Chapter 49

The air in the cave was suffocating, thick with tension and the faint scent of damp stone. The remaining members of the Akatsuki stood—or rather, their ghostly projections stood—silent and solemn. Only two figures were physically present: Itachi Uchiha and Kisame Hoshigaki. The dim light glinted off Kisame's shark-like grin as his laughter echoed through the cavern.

"Down to five now, huh?" Kisame's voice dripped with mockery as he leaned against Samehada, his massive, bandaged sword. "So, who's the odd man out? Or are we taking turns playing three's company?"

The room remained silent. The Akatsuki had always operated in pairs, their duos as much for strategy as for maintaining order. But with recent losses and defections—Hidan buried alive, Kakuzu destroyed by Konoha's rising Jinchuriki, Sasori and Deidara dead at the hands of the Leaf, and Orochimaru's betrayal—their numbers were dwindling.

Pain stepped forward, his Rinnegan eyes glowing faintly even through the projection Jutsu. His voice was calm, steady, yet carried the weight of undeniable authority. "The pairings will remain unchanged for now. Zetsu will handle the integration of our newest member." His gaze shifted toward a figure lurking in the shadows. "This is Tobi."

The orange-masked figure stumbled into view, nearly tripping over his own feet in a clumsy effort to present himself. "Hello, everyone!" Tobi's voice was high-pitched, chipper, and painfully out of place in the grim atmosphere of the Akatsuki. He waved enthusiastically. "I'm Tobi! And I'm a good boy!"

Kisame barked out a laugh, sharp and humorless. "This is what we're working with now? A clown?" His predatory grin widened. "You've got to be kidding me."

Tobi fumbled to bow, nearly losing his balance again. "Oh no, no kidding here, Mister Shark Guy! I'm here to learn and be the best Akatsuki member I can be!" His exaggerated cheerfulness grated on the nerves of everyone present.

While Kisame dismissed Tobi as an annoying simpleton, Itachi's crimson sharingan eyes lingered on the masked man. There was something… off about him. Itachi's face betrayed nothing, but his mind whirred as he observed Tobi's movements and speech patterns. Something wasn't adding up.

Kisame noticed Itachi's lingering gaze and smirked. "What's got your attention, Itachi? Don't tell me you're actually taking this guy seriously."

Itachi didn't answer, his expression as unreadable as ever.

Pain's voice cut through the tension like a blade. "Enough." The word carried the weight of finality, silencing the room. His Rinnegan eyes turned toward Itachi and Kisame. "You two will handle the retrieval of the Two-Tails. Our latest intelligence suggests she is no longer under the protection of the Village Hidden in the Clouds. She has fled with Sasuke Uchiha. Or perhaps been taken by him. The details remain unclear."

"So, Itachi, looks like we'll get another shot at your little brother. Maybe we'll even get to skewer that loudmouthed Nine-Tails brat while we're at it." Kisame's grin widened, his sharp teeth glinting in the dim light.

Itachi remained impassive, his stoic demeanor giving nothing away. His silence only deepened the weight of his presence, and for a moment, even Kisame's grin faltered. Itachi's feelings—if he had any—were shrouded in the same darkness that seemed to cling to him like a second skin.

As the meeting ended and the projections dissolved, Kisame slung Samehada over his shoulder and turned to follow Itachi out of the cavern.

"Well, partner, looks like we've got work to do. Think your kid brother's grown up enough to put up a fight?"

Itachi's voice, soft but firm, carried no emotion. "That's not the question you should be asking."

Kisame raised an eyebrow, intrigued despite himself. "Oh? And what should I be asking?"

Itachi's crimson eyes glinted as he walked ahead, his answer echoing faintly behind him. "Will anything remain of this world after our crusade is over?"

The constant downpour in Amegakure was oppressive, drenching the streets and drowning the city's life in a perpetual state of gloom. The rain was unrelenting, as if the heavens themselves bore witness to the pain and suffering etched into the village's history. Hidden within the shadows of the city, Jiraiya of the Sannin moved with purpose, his infiltration a delicate dance of deception and skill.

Using his Hiding in a Toad Technique, Jiraiya melded himself into the shadows, his presence concealed within the belly of a small, inconspicuous toad. The stormy skies provided ample cover, but the persistent rain was no ordinary weather. Jiraiya could feel it in his bones—this rain was chakra-infused, a sensory network spread across the village like a web. Somewhere high above, its master was undoubtedly watching.

Inside the towering spire at the heart of the village, Pain sat cross-legged, his Rinnegan glowing faintly as he monitored the rain. The presence of an intruder rippled through his senses, a faint disturbance in the otherwise orderly cascade. Without turning, he spoke.

"An intruder has entered Amegakure," Pain said, his voice calm yet commanding. "Find them."

Standing behind him, Konan nodded silently. With a flick of her wrist, hundreds of tiny origami birds unfolded from her paper form, scattering into the rain-filled skies. They flew in all directions, their delicate movements a stark contrast to their deadly purpose. She stood and faced her God, her form partially dissolved.

Jiraiya's search for information led him to the less reputable parts of Amegakure. The dull glow of neon signs reflected off the slick streets, and the muffled chatter of the locals blended with the sound of falling rain. Pushing open the doors of a gentleman's club, Jiraiya entered with his usual confidence, scanning the room with practiced ease.

Tezuna, a striking woman with a stern expression and a commanding presence, caught his attention. Her resemblance to Tsunade stirred a pang of nostalgia, though he quickly reminded himself of the mission at hand. Tezuna's reputation as someone who knew the ins and outs of the village made her a valuable source.

Jiraiya approached her with a charming grin, taking a seat at the bar. "Tezuna-san, I hear you know your way around this village. Perhaps you can help an old wanderer find his way?"

Tezuna raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "Depends on what you're looking for."

"The whereabouts of Hanzō of the Salamander." Jiraiya leaned in, lowering his voice.

Tezuna's expression darkened, and she snorted derisively. "Hanzō is long gone. Our village has a new leader—Lord Pain."

The name sent a chill down Jiraiya's spine. Pain. He had heard whispers of this figure, a name spoken in hushed tones and laden with reverence and fear. But the thought of Hanzō being defeated was unthinkable. The Sannin themselves had failed to beat him, working together and in their prime.

Jiraiya used his Summoning: Toad Shop Technique, to transform an inconspicuous alleyway into the interior of a lively bar. After some time, Tezuna's husband, Ryūsui, and his associate Yūdachi stumbled in, lured by the illusion of a warm reprieve from the cold rain.

"Welcome, gentlemen," Jiraiya said, his tone light but his gaze sharp. "Let's have a little chat."

The two men froze, their faces betraying their unease. Before Yūdachi could react, Jiraiya's hands formed a seal. In an instant, Yūdachi's form twisted and distorted, and he was transformed into a small, croaking frog. Ryūsui stared in horror as Jiraiya approached him, holding the tiny frog up as a warning.

"Now, Ryūsui-san," Jiraiya said, his voice calm yet firm. "Let's talk about Pain."

Ryūsui, his resolve crumbling under Jiraiya's gaze, began to speak. "Hanzō is dead. Pain killed him. He killed all of them—his friends, his family, even their children. No one connected to him was spared."

Jiraiya's heart sank. He remembered Hanzō as a formidable warrior, someone who had once united Amegakure through strength and fear. For Pain to have overthrown him, the power required was unfathomable.

"And the Akatsuki?" Jiraiya pressed.

Ryūsui clenched his fists, shaking his head. "I can't say anything more. You don't understand what Pain is. To speak against him is death."

Jiraiya sighed, sensing he would get no more from the man. His mind raced with the implications of what he had learned. Pain was not just a name—it was an ideology, a force that had reshaped Amegakure into a village ruled by fear and absolute control.

Meanwhile, within the spire, Pain descended into a hidden chamber. The dim light revealed a circular room lined with intricate symbols. Without a word, he approached a pedestal and placed his hand upon it. Slowly, his body began to fade, his consciousness transferring to another of his vessels.

As his current body fell into a deep slumber, Pain's new form awoke, its Rinnegan eyes opening with an otherworldly glow. "Let the intruder come," he murmured, his voice echoing through the chamber. "They will understand the truth of Pain."

Jiraiya sat cross-legged on the damp floor of his makeshift bar, staring at the trembling figure of Ryūsui. The man had refused to divulge anything further about the Akatsuki, and Jiraiya knew his time was running out. The shadows of Amegakure whispered of danger, and the rain was no longer just rain—it was an omen, watching his every move.

With a heavy sigh, Jiraiya placed his hands together and summoned Gerotora, the scroll toad. The toad appeared in a puff of smoke, yawning as it adjusted to its surroundings.

"What now, Jiraiya? You only summon me when something big is about to go down," Gerotora croaked, his voice laden with suspicion.

Jiraiya's gaze was somber, and for once, devoid of his usual cheer. "Gerotora, I need you to do something for me. If I don't make it out of this, you must go to Naruto."

Gerotora's large, unblinking eyes widened. "Naruto? You mean the boy with the Nine-Tails? You're not serious, Jiraiya. I hold the key to his seal. Keeping the key near the lock—it's reckless!"

Jiraiya's expression hardened. "Naruto is going to need that key someday. Minato didn't seal the Nine-Tails in his own son without a reason. He believed in Naruto's ability to control that power."

Gerotora shook his head violently. "The last time you loosened that seal, the boy nearly killed you! He went four tails, Jiraiya. Four tails! And you think this is a good idea?"

"I do," Jiraiya said firmly. His voice softened as he added, "Naruto is growing stronger every day. He has something most of us don't—an unyielding will to protect those he loves. That and the Wood Release. Hah! Minato entrusted this to me, and now I'm entrusting it to you. I have faith in Naruto. Besides…" Jiraiya's gaze darkened. "I believe the Nine-Tails' attack fifteen years ago wasn't an accident. I believe it was summoned—just like Madara Uchiha once summoned it to fight the First Hokage."

Gerotora croaked uneasily, but the conviction in Jiraiya's voice left no room for argument. "Fine," the toad grumbled. "But if this backfires, I'll haunt you in the afterlife."

Jiraiya smirked, though his heart felt heavy. "Thanks, old friend."

He placed Gerotora back into the safety of his summoning realm and stepped out of the toad's belly, disguised as Ryūsui. The rain battered him relentlessly as he adjusted the stolen cloak around his shoulders. The game had changed, and he needed answers—answers that could only come from Pain himself.

From above, Konan's origami birds fluttered silently through the rain-soaked village. Her eyes narrowed as she watched the disguised Jiraiya move through the streets. A faint smile tugged at her lips, though it was devoid of warmth.

She turned to one of Pain's many projections, bowing slightly. "It's him. Jiraiya-sensei."

Pain's Rinnegan eyes gleamed with a cold light. "Then he must die. Delay him until I arrive."

Konan hesitated for only a moment before nodding. She unfolded into countless sheets of paper, vanishing into the storm.

Jiraiya barely had time to react when the paper birds descended upon him, their razor-sharp edges slicing through the air. With a quick hand seal, he dispelled his transformation, revealing his true form. Konan's voice echoed through the downpour as she stepped into view, her origami wings extending behind her.

"Jiraiya-sensei," she said, her tone devoid of emotion. "You shouldn't have come here."

Jiraiya's heart ached at the sight of his former student. "Konan… How did you end up like this? The last I heard, you, Yahiko, and Nagato were dead."

Konan's expression didn't waver. "The weak perish, Jiraiya-sensei. The strong rise. Pain is our god now, and I am his angel."

"So Pain is either Yahiko or Nagato," he murmured. Jiraiya's brows furrowed as painful realization settled. "What happened to you three? What happened to the ideals we fought for?"

Konan's lips pressed into a thin line. "Ideals won't bring peace, Jiraiya-sensei. Pain's will is absolute, and I am devoted to it."

With that, she unleashed her Dance of the Shikigami, countless paper shards flying toward Jiraiya. He leaped backward, forming a series of quick hand seals.

"Fire Release: Flame Bullet!" he roared, unleashing a torrent of flames. The fire was immediately followed by his Toad Oil Bullet, coating Konan in thick oil and rendering her paper useless. Still, she struggled forward, her movements sluggish and restrained.

Jiraiya advanced too, his voice heavy with sadness. "Konan, it doesn't have to be this way. You were one of the most compassionate people I ever met. Why are you fighting for this… this Pain?"

Before she could respond, the atmosphere shifted. The rain intensified, and a powerful presence descended upon them. Jiraiya's eyes widened as he turned to see a man standing at the edge of the battlefield. His silhouette was imposing, his Rinnegan eyes piercing through the gloom, illuminating the area with rain-diffracted violet light.

"Nagato…" Jiraiya whispered, his voice barely audible. The sight of his former student, now transformed into something unrecognizable, sent a chill down his spine.

"Jiraiya-sensei. You shouldn't have come here. You will not leave alive." Pain's voice was calm, yet it carried an undeniable weight.

Jiraiya's heart sank. The boy he had once trained was now his enemy—and the god of a war-torn village. The rain pounded relentlessly against the ruins of Amegakure, as if the heavens themselves wept for the battle that was about to unfold. Jiraiya stood firm, his hands still dripping with the oil he'd used to immobilize Konan. His heart ached, seeing how far his former students had fallen, but there was no time for hesitation now.

"Nagato," Jiraiya said, his voice heavy with emotion. "You were meant to bring peace to this world, not more pain. What happened to Yahiko? What happened to the ideals we fought for?"

Nagato—no, Pain—regarded him coldly, his Rinnegan eyes devoid of the warmth they once held. "Yahiko is dead," he said flatly, the words carrying no sorrow, only resolve. "His death was the catalyst for my enlightenment. I realized that true peace cannot be achieved through ideals alone. To create a world without war, I will force humanity to understand pain."

Jiraiya's eyes narrowed, his heart twisting at the thought of Yahiko's fate. "And you think spreading pain will lead to peace? That's not the way, Nagato. You've become the very thing we once fought against."

Pain's expression remained impassive. "You've been away a long time. The world is a cycle of hatred, Jiraiya-sensei. I will use the tailed beasts to break that cycle. By creating a weapon so devastating that no one will dare to wage war, I will force the world to mature—to grow up, as we were forced to."

Jiraiya's jaw tightened. "At what cost, Nagato? How many lives are you willing to sacrifice for this so-called peace?"

"As many as it takes." Pain raised his hand, his voice calm yet filled with unshakable conviction.

Before Jiraiya could respond, Pain summoned his Giant Crustacean, a massive, otherworldly beast that loomed over the battlefield. With a wave of its claws, the crustacean unleashed a powerful Water Release: Wild Bubble Wave, washing away the oil that had bound Konan and freeing her. Konan stepped forward, her intricately folded paper wings spreading wide as she rejoined the fray.

Jiraiya didn't hesitate. With a quick hand seal, his hair extended into tendrils, wrapping around the crustacean and Pain himself. "Enough talk, Nagato!" Jiraiya bellowed. "Tell me what really happened to Yahiko. Tell me how you turned into this!"

Pain remained calm, even as the hair bound him tightly. "Yahiko sacrificed himself for our cause. His death showed me the truth of this world. And now, I will show you."

In a sudden burst of smoke, Pain disappeared, escaping Jiraiya's bind by summoning his Giant Snake-Tailed Chameleon, which materialized in a plume of smoke and lashed its tail toward Jiraiya before he could see it properly. The Toad Sage leaped back, narrowly avoiding the attack.

"You are just a man, Jiraiya," Pain said, his voice echoing with an almost divine resonance. "But I am a god. You cannot hope to defeat me."

Jiraiya's lips curled into a smirk, despite the danger. "A god, huh? Well, I guess that makes me more than human, too. I'm the Toad Sage of Mount Myōboku!"

With a flourish of hand seals, Jiraiya slammed his palm to the ground. "Summoning Technique!" he cried. In a massive puff of smoke, Gamaken, the hulking, spear-wielding toad, appeared beside him.

"Jiraiya, this is a bad situation," Gamaken said, gripping his spear tightly. "But I'll do my best."

Jiraiya chuckled. "That's all I ask, old friend."

Pain's Rinnegan glimmered ominously. "Summoning Technique." He raised his hands, and the ground beneath them quaked. A Giant Multi-Headed Dog erupted into existence, snarling and snapping its many jaws.

"Keep it busy, Gamaken," Jiraiya instructed as he clasped his hands together. "I need time to prepare Sage Mode."

Gamaken nodded, leaping forward to engage the beast. The ground shook as the two titans collided, the dog's heads multiplying with every successive strike Gamaken landed. Despite his best efforts, Gamaken was quickly overwhelmed, the multiplying heads biting into his flesh and forcing him back.

Jiraiya remained still, his hands locked in the seal as he focused his chakra. He activated a Spherical Detection Barrier Seal, allowing him to track Pain and his summons even without his eyes.

Gamaken groaned in pain as the myriad dogs cornered him, their jaws tearing into his body. "Jiraiya, I can't hold them much longer!"

"Hang on!" Jiraiya called, his mind racing. He had to act fast. With a burst of chakra, he performed his Summoning: Crushing Toad Stomach technique, transporting himself, Gamaken, and the dogs into the stomach of a toad. The fleshy walls of the stomach began to constrict, absorbing the dogs into the toad's digestive lining. The dogs snarled and struggled, their bodies dissolving into smoke as they were forced to dispel. Breathing heavily, Jiraiya turned to Gamaken, who was slumped against the wall, battered but alive.

"You did good, buddy," Jiraiya said, patting the toad's side.

Gamaken grunted. "You'd better win this, Jiraiya."

Jiraiya nodded, determination burning in his eyes. He dispelled the summoning, returning to the battlefield. The rain continued to pour, and standing across from him was Pain, his expression as unreadable as ever.

"Nagato," Jiraiya said, his voice steady. "I trained you to protect people, not to destroy them. I won't let you continue down this path."

Pain tilted his head slightly. "Then stop me, sensei. Show me the strength of not a mere man."

The rain continued to fall relentlessly, unnaturally heavy, each drop a hammer against the war-torn landscape of Amegakure. Jiraiya stood firm in Sage Mode, his orange pigmentation glowing faintly in the dreary light. His facial features took on frog-like idiosyncrasies. He adopted a grin, though the weight of the battle loomed over him.

"I'm no mere man," Jiraiya repeated, his voice steady and spoke for himself as much as his opponent. "I am the Gallant Toad Sage of Mount Myōboku!"

Pain's expression didn't falter. Without a word, he summoned two more bodies. Beside the Animal Path appeared the Preta Path, its sinister smirk contrasting with its muscular frame, and the Human Path, whose eyes stared lifelessly at Jiraiya. Now, three Rinnegan wielders stood before the Toad Sage, and the sight shocked him to his core.

"Three with the Rinnegan?!" Jiraiya muttered under his breath, his heart pounding. He clenched his fists, preparing for what he knew would be a fight like no other. "How…? What is this?!"

The Human Path rushed toward Jiraiya with inhuman speed, its expression blank yet filled with malice. Jiraiya reacted instantly, delivering a senjutsu-enhanced roundhouse kick to the Path's face. The force of the blow sent the Human Path hurtling backward, its face crushed and its movements slowed.

"Don't get cocky, Jiraiya!" Fukasaku shouted from Jiraiya's shoulder. He tossed a smoke bomb into the air, creating a thick veil to obscure their location. Jiraiya followed up with his Hair Needle Senbon, the razor-sharp needles flying like a storm toward the three bodies. Pain countered by summoning a Giant Panda, the beast shielding the three Paths from Jiraiya's attack.

Jiraiya cursed under his breath. "Even with Sage Mode, they're a step ahead. These summons are endless."

"Then we hit them hard, Jiraiya-chan!" Shima croaked, and the two toads joined their master in performing the Sage Art: Goemon. A torrent of blazing fire, scorching oil, and boiling water cascaded toward the three Paths, appearing to engulf them entirely. But when the smoke cleared, the Paths stood unscathed.

"What?!" Jiraiya's eyes widened in disbelief. "How did they survive that?!"

Before he could react, the Preta Path rushed forward. Jiraiya charged his Ultra-Big Ball Rasengan, the massive orb of chakra spinning violently in his palm. He slammed it into the Path, only to watch in horror as the Rasengan was absorbed completely, rendered useless.

"This one absorbs ninjutsu…" Jiraiya muttered, his mind racing. "They all have different abilities. They're not just working together—they're sharing those abilities."

"Jiraiya-chan, we need to regroup," Fukasaku urged, his voice heavy with concern. "Neither ninjutsu nor taijutsu will work. We need a plan."

Jiraiya nodded, retreating into the pipes that ran beneath the battlefield. As the three Paths pursued, their synchronized movements unnerving, Jiraiya's mind worked furiously. He glanced at Fukasaku and Shima. "I don't use genjutsu, and Pain knows that. But you two can."

"You're thinking of the Toad Confrontation Chant?" Shima asked, her eyes narrowing.

"Exactly. If they share their vision, we need to blind them and immobilize them. It's the only way." Jiraiya's tone was resolute.

The two toads nodded, beginning the chant. Their croaking echoed eerily through the pipes, drawing the Paths closer. As they advanced, Jiraiya launched a Fire Release: Big Flame Bullet, which the Preta Path, stepping forward, absorbed without hesitation. Jiraiya smirked. "Just as I thought. Each Path only has one ability."

As the chant reached its crescendo, the three Paths froze in place, their movements halted by the toads' Demonic Illusion: Toad Confrontation Chant. Jiraiya leaped forward, grabbing three stone swords from a nearby statue and, his strength enhanced manifold by senjutsu, drove them into the immobilized bodies. One after another. He panted heavily, the toll of Sage Mode and the intense battle weighing on him.

"It's done," he muttered, his voice tinged with relief.

But as he turned to leave, a sharp pain tore through his back. He stumbled forward, blood pouring from a fresh wound. He turned his head to see another Path standing behind him, its gaze cold and unfeeling. Pain stepped forward, his Rinnegan eyes glowing ominously as five more bodies emerged from the shadows, including the three Jiraiya had just defeated.

Jiraiya's breath caught in his throat. "Six… six of them?"

Pain's voice was calm yet chilling. "You still don't understand, sensei. I am no longer Nagato. I am Pain. I am the Six Paths of Pain."

Jiraiya's eyes widened as he recognized one of the new bodies. His mind raced, piecing together the truth. "That face… I know that face…"

Before he could act, Pain struck him down, crushing his left arm and leaving him mortally wounded. He fell into the lake. As his life ebbed away, Jiraiya thought of Naruto, the boy who embodied hope. Summoning the last of his strength, he inscribed a coded message on Fukasaku's back.

"Take this… to Konoha," Jiraiya whispered. "They'll need it to stop him."

Fukasaku wept as he watched his master sink into the lake below, the rain masking his tears. Jiraiya's final thoughts were of his students—Naruto, Tsunade, and even Nagato. As the darkness closed in, he smiled faintly.

"The true peace I sought… Naruto… it's up to you now."