Orochimaru!

This was an unforeseen situation.

No one present would have expected that the Leader of Akatsuki would suddenly call out Jiraiya's name and even refer to Jiraiya as his teacher.

"You-"

"How—is that possible—"

Jiraiya's pupils widened involuntarily.

The enemy in front of him had a head of messy orange hair and a somewhat familiar young face, except that his face was decorated with piercings.

How familiar yet how strange!

Jiraiya tried his best to recognize the other person's appearance, but those Rinnegan and the other person's aura...

No matter what he did, he couldn't identify the other person.

Or rather, Jiraiya couldn't believe it.

The enemy standing in front of him looked so much like his deceased disciple Yahiko, that it even made him momentarily lose his senses.

In that perpetually rainy country, he had taken in three disciples, only to soon receive news that they had all died in the war.

"Looks familiar?"

Tsunade subconsciously frowned and began to think.

Because she had also met Jiraiya's disciple, Yahiko.

"Yes"

Jiraiya's heart clenched instinctively. He took a deep breath before finally asking, as if to confirm, "Yahiko —is that you?"

"The teacher actually remembers me!"

Pain's gaze fell on Jiraiya, and he said calmly, "I thought you'd only recognize me when the two of them appeared together—"

"Them?"

Jiraiya's brows immediately furrowed.

The next moment!

Two figures had already appeared beside Pain. When Pain's true identity was revealed, Nagato and Konan's hiding seemed to have no special need, or rather, at this moment Nagato no longer wanted to hide.

Because they no longer have a burden.

Nagato was no longer the true ruler of Akatsuki, nor did he need to care about revealing his true identity in the Shinobi World. He was no longer the most important person.

"It's been a long time since I've seen Jiraiya- sensei."

Nagato stood behind Pain, reached out and removed his gas mask, revealing a head of bright red hair, his expression still showing some of the restraint he once had.

"Haven't seen you for a long time-"

Konan's figure appeared behind Pain at the same time. She slowly took off her gas mask, revealing a head of neatly tied light purple hair.

Three people —

Three former disciples

They seemed to have traveled through time and stood before Jiraiya once more, allowing Jiraiya to finally recognize them completely at this moment.

His own disciple was actually the Leader of Akatsuki!

Jiraiya felt a momentary dizziness. The toad from Mount Myōboku had clearly sent him a message that these three disciples were already dead!

"Those three brats from the Rain Country!"

A look of disbelief flashed across Tsunade's face.

"Jiraiya, Tsunade, do you know each other?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn't help but turn around and look at Jiraiya and Tsunade, hoping to get information about them from Jiraiya.

"It's more than just knowing each other."

Tsunade's expression turned complicated. She turned her head slightly to look at Jiraiya, and explained softly, "During the Second Shinobi World War, Jiraiya took these three as his disciples—"

This master-disciple relationship...

It's actually more troublesome than an unfamiliar enemy!

Looking Tsunade her companion, Tsunade couldn't help but feel sad for him; his once close disciple had now become his enemy.

Jiraiya

"Jiraiya's disciple, huh—"

Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression gradually turned serious.

Because he recalled the scene when his disciple Orochimaru defected, perhaps he was the only one who could understand Jiraiya's feelings!

"Yahiko, Nagato, Konan."

Jiraiya adjusted his breathing. The mindset of a mature ninja allowed him to quickly erase the sadness in his heart, leaving only suspicion and a cold question.

"What exactly is going on? How did you end up joining the Akatsuki full of missing-nin? And how did Yahiko become the Leader of Akatsuki?"

"Is something wrong?"

Pain stood before Nagato and Konan, shielding them from his teacher's questioning, much like Yahiko had once done for his companions.

"Jiraiya- sensei."

"Our idea has always been to change this world filled with war and killing, and the Akatsuki can help us realize this ideal."

"Wait—changing the world?"

Jiraiya's body suddenly trembled.

This ideal.

It doesn't seem strange at all!

Because Yahiko once wanted to change the world and end all wars, it's not surprising that Yahiko had this idea, given his childhood traumatized by war. However...

Jiraiya subconsciously recalled the Great Toad Sage's prophecy and Shirou Emiya's words about the Child of Prophecy.

No.

This is bad!

Compared to the resurrection of his disciples, what terrified Jiraiya even more was the prophetic words of Shirou Emiya.

The Prophecy of the Great Toad Sage

There will come a child in this world who will bring about change, and he will take that child as his disciple and guide him onto the right path.

Shirou Emiya's words: When he takes on disciples one by one, the idea of changing the world arises in their hearts. They will kill each other for their own ideas of changing the world, until finally the only child who fits the Great Toad Sage's prophecy appears. "What will you do?"

Jiraiya looked at his disciples, hoping to glean their thoughts and also wanting to inquire about the Akatsuki: "I've heard some things about the Akatsuki. Currently, the Akatsuki is gathering together those dangerous missing-nin in the Shinobi World; they don't seem to want to change the world through peaceful means."

"No comment."

Pain shook his head, not intending to explain further.

Because he is not the true decision-maker of Akatsuki, he can no longer rely on his own ideas to decide whether or not to leak information.

However, he wouldn't hide another thing either.

In short.

"That's Jiraiya- sensei absolutely cannot accept."

"Born in Konohagakure village, you always yearn for mutual understanding, and you could never understand the methods we use to change the world—"

Past Masters and Disciples

It was already destined that we would be on the opposite side.

"Make way."

Pain raised his hand and calmly said, "Jiraiya- sensei, we don't want to kill you."

I don't want to hurt any more innocent people here—

This is a sincere statement.

Their arrival was solely for the purpose of killing Shimura Danzo.

This was the mission left to them by Shirou Emiya and Black Zetsu, and it was also the goal they themselves wanted to achieve—revenge.

They certainly don't intend to hurt more people at this time.

After all, the leaders of Akatsuki are not indiscriminate killers.

The other party was even a medical ninja who always saved people from suffering.

However, Pain's concessions will not bring about a peaceful end.

When their identities are truly revealed, they will not be able to leave Konoha easily, no matter what.

In particular, Jiraiya was not someone who could make decisions on the spot.

"Hokage"

The Fourth Kazekage Rasa, glanced at Sarutobi Hiruzen and smiled, saying, "While both our villages desperately need to capture the Leader of Akatsuki intelligence, it seems Konoha has a significant connection with the Akatsuki! Should we break the agreement between Hidden Sand Village and Konoha and make way for them?"

"Jiraiya, step back!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression was solemn. He waved for Jiraiya withdraw from the battle between master and disciple, while the old man's gaze remained sharp as he looked at Pain: "Leave this to me and Lord Kazekage."

Nature-

They will not back down!

This opportunity is too good to pass up. They must capture the Leader of Akatsuki, even if he is Jiraiya's disciple, even if it displeases Jiraiya. As the Third Hokage of Konoha, for the sake of Konoha's future safety,

He also had to catch the other party!

If Jiraiya were to participate in the battle, and this disciple were to back down in the master-disciple battle just like they had done back then, they would be left with no choice but to watch him leave!

However, Jiraiya did not seem to have any intention of backing down.

The tall, muscular man looked at his disciple with a bitter expression, shook his head, and rejected his teacher's suggestion, unwilling to withdraw from the battle.

After all, both sides in the battle were important people in his life.

Regardless of which side wins, it will be a painful experience for him.

Most importantly, this is also his responsibility.

As a teacher, one should bear the responsibility of guiding one's students, rather than stepping aside at this time, watching everything happen, and even leaving it to an elderly teacher and other companions who can rely on each other for life to handle!

Moreover, the Rinnegan is extraordinary.

Perhaps only he truly understands.

Because only he, who had personally experienced the power of Rinnegan, knew more about it, while Nagato and Yahiko in front of him both possessed the Rinnegan.

Although I don't know why, they should all be able to use some of the Rinnegan's abilities.

This battle seems to be going to be very difficult for Konoha.

If Nagato and Yahiko both possess the Rinnegan like Shirou Emiya, my withdrawal might put Sarutobi Hiruzen and Tsunade in danger. "Aren't you planning to back down?"

Pain looked at Jiraiya had assumed a fighting stance, and said with a hint of regret and melancholy, "That's right, that's the Jiraiya- sensei..."

"Pity."

"This is an unwise and reckless move."

"If Jiraiya- sensei had truly witnessed the power of Rinnegan, he should understand that you are utterly powerless against it—"

Jiraiya's expression hardened.

Because he knew that what the other person said made a lot of sense.

He was indeed powerless against Shirou Emiya, and even with Tsunade and Sarutobi Hiruzen fighting alongside him, victory might not have been guaranteed.

But.·

In this world, battles don't necessarily cease simply because of victory or defeat. "Let's begin!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen raised his hand!

The old man launched the first attack, his fingers rapidly forming hand seals for the spell. He had learned from his previous experience and was generous in sharing his lessons with his disciple and teammate Rasa, who was fighting alongside him!

"Use Ninjutsu first!"

"Watch out for that repulsive force from their attack—it could send us and even our magic users flying!"

"That's the power of the Rinnegan!"

Jiraiya also shared information about the Rinnegan, forming hand seals as he looked at his disciple with a somewhat serious expression, explaining his source of information, "When I sparred with Lord Shirou, he also used this technique, which can instantly deflect all attacks with a repulsive force."

"Tiered attack"

The Fourth Kazekage Rasa, coldly proposed a combat tactic: using staggered attacks from each member of the squad to counteract the repulsive force!

A look of surprise appeared on the faces of Sarutobi Hiruzen, Tsunade, and Jiraiya at the same time.

The three of them, master and disciples, were also thinking of proposing this tiered combat method at the same time, but they didn't expect the Fourth Kazekage Rasa, to be so intuitively in sync with them, using "Fire Style: Fire Dragon Bullet!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen preemptively unleashed a ball of flame towards the three Pain!

"Sealing Technique Absorption Seal!"

Nagato leaped forward, blocking the raging flames, and with a wave of his hand, he transformed Sarutobi Hiruzen's Fire Dragon Flame Bullet into pure Chakra, which he then absorbed into his body!

Faced with his power...

No one can harm Pain and Konan behind them!

If the tiered attack was effective against Pain, it would have absolutely no effect on him, a true user of the Rinnegan!

"Careful!"

Jiraiya looked at Nagato, who had stepped forward, his expression growing increasingly grave. He spoke in a deep voice about his disciple's ability, "This is the Rinnegan's ability to absorb jutsu formulas. During this time, any jutsu formula released will be absorbed by Nagato and converted into Chakra— "

"Is Ninjutsu ineffective?"

Tsunade swung her fist and smashed it down!

If her Ninjutsu attacks are ineffective, then her Taijutsu must still be effective!

Folded papers fluttered out!

At the same time as Tsunade made her move, Konan also made her move!

Konan raised her hand, and a series of folded paper containing Exploding Tag flew towards Tsunade, seemingly about to blast Tsunade's body away!

This moment—

Tsunade only had time to spread her Mitotic Regeneration all over her body. At least her Mitotic Regeneration and the self-healing without seals in Cursed Seal Mode should have blocked the explosion of these Exploding Tag!

"Wind Release: Air Current!"

The Fourth Kazekage Rasa, suddenly brought his fingers together and opened his mouth to unleash a gust of wind that instantly blew all the origami paper high into the air!

This Wind Release technique easily broke Konan's spell and instantly rescued Tsunade from her predicament.

"Thank you, Lord Kazekage."

Tsunade's figure quickly landed back on the ground.

It has to be said

Rasa's move was extremely crucial.

This made Sarutobi Hiruzen and Jiraiya feel more favorably toward the Kazekage; at least it seemed that the Kazekage genuinely wanted to fight alongside them.

"Thank you—"

Sarutobi Hiruzen Fourth Kazekage Rasa, Rasa, in a deep voice.

"It doesn't matter."

The Fourth Kazekage Rasa, accepted the thanks with a smile and said softly, "After all, we are allies who need to rely on each other. However, we haven't forced out that strange repulsive attack yet, so it seems unlikely that we can hit the opponent's main body—"

"A battle that can't even be called a warm-up—"

"Does that already make you feel relaxed?"

Just as the Fourth Kazekage Rasa and the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi were about to discuss tactics again after failing to force out the strange repulsive force technique after their offensive, Pain's voice reached their ears, instantly alerting them!

However-·

This vigilance, however, is utterly meaningless!

Pain raised his palm toward them with an indifferent expression, calmly uttering four words as if he were simply releasing an ordinary spell.

"Almighty Push"

The next moment!

The density of the air is suddenly compressed instantly by the repulsive force!

The entire ground began to tremble violently under the pressure of the repulsive force!

All the Konoha ninja present witnessed an astonishing scene in that instant!

This time...

Pain showed no sign of holding back!

Almighty Push unleashed its full power!

In an instant, the entire half of the playing field was pushed up by Pain's repulsive force, Almighty Push left a barren flat area on the ground like a plow!

Before Sarutobi Hiruzen and the others could react, their bodies were instantly blasted away by the powerful repulsive force, even crashing halfway across the field. They began spitting blood before they even landed, clearly severely injured by this sudden attack!

"Summoning Technique!"

Tsunade, who had the lightest injuries, quickly formed a summoning hand seal after landing. She was able to judge the injuries of others based on her own injuries!

A pitch-black summoning circle suddenly landed on the ground, summoning a huge creature. A childish, gentle voice looked at Tsunade was spitting blood, with some surprise!

Lady Tsunade

"Treat them first!"

Tsunade quickly pointed to the others who were also seriously injured!

Her body must be the strongest among everyone present, which is why she was able to react in time to the enormous impact of the Almighty Push!

"Yes!"

His body instantly tore into pieces!

When the two clones crawled to Sarutobi Hiruzen and Jiraiya's side, wrapped their bodies in them to heal them, they also detected their physical condition.

"No danger to life—"

The clone's gentle voice put Tsunade at ease.

"Cough cough cough—"

Sarutobi Hiruzen and Jiraiya coughed at the same time. They were feeling the treatment, but they didn't feel as relaxed as they had imagined.

Because the enemy's strength is a bit too much!

Although neither of them had used their full strength in this battle, they were both severely injured before they could even exert their full power!

"Look at Lord Kazekage's injuries—"

Sarutobi Hiruzen reminded Tsunade.

In the recent battle, the Fourth Kazekage Rasa, lent a helping hand to Tsunade, and Konoha could not stand idly by while their sincere ally was seriously injured.

"I've already sent someone to help—"

A shimmering green Chakra appeared on Tsunade's palm as she looked at Jiraiya's injuries and said in a deep voice, "I'll go get Lord Shirou to help."

"It would be best not to let that important person come."

A familiar yet unfamiliar, chilling voice suddenly appeared in Tsunade's ear.

"?"

While Tsunade was still somewhat confused, the voice of another clone made her heart leap into her Tsunade!

"Lady Tsunade! This is—"

When Tsunade turned around, she saw the Fourth Kazekage Rasa, lying on the spot with his body somewhat dried out. This sight made her heart sink.

It wasn't because of Rasa's death...

This move is reminiscent of one of her former teammates.

"This is the Orochi-ryū Substitution Technique."

Tsunade recalled the sound she had just heard with some horror. She looked around in disbelief but couldn't see Orochimaru anywhere.

However··

Tsunade also noticed something else.

Blood trickled from the corners of their mouths, but ignoring their injuries, Sarutobi Hiruzen and Jiraiya sat up simultaneously and anxiously looked behind her!

"What a pity."

"You didn't even recognize me?!"