Author's Note: Hey everyone! I hope you guys are safe during this COVID-19 shit. I'm sorry for the lack of updates. My fiancée got laid off work and our wedding are currently on hold during this time. We can't even get our marriage license. I also must work from home and stay quarantined because I'm considered high-risk. So, between caring for my family, online classes, and working from home, it's been a trying time for us all. However, I'm trying to stay positive and do all I can to stay sane. In the same amounts of free time I do have, I have been working on some more outlines and other details for this trilogy, so I'm excited (as always) for future chapters. Anyway, I hope all of you are staying safe out there! You all are in my thoughts during these hard times. I hope you guys are staying positive. This too shall pass.
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Chapter 49: Pain's Assault Arc Part 2: Pain's True Lesson
Normal P.O.V.
The high winds blowing dust, hair and clothing around is the only sound on the battlefield. Three pairs of eyes stare into their enemy's hard, purple Rinnegan ones. Each held determination in them as they readied to fight. The sound of rushing blood fills their ears. Before them stood their most powerful enemy so far. Tsunade, Sasuke, and Naruto knew that this would be a tough fight, even with the three of them against this one man. However, no matter the odds, they knew this was a battle they can't lose.
Swallowing her spit, Tsunade throws a look over her shoulder. Behind her lays the severely injured body of her mate. Even though she used her Katsuyu: Immense Network Healing Jutsu to start healing Jiraiya, she knows that it won't be enough to keep him alive. They needed to get him out of there and soon. But for the time being, she was going to make the man who tried killing her alpha pay for his crimes.
Not wanting to waste anymore time, Tsunade takes the lead. Adding chakra to her fists, Tsunade slams it into the group, effectively splitting it as it travels toward Pain. The orange haired fox jumps out of the way but didn't see her next attack. While Pain is distracted, Tsunade speeds towards him and delivers a powerful kick to his torso. The power of her kick sends Pain flying backwards until he disappears.
"A shadow clone? Where is the real one?"
"Watch out Granny!" Naruto yells as he grabs her.
Both roll on the ground and away from Pain's counterattack. In their place, Sasuke stands against Pain. His sword clashing with a long, black rod that Pain is holding.
"Be careful, Sasuke!"
"Don't worry about me, Dobe. Protect Lady Hokage and Master Jiraiya. I've got him,"
"Fool! Don't battle him on your own," Tsunade says as she stands up and run towards them. When she's close enough, Tsunade jumps into the air with her right leg raised. "Get out of the way, brat!"
Doing as he is told, Sasuke breaks his hold with Pain before using his sword to keep him in place by stabbing it into Pain's foot. Sasuke jumps out of the way to avoid Tsunade's Heavenly Foot of Pain attack. A giant crater forms as her attack lands. When the dust clears, Pain is laying facedown in the ground with Tsunade's heeled foot against his spine.
"That'll teach you to try and kill my mate," she smirks before jumping off him.
"Man, I swear it seems like she gets stronger every time I see her," Naruto jokes.
Sasuke chooses not to say anything but silently agrees.
"And that's how you do it, brats. Now it's time to get back to the village," Tsunade says as she approaches them.
"Don't tell me you're finished so soon?"
The three of them turn towards the crater to see Pain standing tall.
"H-how is he standing? I landed a direct hit," Tsunade says, her voice trembling.
"I'm sorry to disappoint you, Lady Hokage Fifth. But you'll need more than brute strength to defeat me," Pain says as he dusts himself off. Fear fills Sasuke, Naruto and Tsunade as they watch Pain summon five more people with black piercings and orange hair, "Now, you all shall know true pain,"
"Oh no… He's learned the Six Path Technique… and he's used previous students of mine as his vessels… How could you sink so low, Nagato," Jiraiya says with sorrow in his voice.
"Nagato? Who's Nagato?" Naruto asks.
Pain chuckles to himself, "Nagato… Now that's a name I haven't heard in a long time, sensei. Don't tell me you're feeling sentimental in your final hour. Bring me the Nine-Tails vessel. He is who we're here for. Everyone else can die,"
At this order, one of the Pain Paths charges towards them, but Naruto stops them. Naruto puts himself in front of Tsunade and Sasuke and uses his strength to stop the charging Pain Path. Tan fingers entangle with pale ones as their owner adds pressure to his back leg. Using his strength, Naruto gains the advantage to go on the offensive. He delivers a powerful punch to the Path's face before following it up with a serious of tiajutsu attacks. This stuns the Path enough for Naruto to throw him into the air. Adding just enough chakra to his feet, Naruto jumps high enough to be over the Pain Path. With all his strength, Naruto brings his fists down and slams the Pain Path into the ground.
"You want me?! Then come fight me but leave them out of this! Your fight is with me!" he yells.
"If that is how you prefer it, then so be it. We could care less for the well being of the others. Our main objection is to obtain you,"
Before anyone could say anything else, Naruto summons Fukasaku, Gamaken, Gamahiro, Gamabunta, Gamakichi, and Shima to the battlefield. On top of Gamabunta's head, Naruto stands tall with Sasuke and Tsunade behind him.
"Gamakichi, take Grandma Tsunade and Jiraiya-sensei to safety. We'll handle the rest from here," Naruto commands with his arms crossing.
"You got it boss! Come on Tsunade, time to go," he says turning towards her.
"Wait Naruto, hold on. We can fight the Six Pain Paths together~"
"No Grandma. You must save Jiraiya-sensei. Isn't that why we came here? Your healing jutsu won't save him, right? Take Gamakichi and get out of here. Plus, the rest of the village needs you right now while all the Paths are here. We still have the threat of his partner, right? We can't afford to have you wasting time here. Leave the rest to Sasuke and me. We'll be back to the village before you know it,"
She looks at Naruto's back in amazement. Everything he said made sense and she was embarrassed from it. She was so determined to defeat Pain that she neglected the rest of the village and even her dying mate. While her successor was the voice of reason. A smile graces her dull lips.
"My gods. How have I missed you growing up right before my eyes. Alright brats, I'll leave this one to you. Don't underestimate him and you better come back safe… or else…"
In the background, Gamakichi and Tsunade work on getting Jiraiya away from the battlefield.
"Hn. I'm shocked you didn't tell me to go with them," Sasuke says while standing next to him, his sword back in his hand.
"What's the point when you would only defy me,"
"Looks like you can teach an old dog new tricks,"
"And you're a defiant beta, but I wouldn't have you any other way. Let's finish this and go home,"
"Just what the hell did you drag us into, brat?" Gamabunta asks while smoking his pipe.
"Looks like we're up against a strong opponent, Ma," Fukasaku says.
"Finally, some real entertainment. I guess it's time we came out of retirement, Pa," Shima smirks. Both frogs hop onto Naruto's shoulders, "Alright kid, time to put your training to use. Show us what you can do,"
"Gamaken, are you sure you can fight again? Didn't Jiraiya summon you earlier to fight against this guy?" Gamahiro asked with concern in his voice.
"Yeah, butt his fucker dispelled me before we could do any real damage. I'm itching for a rematch,"
"So, you've signed the same Toad Summoning Contract as Jiraiya-sensei? You are proving yourself to be a valuable asset to us, Naruto Uzumaki,"
"I want everyone to come out of this battle alive, so be careful everyone," Naruto says.
"Wishful thinking for a wishful fool. Go and bring me the Nine-Tails' vessel!"
The Animal Path steps forward first and summons a few animals with the Rinnegan in their eyes. The Animal Path summons a Giant Rhin, Multi-Headed Dog, and Ox to charge at them. Naruto and Sasuke jumps off Gamabunta's head to face the on oncoming assault.
"Sasuke, go for Pain. I'll take care of these beasts!"
"Right!"
With his Shadow Clones, Naruto stops all three breasts after entering Sage Mode. With the beasts at a halt, Naruto uses his strength to toss them into the air. While the beasts are in the air, the three toads: Gamabunta, Gamahiro, and Gamaken fight them. Getting the beasts out of the way, Naruto rushes towards Sasuke's side but is stopped by the Animal Path female version. As they fight, Sasuke battles both the Human and Preta Path. Both struggle with their individual battles.
Sasuke uses a varying mixture of tiajutsu and ninjutsu to take on the two Pain Paths. When the Human Path tries to attack him, Sasuke stabs his sword into the ground. He delivers his Strong Fist attack towards it, effectively knocking the Path away from him, before stabbing the Preta Path with his sword. Releasing some of his lightning chakra into the sword, Sasuke uses his Lighting Rod attack to stop the Preta Pain in his tracks.
Along side him, Naruto continues his fight with the Animal Path. The two battle it out using weapons and tiajutsu. Sometime during the battle, the Animal Path summons a large bird beast to try and swallow him, but the three larger toads keep it at bay. Seeing an opening, Naruto throws his kunai to distract the Path before rushing her. When he's close enough, Naruto grabs onto her and throws her,
"Gamabunta, time to tag-team!"
"Gotchya, kid!"
Gamabunta catches the Animal Path in his mouth with Naruto close behind. Inside of Gamabunta's mouth, Naruto hits her with a tiajutsu combo attack before unleashing his Rasengan Barrage. The attack explodes in Gamabunta's mouth.
"Naruto?!" Sasuke calls out.
Smoke exits Gamabunta's mouth as the attack's explosion finishes. Suddenly all the summoned animals disappear. Gamabunta opens his mouth to let Naruto and the Animal Path roll off his tongue literally.
"Naruto?!" Sasuke yells as he runs towards his alpha. "Are you alright?"
"Yeah, how about you?"
"A few scraps and cuts, but nothing important," Sasuke says while helping Naruto stand up.
"Good. How many more are left?"
"Just the four of them. This has gone on for too long,"
"Agreed. We need to hurry up and get back to the others," Naruto nods as they turn towards the remaining four Pain Paths.
"So, not only is he able to use Sage Mode, but he got rid of one of my Paths. He's proving to be a powerful adversary along with the younger Uchiha. This needs to end before all of my Paths are defeated,"
Naruto summons a Shadow Clone next to him, "Go ahead of me, Sasuke,"
"Don't do anything stupid, Dobe," Sasuke says before running towards the Pain Paths. Naruto and the clone work together to form a Wind Rasenshuriken. Ahead of him, Sasuke battles the Human Path, giving Naruto enough time to finish creating his attack, "Now Sasuke!"
Sasuke jumps out of the way as Naruto throws his Wind Rasenshuriken and aims it at the Human Path. The path tries to get out of the way, but it's too late and the attack lands. Everyone watches as the Wind Rasenshuriken tears through the Human Path's body.
"You two have truly become tiresome. I'm through playing. It's time you both shall know true pain!"
The Deva and Asura Path run towards Naruto. Sasuke tries to stop them but the Naraka Path stops him. The Naraka Path appears within Sasuke's blind spot and knocks him out of the way.
"Sasuke!"
"You should pay attention to me. I'm your opponent,"
The Deva Path aims a punch towards Naruto, but he dodges it and delivers a powerful hit instead. It sends that Path flying backwards but Naruto can't rest. The Asura Path aims an attack at him. Naruto can feel his sage chakra draining from his body and time running out.
"Damn. I need to finish this soon. I'm almost out of Sage chakra,"
But as soon as he has that thought, the Asura Path catches him off guard and put him in a restraint hold.
"Let me go, ya bastard!" Naruto yells while struggling.
"Now that's quite enough of that. You've become too tiresome during this battle, especially in Sage Mode. Why don't we fix that?"
"Hey, what-what are you doing to me?!" Naruto screams as he feels his sage chakra being drained from his body.
"Naruto! Hold on, I'm coming!" Sasuke yells as he continues to fight the Naraka Path.
"You'll no longer be a problem. I'll be back for you after I finish off the younger Uchiha,"
"LEAVE SASUKE ALONE!"
Naruto's screams fall on deaf ears as the Deva Path walks away. But before he gets too far, the Deva Path turns around when he senses a problem. Before him, the Asura Path transforms into a toad.
"What is happening?"
"Oh, didn't I mention it? Nature Chakra is really hard to control. If once can't control it, then they'll turn into a toad statue," Naruto explains with a smirk. After a few seconds, the Asura Path finishes his transformation before Naruto breaks free, "Alright now let's finish this,"
"We've got your back kid! Let's go, Ma!" Fukasaku yells.
"Ready, Pa!"
"You're annoying. Universal Pull!" Suddenly Fukasaku's body is pulled towards the Deva Path.
"Pa no!
"Hold on, I've got you!" Naruto yells as he reaches out for the toad.
But he's too late. Deva Pain uses a long, black rod to stab Fukasaku in the heart, killing him instantly.
"PA!"
"Fukasaku!" Naruto screams.
Deva Pain throws Fukasaku's corpse across the battlefield before grabbing Naruto and slamming him down. While on the ground, Deva Pain summons more long, black rods to pin Naruto to the ground.
"Bastard…! You'll pay for that…!" Naruto grunts as pain plus through his body.
"Naruto!" Sasuke yells before he kicks the Naraka Path away from him and run towards the pair.
"No Sasuke! Stay away!"
"I've had enough of you. Universal Pull!"
Suddenly, Sasuke's body is pulled towards the Deva Path. Once in his grasp, the Deva Path wraps his hand around Sasuke's throat.
"Sasuke! Let him go!"
"Itachi should have killed you when you were younger. Why he spared you, I'll never understand. You don't care about peace. You only bring destruction. I used to ask Itachi repeatedly why he spared your life, but he never answered me. I guess it doesn't matter now. You and everyone will soon be dead when I claim the power of the Nine-Tails,"
"You're wrong… about me… I'm also… fighting …for peace…"
"Then you're doing it wrong. You fell into the cycle of hatred. Hatred causes wars and with wars, there can never be peace. But with all the Tail-Beasts, I will end it all and start the world over. With all Tailed Beasts' chakra, we will raise the Ten Tails to end all wars and suffering. We shall bring about an era of peace through fear. No one will be foolish enough to start another war with the ultimate war weapon. With fear, peace with blossom and no one will ever suffer again,"
"You're insane… That's… not how… you create… peace…" Sasuke gasps between breaths after Deva Pain dropped him.
"You know nothing of true pain. You're only an ignorant brat who thinks he knows what's best for everyone. Any sign of peace, you seek to destroy. How dare you tell me what peace should be like,"
"I am one of few who know true pain… I also know the level of destruction I can bring… But I have seen the error of my ways and now… I have something to fight for… even if it means dying to see it through…" Sasuke says before summoning his Lightning Rod attack.
Deva Path jumps out of the way of the attack, but Sasuke doesn't stop. He doesn't aim for the Deva Path. Using his attack, Sasuke cuts through some of the rods in Naruto.
"What are you doing?! Run away!" Naruto yells at him.
Sasuke just smirks before cutting one more rod, "Didn't you hear me. I said I'm here to create peace, even if I have to die for it to happen,"
Sasuke turns around and glares at the last remaining Pain Path. The raven-haired feline takes even breathes before running towards Deva Pain. The two collide with sword scrapping against two black rods. Even though he didn't earn major injuries, Sasuke's chakra reserves are running low. He can feel the exhaustion coming but he pushes himself beyond his limit. The two engage in battle. The sound of metal against metal and Naruto's screams fill their surrounding air. Soon Sasuke reaches the last of his chakra. With the last of it, he summons a fireball. The attack doesn't deal a lot of damage, but it creates distance between them. His legs start to shake. He can't stand anymore. Using his sword, Sasuke falls to his knees with only his sword holding him up. His body is tired, and his chakra reserves are drained. Sasuke knows his time has come.
"It would seem you have reached your limit, Little Uchiha,"
"Sasuke! Sasuke get out of here!"
"Universal Pull!" Sasuke's body leaves his sword and is pulled towards Deva Pain. When his body is close enough, Devan Pain wraps his hand around Sasuke's throat.
"SASUKE!"
"I should have killed you first, you annoying bug. Now parish,"
"SASUKE! NO!"
Deva Pain runs one of the rods through Sasuke's torso. At the impact, Sasuke coughs up blood while Deva Pain's hand is still around his throat. Soon, Sasuke's body stops moving and his arms fall loosely down his sides. Naruto's blue eyes open wide at the sight of his mate's lifeless body in Deva Pain's hands.
"If only you knew true pain. Maybe you wouldn't be so weak,"
And with that Deva Pain releases his grip on Sasuke's neck, the raven's head and body falling loosely with the rod impaled through his torso. Deva Pain breaks off the rod in his hand before using his gravitational powers to lift Sasuke's body into the air. When it is high enough, Deva Pain drops Sasuke's body onto the ground hard enough to create a mini crater.
Where he lays, pinned to the ground Naruto's blue eyes watch in horror at his mate's beautiful, still face laying on the ground across from him. Chin length raven locks cover blood stained lips and a pale chin. His clothes are slightly ripped from fighting. And now, a pool of blood spills around him. Pale eyelids cover once memorizing onyx iris. As time ticked on, waits for his mate to stand up, to shout, to call him a dobe, to flick his forehead, but nothing came. No movement. No name calling. No forehead pokes. No small smirks. No sarcastic come backs. No hearing his name from those perfect, pale lips. In that moment… there is only silence, beauty, and pain…
Suddenly, the wind changes direction and speed. Harsh, wild, angry winds whip around them. A powerful aura fills the air. Raw emotion can be felt from the source. Ocean blue eyes are replaced by red and black ones. The raw roar of a mourning mate is the only sound to be heard for miles…
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To Be Continued…