Chapter 53: The World Shall Know Pain

Summary: Jiraiya recounts his mission, Izuku talks to Tsunade. They start to plan the inevitable encounter with Pain.

Jiraiya, The Great Toad Sage of Mount Myoboku has fallen during a mission in the land of Rain. Well, that is what Jiraiya thought, after he was stabbed multiple times with Chakra blocking rods, he fell into the lake where he expected to either bleed out or drown. And while sinking to the bottom of the lake he at least was able to send a message to Tsunade. "The real one isn't here" was burned into the back of Fukasaku with his remaining chakra. He could die happy now.

But as his last thoughts run through his head, he thinks about the God Son he has spent the last three years with. Naruto, the Son of his Late student, grew up without any family. And Jiraiya regrets that Naruto is about to lose another family member. He won't get to split popsicles with the teen after a long days of training. He won't get to force the teen to proofread his books and laugh and tease the boy for blushing during the good parts. And perhaps his biggest regret is, he won't be able to witness the magnificent man Naruto will become. A man Minato would be proud to say is his son. Or perhaps his biggest regret was even though he knew Naruto survived his birth, Jiraiya wasn't there. Even though the third told him he could stick around, be a family to the boy who lost everything. Jiraiya declined, the road is no place for a baby. He had a spy network to maintain. But he knows deep down in his heart that was a load of crap, a worthless excuse. He was running away. He just wasn't ready to accept the fact his student sacrificed himself for the village. He didn't want to see the boy and picture the baby's father every time.

He hoped the Third would raise the baby, be a family to the newborn. But somehow the villagers found out about the Kyubi and ostracized the newborn. The counsel managed to take more power from the Hokage in the aftermath of losing the Fourth. And Jiraiya knows it's not all The Thirds fault, he was in retirement, forced to take the hat again. Or watch as the village was turned over to Danzo. And while Danzo was a great man, a warrior, he is not a leader. Not the leader the village needed. So the third spent a lot of his time trying and failing to wrestle the power back from the Counsel, instead of giving the newborn Naruto the attention he needed.

After hearing two teens blow up at the treatment of Naruto, opened his eyes a bit. He always just assumed Naruto was okay, the teen smiled at everything, rivaled the Sun, and took to training like a fish. He always assumed that while Naruto may have been hated, he thought the teen would have someone there for him. To know that no one was there for the boy until he graduated, made Jiraiya want to burn the village down himself. But he couldn't, because in a way he is just like the villagers, refused to be there for Naruto when the kid needed it the most.

But then watching the teens from another world interact with Naruto like they have known him all their lives, made him consider maybe there is a darkness in their world. And maybe he is part of it, because Izuku cried for a boy he didn't even know, called the dying Kazekage his pack, and expended so much of himself to bring him back. Saved Sasuke, just because he meant something to Naruto. Saved Itachi because letting the older brother die, would cause Sasuke pain, and in turn, hurt Naruto. So Izuku spent hours, well beyond the most dedicated of healers to heal a condition thought to be unhealable, just for Naruto. And he got to witness a Naruto who had support on his side. Who had people he could depend on, instead of wading through the hatred on his own? He got to see Naruto truly smile, and while it wasn't dramatic like the fake smiles, it was beautiful and soft, and real.

And maybe now he can die without regrets because while he wasn't the one to put that smile on Naruto's face, he can die happy knowing his God Son is happy.

Except, as he is closing his eyes, ready to welcome death, Fukasaku is swimming towards him. He doesn't have the energy to question it. But deep down he is glad he won't die alone at the bottom of a lake. He feels the webbed hand of his Toad grip his arm tightly, and his eyes close for the last time.

Or so he thought, he doesn't know how long he is out. But he can feel his chest rising and falling, and he instinctively wants to cough, because he remembers drowning and there should be water in his lungs. But there's not, each breath is easy, filled with precious oxygen. Then another thought comes to him, he should be in an unimaginable amount of pain, being stabbed multiple times, he should have bled out. But he is not, he is on something soft, dry, and warm; and he is confused. Because even if Fukasaku managed to save him from drowning, Pain would have finished them off.

So how is he alive?

Where is he?

Who saved him?

And he panics, tries to fight the cover of sleep. Groaning and moaning his questions. Though, whoever is with him probably won't understand him. So he waits, years, decades of shinobi training coming to the forefront of his mind. Even though he's stuck somewhere between awake and asleep, he strains his ears to listen around him.

There is a light tapping coming from an unknown distance away. Almost silent shuffling moving to answer it. And Jiraiya would have missed it, it if weren't for his Shinobi Training. A click that sounds like a lock being locked, or unlocked, followed by the sound of a door opening sound loud in the otherwise silent room. So someone has come to visit him? Who?

A familiar voice, muffled by the sound of fabric finally speaks, "I was just about to dispel myself to let Kakashi know Jiraiya is waking." Kakashi? Isn't Kakashi in the other world with Naruto and the others? Maybe there is an imposter pretending to be Kakashi that has this person fooled?

Another voice, young, unknown, "are you sure?" the voice sounds urgent, and something else hopeful? Relieved?

"He is twitching and mumbling," the first voice relays.

There is shuffling again as the people make their ways closer to him. Deliberate steps, intentionally loud to warn Jiraiya of an impending approach. It takes all of Jiraiya's willpower not to lash out in defense, because these people are saving him. So they will live until he can get information out of them.

Warmth, soothing, calming, but also invading, observing, mending small non-fatal tears and injuries. More humming as the warmth reaches his lungs and heart. His heart rate increases in slight fear, if the person wanted to, they could kill him. He forces himself to relax, why would they save him if they were only going to kill him?

"There is nothing wrong with him physically. His vitals look and sound good as well." The second voice sounds; must be a healer if they are checking his injuries. But that didn't feel like Iryonin Chakra.

"When will he wake up?" The first voice asks.

The medic hums, "can't say for sure. Could be moments, could be hours. But I am certain he will wake today."

"You'll stay with him?" The first voice sounds hopeful but worried, and panicked.

A soft chuckle escapes the medic, "of course. Send Kakashi up here, it would be best to have someone he knows when he wakes up. For now, I have Naruto with me…"

Naruto?

He is here?

But that is impossible, he knows Naruto left with the other worlders. He knows Naruto is safe with Izuku and the others. Could the Medic just be saying he has Naruto to force him to wake up? Or did his God Son get captured?

The medic begins to speak after the distinct sound of a clone popping out of existence, "Jiraiya, I know you are awake. You are safe in Japan right now."

Jiraiya blinks his eyes open, only to come face to face with green. Green hair, green eyes, green Fiery wings, and a soft bright smile. Jiraiya recognizes the healer, "Izuku?"

Izuku nods, eyes flashing in relief, "I brought Naruto with me."

Jiraiya coughs, "Naruto?"

Naruto chokes out on a sob, "Pervy Sage?"

Jiraiya looks over in the direction the sound came from, only to be pounced on by his Sunny God Son, "Pervy Sage!" Naruto cries into his chest.

Izuku lets them be for a bit stating they will talk when Kakashi gets up there. Knowing Kakashi is going to bring Aizawa up there with him. Izuku smiles fondly, lately, those two have been inseparable. Izuku waits in the living room as he feels the two men getting closer to the room, at almost superhuman speed.

Kakashi burst into the room, hair ruffled and visible eye searching his abode. Izuku's chuckle forces the man to look over and glare at the teen sitting on his couch.

Izuku smiles like the glare came from a toddler, not someone who is trained to kill in a thousand different ways, "Jiraiya is awake."

Kakashi and Aizawa straighten up, "and you left him alone?" Kakashi asks in his panic.

Izuku growls defensively, "Of course not, Naruto is with him. I figured I would give them a moment before we go in there and interrogate him."

Kakashi sighs and closes his eyes in remorse, "sorry." He offers.

Izuku's face softens, understanding the man's panic. He doesn't know a lot about Kakashi, but he knows Jiraiya means a lot to the man, being one of the only connections the man has left to Minato. So, he understands the outburst coming from the Masked Man. He tilts his head in the direction of the room Jiraiya is occupying, "Shall we go talk to him?"

Aizawa nods, putting a hand on Kakashi's shoulder steering the almost catatonic man to the other room. Kakashi allows himself to be pushed, following the movements easily, thankful that Aizawa is there to offer his support. Izuku walks ahead of the two adults, giving them space as he opens the door and stands next to Naruto. Kakashi is aware enough to realize Jiraiya is indeed awake, alive, and smiling at Naruto.

"Raiya?" Kakashi whispers relieved, but also something very close to broken.

Jiraiya immediately stops his mirthful laughter from teasing his God Son. He eyes the silver-haired man, he's known him long enough to read the emotions swirling in one grey eye. Jiraiya can see sadness, guilt, relief, and devastation clearly. And Jiraiya's heart shatters at such a heartbroken look on Kakashi's face. He knows what he means to the man, they have never voiced their relationship out loud, but when the nights are too long, and the feelings of loss were so overwhelming; they had each other. Sure most of their relationship was spent at the memorial stone talking about Minato. And he realizes regretfully that he almost left the Man behind. And he hates himself a little bit more, because not only did he force Naruto to grow up unwanted, unloved; but he forced Kakashi to grieve the loss of his pseudo-father, alone at thirteen years old. And he knew the boy probably blamed himself for the loss, knows he never stopped.

"I'm sorry Kakashi," Jiraiya states softly.

Jiraiya's stomach drops like lead replaced the guilt as a choked but agonizing sob rips out of Kakashi's throat at the soft apology. Jiraiya watches silently as a man with long raven hair crowds the breaking ex-ANBU. And he wonders when this relationship began, he knows Kakashi well enough to know the man would never let anyone he doesn't trust unconditionally get close enough to touch him, let alone see the man's tears. Jiraiya remembers only one person who has managed to gain the man's unconditional trust: Minato. But even then, he would never break in front of Minato, would never let the teacher see his tears. Jiraiya studies Kakashi, looking for any signs of his aversion to touch, looking for a flinch, or the tensing of his frame; but he discovers nothing. Well… nothing isn't quite the right word, he may not have found any signs of Kakashi being unwilling; instead, as he studies Kakashi he can see the man slumping slightly in the other man's gentle but firm hold. Jiraiya can see the complete trust Kakashi has for the other man, how Kakashi allows himself to be seen as weak.

Jiraiya recalls the raven's name to be Aizawa, but he doesn't know much else. During a brief couple of days, he was traveling with the other worlders, he spent most of his time talking to Shanks, fixing atrocious seals, and observing the others. He didn't speak much with Aizawa, the other man focused on watching those younger than himself, not just the kids that came with the man, but all the shinobi kids as well. The man obviously cares about children, even knowing what they have been trained for, and capable of. He remembers the fight with Orochimaru, Aizawa stood protectively, combat-ready, in front of the kids just in case Orochimaru broke through Jiraiya's and Fenrir's guards. He saw the worry in the man's onyx eyes as he watched Izuku exhaust himself trying to keep them on the move.

He witnessed the ease with which Aizawa and Kakashi connected to each other, the easy companionship. Sure, Kakashi originally had the same amount of Shinobi Paranoia as the rest of them, perhaps even more so. But during their shared guard shift, something must have changed between the two. Kakashi, perhaps subconsciously, gravitated closer to the other man. Sat closer to him when they were traveling on Fuji's back. The few times they camped in caves and clearings, the two could be spotted sitting shoulder-to-shoulder, heads bent together, as they talked about different teaching styles softly. Voices barely above a whisper, in more than consideration to the exhausted healer. If Jiraiya didn't know Kakashi, he may have thought it was almost intimate.

Maybe he was wrong. Because the way Kakashi slumps into Aizawa's touches, the way the raven whispers softly to the breaking man, is definitely more than just trust. This is a strong bond, Jiraiya blinks as the realization hits him in the face. Aizawa is Kakashi's soulmate. Aizawa is the only person capable of healing Kakashi's bruised and battered heart. And Jiraiya couldn't help but let the rising feeling of happiness rise out of him. Beyond glad that Kakashi has finally found his other half.

So he stays silent, watchful eyes trained on the two, witnesses Kakashi's cloudy grey eyes clear with every softly spoken word. Painfully white knuckles regain their color as they slowly relax their desperate hold on the other man's shirt. Silent tears decrease in their intensity as his head is pulled into a strong chest. And it doesn't take long until Kakashi is back to himself. Well mostly, because Kakashi tilts his face slightly into Aizawa's chest in a moment of vulnerability.

And Aizawa whispers something so quietly Jiraiya can't hear it, but the results are quick as Kakashi takes a few deep steadying breaths, and nods. Finally, prying his face out of Aizawa's chest. Ready to face the world again, no sign of his breakdown, except the slightly red, puffy eye.

Izuku takes that moment to clear his throat, "Jiraiya?"

Jiraiya rips his gaze away from the pair he was studying, turning his eyes onto the emerald eyes of the healer. "What is it?"

Something like fear, or wariness flashes in Izuku's eyes, "can you tell me what mission you were on?"

Jiraiya sighs and runs a hand down his face as he begins to recount his mission. He tells them that he received some news from his spies. Apparently, the Akatsuki are still hunting people. One of the people missing was rumored to have some of Matatabi sealed inside her. While she isn't a full Jinchuriki she did have the residual chakra of the two tails sealed in her. So Jiraiya left for the Land of Rain to verify the information. He was not expecting Pain to be there. And what he thought was one person ended up being 6 almost puppet-like corpses that were somehow connected. He couldn't land a single hit against them; he was able to trap one in his toad's stomach with orders for the toad to return to the Leaf, but by then he was already severely injured. When his toad was dispelled, the other five corpses were waiting for him. He didn't have the time or energy to react as he was impaled on chakra-blocking spikes. The last thing he remembers is his coded message on Fukasaku's back before he is drowning and bleeding out on his way to the bottom of the lake.

Izuku shakes, eyes wide in panic, "it's time," he gasps.

Jiraiya looks at the teen in confusion, "time for what?"

Izuku manages to put his panic aside, rational thought taking over, "you were supposed to die during that mission. And Pain attacks the village, destroying it."

"When does Pain attack the leaf," Jiraiya presses.

Izuku shakes his head, "I'm not sure, the visions I have are not clear on when these things happen, just that they were supposed to. Or what originally was supposed to. And even then, I don't see everything that happens, it's kind of like a slideshow. All I have seen is Jiraiya drowning while bleeding from multiple spikes in his body, then flashing to Pain floating above the Leaf while everything blasts away from him. In seconds the village is destroyed, buildings reduced to piles of rubble, crushing people as they are pushed away from him." He trails off listing other bits and pieces of the vision. His eyes widen as a thought comes to him, "We need to start Naruto on Sage training."

This shocks Jiraiya, "huh?! Why?!"

"Because, in my vision, when we arrived, Naruto was in perfect sage mode." Izuku states.

Jiraiya sputters, "but, but that could take years to master! I have been training as a sage for decades and even I don't have perfect sage mode!"

Izuku smirks in pride, "not only is Naruto in perfect sage mode, but he is also unassisted. Due to Kurama's energy in Naruto, the toads cannot resonate with his chakra."

"Toad Oil," a croaking voice sounds.

"Pa?" Jiraiya calls in disbelief.

The toad looks at Jiraiya, tears filling the old toad's eyes, "Raiya-boy? You're alive." And the toad's voice is so full of relief, awe, and a touch of disbelief that Jiraiya is alive, let alone awake. While he hoped his impromptu decision saved Jiraiya's life, he didn't know for sure if the man would make it. He is beyond relieved that he made the right choice, to trust in the people who saved his youngest summoner. And he is forever in their debt, and if the only way to repay that debt is to help them; well it's the least he can do.

"What is Toad Oil?" Izuku asks.

The toad snaps his attention to Izuku, "it's a special Oil, that when applied to the bare skin allows the person to sense and start to absorb nature chakra. Typically, the sensing and absorption of nature chakra are obtained by years of meditation and being 'one with nature.' The toad oil is a very dangerous method to unlocking Sage mode and can only be completed on Mount Myoboku."

Izuku's eyes narrow, "What makes it so dangerous?"

Fukasaku sighs, "this method forces the body to absorb Nature Chakra. If too much Natural Energy is taken in the user will forever be turned to stone. They would need to instinctively be able to balance the natural energies with their physical and spiritual energies. They must remain absolutely still, with an empty mind in order to become 'one with nature.' We only use this method when absolutely necessary."

Izuku hums, "I don't think we have years before Pain attacks. Naruto was in sage mode when we arrived on the battlefield. There is no telling when this battle is, however, based on our looks I would estimate we have days maybe weeks to prepare."

Fukasaku nods, humming carefully, "I am recovered enough to start Naruto's training." He turns to look at Naruto, "whenever you are ready to go, I will reverse summon us to Mount Myoboku."

Naruto nods seriously, "let me tell Shika and Sasuke." A fond smile takes over his face, "they don't show it very often, but I know they care about me. They would be worried if I disappeared without telling them."

Fukasaku nods, "very well."

Naruto thanks the toad following Izuku out of the room. Izuku sighs out, stress, worry, and panic making the teen slightly tremble in his steps to the training room. Naruto wants to help Izuku, wants to comfort him the same way Izuku has comforted him before. But Naruto doesn't really know how to comfort people. Even though he could recognize the signs of Sasuke's pain and loneliness, every time he tried to help him, Sasuke would push him farther away. He would try to comfort Sakura every time Sasuke rejected her offers to date, he would offer to take her out buy her dinner (ramen, of course), but she would end up hitting him and being more pissed off than she was prior to Naruto's intervention. He tentatively reaches out to place a comforting hand on Izuku's shoulder.

Izuku doesn't flinch under Naruto's hand, instead, he stops walking and tilts his head to the floor. Naruto can feel the shaking under his fingers and his grip tightens, reassuringly on Izuku's shoulder. Naruto thinks about last night, he was pretty out of it, but Katsuki comforted him, led him to the warm arms of his soulmate. But he tries to remember if he saw Izuku as distraught as the teen is now. No, he didn't, if he remembers correctly, while the other teens were afraid and worried, Izuku and Katsuki transformed to give them safety, comfort, peace. He takes a look at Izuku's face, his green eyes dull and glassy looking. There is the start of dark circles under Izuku's eyes and redness that points to tiredness. In fact, he doesn't think Izuku slept at all last night, as Naruto thinks Izuku looks the same level of exhaustion as he did when they were traveling in the Elemental Nations. So, Naruto does the only thing he can at the moment, he pulls Izuku in for a hug. Allows Izuku to bury his face in Naruto's shoulder, lets Izuku breathe out his worry, and compose himself. And when the trembling stops, Naruto gives him a reassuring squeeze and leads him to the training room.

Naruto leads him to Katsuki, hovering a little longer to ensure the teen's safety. It's not that he doesn't trust Katsuki, in fact, it's the opposite. Katsuki holds Izuku tightly, rubbing carefully heated fingers between Izuku's wings. And Naruto can finally step away knowing Izuku is going to be ok. Izuku is going to be comforted, and Naruto is proud of himself that he finally did something right. He was able to comfort another person without being pushed away, without being hit, or demeaned. And he makes his way over to where Shikamaru, Sasuke, Gaara, and Neji are working with the purple-haired teen. He stops before the group, observes the way Sasuke's Sharingan flickers on and spins lazily. Neji's eyes bulge, evidence of his Byakugan coming to life. Gaara has a lazy stream of sand circling around the group, Naruto wonders why. And Shikamaru has a thoughtful frown on his face as he crouches into his thinking pose. Naruto hesitates to disturb his soulmate, but he doesn't want Shikamaru to worry about him if he leaves without a reason.

With Izuku's training Naruto is getting better at reading situations before he interrupts, so he waits. He waits until Gaara's sand retreats, Neji's Byakugan deactivates, and Sasuke's eyes turn to their normal shade of black before he clears his throat. Once he has the attention of the others he rubs the back of his neck, insecurities of the past rearing their ugly faces. Are they really going to care that he is going to be gone for a while? They seem pretty busy helping Shinso, maybe they won't even realize he is gone. "I… uh…" he hesitates, then sighs, "never mind, it's not important."

Shikamaru stands from his crouched thinking pose, "What's up, Naruto?" already starting to walk towards the blond, "how's Jiraiya?"

Naruto stares slightly wide-eyed, "Uh, the Pervy Sage woke up, he's with Kakashi-sensei and Aizawa."

Shikamaru smiles relieved at Naruto, "I'm glad." He eyes Naruto, he is fidgety in a way Shikamaru has seen in the past. Naruto wants to tell them something, but he's hesitating because he doesn't think anyone would care. Well, that's just not going to fly, Shikamaru might be lazy, and everything is troublesome to him, but Naruto has always been less troublesome to him. But he also knows he is going to have to push the skittish blond to tell him. "What did you want to tell us, Naruto?"

Naruto falls back onto his old habits of running his hand over the back of his neck, "It's not important, but I am going to be gone for a little while."

Shikamaru sighs, "how long are you going to be gone?"

Naruto hums, "not sure, could be a few weeks. I am going to Mount Myoboku for Sage training." A panicked expression takes over his face, "according to Izuku when we face Pain, I was in Perfect Sage mode. But he is unsure when Pain Attacks the leaf."

Shikamaru offers Naruto a small smile, "Thank you for telling me, Naruto." He reaches out to Naruto, ignoring the small unintentional flinch, "train hard, be safe, and come back to me."

Naruto's eyes flash determined, "Believe it, Shika." He smirks at the confidence he feels, "when I come back, I'll be a Sage."

Shikamaru offers Naruto an amused grin, "I'll train harder too. After all, I need to be someone worthy of being beside you." He relishes in the slight blush and bluster from Naruto. "Now, I'm sure Fukasaku is waiting for you."

Naruto grins, "yea. I just wanted to let you know."

Shikamaru nods with a fond look, "thank you, Naruto. I'll see you when you get back."

Sasuke waits for Naruto and Shikamaru to finish their farewells, not wanting to disturb Naruto's happiness. When Naruto pulls away from Shikamaru and starts to head back to the entrance Sasuke calls out to him, "Dobe."

Naruto turns to him, "Teme."

Sasuke smirks, "let's spar when you get back."

Naruto returns his smirk with a determined smirk of his own, "of course, be prepared to lose, Teme!"

Sasuke falls into the playful banter, "you wish, Dobe!"

Naruto smiles softly as he continues his walk to the entrance, he knows Sasuke well enough to know his challenge is his way of saying goodbye. It is also his way of pulling a promise to return safely without asking for one. So he waves over his shoulder, "Ja ne."

Izuku watches Naruto's farewells to Shikamaru and Sasuke with amusement. After Naruto dragged him to Katsuki he was able to settle down in the arms of his soulmate. And as Naruto walks out of the door, Izuku watches as Shikamaru and Sasuke grin at each other. Determination and conviction to be stronger radiating off the two. Izuku smiles, those two have found something to fight for, to be strong for, and they will push each other to greater heights because of it.

Katsuki smirks, pulling Izuku's attention to him, "shall we increase their training?"

Izuku smirks ferally, "Of course, Kacchan."

A feeling radiates through the training room, all the ninja, packmates, and adults turn their focus toward the source. Izuku and Katsuki have matching smirks on their faces. The pack members know this look and flash their own determined grins back to the two in answer. The ninja have an idea of this look, having experienced a toned-down version of it. Tokoyami and Shoji have only experienced this look once, and a shiver runs through their spines. Shinso feels his heart rate increase, excitement and fear making an interesting combination of feelings rise up in him.

Izuku stands slowly, walks predatorily toward the gaggle of packmates. Something serious, powerful, commanding in his posture, "Jiraiya has woken up. He has confirmed what mission he was on that almost caused his death. The leaf village is going to be attacked by Pain. I don't know exactly when this happens it could be a few days or a few weeks. Naruto has left to start Sage training. So we need to up our training to match him when he comes back."

Izuku breaks through the stream of whispers, "While most of you are almost combat-ready with Haki, there is much to be improved on. The hosts that can do full transformations need to work on their forms and combat styles. The others will work harder to catch up. We will be doing physical conditioning, perfecting fighting styles, and working as a team."

Kakashi takes that moment to step into the training room, Aizawa, and a white-haired male following close behind him. "Naruto has departed for Mount Myoboku. Jiraiya is going to stay here and recover."

Izuku smiles blindingly, "that's great! We were just talking about increasing our own training."

The new adults raise eyebrows, Kakashi sighs, "What did you have in mind?"

Izuku smirks, "lately we have been working as a group, learning the basics in both Haki and Chakra control. I think now that everyone is more or less a master of the basics, we need to focus on individual strengths and covering weaknesses."

"Are we all going fight Pain?" Neji asks concerned.

Izuku hums, "no, only a small team is going to help the leaf with the Pain invasion."

"Who?" Ace asks.

"Kakashi, Aizawa, Shikamaru, myself, and Kacchan," Izuku states with finality.

"Why not all of us?" Kaminari ponders.

Izuku considers how he should explain his thought out loud, "There are a few reasons, the first of which is some of you are not combat-ready. I would not be able to focus on Pain if I need to focus on keeping everyone alive. Sasuke and Itachi can't go back to the leaf because they are still wanted. Gaara's cover story would be blown. And then the other holders, Pain's targets. I won't put any of you at risk."

"What will the rest of us be doing?" Luffy wonders.

Katsuki smirks, "training. Because shortly after we get back. We are going to the Grandline."

Izuku hums, "that reminds me…" Izuku's eyes start to cloud over in thought, Katsuki bops him over the head to prevent a muttering fit. Izuku blinks owlishly at his soulmate, "thank you, Kacchan. I need Shanks to go back to the Grandline and get us a ship. One large enough that we will all fit and be able to pick up more people. But not too large that we couldn't control it."

Over the next couple of days, Izuku viciously trains the others. He drills them in different fighting styles; he makes them spar blindfolded, and at times makes them spar with Armament Haki. He pushes the group past the limits of exhaustion, most of the teens passing out at the end of the training. He exhausts his healing, soothing torn muscles, and fatigue.

As the days pass without any word from Tsunade about Pain's Attack, Izuku becomes even more aggressive in his training. Katsuki tries to soothe the panic in Izuku's eyes, but even with his gentle touches and soft whispers, nothing seems to help.

At night, Izuku's mind forces him to watch the possibilities of what happens in the Leaf. He witnesses Kakashi's death and Shota's descent into madness. He witnesses Shikamaru trying to save an impaled Naruto, only to end up beaten to death. Naruto is gone to Kurama, already in berserk mode and releasing Four tails before Shikamaru even hits the ground. Izuku then needs to make a choice, save Naruto, and lose Kakashi, or save Kakashi and lose Naruto. Every night he wakes up in a panic waking up before he has to choose.

He doesn't fall back to sleep, instead, thoughts of What if, and Should I cloud his mind. One on hand if Kakashi dies, Izuku can latch onto his Father's Soul when he resurrects Kakashi, but the pain Shota would go through would destroy him.

If Izuku saves Kakashi, then Naruto will go berserk. If Izuku doesn't reach Naruto in time, Naruto, Kurama, Minato, and Kushina would be lost. Through his panicked and jumbled thoughts, he can't think of a way to save all of them, and he spirals farther; because how can he let one packmate die for the other. How does he choose? Does he even have that right? Who does he save? Because losing Kakashi, Naruto, Aizawa, and Shikamaru would destroy him completely.

So without disturbing Katsuki's sleep he leaves the bed, walks out of their Suite, and to the gym. Images of his seven-year-old self coming out of a panic attack of Kacchan's death overriding his vision. Overlapping his sixteen-year-old self, and he realizes he is still that weak seven-year-old. All the training he forced himself to do, all the years spent honing the abilities gifted to him, all the time spent being stronger than he was the day before, means nothing. Because he won't be able to save 4 of his packmates. So he pushes himself, hits the training targets with bone-breaking force because he needs to feel something other than this numbness. It gets to the point where he exhausts his healing and still continues to break himself, over and over again, until the numbness becomes a dull aching throb; and he finally passes out on the floor of their training room.

Katsuki wakes in the middle of the night, eyes wide and searching for his nerd. When he doesn't find the nerd sleeping peacefully next to him, he panics. It has been years since Izuku had a nightmare so bad that he leaves Katsuki's side to work through it. So he leaves the room, hoping he stays quiet enough not to wake up Sabo, who still sleeps on a bed in their living room. Surprisingly, it's not Sabo who he wakes, but Shoto. Shoto tiptoes out of his room, looks at Katsuki's panicked face, and nods to the door. A silent agreement that Shoto will help locate Izuku.

If this was any other time, Katsuki would have told Icy-Hot to fuck off. Instead, he follows Shoto out of their suite, searching all the dark corners hoping he would find Izuku curled up somewhere. But he realizes after they searched the building, all the empty dark rooms included, that was probably wishful thinking. Somewhere in the back of his mind, he remembers the panicked seven-year-old nerd training until exhaustion overrides fear. So he starts by checking the training room in their building, with no luck. He remembers that even when the nerd is in a panicked induced training frenzy, he is not likely to be anywhere that he would risk waking up others.

So he leads Shoto outside, sends a text to Aizawa and Shanks that the Nerd is missing. He gets a response right away from Shanks, telling Katsuki he will be there in a few minutes to help him look for the teen. Aizawa doesn't respond, and Katsuki thinks that their older brother is finally getting some sleep. And he doesn't know if he is pissed off about that or not. It is hard to control his emotions when he is this worried for Izuku.

He remembers the time when they were seven, just months after he moved in with Izuku. He remembers the nightmare that sent his nerd outside to hit the training dummy. And he remembers watching his Nerd tear himself apart with guilt and panic while he watched from their window, unable to do anything. He was helpless to do anything while the Nerd wailed and screamed his sorrow to the sky. But then he watched as Shanks pulled Izuku into a firm hug, whispering gently and soothingly until the screaming stopped and Izuku came back to himself. He recalls the dream that caused Izuku to train, "I-Kacchan- there was so much blood. Then nothing." And while Katsuki couldn't see Izuku's face, he knew instinctively that Izuku looked broken. But he didn't know how to help him, Katsuki was alive, wasn't that enough? "I was so scared, I couldn't move, I couldn't save him. I let Kacchan die and all I could do was scream." It was then that Katsuki understood, Izuku was still trapped in whatever nightmare Katsuki died in. Izuku couldn't tell Katsuki was still alive, that Izuku was able to save him.

Shanks pulled the words right out of Katsuki's head, managed to bring Izuku back to reality where Katsuki is alive and well. That Izuku protected him when he couldn't protect himself, against someone Katsuki should have never needed protection from. Katsuki wonders what Izuku must have seen to force him back to his old habit of panic training. He thought Izuku understood that Katsuki will be there for him when he has his nightmares. He thought he made it clear he wouldn't allow Izuku to go through them on his own.

In normal Katsuki fashion, panic, and worry, quickly turn into anger, and rage as he storms out of the building to search outside for Izuku. The longer he goes without finding Izuku the more anger and rage fade, the fresh outside air soothing the rage he feels. His rational mind finally makes an appearance. The times Izuku used to panic train was when his mind tortured him with nightmares of his death. Did Izuku see him die again? Katsuki doesn't think so, because the last time it was Katsuki's death, Fuji forcefully took control. So, it must have been someone else. But who? And when?

It clicks when they reach the Ninjas' building, his feet led him here in hopes that he could recruit Shota's help on finding the Nerd. But his sensitive hearing picks up something, he is not quite sure what it is, but it sounds like thumping. So he curiously goes to investigate. The sounds lead him to the training room they have been using to train the others. As he gets closer, he realizes the sounds are flesh hitting something like wood, or metal. So he peeks into the room, and what he witnesses sends a pang through his heart.

Izuku faces the training dummy, eyes clouded and unseeing, still lost within whatever nightmare sent him here. Fire wrapped around his arms and legs, black whip thrashing uncontrollably around him. Blood drips to the floor from busted knuckles, but still Izuku powers through it, powers through the pain as if he doesn't feel it. Katsuki knows better than to approach, Izuku would never forgive himself if he accidentally hurt Katsuki. And Katsuki can tell just from looking at Izuku, Katsuki would be viewed as the enemy. And while that thought hurts somewhere deep inside, he knows it's not himself Izuku would be seeing; but whoever he thinks he is fighting.

And with guilt, worry, panic, and a small amount of anger, Katsuki realizes he needs to let Izuku tire himself out completely before he can provide comfort. So he waits, impatiently, for Izuku's fire to recede, for him to slow down, to take a break from his panic training. But when the fire recedes and the fighting continues, Katsuki tries to call out to him. He gets ignored, as Izuku continues to hit the training dummy. More blood, leaking from broken and bruised knuckles, fingers bent at odd angles, clearly broken with the force of Izuku punches. And Katsuki hates that he has to sit here and do nothing, while the Nerd breaks himself again and again.

And this time, Katsuki can't even get mad at Izuku for the damage he is inflicting on himself. Because Izuku's eyes are still clouded and unseeing, he is still trapped in his nightmare unaware and unable to stop fighting. This isn't like the time when Izuku fought Shoto and intentionally broke himself to help his classmate, or when he broke his fingers to give Shinso a chance to show his stuff. This isn't Izuku uncaringly putting himself at risk without thinking of Katsuki's feelings. This isn't Izuku's reckless need to save people driving him to break himself. This is a broken seven-year-old that woke up in the middle of the night scared, confused, and hurt because he watched his Kacchan die while he did nothing. This is a broken child that could only train through the panic to force himself to feel something, to force himself to be stronger to save those he loves.

So Katsuki waits, waits for Izuku to fall to his knees, waits for him to start crying like he did that night so long ago. But it's hours, maybe minutes later and Izuku still doesn't appear to be stopping. Shoto makes a sound of confusion, no doubt wondering why Katsuki won't stop Izuku.

"I can't stop him," Katsuki whispers, guilt, sadness, and fear choking him.

Shoto makes a sound of disbelief, "why not?"

Katsuki shakes his head, he doesn't really know how to explain it. How does he tell someone that never witnessed the panic training, that it's not Izuku that is fighting? That every one that approaches the Nerd will be treated like an enemy, even his own soulmate. That Izuku isn't seeing them, he is basically sleeping fighting, trapped in a nightmare. And he won't stop fighting until the nightmare is over, or he exhausts himself. Right now, to Izuku, he thinks he is in a real-life or death battle.

Footsteps behind him force him out of his thoughts, a sigh as tired as the man behind them, "Panic training again?"

"Shota," Katsuki breathes out, suddenly feeling like he is a kid again, waiting for someone to help him. He feels lost, afraid, alone, like he did that night he woke up to a cold bed and a panic-induced nerd training until he broke down.

Aizawa takes a knee in front of Katsuki, eye level with the teen, "did you call Shanks?"

Katsuki nods but can't get his voice to work.

Aizawa sighs, "how long has he been at it?"

Katsuki doesn't know, he doesn't know how long they have been standing here. He doesn't know how long Izuku has been gone before he woke up to a cold bed. He doesn't know how much time they wasted searching every dark corner of their dorms, how long did he spend outside looking for him? He doesn't know, his mind was lost in flashbacks and memories.

Shoto hums from next to him, "we have been watching him for almost 30 minutes. His healing died down fifteen minutes ago. We don't know how long he has been training before we got here. We spent about an hour searching for him before we tried to get you." There is an accusing tone to his voice as he looks at Aizawa.

Aizawa nods, "I see. I woke up and spread my Haki out and felt him here. I came to investigate."

Shoto nods, he knows Aizawa doesn't usually sleep. And maybe he was hoping tonight would have been another restless night for their tired teacher. But it seems the nights Aizawa spends with Kakashi the man sleeps, and while Shoto wants to be mad because he doesn't understand what Izuku is going through, he can't. "What's Panic Training?"

Aizawa sighs taking a moment to get his thoughts in order, "Panic training is…"

"When Izuku's nightmares overlap reality. He can't tell what is real and what's his dream." A new voice sounds.

The trio looks to the newcomer, "how do we get him to stop?" there is a panicked tilt to Shoto's voice.

"We can't" Katsuki whispers again.

This apparently was the wrong thing to say, because Shoto's left side erupts in flames, while frost dances on his right side, "What do you mean we can't?! Bakugo! He is clearly hurting, and you're letting him destroy himself!"

Instead of lashing out as Katsuki would usually do, he clenches his fists at his side, suppressing the explosions popping from his palms, glaring at the floor, while tears silently drop to the floor, "don't you think I know that Shoto?" Shoto gasps at the sound of his name leaving Katsuki's lips for the first time, Katsuki looks up. Something sad, and vulnerable in his ruby eyes, "don't you think I want to be in there and tell him everything will be ok? Don't you think it hurts me that I can't do anything to help him?"

Shanks places a hand on Shoto's shoulder, "We can't do anything to help him right now, because anyone that approaches him is an enemy. And he won't hold back. If he hurts us while he is like this, it will only make the issue worse." Shoto looks like he wants to argue, but Shanks cuts him off, "I know you are worried, but all we can do is wait until he exhausts himself."

Shoto looks down, helplessly, "then what can we do to help him?"

Shanks smiles a little sadly, "the last time he did this was when they were seven."

A whimper releases from Katsuki's chest as his mind is forced to remember what started this habit.

Shoto looks up at Shanks and Aizawa, "what happened when he was seven?"

"The Nerd stopped my mother from killing me," Katsuki whispers.

Shanks sighs, "Izuku had the same recurring dream for six months after that. He would dream that he failed and Katsuki died because he was too scared to move. So every night he would wake up and start training by hitting the training dummy until his healing gave out. He would then collapse and break down. He would think he failed to save Katsuki, that his nightmare was reality." Shanks pauses for a moment, "the one time I tried to stop him from training, he broke my wrist in a flash. He wasn't even trained then; at that point, he was the weakest in the group. Imagine what he would do now with a decade of training under his belt."

Aizawa sighs, "It would take almost deadly force, from all of us to restrain him. And if he is seeing enemies using deadly force, he will match it."

"I understand now," Shoto looks at Katsuki. The teen is still trembling, fists still tightly clenched at his sides, head still bowed, as if he is forcing himself to stay put. And Shoto now understands that Katsuki is in fact holding himself back from embracing Izuku. He understands that Katsuki wants nothing more than to hold his nerd to his chest to force him to calm down but can't. Because he knows Katsuki wouldn't be able to use deadly force against Izuku. So he pulls Katsuki's head to his shoulder, "I'm sorry Katsuki. I didn't know."

Katsuki moves easily, accepts the shoulder to put his head on, and lets his tears soak through the shirt under his face. Because it's hard to stand here and do nothing. Nothing has changed from the seven-year-old that watched from a window as his nerd broke down in the middle of the night. And he lets himself be comforted, lets himself be held as he lets his emotions out. The sounds of flesh still hitting the training targets ring in his mind. His sharp hearing picks up the sounds of bones cracking painfully with every impact; he whimpers, clutching onto Shoto almost painfully hard. And he knows, if Izuku doesn't stop soon, he is going to have permanent damage to his hands.

The group of four stand quietly outside the training room, Shoto continues to rub small circles on Katsuki's shoulder, careful not to rub or brush up against the teen's soul mark. Shoto can feel the trembling decrease in intensity to uncontrolled shivering. Shoto hums softly, this he can fix, at least with this he can help. So he heats up his left side, only enough to feel like a cozy fireplace, he smiles softly into Katsuki's hair as the explosive teen goes boneless against him almost dragging both of them to the ground. Shoto pushes and leads Katsuki to the wall where he can control their descent to the ground, maneuvers them so Katsuki is pressed up against his left side, while still having a view into the room to watch Izuku.

Aizawa and Shanks lean against the wall talking quietly among each other. The halls are silent except for the rhythmic sounds of Izuku's fighting, so it is easy to hear them.

"What do you think brought him down here?" Shanks asks

Aizawa hums, "If I had to guess, I'd say the pain invasion."

Shanks hums understandably, "I see." Then a sad-sounding sigh escapes Shanks' throat, "I didn't think he would resort to Panic Training anymore."

A weak whimper rumbles in Katsuki's chest.

Shoto hums, "how did you get him to stop before?"

Shanks sighs, "that incident was different, we knew what was causing the panic fighting and we had a way to help him. He started to focus on his healing so what happened to Katsuki in his dream wouldn't happen in real life. We had to wait until most of the guilt went away or else, he would have been trapped as a healer. He had to be able to turn down Recovery Girls offer of apprenticeship with a rational mind."

Shoto slumps, "so there is nothing we can do to help?"

Shanks smiles a bit, "maybe a puppy pile will calm him down enough to talk about it. It's not guaranteed to work, but it will be worth a shot. We don't know who he is seeing right now, we don't know who he is protecting. If we knew we could have that person here to prove they are alive and well."

"Who is going with Izuku to fight Pain?" Aizawa asks.

Shoto hums, "if I remember correctly Izuku said, Katsuki, Shikamaru, Aizawa, and Kakashi will be going with him."

Shota hums, "I'll call Kakashi. Maybe he can get Shikamaru down here. It might help."

Shanks nods, "it's the best plan we have at the moment."

Shota steps away just out of earshot of the group, but still close enough that he can watch Izuku. And while he has never witnessed the Panic Training before, Shanks told him the signs to look for. And Shota can't imagine what Katsuki is feeling right now, knowing all he can do is sit there and wait. This isn't a panic attack where gentle whispers and soft cuddling can bring him out of it. This isn't a battle Katsuki can fight with Izuku because the enemies are in Izuku's head. And Shota knows, Katsuki wouldn't hesitate if he thought for one second his fists or explosions would help.

He calls Kakashi, impatiently waiting for the man to pick up the phone. On the third or fourth ring, a sleep-heavy voice rings out, "Shota?"

Aizawa tries to keep the panic out of his voice, but he doesn't know if he is successful, "Kashi, can you come down to the training room. And if possible, can you bring Shikamaru with you?"

Aizawa feels he failed to keep his own panic out of his voice, because Kakashi sounds more alert and battle-ready, "what's wrong, Shota?"

Aizawa's breath hitches, "Izuku…" his voice cracks as his panic and worry try to force itself out of his throat, "please, Kashi?" That is what he settles on, not able to get the other words out of his throat.

"I'm on my way, Shota," Kakashi informs the other man as the sound of a door shutting sounds in the otherwise quiet hall. "I'm reaching Shikamaru's door." Kakashi's voice is accompanied by the sound of knocking. And if this was any other time, Shota may have made a comment that Shikamaru sounds more done with life than Aizawa does on a bad day. And Shota releases a quiet relieved sigh at Shikamaru's relenting groaned out, "troublesome." Another door closes and two sets of footprints echo down the halls. "Shota, we are on our way."

"Thank you, Kashi," Aizawa whispers softly.

Instead of a response, Aizawa feels two strong arms wrap around him from behind. He flinches because he didn't sense Kakashi behind him. But it is only momentarily, as he feels the familiar feeling of Kakashi's chest presses against his back, and he sags almost bonelessly against Kakashi's strong form. Trusting Kakashi in ways he has never thought he could trust. Aizawa takes a few moments to settle his thoughts before he sighs and breathes out a slow steady breath. When he feels like he can explain and fill in Kakashi without letting the panic through he starts, "Izuku is Panic Training." And at Kakashi's confused hum he sighs, "it's where Izuku can't tell the difference between reality and his nightmares. Everyone who approaches him when he is like this will be treated as an enemy."

Kakashi hums, "like sleepwalking, but fighting instead?"

Aizawa hums, "that's one way to look at it."

Kakashi nods understandingly, "So why did you need me and Shikamaru?"

Aizawa sighs, "we don't know what he is seeing or who is protecting, but given that Jiraiya has woken up a few days ago… It's not a stretch that we think he is seeing the Pain invasion. So we figured he is seeing something happen to one of the people going on this mission with him. Shoto said Izuku mentioned, you, me, Shikamaru, and Katsuki are going to go with him. So we thought it would be best to remind him that we are alive and well."

Kakashi nods, "makes sense. What do you need us to do?"

Aizawa tenses slightly, "we don't know if it will work, but when he exhausts himself, Shanks suggested a puppy pile." His voice drops to barely a whisper, "Izuku hasn't done this since he was seven."

Kakashi buries his face in the crook of Aizawa's neck, "we will figure out how to help him." He takes a couple of moments to reassure Aizawa that he is there.

Their little moment is interrupted by a loud thump, followed by a gasp and a panicked, "IZUKU!"

Kakashi and Aizawa snap back to reality, eyes snapping to the gym, Izuku lays on the floor, seemingly unmoving. Katsuki sprints towards the downed teen, tripping slightly over his feet in his panicked rush to get to his nerd's side. Katsuki drops to the ground next to Izuku's downed form, hand shakily reaching out toward the side of Izuku's neck. It's a move he has seen Katsuki resort to when Izuku is injured. It's reassurance, proof that Izuku, his Nerd, his partner, and his soulmate is still with him. And Aizawa understands, with as many near-death battles and experiences they have both been involved in, it makes sense to have a sure way of knowing.

Once Katsuki is satisfied enough that his Nerd did not just drop dead, he carefully heats his fingers and runs them between Izuku's wings. With his other hand, he lightly strokes the bangs out of Izuku's eyes. And the soft smile that splits Katsuki's face when Izuku blinks up at Katsuki with clear bright green eyes, and a whispered, "Kacchan" on his lips; well it's absolutely stunning.

But the moment breaks when Izuku's eyes flit to the others around him, eyes going cloudy again as he looks at Kakashi and Shikamaru. And Aizawa knows something is going to happen to Shikamaru and Kakashi, something Izuku doesn't know if he could stop, or change. And Izuku's breath hitches, "Shika, Kashi?" and silent tears carve rivers down his cheeks as he mutters a mantra of, "I'm sorry" Katsuki tightens his grip a little bit, realizing Izuku is still in his nightmare. Eyes clouding even more, "I failed."

Katsuki heats his palm again, places it fully on Izuku's back, pulling a gasp out of the boy, pulling Izuku closer to reality. "Nerd, you didn't fail. Kashi and Shika are here. They are safe."

Izuku's eyes clear again hearing Katsuki's voice, "Kacchan?"

"I'm here Nerd," Katsuki breathes. "What happened?"

Izuku takes a deep breath, images flashing in front of his eyes, "Kakashi dies, Shota falls to madness, Shikamaru dies, Naruto is lost. I save Kakashi I lose Naruto and Shika, I save Naruto and Shika I lose Kakashi and Aizawa. I can't choose. I can't trade one pack mate for another packmate. What do I do? Who do I save? Why can't I choose?"

Katsuki realizes this situation is different, seems more like a vision than a nightmare. And then a thought occurs to Katsuki, Kakashi's dad committed suicide almost 30 years ago. He is probably lost in the void, so how did Izuku get Kakashi's dad's soul out of there. Unless, Kakashi was supposed to die, and when the Nerd resurrects Kakashi, his dad's soul would be close. Izuku would be able to latch onto it and bring him back. But how do they make sure Aizawa doesn't fall to madness? Is this what Izuku saw? And it is likely in Izuku's panicked state, he can't find a way to save all four of them. There is a possibility the deaths won't happen at the same time.

"Then let's plan," Katsuki smirks, determined to fire up the blood in Izuku, light the fire in his eyes. The fire both terrifies and awes him. And it seems to be working, and Shoto hums from his spot next to Katsuki, "remember the rescue mission?" and Shoto feels guilt flood him at the wounded sound that rips out of Izuku throat as he nods, "even lost to your wolf, even unconscious, you woke up with a plan to save not only Katsuki but Ace as well. During the USJ incident, you formed a plan in milliseconds to save us and protect Aizawa." He smirks dangerously at Izuku's wide eyes, "do what you do best and save, Izuku."

Katsuki smirks as the fire and light get reignited in Izuku's eyes, as the Nerd nods determinedly. "Thanks, Sho." He turns to Shanks, "I need a notebook and a pencil."

The others relax as Izuku breaks into a fit of muttering, eyes clouding over again, but it's different this time. There is still a spark of fiery determination in his emerald eyes as he mutters and writes. This Katsuki can deal with, this type of frenzied planning is something Katsuki can help with. He can hold the Nerd to his chest and watch as Izuku's brilliance is shown on paper. So Izuku spends the rest of the night in Katsuki's hold, plans formed and discarded faster than even Shikamaru can track. Judging by the impressed whisper coming from the shadow user.

Kakashi, Aizawa, Shoto, Shikamaru, and Shanks are close enough to Izuku that he can sense them without observation Haki. And it helps to keep Izuku grounded. No one is willing to leave Izuku's range, possibly afraid that Izuku will go back to his Panic Training.

And while it's not a puppy pile that helps Izuku, it's having the reassurance that Kakashi, Aizawa, and Shikamaru are alive. And if Izuku has any say in the future, well he will lay down his life to make sure he leaves the leaf with all of them.

***Time Skip***

The days following Izuku's panic training are tense, there are moments when Izuku starts to twitch and zone out. But all Katsuki or Shoto needs to do is put his notebook in his hands and Izuku starts muttering his plan out loud. And that seems to help him. Katsuki sleeps lightly and wrapped around Izuku to make sure the Nerd doesn't leave his side. While his hands healed over the last couple of days, the scars on his hands serve as a reminder of that night. They serve as a reminder of the lengths Izuku will go through to fight off a nightmare.

And two days after the nightmare, Izuku gets a panicked look in his eyes. Katsuki panics slightly, but as he studies the Nerd there is determination flaring in the Nerd's eyes drowning out the panic, and Katsuki knows.

Izuku hardens his face, "it's time."

Katsuki gathers the rest of their team, as Izuku tells Tsunade they will be there in a few moments. Izuku tells Shanks to leave for the Grandline after they leave for the leaf. Having Kato study the one piece with the Nerd made it possible to isolate the teleportation aspect of the One Piece and copy it to the communication devices.

Izuku tells Shoto and Ace to continue training and helping the weaker members of the pack. Receiving brief nods and hugs from the two as they pull promises from Izuku that they will all come back safely. Izuku smiles dangerously, "I can't promise you that. But I can promise I will do everything I possibly can to bring everyone back, myself included."

They glare but accept the promise with a clipped nod, they understand, there is always a chance that someone will die. It doesn't make it any easier.

Izuku smiles as he pushes the button on his headset that links him to Tsunade, and in a flash, they are standing on top of a building a massive slug in front of them and the Hokage behind them. Explosions ripple around and Izuku sets his plans in motion.

"Kakashi, Aizawa start the evacuation. Save as many shinobi as you can, try not to engage in the enemy, unless absolutely necessary." He receives nods from the two and they leap off to help the evacuations. Izuku turns to Shikamaru, "Stay here with the Hokage. Relay information from Kakashi and Kacchan." He looks to the sky, "I'm going to transform, see if I can find Pain's real body."

He finally acknowledges Tsunade, "Hokage, where are Fu and Utataka?"

"The hosts?" Izuku nods, "they are with the Anbu."

Izuku nods again, "Kacchan go find them." Izuku looks back at Tsunade, "Where is the mind walker, and Shikaku?"

"In the Intelligence building," Tsunade sighs.

"Ok, is there a way Inochi can relay a message to the entire Shinobi forces? Without Pain knowing about it?"

Tsunade nods, and waves to one of her ANBU. "Tell him to relay that the two wolves are allies of the leaf! I will be releasing feathers that will heal wounded shinobi. Also, have someone set up an Aid Station in the Hokage Mountain, Pain is going to destroy the village. I can't prevent that from happening, all I can do I minimize casualties."

The ANBU nods and flickers off the roof to send his message. Izuku bows in front of the Hokage and transforms into Fuji. Ignoring the gasps of shock and awe he takes off. Circling around the village getting a birds-eye view of the leaf, while releasing his Haki to try and find Pain. It doesn't work because he doesn't know what Pain's chakra feels like. So he hovers, keeps Kacchan, Kakashi, Aizawa, and Shikamaru in his sights.

*** Kakashi and Aizawa***
Kakashi and Aizawa leap off the rooftop to search for anyone that needs help. An explosion coming from ahead of them forces their attention to the area. Out of the smoke, a Shinobi with a scar across his nose carries a wounded Shinobi. The Shinobi lands roughly, and an orange-haired male catches up to them.

Kakashi is close enough to pick up the deep voice of Pain demanding, "Where are the Jinchuriki?"

The conscious Shinobi sneers, "you're wasting your time, I have no intention of telling you!"

Kakashi recognizes the voice of Iruka and picks up his pace. A rod, similar to the ones that impaled Jiraiya form from Pain's hand. He goes to stab it into Iruka when Kakashi lands between them. He stops the rod from stabbing Iruka.

Kakashi's Sharingan spins as he stares down Pain, "you create a loud diversion so you can hunt from the shadows, huh?"

"Kakashi?" Iruka gasps.

Without looking back Kakashi orders, "take that injured man and go."

Iruka nods and notices a man dressed in black with a scarf around his neck bending down to check on the wounded. Iruka wants to stop him, wants to ask questions, but stops himself. If the man's intentions are to harm them, Kakashi would stop him. Iruka can always ask his questions later. He accepts the stranger's help placing his wounded partner on his back and leaps off to find a healer or aid station. He is no match for Pain, and he decides to put his trust in Kakashi and the Stranger.

Iruka clears the rubble that used to be buildings, already sprinting toward where the Hokage is to drop off his charge. A massive green wolf lands in front of him. Iruka takes a battle stance, not sure if he is going to survive this encounter. But he has seen the summons attacking the village and this wolf's eyes are not the rippled purple like the others are. The wolf's eyes shine a bright intelligent green as he studies Iruka and his charge.

To Iruka's shock, a green mist flows out of the wolf, blocking Iruka's vision for a brief few moments. When he blinks his eyes back open, instead of a wolf in front of him, there is a short green-haired teen, wings protruding from the teen's back, multiple tails flowing and twitching behind the teen. And then the teen opens his eyes, a pair of brilliantly glowing green eyes study him. The stranger speaks, "Your Iruka Sensei, right?"

And Iruka is caught off guard at the melodic tone coming from such an intimidating aura, he gulps, and narrows his eyes, "I don't think I have seen you in the leaf before." He accuses.

And the teen chuckles, "no you wouldn't have seen me before. This is my first time in the Leaf. Naruto told me about you."

"Naruto?" Iruka glares at the stranger, unsure why this teen would know Naruto. A protective rage filled his every being.

And the reaction from the teen is not one Iruka was expecting, the teen smiles something soft and fond for a boy everyone hates. The same protectiveness flaring up in the teen's eyes that matches Iruka's own, if only a bit more animalistic. "Naruto is Pack." That is all he offers before green fire erupts out of him. Iruka tenses expecting pain, but instead, all his scrapes, burns, and injuries heal in seconds. Faster than even Tsunade can heal, even his charge's breathing evens out from the labored breathing from before. "Let me take you to the Evac point." The teen offers.

And Iruka wants to decline because he is more than capable of taking himself to the evac point. But the teen looks at him the same way Naruto looks at him when the teen won't accept no as an answer. So he nods, "Thank you, um…"

The teen smiles at the acceptance, "Call me Fuji."

"Fuji?" Iruka asks, confused because he knows he has heard that name before but can't place it.

Fuji smiles, "It's the name of the wolf I share my soul with. I don't know if the mind walker knows my real name. But I'm Izuku Midoriya, I've come to help the leaf."

And Iruka knows the name of Izuku, now he remembers the name Fuji being muttered in quiet clipped conversations between Shikaku and Inochi. Iruka didn't know what they were talking about, but a month ago Iruka heard, Kakashi, Team Gai, Naruto, and Shikamaru were going on an extensive mission. Where to? Iruka doesn't know. Why? Again Iruka doesn't know. And he remembers the mission to save Gaara, that apparently the Kazekage died in the leaf. But Iruka knows that is not true, but that is the story Tsunade uses. When Temari arrived with a body double, to fake the Kazekage's death. And he remembers demanding Tsunade to tell him where Naruto is, all she would tell him is, "he's safe, Iruka."

And the puzzle clicks, for some reason Tsunade trusts these strangers with Naruto and Gaara. Tsunade sent them off away from the leaf, away from Danzo's control. And Iruka is so very thankful, because now that he is thinking clearly Izuku called Naruto his pack. If Izuku shares his soul with a wolf spirit, then Naruto is this teen's family. And Iruka can sense the honed power radiating off the teen. Izuku's presence is massive, commanding, protective, and warm. So Iruka nods, "ok, I trust you."

Izuku smiles and transforms back into his wolf, then tilts his head down in a silent invitation for Iruka to climb up. Iruka hesitates but relents almost shakily. But as he climbs up on the wolf's back, nothing happens to him, so he relaxes and lays his charge down on the wolf's back. The wolf trills and spreads his wings, almost too wide to fit in the street. And if the buildings weren't reduced to crumbled wood, Iruka doubts there would be enough room for Fuji to spread his wings. Iruka barely has enough time to activate his chakra before the wolf is coated in green lightning and sending a powerful downward burst of his wings to take off into the sky.

***With Kacchan***

Katsuki leaps on top of the still-intact building rooftops, searching for the two other hosts. He spots two teens standing protectively in front of a school. A quick glance shows a group of 40 or so children cowering behind the two teenagers. In front of the two teens, there are two orange-haired men wearing the same cloaks as the Akatsuki members they took down before. So Katsuki growls and transforms into Fenrir landing on top of one of the Akatsuki members.

The other Akatsuki member summons a girl with orange hair before Fenrir can swat the man away with his tails. The girl summons several different animals, a dog with multiple heads, a prehistoric bird, and several massive centipedes. Fenrir growls at the other animals, hoping the other two teens will evacuate the children.

And Katsuki tries to fight off six summons that seems to multiply every time he takes one down, and at this rate, he is going to be overrun. And he can't transform into his human form, because while he might be able to explode a few of the summons, there is a chance they will get past him. At least in his wolf form, he has the entire entrance to the school blocked off.

He engages the three-headed dog, biting and scratching at the dog's neck. The bird tried to swoop in from above but it's batted away with its tail. The centipedes are quick to overrun him. They wrap around his torso and squeeze painfully. He struggles to get out of their hold, but the giant insect's legs are like knives, and they stab into his hide like Constantine wire. Every move he makes causes more cuts, causes the knife-like legs to dig deeper. And he is about to lose his grip on Fenrir.

But just as he is going to blackout from blood loss, a soothing warmth covers him. A hissing sound rings through the air, and the pressure is gone from around his middle. He looks to his Savior, not surprised to find Izuku hovering. Though he is surprised by the number of Shinobi that leap off the nerds back to engage the enemy.

And Izuku growls at him, and he nods in understanding. He transforms to his human form and leaps onto Fuji's back. Izuku growls at him again.

Katsuki huffs, "alright nerd. Fu and Utataka, please come with us." And while the two teens hesitate, both nod, probably from recognizing Fuji, fear, or because they were told by Jiraiya that someone that can help them will come for them. As the two hop on Izuku grumbles again. Katsuki nods, "The nerd says he'll leave it to you from here."

A Shinobi with a scar across his nose nods, "get out of here!"

Izuku bows and grumbles his thanks. He takes off with another beat of his wings. He flies around the village looking for anywhere he can offer his assistance. The fire under Katsuki's palm becomes restless as he gets a bird's eye view of the battle. And Katsuki knows what Izuku is thinking, it seems hopeless. There are six bodies of Pain, and he can tell they have a way to keep reanimating them.

And then Katsuki sees a horrifying sight. Kakashi and Aizawa are facing two bodies of pain. One of the bodies keeps nullifying Kakashi's Jutsu. While the other keeps repelling Aizawa. And then suddenly a little black dot appears in front of Pain, he whispers something Katsuki can't hear. But the effect is immediate, everything is blasted away from him, looking like a bomb hit the area. Kakashi and Aizawa break through the debris of destroyed buildings.

Kakashi sends out his purple lightning hounds, hoping to attack from a distance, Aizawa sends out his capture weapon hoping to restrain the bodies. Kakashi's lightning hounds seems to get absorbed by one of the pain's and Aizawa's capture weapon is repelled.

Another pain leaps behind Kakashi and Aizawa, and Katsuki can tell they tense. The new arrival removes his arm to reveal a mass of missiles. He launches them at both Kakashi and Aizawa, but they use their observation Haki to dodge. The missiles impact the ground causing a smokescreen.

Katsuki can hear the sound of Kakashi's lightning building, as the man uses the smoke to try and get behind the new arrival. The missile guy dodges, similar to observation Haki. And as the smoke clears Katsuki remembers that all their eyes are linked. And the repelling pain watched Kakashi.

Then a force like gravity pulls Kakashi and Aizawa toward the missile-wielding body who now has a knife-like tail coming from behind him. Aizawa launches his capture weapon out to Kakashi to try and pull against the force pulling Kakashi. But Katsuki can tell it won't work, the force gets stronger and slowly but surely Kakashi's grip starts to wane. And Kakashi is impaled on the knife-like chain.

Aizawa screams, "KAKASHI!" eye's turning red, hair standing in rage, capture weapon lashing out. Black lightning crackling along his skin and Katsuki knows the power is tearing Aizawa apart. The smell of Ozone and Blood thick around Aizawa. Katsuki's breath hitches as he remembers the damage Aizawa sustained during the USJ incident, and the image overlaps reality as lightning burns and cracks the skin around his arms. And Aizawa is not in the right frame of mind to use his Armament Haki to protect himself.

And as quick as the lightning appeared, it fades with a crackle as Kakashi's body disperses into lightning. Izuku takes that moment to land hoping to crush all three bodies of Pain. He manages to crush one of the bodies and Katsuki leaps down in front of Aizawa. Izuku transforms into his human form a growl in his throat as his eyes glow a toxic green as he flares his healing around Aizawa. He can still sense Kakashi, so he knows the man isn't dead.

One of the bodies of Pain, the one that can repel and attract recognizes Izuku immediately, "Where are my Jinchuriki?"

Izuku glares at the body, "I'm not telling you a damn thing!"

The pain gets an attack ready, "so be it."

Izuku dodges the attack and leaps back next to Aizawa. "let's finish this Kakashi."

Kakashi breaks through the debris again, "Well I did have something in mind, but with your assistance, I can preserve my Chakra, Thank you."

Izuku gives Kakashi a once over, "You good?"

Kakashi stumbles slightly, "yeah, for the most part"

Izuku nods, never taking his eye off the pain in front of him. "Do you have enough Chakra?"

"Mah, I was already forced to use my Lightning clone and exhausted over half my Chakra. A Prolonged battle with an adept opponent is going to be tight, however, I figured out a few of his abilities."

Kakashi tells Izuku what he has learned so quietly it is barely above a whisper. Knowing his mask is stopping Pain from reading his lips, while Izuku and Katsuki can hear the abilities Kakashi and Aizawa observed. Pain gets fed up waiting for them to make the first move, so he charges.

"Look Alive!" Katsuki shouts to the three or four other shinobi that are providing backup.

Everyone tries to attack at once, trying to find a blind spot or a weakness.

"All Mighty push!" Pain calls out.

The force that erupts out of Pain forces the attacking Shinobi, Kakashi, Aizawa, Katsuki, and Izuku to be blasted away. When the dust settles, the only people left standing are Izuku, Katsuki, Kakashi, Aizawa, and two Shinobi that are capable of expanding their body parts. Kakashi launches a smokescreen and leaps back behind the destroyed buildings. "What was that?" Katsuki asks.

Izuku hums, "Seems like he follows the laws of magnets. The ability to repel and attract objects with himself as the epicenter."

"Exactly, but it seems he can't use it continuously," Kakashi confirms.

Izuku hums, "We need to figure out how long of a window we have between uses."

Kakashi hums, "he's keeping us at a distance."

"The interval appears to be very short, so we can't get close to him," Katsuki growls.

"Perhaps, but it is the only chance we have." Kakashi states.

Izuku nods, "What do you have in mind, Kakashi?"

Kakashi whispers his plan to the others, Izuku agrees that it should be possible. Kakashi disappears underground. Izuku and Katsuki leap out their presences still concealed by the dust and smoke covering the air. Aizawa gets his capture weapon ready, waiting for Kakashi's signal.

Kakashi works as a diversion, bursting out of the ground with a lightning-coated blade. Pain activates his almighty push. Kakashi gets blasted away and lands on the ground, Pain stalks slowly to Kakashi, "nice movements and a wide range of Jutsu, I need to kill you." Another one of those rods forms out from his sleeve. He points it a Kakashi's face, ready to finish the copy nin off for good.

Izuku and Katsuki transform into their wolf forms and charge closing the distance between them and Pain. Before they can crush Pain, he repels them away, but as the two wolves get blasted back black cloth races towards Pain and wraps around him.

While the Pain is immobilized, Kakashi powers up his Chidori. But the body Izuku crushed when he landed, intercepts the attack. Just long enough for Pain's all mighty push to come back. Izuku counted 5 seconds from when Pain blasted them and when he used it again.

And this time Izuku freezes, his form on Fuji breaking and sending him into his human form. The sound of blood drips to the ground, the thick iron scent permeating the air. And as the dust settles, Izuku can see Kakashi, trapped in the debris, arms bound and buried, possibly broken. And Izuku is witnessing his nightmare happen in reality, and he is trapped and screaming at Kakashi to get out of there, but he knows it is futile. His eyes panickily search for someone that can help. Aizawa is unconscious, being so close to the epicenter. The younger expansion Shinobi is crouched and crying over what appears to be his father. And Kacchan is just as trapped as Izuku is. Kakashi is breathing heavily, and Izuku knows.

The Pain body keeps his distance, "it appears you're not pretending this time; you really can't move." Izuku watches as a nail is pried out of the broken wood on the ground. And he watches helplessly as Pain holds it between his fingers. And he screams as he realizes Kakashi is going to die, and he can't stop it.

And while he can bring Kakashi back, it's going to need to be after Pain is dealt with. And there is no telling how far into Madness Aizawa will fall. But Aizawa is Unconscious, and as much as it fills Izuku with guilt, he knows of a way he can stop Aizawa from falling to madness. And the nail is released with the speed of a bullet, and Izuku isn't sure if it connects with Kakashi or not.

But Pain leaves assuming Kakashi is dead, not caring about Izuku, Katsuki, or the crying teen. And Izuku flares his fire wrapping it around the downed Shinobi, Kakashi's presence is weak but still there, and there's a chance Izuku can save him.

"Choji," Kakashi croaks, "Don't let Choza's sacrifice be in vain."

Izuku is impressed because the now identified Choji growls, face full of single-minded determination as he takes off in a sprint towards the Hokage building. But the broken body of Pain releases a heat-seeking missile. And Izuku launches his feathers to try and intercept it. But his feathers are slow, sluggish with his exhaustion. And with a flicker of Chakra, the missile is gone, and Kakashi's presence fades to almost nothing.

Izuku weeps. Kakashi used the rest of his Chakra to use his Kamui to teleport the missile somewhere else, saving the other teen's life. Izuku hardens his features, this is war. And the longer it takes for Izuku to defeat Pain, the greater the risk of the souls of the dead shinobi passing on. He can grieve later.

Fuji revitalizes Izuku, giving him the strength to unbury himself. He shifts into Fuji's form and grabs Kacchan out of the debris. Katsuki picks up Aizawa, and Choza and they fly to catch up with Choji.

"Choji!" Katsuki shouts grabbing the teen's attention, "Get on!"

The boy leaps up onto the wolf's back, looks at the downed form of a stranger that was helping them, and his father. Choji's face morphs into grief as his eyes fall on his father. "Pa," he whispers softly full of despair.

"Choji," Katsuki calls.

The boy looks at him, studies the other teen's face. The teen looks at the stranger matching the grief Choji feels in his heart. And the teen speaks barely above a whisper, "the nerd won't let them die." Choji needs to strain his hearing to hear it. And then the teen looks at him, glistening ruby eyes, shining with determination and protection, and he speaks with a bit more confidence, "we have the fight to win. The faster we win, the faster the nerd can heal everyone."

Choji is not sure why he believes this unknown teen. Maybe it's his eyes that show his conviction. Maybe it's the way he looks at the stranger with a strange mix of hurt and protection. Or maybe it's Choji's own Shinobi training that can pick up the truth in the teen's statement. Whatever it is, Choji decides it helps. He pushes the grief down because even if the teen is wrong, this is not the time to grieve.

As the wolf approaches the Hokage building, the Ash blond tells Choji, "Take your dad and Shota to Shikamaru. He's with your Hokage. Tell him and the Hokage what we found out. We are going to go back for Kakashi."

So Choji grabs the two adults, tucked securely under his expanded arms, and leaps off the wolf landing on the roof. "Lady Tsunade! Shikamaru! We figured out one of the enemies' abilities." He tells the two what he knows, the magnet-like Pain, the other one that seems to absorb all Ninjutsu abilities.

"Lady Katsuyu will pass this intel on to the others." Lady Tsunade orders. She looks at the two downed people, she begins to heal the two. "What about Kakashi?"

"The ash-blond said they were going back for him and the others," Choji informs shakily.

"Katsuki," Shikamaru states. He sighs at the confused look Choji gives him, "The blond his name is Katsuki."

*** With Katsuki***

Katsuki wishes Pain would just fight them normally, instead of targeting random people. He wants to feel rage and just explode and blast Pain away, but he can't. As much as this hurts his heart, this was part of the plan Izuku came up with. Izuku planned for Kakashi to die because as long as they can defeat pain before Kakashi passes on, they can also revive Kakashi's dad. And Izuku decided this is something that needs to happen.

As Izuku lands near Kakashi, Katsuki hops off. He carefully explodes the debris covering Kakashi, digs the man out. Kakashi slumps over his shoulder as Katsuki works to pull the man out. Katsuki grips Kakashi, fingers brushing over the man's neck because he has to know for Shota's sake. And it's there, weak and fading, but there. So Katsuki moves Kakashi onto the back of the wolf and pops an explosion to let the Nerd know. Izuku flares his healing fire over Kakashi hoping the man's Chakra levels improve out of fatal levels.

On their way to the Hokage building, Izuku suddenly changes direction. There is a boy, twelve maybe thirteen, standing on a roof, crouched, and trained, looking out over the battlefield. The boy growls, "how dare those guys just come in here and mess up our entire village like this."

Two more teens show up behind the boy, "we don't stand a chance against a foe like this."

The boy with a scarf growls full of determination, "I'm going to check if there is anyone that didn't make it out yet."

The other boy sighs, "just be careful, Konohamaru"

The boy nods and leaps off toward a building that just exploded. He works moving the debris and checking to see if there is anyone trapped. Izuku trills under Katsuki. And Katsuki understands that they are going to land.

Behind Konohamaru Izuku drops down. The boy turns slowly, almost petrified as he reaches behind him and pulls out a Kunai. He points it shakily at the wolf, and Katsuki jumps off Izuku with Kakashi in his arms.

The boy looks startled, "Kakashi-Sensei, What…?"

A green mist comes from the wolf as he transforms into his human form. Izuku opens his eyes, "it's not safe here for you."

The boy flashes stubborn eyes that make Izuku and Katsuki smile a little, "I can't just leave them like this."

Izuku smiles softly, "Of course not. So let us help you."

Katsuki gently lays Kakashi on the ground, "Nerd, I'll help the kid out, you focus on healing Kakashi."

Izuku nods, the kid is still stunned as Katsuki stomps to the demolished building and starts lifting and removing large pieces of debris away. Katsuki hears a low painful moan, "There's someone here!"

Konohamaru jolts back to reality, moves next to Katsuki, and drags the person out of the opening Katsuki made. Izuku calls out, "Lay them next to Kakashi. I can heal."

Konohamaru doesn't question the claim, he does as told and continues to help the Ash Blond move debris to pull people out of the wreckage. After they removed all the injured people out of the wreckage, he calls out, "I'm going to look for more people." He runs down an alleyway, needs to dodge a shinobi that has been kicked away. 'it's those people that are after Naruto.' And he watches as one of the attackers holds up two shinobi by their throats asks them if they know where Naruto is. Both shinobi refuse to answer.

And Konohamaru ignores the footsteps behind him, recognizes the gait as the Ash Blond teen he was helping. The teen crouches behind him whispering in his ear, "watch his abilities, find out what you can. And report it."

Konohamaru whispers harshly, "I can't do that, they will die!"

The teen chuckles sadly next to him, "they won't, my Nerd won't allow them to die. But he can't focus on healing everyone if Pain is still around. Just trust me, no one will die."

Konohamaru clenches his fists and observes. He watches as something comes out of the ground behind Pain and grabs the two Shinobi's tongues. Something happens and one of the Shinobi drops unmoving to the ground. And Konohamaru lets out a sound, as he clenches his eyes closed. Strong arms wrap around him, shushing him and pushing his face into a strong chest. A growl under his ear, "we'll stop them. I promise."

There is shifting coming from the area he was just watching, and Konohamaru peaks an eye open. He panics as he watches the enemy turn toward their hiding place. 'Did he hear me?'

From above their location a shinobi leaps down, Konohamaru recognizes the shinobi, and he whimpers in the teens hold, "Sensei."

"I have no mercy for thugs like you!" The new Shinobi boasts, stealing Pain's attention away from Konohamaru's hiding place. He charges Pain, weapons ready and flying. Pain drops the shinobi in his hand onto the unmoving Shinobi on the ground. He kicks both of them away and dodges the weapons creating distance.

The Shinobi engages Pain in hand-to-hand combat, dodging the spikes Pain creates. In a moment of distraction, Pain lands a hit on the Shinobi. Pain grabs the man by the throat, "is Uzumaki Naruto in this village, or isn't he? If you know tell me."

The man smiles, "ask all you want, I have no intention of telling you Akatsuki anything!"

"Die." Pain commands.

Before Pain can kill the man three kunai embed in Pain's arm. Pain drops the man to the ground and looks at the spot where the kunai came from. The man gasps, "No! Konohamaru! Why didn't you run when you had the chance, you have so much potential!"

Pain leaps up to attack Konohamaru. The boy dodges and leaps away, leading Pain away from his teacher. "So fast!" He doesn't dodge fast enough and gets thrown away before he can reach Katsuki. He lands at the feet of Izuku. Izuku growls and flares his flames around the boy, Konohamaru now understands what the other teen meant. This fire is healing Konohamaru faster than Tsunade's healing Chakra is capable of.

Izuku stands, "You are in no condition to fight, so I'm giving you a mission."

Konohamaru winces as he sit up. Izuku smiles softly at him, "I'll save your teacher. But I need someone to watch over the wounded. Can I depend on you Konohamaru?"

And Konohamaru wants to argue, wants to demand he fights for his village. But he relents, he is not strong enough to fight these guys. And this teen radiates power, commanding, consuming, and if Konohamaru can watch the wounded, guard the wounded, then Izuku can join the fight. So he nods, "you can count on me!"

Izuku ruffles the kid's head, "Thank you, Konohamaru."

Their moment is interrupted by a loud shout of, "Go to hell!" followed by a loud explosion. Izuku smiles, "Kacchan's keeping him busy." He leaps off to join the explosion, a determined smirk on his face. Konohamaru can not be anything but grateful that this teen is on their side.

Ebisu watches as two unknown teens land between him and Pain. The build-up of power is something Ebisu has never seen, it's not Chakra. And he doesn't understand what it could be. But the two teens erupt in glowing crackling lightning, Orange for the Ash blond, and Green for the wolf boy.

"Now, Kacchan!" The wolf boy calls out.

The newly named Kacchan, grunts his approval and they unleash a powerful punch to Pain blasting him into the wall. Pain seems to be unmoving and suddenly golden feathers erupt out of the winged boy's back. Ebisu counts ten that punctures the enemy.

"Do you think that's enough to keep him down?" Kacchan asks.

The other teen hums, "I'm not sure. He's a puppet. If anything it will buy us some time to evacuate."

The blond nods and stomps to Ebisu, "Let's get you out of here."

All over the village Shinobi are fighting, massive animals, controlled corpses, while trying to evacuate the civilians. And there are too many zones where people are being injured and killed, and Izuku is only one person. He transforms into his wolf form, and Katsuki ignores the fear and panic coming from the rescued Shinobi, "Let's go." Katsuki grips onto the man and propels them to the wolf's back. The wolf takes off with a leap to land where Konohamaru is.

Katsuki leaps off and starts to pick up the wounded to place on Izuku's back. Konohamaru tries to help, but he is too weak to lift the adults. Ebisu is too confused to help, and Izuku needs to stay in wolf form. So Katsuki makes multiple trips, taking about 5 to 10 minutes lifting Injured people onto the wolf's back. Laying them down gently. On his last trip, he brings up Kakashi, face filled with grief and tears in his eyes. Ebisu wonders if these teens know Kakashi, wonders why they would be crying for him.

The wolf lets out a sorrowed whine and takes off to the air again. They are only in the sky for a couple of minutes before the wolf is landing in front of the Hokage. The Ash blond leaps off with Kakashi in his arms and gently lays him next to a long black haired male. Tsunade orders the Anbu to remove the injured from the wolf's back.

The wolf transforms back into his human form, "Lady Tsunade."

Ebisu is shocked by the Hokage's reaction. "Brat," it's almost fond. There is a respectful gaze in her eyes, that would usually be given to another leader, someone she considers an equal. But unlike the look, she would give the Raikage this look lacks the typical wariness. And it is different than the look she gives the Kazekage. He is not sure how, or why but this teen is Tsunade's equal.

Then the green hair teen growls features shifting as he looks somewhere past the Hokage. The Anbu keeping guard shouts out, "Tsunade behind you!"

Tsunade's guard raises, "you are…?"

Pain lands on the roof, "it's been a long time Lady Tsunade the last remaining member of the Legendary Sanin"

"Wait," Tsunade gasps, recognition in her gaze, "you're that child, aren't you?"

"So you do remember me then. Naruto Uzumaki, where is he?"

Tsunade glares, "No one knows."

"The kindling coals of war are smoldering everywhere, and we shall control those coals," He releases his presence, the Anbu barely on their feet. "This is your final warning from a God, where is Naruto? What you like to call peace has only brought violence down upon us all. If you think the Shinobi of the hidden leaf can successfully protect Naruto from me…"

"No," Tsunade interrupts. "Naruto is stronger than you know"

"Well, it would appear Naruto's not here," Pain stares down Tsunade, "I wonder how long he can stay away while his village falls. Lulled by peace you become shallow. If you kill, you shall be killed."

"We great nations have suffered our share of Pain, enough excuses." Tsunade rages.

"How absurd," Pain turns away. He starts to float above the village, "accept pain, know pain. Those who don't know pain will never understand true peace!"

Izuku senses confusion from everywhere in the village, as puffs of smoke, appear. He strains his hearing, listening to the shocked gasps of the Ninja that were fighting. "Huh? They're gone?"

"It seems they've retreated"

"Yeah, but why? It doesn't make sense."

Tsunade looks over the rooftop, "what does this all mean?"

Shikamaru sighs, "It's hard to believe they would all retreat"

Izuku growls and looks up at the sky, already shifting into his wolf form. Katsuki observes the nerd, "are you sure?"

Izuku growls in response. Shikamaru hums, "What's Izuku saying?"

Katsuki sighs, "it's not over yet."

"What does that mean?"

"I don't know, but it's bound to be something big." Tsunade and the Anbu try to chase after Pain. "Pain, what do you think you're doing?"

Izuku continues to glare at the sky, he senses the build-up of power. He spots the small black circle forming from Pain's arms. And he hears Pain, "And now this world shall know Pain"

A white flash blinds the village, and like a nuclear bomb the buildings are pushed away from the center of the village, outward to the gates, crushing and burying everything in their paths. And Izuku howls with the needless loss of life he feels. When the dust settles, the Shinobi that were covered by Tsunade's Slug summons stare in disbelief and shock. "Wha-…?"

Izuku flares his flames to cover everyone around him, Growls at Katsuki, and takes off to the newly formed crater. He touches down, turns on his headset. "Naruto, it's time."

Naruto hums an affirmative sound, notifies Izuku that Shima is going to summon them to the leaf. A cloud of white smoke appears a couple of moments later. Naruto arrives standing on a totem pole of Toads, two additional Toads flanking him. In front of him are Fuji and Fenrir.

Naruto looks around, confused, "wait, I don't get it, where are we?"

A purple-haired toad lands on top of Gamakichi, Fukasaku looks at her confused, "What's going on, Ma"

The new toad sighs, "just take a good close look around you." Naruto looks on shocked as he looks at the Hokage mountain, the buildings that should be there are gone, and they are in a crater 100ft below the village. "I sense the same energies as when we rode atop Jiraiya boy's shoulders."

All Around the village, people start to emerge out of the ruble, and while Izuku knows a lot of people died, at least some of the people were saved by himself and Tsunade. He reaches his senses out, feeling for Kakashi, Aizawa, and Shikamaru, who was wrapped in his flames.

Sadly, Kakashi is still dead at the moment. Aizawa is in the equivalent of a medical coma. And Shikamaru is a little banged up.

Shikaku approaches Shikamaru, "you okay Shikamaru?"

"Well, I'm still alive, thanks to Izuku." He investigates his body for damage, "I think my leg is broken, but…" He looks at Kakashi and Aizawa next to him, "it could be worse."

Shikaku looks on sadly, "I'm sorry."

Shikamaru sighs, "Alright now, it's not the time or place for tears. They must have finally fulfilled their purpose. So they changed their approach from guerrilla hit and run tactics."

"I agree," Shikaku states. "And that means the target must be…"

"Yeah," Shikamaru nods.

A shinobi next to them activates his Byakugan, "Wait is that…?"

There is a pause as the Hyuga studies the situation, "Naruto?... but who are the wolves?"

"So he's finished then," Shikamaru sighs, "don't worry about it, the wolves are friends of mine."

The Hyuga accepts the explanation, having no reason to not trust Shikamaru. And if Shikamaru says the two wolves are friends then, he will trust the teen. He watches the crater, and Pain comes out of the still settling dust.

One of the Pain's summons the others into the Crater, all six of them staring down Naruto. The Hokage lands in front of Naruto.

"The dreams of my predecessors, I won't forgive you!" Tsunade glares breathing heavily.

One of the Pain's charges to attack Tsunade, "The one I seek…"

Naruto slams into the back of the advancing Pain, "Is me!" he stands tall, "you just sit back and sip some tea, Bacchan."

"Naruto," Tsunade breathes out.

"Gamakichi," Naruto calls, a giant toad appears behind him, "I want you to take grandma Tsunade someplace safe."

Tsunade breathes heavily, "all right, but here please take Katsuyu"

"Now that I have mastered nature Chakra," he pauses, "I'm able to sense everybody's chakra, tell me, Did Kakashi-sensei stay behind?" Tsunade grits her teeth, Izuku whines forlornly, and Katsuki growls. "I see," Naruto states sadly. "Go!"

Izuku stomps on the horn of a summons that tried to impale Naruto. And bats it away with his tails, Fenrir tackles another Summon to the ground. Katsuyu gives information about the pains to Naruto, directing him where to go.

"He will absorb all ninjutsu-based attacks," Katsuyu warns.

"Okay," Naruto goes for a kick, the kick gets blocked.

"All the Pains are visually linked," Katsuyu warns again.

"Well then, I'll show them an attack that they can't see!" Naruto smirks. He engages again mixing his frog type Tai-Jutsu with Haki and Punches one of the pains.

Izuku and Katsuki work with the toads to defeat the summons. Izuku launches feathers at the toads to heal their damage. While working with the toads, Fuji and Fenrir have managed to pin down the summons.

"I'll finish this with my new Jutsu!" Naruto states, "Shadow Clone Jutsu!" two clones of Naruto pop into existence.

"That's right, I too learned Jutsu from Jiraiya. He was my Sensei after all." Pain states.

Naruto forms a new version of his Rasengan, "Shut the hell up!" The Jutsu whines as it builds power. "All this destruction what part of that is peaceful." His feature gaining a slightly feral look.

"Just let yourself be captured" Pain sighs.

"I already told you," Naruto shouts as he releases his Jutsu, "Shut the hell up!"

He throws the massive ball of chakra; the Five remaining Pains leap out of the way. The Jutsu expands rapidly, filling the area with smoke and debris.

Shikamaru watches from atop the new cliff, Katsuyu on his shoulder, "he's mastered Sage training. And he's down there fighting Pain alone."

"Are you kidding me!" Shikamaru grits, "Where's Izuku and Katsuki?"

"They are working with the toads to fight the summons." Katsuyu reports, "he asked that no one else interfere"

Shikamaru grits his teeth, "Troublesome blond!"

"Sometimes staying out of the way is the best teamwork we can offer," Shikaku wisely states.

Down in the Crater the Toads, Fuji, and Fenrir are struggling with the summons. Izuku is not sure, but they seem to be regenerating faster than the toads can do damage. Izuku can only do so much, he has managed to take out his as it puffs out of existence. He moves to bat away one that is biting one of the Toads. Fenrir pounces on a flying prehistoric bird as it tries to swoop in on Naruto.

One of the toads grunts frustratedly, "Ok so how do we deal with this?"

"You're really beginning to slow down; it seems that your sage mode has a limit" Pain observes.

"I have to bring down at least one of these guys"

Katsuyu perks up, "Shikamaru has an idea."

"What is it?" Naruto perks.

"We have to sever the Rinnegan's visual link."

Shima causes a sandstorm, allowing Gamabunta to put the Summon Pain in his mouth. Naruto uses the darkness of the toad's mouth to destroy the Summoner of Pain. When the toad releases the body and Naruto, he is no longer in Sage Mode.

"Here's my chance" Pain charges to disable Naruto. Gamabunta tries to swat him away. Fuji and Fenrir enter the fray now that the summons has been dealt with. Izuku blocks Pain's path to Naruto allowing the teen to toss his massive scroll over to Fukasaku.

Izuku only manages to delay Pain for a couple of moments, being as big as he is he sacrifices a lot of speed. Pain slips through his guard and sprints for Naruto. Naruto closes his eyes as Fukasaku summons a clone from Mount Myoboku. As the clone disperses Naruto gets the Nature Chakra his clone had and reenters Sage mode.

He blocks the strike from Pain breaking the chakra rod from Pain's hand and kicking him away. Again Naruto Powers up his Rasen-Shuriken, "It's over, you're mine!"

Before the move can hit pain, the one that can absorb Ninjutsu jumps in front of Pain to absorb the attack. Katsuyu tells Naruto all the pain's moves. Izuku and Katsuki transform back into their human forms. "We need to take out the one that absorbs and the one that revives first." Izuku states.

"Create a diversion," Katsuki states.

"Kacchan and I will come from behind."

Naruto nods and drops a smoke bomb; He summons 4 shadow clones and henges 2 to look like Izuku and Katsuki. The boys leap into the air before Naruto's Rasen-Shuriken can hit Pain. The move turns out to be a fake as it pops into Naruto, the one that absorbs Chakra tries to absorb him but it turns out it is the real Naruto. Izuku and Katsuki land with double one for all Punches on two of the remaining Pains.

"What impressive teamwork," Gamabunta praises.

'They used the smoke to leap into the air.' Pain pushes his hands out, "Just in time: All Mighty Push!"

He repels Naruto, Izuku and Katsuki away. Naruto lands at the feet of Fukasaku, While Izuku and Katsuki crash into the side of the cliff. "Are you alright, Naruto-boy?"

Naruto sits and regains his composure, going over information with Fukasaku and Shima. Izuku, Katsuki, and the three toads pounce on Pain. But it is not enough and Pain uses his Jutsu again, "Again: All Mighty Push!"

This time they get blasted farther away, the toads taking serious damage and dispelling. Izuku and Katsuki crash into the far reaches of the Hokage Mountain. Izuku screams as his healing flames take over, his body mending together enough that he can wrap Katsuki in his flame.

"I must say… you are truly strong Naruto." Pain states, "but it's over. Universal Pull."

Naruto is pulled toward Pain against his will. The remaining pain traps him in an armbar. Restraining Naruto. "We're going to end this, right now. You are a precious Jinchuriki."

'What's happening? I'm losing my sage mode.' He feels his power being taken from him. 'Wait I get it.' He slumps and closes his eyes.

"You're quite the stubborn one, aren't you?" Pain observes.

'Not being able to move right now is perfect.' Naruto thinks.

"Seem's you've accepted your fate." Pain states. The body restraining Naruto continues to absorb Naruto's Nature Chakra. And his features start to bloat and look more frog-like.

Naruto Smirks, "I guess you didn't know about this, but Nature Energy is really hard to control"

The Pain behind Naruto starts to turn to stone. "What is this?"

Naruto struggles slightly until the stone arms around him shatter and he breaks free. Pain senses the build-up of Chakra coming from Fukasaku and Shima. He uses universal pull and impales the small toad on a Chakra rod.

"No! you Bastard!" Naruto shouts in rage.

"Pa! No!" Shima cries.

Pain uses Naruto's moment of distraction to pull him against his will. He catches Naruto by the throat and chokeslams him. When Naruto lands on the ground Pain stabs a Chakra rod through Naruto's hands forcing a scream out of the teen.

"Nine tails," Pain calls.

"Why are you doing this?" Naruto Asks.

"You ask Why? Well, perhaps I can try to explain it to you." Pain ponders.

"You asked me why I'm doing all this? What do you think would happen then?"

Naruto glares defiantly, "I have nothing to say to you"

"As I said earlier, what I'm trying to create is peace and bring justice." Pain explains

"After all of the horrible things that you've done, don't you dare talk about peace and Justice!" A growl rips out of Naruto's throat, "First I'm gonna kill you! Then I'm going to bring peace to us all!"

"They suffer the same fate as this village at the hands of you hidden leaf ninja. To protect their national interests they forced feudal clans to wage war against each other. And each time they did our Nation was ravaged and made to waste. We both want to achieve the peace that Jiraiya Sensei wanted, the justice that I have delivered against the leaf village is no different from what you are trying to do to me. You strive for your justice, and I strive for mine. Right now, we live in such a cycle. I know the past, and can foretell the future, this shinobi world of ours is ruled by hatred and hatred alone."

Naruto remembers a flashback of his time with Jiraiya, "there is entirely too much hate in this shinobi world ours. I believe that eventually, the day will come when all people understand one another and live in harmony"

"Yes, Sir." Younger Naruto salutes. "I can't turn down a request from my Master, can I Pervy Sage?"

"I want to know what your answer is" Pain states.

Naruto closes his eyes because he doesn't know. He needs Izuku to show this guy his memories and visions of what this path leads down. But he can tell him this yet. "I don't know, I don't have an answer."

"I can put an end to it, but I need the nine tails. Strong enough to wipe out an entire nation instantly. I shall lead the world down the road to stability into peace." Pain states his plan.

"If you achieve peace like that…" Naruto tries to talk him down.

"Of Course after several decades that pain too will eventually fade with time, and then for a time peace would be restored again. Your destiny is to give me the power of the Nine tails for my own use" Pain impales six more rods into Naruto's back, "You are no longer able to move on your own."

"You troublesome blond." Shikamaru sighs.

Naruto stares wide-eyed at his soulmate, "Shika."

"Until Izuku and Katsuki are done healing this is all I can do," Shikamaru mutters. "Just let me be selfish."

"What does that mean?" Naruto groans out.

"This time, I'm going to save you, Naruto." Shikamaru smiles softly, almost nonexistent. "All the times I wanted to be lazy, watch the clouds. I just wanted an average life, be an average Shinobi, have an average Soulmate." He looks fondly at Naruto, "But you've changed me, gave me a reason to fight and stand beside someone. Gave me a reason to want to. And now I finally have a chance to protect you."

He gets into a fighting stance Naruto hasn't seen before. "You may be a Troublesome Blond," he coats his fists in armament Haki and targets the rods impaling Naruto. He gets pushed away by Pain's almighty push. He gets up shakily and wipes the blood from his lip. He charges the rods again and gets the same treatment. He pauses this time, rethinking his strategy. 'I have to do something and buy Izuku and Katsuki time to heal.'

So he concentrates on his Chakra, instead of pushing his shadows out he imagines them wrapping and condensing around his fists. Coating his hands in Black shadow like chakra. Shikamaru leaps to attack pain, the man dodges and Shikamaru continues to attack the man. Until he is between Pain and Naruto.

He turns quickly, breaks two of the rods. "One more time," he cocks his fist back to break the other rods. He gets pushes away again. Shikamaru gets up on shaky legs, stumbling and tripping as he tries to get to Naruto. He tries to crawl when his legs give out, inching his way to Naruto. Determined to never give up, he watches as tears spring to Naruto's eyes, flowing down his cheeks.

Pain watches, confused trying to understand, "Why? Why would someone as weak as you when you know you'll only die"

Shikamaru breaths heavily, "because he's my Troublesome Blond!" and the smile on Shikamaru's face is so soft and serene, and full of something Naruto has never had directed at him before.

Naruto sees it before it happens, sees Pain's attack, but he's still trapped unable to prevent the blow that will Kill Shikamaru. His eyes flash panicked, and everything goes silent for a moment as Shikamaru's body get launched into the air in Slow motion. Pain stabs him through the stomach with a Chakra rod and launches him into the cliff.

And Naruto Screams, "Shikamaru!" disbelief, sadness, rage. "Hey! Shika!" he calls hoping for a response, but all he receives is silence. And he watches as a pool of blood slowly leaks out of Shikamaru.

He sees red.

He unleashes the Rage.

Everything is red.

No thoughts other than Avenge Shikamaru. Kill. Destroy.

And he gives in.

Izuku watches as red-orange fire bursts out of Naruto. "KACCHAN!"

Katsuki looks on in disbelief, "Yeah, Nerd."

"Go to Naruto. I'll go to get Shikamaru." Katsuki nods, but as he leaps away Izuku tells him, "I'll catch up when I am sure Shika's not going to die."

"Got it, Nerd." Katsuki growls his control on Fenrir breaking, "Go!"

Izuku nods and transforms into Fuji he drops down and crouches over Shikamaru's downed form. He watches as an enraged Naruto unleashed four tails of Kurama's power, not stopping, even as Fenrir drops down next to him. Naruto takes his rage out on Pain, pushing him away from Shikamaru's body. a green mist takes over when Naruto is at 6 tails. The Skeleton version of Kurama comes into existence, and he breaks the necklace the mist is coming from.

Izuku focuses on Shikamaru, using his tails to remove the rod impaling him. As Izuku heals Shikamaru, a pained moan comes from Shikamaru's throat, "Naruto." He tries to sit up, Izuku helps him. "Is he…?"

"He is in berserk mode… he thinks you are dead." Izuku informs, "because his seal hasn't been fixed, if he reaches nine tails, we'll lose him."

"Is there anything we can do?" Shikamaru asks sadly.

"I need to use conqueror's on him, but I can't do that when he is so close to the village. The blast required to calm Kurama in this state would kill almost everyone in the village." Izuku informs.

Izuku watches the fight from a distance, he spots the black orb in the sky, and the ground being attracted to it as it starts to rip apart and condense into a miniature moon. And he watches as Naruto tries to blow it up shooting balls of fire at it. But the force of attraction is too strong for Naruto to resist, and he starts to get lifted up to it. Izuku powers up One for All in his legs and leaps towards the mini-moon. Landing on the surface at the same time as Naruto.

Izuku releases his flames around him in a dome as the rock and boulders start to pile on top of him. Naruto is safe in his cocoon and Izuku blasts him with a strong unrelenting wave of conqueror's Haki. Kurama tries to fight it, so Izuku increases his Conqueror's until Kurama freezes.

"Kurama!" Izuku calls. "You need to calm down! Your Mate is still Alive! I won't let him die!"

Kurama begins to struggle again, Izuku pleads, "Please brother, trust me." He bows in front of the great fox, "But I can't lose you, and I can't lose Naruto. Please Kurama."

And something stops Naruto from unleashing the last tail and he slumps over in defeat. Sadness is heavy around him. "Shika?"

Izuku smiles softly, "He's alive. I bet my life on it."

Naruto nods, remembering the last time Izuku bet his own life for one of Naruto's precious people. "Thank you, Zuku."

"Don't mention it," Izuku hums. "Kacchan is keeping him busy for now, use the time to get your sage mode back. I'll blast us out of here when you're ready."

Naruto nods and sits in a meditation form. Pulling in Nature Chakra feeling it pool around him and mixing with his own. After about 5 minutes orange eyeshadow appears around his eyes. Naruto opens his eyes, and his pupil is rectangular proof of his sage mode. He nods.

Izuku morphs into Fuji's form. Condenses his power to his tails and lashes out breaking a good chunk off the side of the moon-like sphere.

Pain breaks away from Katsuki's explosions, "has he already mastered it? I wanted to know the extent of the Nine-tails power, but I never would have imagined."

Naruto and Izuku land on the ground, Katsuki falls in with them.

"Do you finally comprehend pain?" Pain questions. "No matter, even if you did, I doubt we'd come to an agreement."

"Take me to the real Pain," Naruto demands. "I want to talk to him, face to face!"

"So, you figured that part out, have you?" Pain gets one of his Chakra rods ready.

"I want to discuss something with him," Naruto demands.

"You're in Sage mode now," Pain ignores and starts walking towards Naruto.

"I guess I have no choice but to fight you, huh?"

"You'll have no more chances; I will bring you to the brink of death and haul you off." Pain engages, Naruto dodges and grabs the chakra rod and breaks it. Pain disengages, dodging a punch from Izuku and an explosion from Katsuki. The two distract Pain while Naruto stabs himself with the Chakra rod to sense where the real Pain is. "I found you!"

Naruto summons two of his clones to create the Rasen-shuriken. Izuku and Katsuki leap behind Naruto as he throws it.

Pain uses his Almighty Push to push the Jutsu away. Suddenly, thousands of Naruto's pop into existence, and dog-pile on Pain. In five seconds Pain uses his Almighty Push again. Right as the clones are pushed away, Izuku launches Naruto toward Pain, armed with a Rasengan.

"Just give up!" Naruto shouts, "Rasengan!" the Jutsu connects with Pains stomach, and he lies unmoving on the ground.

Naruto leads Katsuki and Izuku into the woods, in the direction he sensed Pain's real body. He is stopped by Shikaku and Inochi. "Are you sure, you know what you are doing?"

"Absolutely." Izuku states. "I will save him."

"But he destroyed the village!" Inochi grits out.

Izuku nods understandingly, "no. He is not to blame, this is the Calamity. This is what the calamity does."

Shikaku sighs, "I hope you are right about this."

"I am," Izuku states.

"Then go," Shikaku orders.

Izuku, Katsuki, and Naruto leap off, finding the tree that seems to be made of paper. There is a small opening in the tree and the three leap inside. A frail red-head sits in an assisted mobility chair, that looks kind of like a spider. He has rods protruding out of his back, "So you're Pain's real body?" Naruto asks to confirm.

"Nagato Uzumaki," Izuku greets.

"You're here for revenge, right?" Nagato states. "You who couldn't answer anything, can't do anything."

He launches something out of the chair he is on, Izuku pushes Naruto behind him and lets it impale his stomach. Green fire comes out of his body, and he stumbles slightly into Naruto's form. Kurama's chakra mixes with the sage mode causing Naruto's eyes to turn red and slitted, while still keeping the rectangular pupil of his sage mode. Naruto manages to keep Kurama back, as a growl rips out of Katsuki. "I came here because I wanted to talk to you. Even now, I want to kill you so badly I can't stop trembling!" a sad look takes over Naruto's face, "Now, I finally understand what he meant. It's not that easy."

"What Jiraiya-sensei was talking about was nothing more than old-fashioned idealism. Reality is far too different." Nagato tries to explain. "Can you really believe in Jiraiya-sensei's nonsense after seeing what reality is like?" He goes on to speak about his past, "The people of the Fire Country knowingly support the war, yet they hypocritically speak of peace. As long as mankind continues to exist, so will hatred."

"You're wrong," Izuku croaks. He stands up on shaky legs and pulls the spike out of his stomach.

"I want to hear your answer," Pain demands.

"I can show you," Izuku pleads. "I have seen what your path leads to, I have seen where you got your eyes. The road you are heading down will not bring true peace."

"Don't screw with me!" Nagato shouts, "there is no such thing as true peace."

"You might be right." Izuku smiles sadly, "You have your vision of peace, and I have mine. I have seen your version of peace, and while I agree that you would get there, peace through fear will never last. The fear and pain the survivors will experience will fade with time, and they will be right back here killing each other for greed and the gains of those in power."

"Can you stand there and declare you will never change?" Nagato argues.

"Nagato, we have all experienced pain. If I lashed out, every time someone hurt me, I wouldn't be a very good hero." Izuku looks down sadly, "No matter what pain I will face in the future, I will still move forward. Because that is the type of hero I am, a hero that will save everyone with a smile."

"Then show me!" Nagato demands.

And Izuku does, his eyes flash knowingly. Looking right into Pain's eyes. Showing him images of Pain's path to peace, the truth of his eyes, the brokenness of them, and the easy manipulation from Zetsu. The war that destroyed this world because of the calamity convinced him this was the only way. The resurrection of the goddess and absorbing all the Chakra on the planet. The survivors starving to death, no live births, no chakra for crops and livestock. A barren wasteland, no peace or hatred because there is nothing left. And the scene changes, some of the events changing, strangers from another world giving the survivors a chance to put an end to the corruption, putting an end to the calamity. And there is war, death, grieving, but there is healing, rebuilding, victory. And while the other worlds are no more, this green-haired teen manages to bring peace to the survivors. While it is not the peace Nagato strives for, it's not the domination of power and fear that leads to peace. It's understanding, validating, and respecting each other's pain and loss. Forgiving those that were once enemies to fight and defend and save.

And Pain needs this, wants nothing more. Because while it is not true peace, it's lasting peace. For not just the Shinobi, but Pirates, and heroes coexisting and growing together.

And it's enough for Pain to put his trust in these teens. "You're a mysterious guy… you remind me of my old self."

"Nagato…" Konan finally speaks.

"I think I shall try to believe in you…" He moves to do hand signs.

Izuku feels the rise of power, he flash-steps away from Naruto and puts his hand on top of Nagato's, "That won't be necessary."

Nagato looks at the green-haired teen, "This will bring everyone back to life."

"At the cost of yours?" Izuku argues. "Like I said it's not necessary."

Nagato makes a confused sound, Izuku ignores him and turns to the other two teens. "Kacchan, are they ready?"

"Yeah, Nerd," The ash-blonde states.

"Good," Izuku smirks ferally. He starts to shift into Fuji's form. And he heals the damage to Nagato that he caused using the broken Rinnegan. Konan looks on confused as it seems like Izuku is rewinding years of damage and Malnutrition from Nagato. And for the first time in years, Nagato finally takes a step, "I see."

Izuku trills, and Katsuki sighs, "lets go."

Nagato and Konan leap onto the wolf and fly out of the paper tree. Izuku lands in the middle of the crater. Tsunade, Shikaku, and Inochi are placing wounded and dead Shinobi on the ground. Everyone who is able to move to help layout the shinobi. Katsuki leaps off the wolf placing the broken bodies of Pain in a line and removing the rods embedded in their skin.

A green mist erupts out of the wolf, surrounding the would-be dead Shinobi. And as the green mist gets absorbed into the bodies, a semblance of color and life starts to come back to them. And almost like a switch is flipped, they breathe. And the wolf surrounds the area in green fire, healing mangled bodies, life-threatening injuries, and fatal wounds. The wolf heals damages that would be impossible to heal from the world's greatest healers.

Everyone that would have been dead starts to move, starts to sit up, and look around. The wolf keeps the healing going for a few minutes, making sure everyone is out of a critical state. The medics move to run diagnostics on the now moving Shinobi.

Izuku shifts into his human form. He whispers in Katsuki's ear, Katsuki nods and walks away. A few moments later the teen comes back with a familiar white-haired male.

"Jiraiya-Sensei?" Nagato gasps.

"Hello Nagato," Jiraiya greets.

Nagato's breath hitches, "I'm sorry Sensei."

Jiraiya places a large hand on Nagato's shoulder, "I forgive you, Nagato." And before Nagato can argue or even say anything, Jiraiya turns to Izuku. "What do you need me for?"

Izuku smiles, "It's time to fix Naruto's seal. If we wait any longer, we risk losing them."

"Losing who?" Jiraiya questions.

"His parents," Izuku states cryptically. "First I need someone that knows the reaper of death seal."

"That will kill the summoner!" Inochi states.

"No, it won't" Izuku states, "My wolf is the God of Life and Death. Simply put, without Fuji's permission Death had no right to claim Minato or Kushina. Even if there was a deal, even if Minato begged him to use his soul to seal the nine-tails in Naruto." Izuku growls at the end.

Jiraiya nods, "I'll do it. I am the only one who can."

Izuku shakes his head, "That's not going to work. I need someone else to do it."

"Why?"

"Because Jiraiya needs to draw the new seal on Naruto at the same time. A Piece of Minato is in the Seal we need to draw it out and combine it with the half that Death has. Death also has the other Half of Kurama." Izuku explains.

"I'll do it," Nagato states. "I know the Jutsu."

"Thank you, Nagato," Izuku smiles.

"Wait before we begin, where are you planning to put the souls?" Jiraiya questions.

Izuku smirks ferally, "Well, I have 6 corpses." He points to the line of Pain bodies.

"Yahiko," Nagato whispers.

Izuku smiles sadly, "Don't worry about it, Nagato."

Konan looks at Izuku, "What do you mean?"

"There are times when a soul lingers on this plane. Yahiko essentially committed suicide when he sacrificed himself for you. Instead of his soul passing on he stayed with you Nagato. Since I already have his body, it will be easy to bring him back." Izuku explains. Izuku lets that information soak in, he turns to Katsuki, "I need Kakashi's body as well."

Katsuki nods and moves to where the downed Ninja lays next to Shikamaru and Aizawa. He recruits help from Shikaku and Inochi to move the three closer to Izuku. Luckily the Hokage has the other Shinobi distracted and removing the newly healed Shinobi to the Aid tent outside the crater.

Katsuki lays Kakashi down at the end of the line. He turns to Izuku, "we are running out of time."

Panic quickly flashes in Izuku's eyes, he pushes the thoughts that he will lose all of them out of his mind, "You're right, Kacchan." Green mist flows out of Izuku forming into a Spectral version Of Fuji. The wolf closes his eyes, and two tails lash out behind him. Latching onto something in the sky. They slowly start to retreat back towards the bodies lying at Fuji's feet. One of the tails touches Kakashi's still form, and the other touches a corpse with long orange hair. The corpse's hair turns to a silvery-white, into the Hatake shade. The features age to look like a man in his late thirties. And if Shikaku didn't know better it would appear to be a slightly older version of Kakashi. And Shikaku gasps because he knows this Shinobi, The White Fang, Sakumo Hatake. And the wolf's tails remove themselves from the two shinobi. Moving on to the next.

Next to Sakumo the body of Yahiko lays unmoving. Fuji reaches out a tail to reach between Nagato and Konan. It latches onto something and pulls, causing a shiver to escape the two Shinobi. Like Kakashi, the body doesn't change much, color comes to the body, as the holes where the rods were close. It doesn't take long for Fuji to shift and condense back into Izuku's form. Izuku opens his eyes and studies the bodies. He nods to himself, the bodies are in a temporary stasis, meaning they are not dead or alive. Izuku needs to move quickly, and he turns to the others, "Naruto lay down and remove your shirt. Jiraiya, start to draw the seal. Nagato, perform the Reaper of Death. We need to do this quickly; I am running out of energy and have a short time to finish this, or I risk losing them all."

They listen to him without complaint and move to perform their tasks, Izuku sends a tendril of green fire into the seal Jiraiya is drawing. Izuku starts to let Fuji out as Nagato finishes the Reaper of Death seal and the ghostly form of death shows himself.

Fuji growls, "DEATH!"

"Fuji, what do I owe the pleasure?" death sneers.

"You had no right to take Minato or Kushina that night!" Fuji growls out warningly.

"I had a contract; the pitiful human signed his soul to me to save his puny village." Death taunts.

Fuji lashes out with a tail reaching through Death and latching on, Causing the Ghost to howl in pain, "Release them!" Fuji orders.

Death tries to resist and fight back; Fuji just squeezes him harder. And Death knows he is going to experience something far worse than death. "Fine, you win!"

"Good," Fuji growls, "You had no right to trap them, you should have made them pass on. You may be the God of Death of this realm, but you are still below me." Fuji forcefully dispels Death as he grips onto the three souls his tails are wrapped around. He pulls his tails out of Death, one going to Naruto having the other half of Kurama's soul. One goes to the female corpse, this one contains Kushina. And the final tail reaching for another Male body.

The female body's orange hair changes to a deep vibrant red and lengthens. The female's face rounds out, and her eyes change from the Rinnegan to deep violet. The holes in the woman's face close and heal. The male body's hair turns a bright yellow the ear tails grow out past the man's chin. Rinnegan eyes change to a bright sky blue. The body's face narrows and lightens slightly to match Minato's skin color.

Before Fuji gives control back to Izuku, he sends his mist out to bind these souls to these bodies, overriding the chakra paths and forcefully starting the body's natural functions. He binds a portion of his power into Naruto's new seal, checking to see if the two halves of Kurama are merging. And something occurs to Fuji, Kurama is too much for Naruto to hold. And Fuji now understands what Minato did. So he pulls his tail away from Naruto and replaces the tail on Minato's belly. Placing the other half of Kurama into Minato.

Jiraiya looks on confused, Fuji rumbles a growl out at him. Katsuki sighs and translates, "Kurama is too powerful to put both halves in Naruto. Minato brought the other Half with him in death, so this half has already merged with Minato." Jiraiya nods and moves to his student's side. He lifts the shirt and inspects the seal on his belly. It's a mirror image of the original seal Naruto had. And he works on drawing the new seal over it and Fuji guides Kurama into the new seal.

Fuji gives the newly revived people a once over, double and triple-checking his work. Once satisfied he disperses back to his den. Izuku stands there, exhaustion clear on his face as he opens his eyes. He studies the bodies and flares his flames over the forms of Minato, Kushina, Kakashi, Sakumo, Yahiko, Aizawa, Naruto, and Shikamaru.

Collectively, coughs start to ring out into the air. And the once dead bodies cough as their lungs begin to work and suck in oxygen. Izuku checks their vitals, everything is in a normal range, and he turns to Jiraiya, "Explain everything to them. I'm going to sleep." He falls forward completely spent landing on the soft form of Katsuki.

Katsuki catches Izuku before he hits the ground, a soft fond smile on his face, "You did it, Nerd."