Jiraiya had already arrived outside the village.
Kicking down Pain, who had been about to seize a patrolling Konoha ninja, Jiraiya recognized him at once.
Yahiko.
"But how could that be—those eyes, they're Nagato's eyes?! Who the hell are you?!"
Yahiko? Nagato? Or neither of them?!
"It's been a long time, Master Jiraiya."
Pain looked at Jiraiya.
Jiraiya still had his hands pressed together, making his posture look rather comical.
"It's... Nagato, isn't it?" Jiraiya recognized him. "So you really are the leader of the Akatsuki Organization. Honestly..."
I was actually beaten to the punch by a little girl—Jiraiya did not say those words aloud.
He had no intention of revealing any information about Lady Sparkle.
"Your target is Naruto, isn't it?"
"Since you know that, hand over the Jinchuriki obediently. It is an indispensable step toward ending war and achieving world peace."
Pain said.
"Too bad—but that's impossible," Jiraiya said. "And even if you obtained the Tailed Beasts, what then? Do you intend to use them to threaten the entire world?"
"Why not? So long as I possess power capable of destroying even great nations with a single hit, this world will welcome peace under my—under the control of me, a god."
Then Pain extended a hand toward Jiraiya.
—Jiraiya was clearly preparing a technique. He could not be allowed to continue.
"Banshō Ten'in!"
"What?!"
Jiraiya was immediately pulled toward him.
Gravity gripped Jiraiya's entire body like an invisible giant hand. His feet left the ground as his body flew uncontrollably toward Pain.
Though caught off guard, Jiraiya was still Jiraiya. The instant he was pulled over, he fiercely kicked off the ground with both feet.
He was not trying to get away, but using the recoil to spin his body. At the same time, he slapped his feet