"Masaka?"
Josuke heard that voice.
A voice more classic than any other.
!!!!!
Just as Josuke had expected!
A tremendous force sent him and the Three-Tails flying backward.
Fortunately, Josuke steadied himself in time with his naginata.
That kept his Susanoo from crashing onto the lake.
It was Pain. Josuke's Mangekyo glimmered in the setting sun. This was going to be troublesome...!
Why had Pain appeared here?
Josuke didn't know.
Let's go back to when they first set out to capture the Three-Tails.
After the three of them had left the Akatsuki Organization's base,
Black Zetsu sought out Pain.
"Leader, I suspect Josuke is a spy!"
Pain, who had been resting with his eyes closed, opened them. His Rinnegan fixed on Black Zetsu.
"Why would you say that? Josuke and Deidara went out on a mission. Are you trying to stab them in the back? Though our Akatsuki Organization is made up of Rogue Ninja, you know that I won't tolerate betrayal or slander!"
Once the seed of suspicion had been planted, it grew out of control.
Pain wasn't afraid of nothing happening; he was afraid of what might happen. So he and the Six Paths of Pain quietly followed Josuke.
As for why Black Zetsu thought Josuke wasn't loyal, the reason was simple: he didn't trust him. He was gambling, too.
He was betting that Josuke had betrayed the organization.
He hadn't expected to win that bet.
Josuke really was up to something.
Of course, that was all beside the point for now.
Let's return our attention to Josuke.
"Tobi, Deidara, stand down!"
Pain's voice was cold, devoid of emotion.
Tobi and Deidara obeyed and slowly withdrew.
Pain hovered in the air while Josuke stood on the water. The two stared at each other for a long while.
"Feel