You all rush to protect,
Blindly into a trap.
You will see everything wrecked,
Reduced to a pile of crap.
For you to know true peace,
You must first understand true pain.
"Alright old man," Naruto slammed his hand on the table, "Be straight with us. Do you know anything about the Rinnegan?"
"Suuure, sure. But you know it'll cost you."
"I have a unique dōjutsu," Naruto knew he didn't have time to mess around. He needed to use the big guns, "It let's me copy traits only accessible through genetics."
"I don't believe you. Show me," Naruto created a long wooden spear and placed it on the table, "Show me another," a mass of black flame appeared on the blade, completely incinerating it, "Alright, alright. Very good, what would you like to know?"
"Anything you got old man."
"I have 2 significant pieces of information. 1: Rinnegan users can separate their consciousness between six different bodies. Each one has a different, unique ability. And 2: because they all share a consciousness, everything one body sees is shared across the others instantaneously," he saw that Naruto was confused, "Say you walk up behind one of the bodies. If another of them is watching from behind, the body you are walking up to will know, since he can see what the one looking at you is seeing."
Naruto tilted his head back, "Say Fukuro, how do you know all this?" Jiraiya asked.
"Come on. You know that information isn't free."
"Right. Thanks for your help. We'll try to visit-ttebayo!"
"Goodbye, Inari-sama," Naruto groaned. He wished he never told him that.
Late at night, outside the hidden leaf village, 6 orange haired men and women walked up to the gate, "Izumo! Look at the cloaks! We need to get word out. Do you think that's Pain?."
"That won't be necessary," Izumo, Kotetsu, and their guard post was, without warning, jerked towards the gate. They were thrown to the ground, two large rods planted in their hearts.
Tsunade was walking back to the Hokage tower when she heard a loud siren.
It was the intruder alarm.
Danzō and several root members were now at her side. They all heard a loud crash. Looking up, they saw a large three-headed dog now running towards them, flattening anything in its path. Both Tsunade and Danzō bit their thumbs and waved a few handsigns before slamming the ground with the hand.
"Summoning jutsu!"
In front of them, a large slug and a larger elephant appeared. The elephant charged the oncoming dog as the slug burst into thousands of smaller copies of itself and slithered off. The slugs could be seen alongside several shinobi escorting villagers out of buildings. The slugs would absorb one or two villagers and begin moving towards the evac tunnels. Each shinobi, chūnin and above, were responsible for a certain area of the village. Kakashi had just evacuated a building of civilians when he ran into an odd looking man. He had the black rods covering his body, much like Jiraiya and Naruto described.
"Get behind me," Kakashi demanded. A couple slugs began to slither towards the families he had escorted out, "You are pain?"
"Not quite," a rough voice uttered. The slugs Absorbed the civilians behind Kakashi, "Hm. I guess we should leave the civilians alone. After all, they weren't the ones causing wars."
"You act as if I was."
"More or less. No matter, I shall show you pain," the man's body segmented, certain parts raising up, revealing several cannon-type apparatuses. Missiles launched from each of the wholes, seemingly firing in random directions, destroying buildings and the like.
Kakashi jumped back from a pile of falling rubble as he noticed a rocket heading towards him. He quickly ducked under as more and more rockets came his way. He charged up a lightning blade, slicing clean through one of the rockets. He weaved and dodged through the seemingly limitless barrage of rockets. He finally had a clear shot. He jumped off of the side of a building, brought his fist back, and plunged towards the pain.
The two locked eyes as Kakashi drew closer to the intruder. A rocket popped out of Pain's elbow, causing it to shoot upwards. Pain's quick misdirection caused Kakashi to narrowly miss. He was flung far into the air, and he approached the ground neck first. Before he felt the ground, he felt broad shoulders and bushy eyebrows, "Do not worry, Kakashi. I finished my duties and decided to help out my eternal rival."
"Thanks Gai, you really saved my hide there," Gai leapt up to avoid a rocket, bringing Kakashi with him. He then spun and threw Kakashi towards Pain, who, again, launched a rocket upwards, sending Kakashi flying 30 yards the other way. A green blur could be seen over near Kakashi. It stood him up and waved to Gai.
"Hello, Kakashi-sensei! I could not help but notice that this fight was not going according to plan. Do you wish for me to help you?"
"Uh, yeah. Thanks Lee, I appreciate it," Kakashi said as he stood up. He slammed his hands into the ground, causing multiple earth walls to sprout up, surrounding their opponent. Missiles started bursting up out of the mud prison and heading towards Kakashi and Lee. They were able to dodge out of the way and leap to the top of the mud walls.
Gai did the same and the three shinobi stood atop the structure. The pain shed it's cloak, and grew four additional arms. A large tail-like blade wrapped around its waist. One of the leaf shinobi threw a smoke bomb into the enclosed area as they leapt down.
"TRIPLE DYNAMIC ENTRY!" All three of them shouted as they approached the concealed cyborg. The top of his head lifted up, and a burst of chakra was emitted, stopping the three in midair. They all flipped back past the smoke, out of view. A poof and a loud lighting crackle could be heard from outside the smoke. More smoke bombs were thrown into the pit. Two Kakashis, connected by a cable of lightning, ran into the smoke. The pain barely had anytime to react, ducking under the lightning. His legs were grabbed from below, and he was jerked down into the ground.
"Gai! Lee! Now!" The two jumped into the smoke where they heard the voice. They located a wiggling head in the ground, and began to pummel. It was a beautiful sight. They synchronized each attack, one after another, attacks coming within milliseconds of each other. After the beat down was finished, and the smoke cleared, Kakashi pulled the limp body from the ground, "One of you, pull a rod out from the body," Gai obliged and held it out to Kakashi.
"So what do you think it is?"
"I don't know. I thought that whoever had the Rinnegan could only use one body at a time."
"Remember, Kakashi, that was only speculation. They could mean anything," While they were focused on the black rod, another of the pains swooped in and quickly picked up the body, before leaping off as quick as the arrived.
"Dammit. We let our guard down."
"But I wonder what they're going to do with it."
"Whatever it is, it's not good. No use in worrying about that now, let's go help the others."
"Good idea. Come on, Lee. The time to display our youth and passion is now!"
"It is always time to do that, Gai-sensei!"
"Well said, Lee."
Neji heard a loud roar come from nearby. He went to investigate to find Hinata standing in front of a small group of civilians, defending against a large rhino, and an ox. He slid in and used his palm rotation to block an incoming stomp from the rhino.
"Thank you, Neji-niisan."
"Now is not the time, Hinata, look out!" The two Hyūga grabbed two of the civilians each and dashed out of the way of an oncoming charge. They placed the civilians in a nearby slug and faced the rhino once again. They could see an orange haired figure riding atop it. From above, a large bird swooped down towards them. They both crouched down, "Air wall palm!" They nudged the bird upwards just enough to avoid the divebomb.
"We're at a severe disadvantage, Neji."
"You sound like you're giving up," Neji smirked, "Isn't that against your nindo?"
"You're going to tease me right now?" She dodged a talon and another stomp.
"Would you rather me tease you another time then?"
She exhaled sharply, "Fine then," she planted her feet and closed her eyes, lions forming from her hands.
"I've already seen that," Neji said dismissively, "Boooooring," he rotationed away the bird.
From the corner of his eye, he saw light blue lions also form around Hinata's legs. He also saw each of the lions turn green, then yellow, then orange, then red, then, finally, a bright white. It almost blinded him. He saw her twist to her right, then violently to her left. He held his hand up to his eyes to block the light.
When he opened his eyes, each of the animals had disappeared. Hinata closed her eyes, smiled, and held a thumbs up, before falling to one knee. Neji walked over to her, "No! Back off! I can still fight," she stood up shakily.
"Alright then, keep up," Neji leapt forward 10 feet and looked back. Hinata was slowly shuffling towards him, "You've been hanging out with Naruto too much."
"Shut up-t-ttebayo," she started to collapse as Neji rushed to catch her. She leaned into his arm and gave him a smile.
Sasuke stood near the gate. He faced the 4 orange haired invaders, "Why are you here?"
"I come for two reasons. I wish to show the leaf village pain, the same pain you showed us. I will not tell you the other."
Sasuke grunted, sending lightning chakra to his katana, completely enveloping it. He dragged the sword along the ground as he rushed in, leaving a long trail. Before he could reach the group of assailants, he was forcefully thrust backward, slamming through countless buildings. He slowly got up, only to be pulled back to his original spot.
"You see, I am inevitable. We both fight to achieve vengeance in the name of justice. However, if there is justice in vengeance, then justice will breed only more vengeance, creating the cycle of hatred," a long black rod sunk deep into Sasuke's arm. Sasuke let out a guttural noise as he was thrown several yards away. A large face was summoned. A larger orange haired man walked out. His entire body opened up and a massive barrage of rockets shot out. Sasuke closed his eyes. He heard the sounds of explosions colliding with something metallic, and a familiar voice.
"Sasuke," Itachi spoke softly, "Now is not the time to be taking a nap."
"Would you help me out," he gestured to the black pole with his eyes. Itachi removed said pole and faced the paths of pain.
"Itachi Uchiha. Sasuke, this is your brother, yes? Is he important to you?"
"What are you getting at?"
"Well not long ago, Sasuke, your brother approached me," he began to float upward, "He desired to join the Akatsuki. Along with your cousin."
Sasuke looked at his brother, who looked down in shame, "Itachi... you-"
"That is no longer the case. I am no longer that man."
"Oh? Is that so?" Pain said, almost laughing, "Here is how I look at it: Your brother, Itachi Uchiha, wished to betray the village that you hold so dear," Sasuke growled, "The village he 'holds dear' as well."
"Sasuke," Itachi spoke calmly, "Control yourself. Do not let him play with you mind."
Sasuke eased up a little as pain spoke again, "The way I look at it, your precious brother is the same as that snake Orochimaru," Pain cackled. 'That'll do.'
"You lousy-" Sasuke leapt towards the floating man. He leapt from a wall and swung his blade down towards the man. Pain blocked the slash with a chakra rod. He grabbed Sasuke's leg and pulled it toward himself, sending the boy flipping to the ground.
"Arrogance and anger issues. Obsessions with vengeance and pride. You embody the Uchiha clan."
"You're one to talk about arrogance," Sasuke groaned as he shambled up.
"Snarky comments will do nothing to save the village your family betrayed," Pain rose farther and farther, "My arrogance is backed up with pure destructive power. Let's see if your sharingan can copy this."
"Hypocrite. He gets to be sarcastic?"
"Sasuke, not important right now," The younger Uchiha grumbled as pain continued to rise, "We must search for anybody roaming the village," he said as red energy began to form around them, "They have a better chance of surviving whatever he will do in here."
"Right. Look," Sasuke pointed to a bunch of shinobi in the meet-up area, "Quickly." Itachi leapt down and surrounded the group with the susanoo.
"Tsunade-sama, where are the villagers?" Itachi asked.
"Katsuyu escorted them to the tunnels. They should be safe in there."
"Well let's just hope the same goes for us," Itachi added, "Shisui. Put your susanoo up too."
"Whaaat? Come on it can't be that bad."
"If you're willing to risk our lives, I understand," Shisui winced as a green aura surrounded the red armor. Itachi crouched down and readied the yata mirror.
"Shinra tensei!" A large wave emitted from the palm of the floating man. The wave impacted the ground, destroying everything in its path. The wave forced the dual susanoo into the ground. It continued to push it deeper and deeper, destroying the layers of armor and grinding the muscle and bone to dust. The gravity wave passed on and the group was left exhausted and wounded in a crater. They couldn't see it, but countless bodies of civilians fell lifelessly from the tunnels onto the flat ground.
"Uchiha," pain said as he walked towards the crater, "Your family was murdered as a result of an attempted war," he paused, "Just another example of the leaf village ruling with an iron fist. Itachi, Shisui, why do you still support the village that caused you so much pain?"
"There is one reason."
"The village cares for all. The former Uchiha clan only fought to fight, wishing to continue the cycles of war."
Pain nodded, "I didn't expect to empathize with anyone today. Maybe you would have served well in the original Akatsuki," The other paths of pain jumped down behind him, "You know this well, Uchiha, as well as the sannin amongst you. Religion, ideology, resources, land, grudges, love, or just because. No matter how pathetic the reason, it's enough to start a war. War will never cease to exist."
"That isn't true." Hinata stated
"Oh? Then what is right?"
"I don't know."
"Enough, heiress. What would you know about pain, war? You have lived the easiest life imaginable, as far as I'm concerned. I wish not to speak with a someone who has no answers nor experience," he hoisted Itachi out from the pit by the neck, "A man who knows the extent of evil in this world might be able to answer my questions.
"Put him down," Sasuke got up shakily, raising his sword to pain.
"You of all people. The last person I would expect to side with your horrid village," a long black cylinder grew from his hand , "You didn't ask for the coup, or for your family to be killed. Yet everyday you must deal with the consequences," Sasuke looked down, "Everyday you experience the pain I felt, when civil war plagued my land. I would expect you to attempt to follow my path, educating others of our pain."
"By killing them?"
"It's so they can understand. Enough. I can tell you don't understand," he squeezed the hand on Itachi's neck. A horrible noise escaped his throat as he was thrust into with several black rods.
"ITACHI!" Sasuke shouted as his brother was tossed aside.
Itachi lie on his back, breathing raggedly. He was only able to move his eyes. He caught a glimpse of his brother. Every event with his brother seemed to flash in his eyes as he stared at him. He wanted to say so many things to his brother. All he could breath out was:
"Sasuke... your eyes."
His eyes were different. Instead of the normal three tomoe, there was a six sided star in each eye. He stabbed his sword into the ground. He felt rejuvenated. Quicker and stronger, with better reflexes to match. It could have just been adrenaline, but it most likely had to do with his eyes evolving. Itachi had taught him how to use mangekyō abilities. Now all he had to was figure out what they were. He activated his left eye, and black flames formed on one of the pains. Another of them quickly absorbed the fire, "So it is true then, the legend of the mangekyō. I thought you had to kill your best friend to obtain it. I suppose your bond with Itachi was strong enough for that to not be necessary."
"You will not find peace with your methods. Your mind is corrupted," he created more flames, and this time activated his left eye. The flames jumped from one of the paths of pain to the one right next to it. Sasuke smirked as he formed a wall of black flames and pushed it towards pain. He moved forwards, creating an opening in the wall as he jumped through. He slashed a kunai down, connecting with the pain in the middle, before leaping back. Another of the paths picked up the body and summoned a large face. He threw the body into its mouth. The mouth closed for a second, then opened to reveal the body perfectly new. Sasuke grew hopeless. He readied to charge in again, but stopped when a large toad landed behind pain.
"You. This ends now."