SONIC HEROES: THE SERIES
Naruto © Kishimoto
Tomo © Kiba Sniper
Chapter Seventy-One: Pein and Suffering, Part 3
The group of unlikely allies had almost tasted victory until it was suddenly taken away from them. With a brilliant strategy made by Tomo, the temporary team managed to overcome Pein and the powers of the ultimate dojutsu, the legendary Rinnegan. Just as they were about to end the life of the fabled eye wielder, a new set of enemies appeared to them. The lion that had been referred to as the Raiton Path was narrowly saved by two new figures: a coyote and a bear. On normal occasions, this would not be anything to worry about. But that was before they noticed their eyes; they each possessed the Rinnegan.
"What?!" Nack screamed. "They all have those freaky eyes?! I thought only the middle guy had it?!"
"This can't be right." Xenot said. "It impossible for more than one person to have the Rinnegan."
"We live in a world of impossibility." Kai said. "Anything can happen."
"I applaud that you were able to defeat the Raiton Path." The Coyote said.
"But now you shall understand what pain I have suffered through." The Bear continued.
"You shall feel the power of the Katon and Doton Path." Raiton Pein proclaimed. "You shall learn the wrath of a God."
"You don't know when to quit, do you?" Naga hissed. "You are just a foolish human pretending to be something your not."
"Naga, don't upset him." Nyrox warned.
"Why are we cowering in fear of him?" Naga questioned. "We have already defeated one of them. Two more will not pose any threat."
"But we're dealing with someone who has the Rinnegan." Tomo said. "Maybe if we regroup, we can..."
The chameleon kunoichi was unable to finish before Naga stretched both his arms at the group of Rinnegan users. Reacting to Naga's assault, the bear, better known as the Doton Path, stepped a few feet from his other halves and slammed his palms into the ground. Just inches before Naga could claw at the Doton Path's throat, a wall of stone jutted between the two. As the Heartless snake retracted his arm, Doton Pein slammed his fist into the wall, fragmenting the stone into hundreds of shards. Just before the fragments could hit, Xenot appeared to his defense with a giant black shield to block the bombardment.
"Don't think this means I owe you." Naga hissed.
"You're welcome." Xenot replied sarcastically.
"You cannot hide." Raiton Pain stated. "I am god, I see everything."
"See this!" The Raiton Path looked over and found Tomo performing an array of hand signs. "Wind Style: Wind Slicer!!"
Gathered a large amount of wind energy into her hand, Tomo reached for her katana and swung towards Raiton Pein. The swipe released a blade of concentrated air that cut clean across everything that was in its path. All of a sudden, the coyote, also know as the Katon Path, jumped in front and clapped his hands together. Katon Pein's chest expanded for a moment before expelling a jet of flames from his mouth. It is well known that fire overpowers wind elements, which made no exception as the jet of fire ripped through the wind slicer. Since Tomo had been using jutsu the entire day, she was too weak to move and left wide open for attack. But before the flame could burn her alive, Kai jumped in front, absorbing the flames with a red dagger.
"What have you done?" Katon Pein questioned curiously.
"In anticipation for this mission, I took the liberty of forging special weapons." Kai explained, revealing colored daggers in the side-pouch he brought.
"Weapons forged from pure elemental energies." Raiton Pein said. "Each blade has the power to absorb and repel each individual element. I must admit that you three are more persistent than I expected." Suddenly, he twisted around to face Nack, who was sneaking behind the godly ninja. "But it will not be enough."
"Aw, damn." Nack swore.
Raiton Pein grasped Nack by his throat, forcing him to drop the pistol he held. Adding to the suffering, Raiton Pein discharged a flow of electrical energy from his palm into the weasel's body. Nack screamed bloody murder until he felt a cold sensation near his throat. For a moment, he thought he was dead until he noticed that Raiton Pein's hand was completely frozen. A moment later, Nyrox ripped Nack from Pein's grasp and jumped backwards down the street, collecting Nack's weapon in the process.
"You should have been more careful." Nyrox informed. "You don't know what he is capable of."
"I thought I had him." Nack said. "His back was turned to me and he somehow knew that I was coming."
"Yes, that is odd." Nyrox thought.
The aged fox quickly grabbed Nack and jumped to the rooftops, watching the battle below from a safe point. Nyrox followed the patterns of his allies and the three Pein's before noticing something strange between them. Every time one of their allies would attack Pein from behind, he would somehow always know where they were and how to counteract their movements. Nack also pointed out that each individual Pein was watching each other during the battle. Finally, it came to him.
"We can't win in this situation." Nyrox stated.
"Say what?" Nack asked shakily.
"Everyone, run to safety!" Nyrox shouted, attracting the attention of all fighters. "We can beat Pein in a group! We need to fall back and come up with a plan!"
"You want us to run?!" Naga hissed.
"I think that's the idea." Xenot said, following his master's orders.
"A true warrior does not flee from a fight." Kai stated.
"Then you shall perish with a warrior's death." Doton Pein stated.
The Doton Path stabbed into the street and ripped out two massive boulders from the Earth. While the Doton path hurled them into the air, the Katon Path jumped off the bear's back and began performing a series of hand signs. Once finished, he ejected a torrent of flames from his mouth that engulfed the boulders, turning them into pure magma. As the lava rocks were soaring in their direction, Tomo jumped in front of Naga and Kai while performing her own hand signs.
"Ninja Art: Space/Time Jutsu!" Tomo shouted.
Just as the molten rock was inches away from its target, all three warriors flickered from sights. Pein did not seem angered by their escape, but rather unaffected by it. All three Pein's gathered together with the Raiton Path giving a single order.
"Scatter."
And with that, all three Pein's separated to their individual destinations.
The scene alternates to the other side of the village far from Pein's view. Using her advanced ninja skills, Tomo was able to transport herself and her temporary allies to safety. Unfortunately, the technique had drained her of all her energy, making her complete helpless. Luckily, Nyrox managed to apply some healing light to help further her regeneration. It wasn't much, but it was enough to get her back on her feet.
"Thanks." Tomo muttered.
"I'm just glad to see that you are ok." Nyrox said.
"Why did you order us to retreat?" Naga hissed angrily, grabbing Nyrox by his coat. Xenot jumped to defend his master, but the aged fox waved his hand to stop him. "We could have defeated him. His power is insignificant to ours."
"And that is why you were never the Destined One." Nyrox said calmly, prying Naga's hands away. "You set yourself too high above your opponent without knowing their true capabilities. There are many things were have not realized about Pein until now."
"Like what?" Kai questioned.
"Let's start with the basics." Nyrox said. "We already know he possesses the legendary Rinnegan, which gives him accesses to an unlimited number of techniques. And on top of that, he is able to control separate entities, each of them possessing their own element. Not only that, they also have the power of the Rinnegan at their side, giving them a limitless numbers of elemental techniques as well."
"And he's the Akatsuki Leader." Tomo added. "The Akatsuki is one of the more power organizations in the world. And Pein single-handedly won the civil war in the Rain Village by killing their leader and everyone connected to him."
"So you're saying this guy really is a God." Xenot said.
"I wouldn't go that far." Nyrox said lowly. "It is true that he has strength and powers are far beyond anything we have encountered, but we're not defeated yet." He turned to Nack. "Our friend here discovered a secret ability in Pein."
"Nack?" Tomo questioned; she sniggered lightly. "You're kidding right."
"Hey, I can be smart when I want to." Nack grimace before turning to the group. "Anyway, I noticed that all the Pein's were looking at each other during the fight. And wherever we attacked, that Pein would always know where we are. I think they might be sharing the same sight."
"Is such a thing possible?" Kai questioned.
"It is not unheard of." Naga hissed lowly. "The Sage of Six Paths was well-known for using a similar technique. Pein must not only be utilizing the bodies for their elements, but also to cover any blind spots. If he can see us from three different directions, there are no chances that we will be able to take advantage of the situation."
"Couldn't we just split them up?" Xenot asked.
"That wouldn't work." Nyrox shook. "Knowing Pein, he wouldn't separate unless he had a plan to protect himself. And unless we have some way to blind them all at once, I do not see any hopes of us winning."
"Well..." Naga said pleasantly. "There might be one option left."
Back with Pein. The Katon Path was moving through the drenched streets; few citizens cowered in his presence. While he was considered a savoir amongst most of his people, very few saw him as a demon. With all the commotion going on around the village, it would be difficult for a normal man to hunt his prey. But Pein was far from normal. With his Rinnegan eyes; the Akatsuki Leader searched the streets high and low for any signs of Nyrox or the others.
"I know they did not leave the village." Pein thought. "Now where are they hiding?"
He searched through the eyes of his other bodies, both of which were failing as much as he was. Suddenly, the Katon Path flipped backwards into the air while dodging a large black shuriken. Once he landed, Katon Pein turned to face Xenot, who was wielding his signature double-bladed katana. Many of the citizens had vanished from the streets once they realized a fight had broke out.
"Whoa, you're better than I thought you were." Xenot said, slightly impressed. Katon Pein rushed over to Xenot, grabbing the warrior by his wrist and twisting it behind his back. "Hey, watch the goods!"
"You are too foolish to defeat me alone." Katon Pein stated.
"Who said I was alone." Xenot chuckled.
Pein felt a sudden energy spike and turned in the direction of flying shuriken. Suddenly, the shuriken exploded into a cloud of smoke and revealed Tomo the Chameleon hiding within the smog. While Katon Pein wasn't looking, Xenot summoned his black shield and slammed it into the Akatsuki Leader's face. As Pein stumbled back, Tomo reached into her compartments are released a swarm of kunai and shuriken. Acting fast, Katon Pein jumped in midair; Xenot used the shield to protect himself. What Pein didn't realize was that he was set up. Kai suddenly appeared above him and slammed his heel at the top of his head, sending the Rinnegan wielder crashing into the streets below. While the Katon Path struggled to get back up, Kai tossed a horde of daggers for the Akatsuki Leader. Unfortunately, the Doton Path erupted from the ground and blocked the daggers with his body, which had been temporarily turned to stone. The group gathered together as they faced the two Pein's.
"That makes two." Kai announced.
"Now all that left is to draw out that first body." Xenot said.
"Don't worry." Tomo said nonchalantly. "If everything goes all right, Nack should be able to bring him around." The teenage duo stared at her. "You're right. We're doomed."
"Stand still so that I may pass judgment on you." Doton Pein said, clapping his hands together.
"Sorry, I skipped my court date." Tomo sniggered; Xenot groaned at her lame attempt at a joke.
The Doton Path slammed his palms to the ground, which erected a violent quake that shook the village. Tomo and the others jumped from one side to another as fragments of the buildings began to topple near them. Suddenly, the Earth began to split open down the street, forcing the group to jump towards the rooftops. Unfortunately, Katon Pein was waiting for them. The fire breathing coyote began calling a large amount of flames from his throat. And since the group was hovering in midair, they had no chance of escape. But seconds before the Katon Path could finish, he suddenly cupped his right eye, which started bleeding. As the group landed, they found Nack standing on the roof across from them with his pistol loaded.
"Impressive shot!" Kai shouted, not showing the slightest emotion.
"Ah, it's tough being this good." Nack said conceitedly.
"You believe yourself to be superior?"
"Sure, it's not like..." Nack turned and faced the Raiton Path. "Why does all the bad stuff happen to me?"
Raiton Pein released a surge of electrical energy from his body, just as Nack jumped across the rooftops. The weasel was barely able to grab the edge of the building before Tomo and Xenot pulled him up. Nack panted in relief, but it was no time for relaxation. Kai whipped his scarf around and pulled his allies back just in time as the Doton Path smashed through the roof. While the group drew out their weapons, the Katon and Raiton Paths jumped next to their other part; the Katon Path was blinded in his right eye. Before the group could even flinch, Doton Pein slammed him foot, creating Earth shackles that prevented them from moving. They were easy targets. As the battle raged on, Nyrox and Naga were watching from a nearby tower. Nyrox looked fearful, but Naga was calm and collected.
"They're going to die, you know." Naga stated. "Unless you are willing to follow the plan."
"I can't do that." Nyrox said hesitantly "I made a solemn vow to Master Xehanort."
"Are willing to risk the life of your student all for the sake of a promise." Naga smirked.
Nyrox was at a difficult spot. If he broke his promise to his former master, he would be committing a great evil. But if he didn't, the lives of his apprentice and others would be lost. After take the time to think, Nyrox sighed.
"All right." Nyrox said lowly. "But only to save Xenot and the others."
"Of course." Naga hissed.
Turning to each other, Naga kneeled to the aged master. With slight hesitation, Nyrox placed is palm on the Heartless snake's forehead. Suddenly, Nyrox's hand was engulfed in a black flame as he cried out.
"UNBINDING SEAL!!"
A column of dark fire erupted into the sky, ripping the shrouding clouds apart. This event redirected Pein's assault on the group and stared in wonderment of the event.
"What is that?" Raiton Pein question. "It holds the same essence as the snake."
"Lord Naga..." Kai smirked evilly. "His return is complete."
As the dreaded flames began to die down, Master Nyrox suddenly appeared to break his apprentice and allies free from their bindings. The three Pein's turned their heads to the disturbance; a big mistake on their part. When the flames parted, a massive beast head lunged at the Rinnegan master; Pein was barely able to dodge it in time. The three paths looked above and found themselves faced with a fifty-foot long venomous green serpent with spike ridges down its back. But what made this creature even more deadly was the seven other heads sprouting from its neck.
"The Hydra Technique." Doton Pein spoke. "A jutsu originally developed by Orochimaru."
"I see you recognize my creator." The hydra spoke in Naga's voice. "I was originally capable of performing the technique in my youth. But because of a minor...mishap, I was restricted of my true prowess. And thanks to you, I was able to set myself free from seal that suppressed my powers. You should feel honored to be in the presence of a true god."
"You could never become a God." Katon Pein stated.
"You bring nothing but destruction in your wake." Doton Pein said.
"I am a true God." Raiton Pein proclaimed. "A God of peace."
"Then I promise you a peaceful demise!" Naga exclaimed.
The eight hydra heads charged forward at the Rinnegan master, who jumped away from the shockwave created. To prevent any harm, Nyrox used his powers of light to transport the group to a safe distance. The Katon Path, despite the disadvantage of blindness, raced ahead towards the nearest hydra head and spun around into the formation of a fire drill. While the hydra tried to eat the flaming coyote, Katon Pein's fire proved to be too much and burned through the head. As the hydra head dropped dead, Katon Pein extinguished his fire. That proved to be the last mistake he would ever make. When the flames had vanished from his body, another hydra head stabbed through the Katon Path's chest with its fang, thus killing him. Naga watched as the black coyote slipped away from his fang and dropped into the fissure below.
"One down, two to go." Naga hissed.
"You are the first to destroy one of my forms." Raiton Pein said emotionlessly. "I allowed you to live thus far through the charity of my forgiveness. But now, I shall no longer prevent myself from killing you."
"You talk big." Naga said. "But do you have the strength to back it up?"
"Let us find out." Raiton Pein said.
While Naga wasn't looking, the Doton Path was able to slip through his defenses and landed on the serpent's back. Doton Pein gripped his fists together and raised them to the sky, forcing the Earth to follow his command. All of a sudden, a large spike of rock ripped into the village and pierced through the hydra's body. And by unclenching his hands, hundreds of stone spikes broke free from the central column and ripped the heads apart. It seemed as if nothing could escape such a fate, but Naga was more resourceful than Pein realized. While four of the heads were slaughtered, three of the hydra's ripped from the main body and acted on their own accord. Of course, Doton Pein didn't realize this until one of the heads stabbed him in the back, killing him almost instantly. The hydra tossed the body down the fissure to join its other half.
"Now that leaves you." Naga hissed, facing the remaining Pein.
"You shall not succeed." Pein stated.
With no options left, Pein thrusted his palms forward and released every volt of electricity in his body at the hydra heads. But the hydra appeared to be immune to the feeble lighting bolts as they bounced off the snake's impossibly rough skin. But then Naga realized something; the attack was too weak compared to Pein's normal attacks. Suddenly, a thundering rumble emerged from the sky, attracting the attention of the hydra. What he found next seemed almost impossible. The sky had been ripped open to reveal a massive phoenix made of pure electricity.
"What is that?" Naga questioned.
"My last technique." Raiton Pein stated, raising his hands to the sky. "Thunder Kaiser!!"
Raiton Pein swung his hands down, commanding the phoenix to follow his example. Acting only on instinct, the remaining hydra heads charged at Pein just as the phoenix dropped on its prey. A massive explosion of energy burst forth from the initial contact, sending many cowering villagers flying across the city. Nyrox and the others remained firm; Tomo had to make sure Nack didn't go flying off. When the blast died down, a cloud of smoke was formed in its place. The group moved closer to inspect the sight when they discovered Naga, in his normal form, and Pein standing across from each other. For a moment, it looked like a stand off until Raiton Pein dropped backwards into the fissure below.
"Looks like its over." Tomo said in relief.
"My lord, are you ok?" Kai asked, kneeling to his master.
"I will be fine." Naga panted. "But that attack drained me of all my energy. I will never be able to access the Hydra Form again."
"Then I guess there is a happy after all." Xenot sniggered; Kai tossed a rock at his masked head. "What'd I do?"
"We no longer have to worry about the threat of Pein." Nyrox said joyously. "The world can feel safe once again."
"You continue to underestimate me."
Suddenly, six black blurs emerged from the fissure below and landed on the roof across from our temporary heroes. Six individual creatures stood in a row, each of them looking equally unhappy. Among them were the three Pein's that were believed to be dead. Raiton Pein stood on the far left, Doton Pein stood on the far right, and Katon Pein stood second from the right.
"Oh, you've got to be kidding me!" Nack exclaimed.
The light from the present moon shined down to reveal the identities of the last three Pein's. The one second from the left was a red tiger-shark with blue stripes across his face. He has seven piercings in the form of an X across his face and a single bar through his bottom lip (Suiton Path). The one on the center left was a silver female dingo with a black strip going down her nose. She had four piercings on the side of each eye and two curved bars through each ear (Futon Path). The one on the center right was a dark-green komodo with deep cut across the eyes. He had five pointed piercings circling the top of his head and two studs on each side of his face (Inyo Path: Yin-Yang Element). All Pein's wore the same Akatsuki cloak and Rain Village headband. But what scared them the most was witnessing the birth of six Rinnegan users.
"It's time for you to witness the Six Paths of Pein." Pein stated.
The ultimate test for survival had begun.
The Rinnegan Master reveals his final secret. What new powers lie within these new bodies? Will our unlikely group of heroes be able to obtain victory? Or will the Six Paths of Pein prove to be too powerful? Find out on the next Sonic Heroes!
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