nice to say it like this, I still have to tell you—compared to the treatment Menma offered, I feel like Akatsuki is just hiring me to do illegal work."
"Illegitimate work… no wonder they're artists; their cultural level is different." Kakuzu nodded in agreement. "As Sasori said, Akatsuki really lost badly in terms of compensation, considering Pain's former boss. So don't blame us for betraying you; after all, Menma offered you a hundred times more."
Thinking that his current salary for one year was equivalent to a hundred years' worth of his previous salary, Kakuzu felt incredibly motivated. As long as the money was right, he'd dare to challenge even Hashirama Senju resurrected, let alone Pain!
After the three finished speaking, Pain looked at Zabuza Momochi, the last remaining member. Seeing Pain looking at him, Zabuza sneered and pointed his Executioner's Blade at him.
"Pain brat, why are you looking at me like that? Looks like you really miss the feeling of me cutting off your neck!"
Zabuza had boasted to Kakuzu many times about having once severed the head of the Asura Path. He said, "Your leader Pain is nothing special; he just has too many people. If it were one-on-one, I could easily win!"
Suddenly, a rustling sound of papers flying filled the air. Konan, made of sheets of white paper, appeared beside Pain.
"Pain, what happened? And that's… Naruto Uzumaki?!"
Seeing the Wind Cloak in its red cloud robe, and Naruto kneeling behind it, Konan frowned. "Two Narutos… no, are you Menma?"
Konan, looking puzzled, wanted to ask more, but Pain interrupted her.
"They've all betrayed us and joined Menma's Four Star Village. Menma used us to deal with Naruto, and now they're preparing to reap the rewards of victory."
After briefly explaining the situation, Pain instructed Konan: "Konan, leave these traitors to me. You go and take Naruto away."
With that, all the Pains assumed a battle formation, their calm expressions replaced by a chilling killing intent.
"Mortals who dare to challenge the gods! Now I'll show you how foolish it is to challenge a god!"
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!!!
In an instant, all six Paths of Pain scattered! The Naraka Path and the Animal Path retreated to the last safe zone. The two Paths, who possessed summoning techniques, clapped their hands together and summoned the Gate of Hell, capable of reviving the fallen Pain. Also summoned were six powerful summoning beasts: Cerberus, Yatagarasu, Bull, Panda, Hell Crab, and Chameleon.
The Deva Path, Asura Path, Human Path, and Preta Path charged towards the five Menmas in front. Coordinating with the summoned beasts, they launched a pincer attack.
"It's the art of explosion! Leave this Pain to me, hmm!" Deidara directly conjured a giant clay bird, meeting the Asura Path's missile attack head-on.
Kakuzu's body also exploded, releasing four masked monsters made of black lines. "These summoned beasts will be dealt with by my Secret Technique, Earth Grudge Fear."
"Hmph, old geezer who shirks his duties when he's not getting paid." Zabuza muttered his usual curse about Kakuzu. Then he unwrapped the bandage from his left eye, revealing his Sharingan, and stepped forward to block the Preta Path and Human Path.
"I'll handle the fat guy and the skinny guy. Puppet boy, you go stop that paper-thin woman."
"That's exactly what I was thinking." Sasori controlled his Impure World Reincarnation puppet, charging directly towards Konan, who had turned into a paper-thin figure. He had joined Akatsuki after being defeated by Konan. Now, with Impure World Reincarnation and the Nine-Tails' chakra, it was time to avenge himself!
Seeing Sasori intercept Konan, Pain immediately tried to stop him. But he found his body suddenly freeze for a second, and then a shadow clone blocked his way.
"While your main body hasn't awakened yet, let this shadow clone play with you a bit, Nagato~"
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