Skirt-Lifting Maniac: "Wow, the Akatsuki is actually here!"
Curly-Haired Boy: "Hoo hoo, Pain-san, do you want to 'feel the pain'?"
Book Artist: "It's over. Konoha is definitely doomed. Even Shisui can't beat Pain right now, can he?"
Angel of the Hidden Rain Village: "I think only Aizen knows the answer to that."
Scarlet Snake Fairy: "Regardless of who wins, as long as those two clash, Konoha will be reduced to rubble."
Curly-Haired Boy: "Exactly. With the destructive power of those two waging war... Tsk tsk! I can almost see old man Sarutobi crying into his hands. The thick green snot must be hanging from his nose by a thread."
This is an Actor: "..."
Book Artist: "There's something wrong with you! Why are you focusing on the snot? That's disgusting!"
Curly-Haired Boy: "Tsk, Gin-san is giving you this visual experience for free! You should be grateful, you bastards."
Skirt-Lifting Maniac: "Thank you so much! ! ! !"
Saten Ruiko spammed exclamation marks to vent her inner resentment. The description Gintoki provided had formed a vivid, unwanted picture in her mind: Sarutobi Hiruzen's wrinkled face, his agonized expression, and that long, pendulous green drop. As someone with a powerful imagination, she was finally tasting the consequences of her own mental faculty.
Book Artist: "I really want to stab you to death right now. Does that count as gratitude?"
Angel of the Hidden Rain Village: "How strange... Aizen actually sent out four Arrancars just now."
Curly-Haired Boy: "Huh? Is he planning to let the Arrancars intervene in the battle?"
Angel of the Hidden Rain Village: "No. Those Arrancars have already left the vicinity of Konoha through the Garganta."
Skirt-Lifting Maniac: "Wait... could he be taking advantage of all the Kages being gathered in Konoha to launch surprise attacks on the other villages?"
Book Artist: "Hiss... destroying the entire ninja world in one move?! This Aizen is a real dog!"
This is an Actor: "No, I believe he is more or less human."
Just as the group members were theorizing about the four Arrancars, a strange, pitcher-plant-like creature emerged from the ground beside Pain.
"Have you found the location, Zetsu?" Pain asked. His expression was cold, his voice flat.
"Ah, he's near the Hokage Rock," White Zetsu chirped, his voice sounding oddly cheerful. "The only ninja guarding him is Hatake Kakashi."
"I see." Pain nodded slowly and took a step forward.
His movement sent Sarutobi Hiruzen and the others into a state of high alert. To their surprise, Pain did not attack. Instead, he turned and issued an order: "Kakuzu, Sasori, Juzo. Your mission is to hold them here."
"Can I kill them?" Biwa Juzo asked, a predatory grin splitting his face.
"Do as you wish." With that indifferent reply, Pain took to the sky.
"Wait!" Sarutobi Hiruzen sensed the impending danger and moved to intercept. However, as he took a single step, a massive blade swung toward his neck.
Clang!
His iron staff blocked the heavy blade. Hiruzen frowned at the newcomer. "The rogue ninja of the Mist, Biwa Juzo?"
"That's right! Your opponent is me, Third Hokage!" Juzo grinned, revealing rows of sharpened teeth.
Rumble.
The eastern sector of Konoha trembled. A massive, dark green giant wielding a spiral blade swung its arm. With every stroke, a long chasm opened in the earth. The once wide, flat streets of the village were now completely mangled.
"Damn it! Our attacks aren't doing a thing!"
"What kind of monster is this?!"
The remaining Iwagakure ninjas were physically and mentally spent, their faces masks of pure terror.
"Retreat! Fall back!" Kitsuchi shouted, his clothes tattered and his breathing ragged. "This is no longer something we can handle!"
The Rock ninjas, finally receiving the order to flee, exhaled in relief and scattered in all directions. The Susanoo controlled by Shisui did not pursue them; instead, it stood still, its task seemingly complete.
"Did we... did we win?"
"They're finally retreating."
"Phew. No more surprise enemies this time, right?"
Protected behind the ethereal ribs of the Susanoo, Kurenai Yuhi, Anko Mitarashi, and the others allowed themselves a moment of joy.
Swish.
Suddenly, a figure blurred through the air high above them.
"What was that?"
"It looked like a person."
Kurenai and Anko looked up, but the flying figure was moving so fast it vanished from sight in an instant.
"That direction..." Uchiha Shisui realized the target. He quickly deactivated his Susanoo and used the Body Flicker Technique to give chase.
Huff, huff.
Clutching Naruto in his arms, Kakashi darted through the back alleys, his eyes darting around with mounting anxiety. We have to leave this area and find a more secure location.
The sudden appearance of that strange, pure white creature earlier had given him a terrible premonition. Kakashi was certain it was one of Danzo's assets and that Naruto's location had been compromised.
Shing.
A sound cut through the air. A figure dropped from the sky, landing directly in Kakashi's path.
The man had orange hair and black receivers protruding from his nose and lower lip. He wore a black robe adorned with red clouds, his expression one of cold arrogance. What struck Kakashi most were the eyes—wavy, lilac-colored pupils that radiated a mysterious, oppressive power.
"Who are you?" Kakashi asked, his brow furrowed.
"I am God," Pain said calmly. He slowly raised his right hand. "Shinra Tensei."
BOOM.
The moment the words were uttered, Kakashi felt as though he had been struck by an invisible hammer. The air was punched out of his lungs as his body was sent hurtling backward.
"Banshō Ten'in."
Pain kept his hand raised. Instead of letting Kakashi fall, he pulled him back with an irresistible force. Kakashi, suspended in mid-air, was snatched by the throat like a helpless chick.
"Konoha ninjas... you no longer have a future." As he spoke, Pain's grip tightened. Kakashi's face grew increasingly pale as he gasped for air. "This world will be ruled by God."
Hum.
At that critical moment, a ray of sword light suddenly ignited the air.