At Zhengye's command, Pakura sprang into action.
Propelling herself through the air with bursts from her Scorch Release fireballs, she shot into Amegakure at tremendous speed.
Pipes ran everywhere throughout the village, but those carrying hot water were easy to spot.
Any pipe with wisps of steam rising from its surface carried hot water from the Boiler House.
Pakura raised her hand, sending a scorching fireball the size of a washbasin into a hot-water pipe.
With a muffled boom, Scorch Release burned straight through the pipe. Hot water burst out, and the scorched opening hissed.
Meanwhile, Zhengye descended from the sky to face Pain.
"Susanoo!"
A skeletal Susanoo materialized around Zhengye as he fell, clenched its fist, and drove a punch at Pain.
Killing intent surged in Pain's eyes. He raised a hand. "Shinra Tensei!"
A ferocious repulsive force slammed into Susanoo, cracking it inch by inch!
But Zhengye's lips curled as he used the recoil to propel himself backward.
Boom!
Another explosion rang out in Amegakure behind Pain. Pakura had blasted apart another hot-water pipe.
Pain did not turn around, because others had already arrived.
Preta Path stood atop Yatagarasu, accompanied by the fully modified Asura Path!
Their faces were all rigid, but they bore identical Black Rods and the same pale-blue Rinnegan.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
The fierce rush of wind from Yatagarasu's flight mingled with the roar of the shells Asura Path fired through the air.
Already fully focused, Pakura raised her hand and launched a fireball.
Boom!
The missile exploded in midair, spilling thick smoke.
Yatagarasu seemed entirely unaffected by the obscured visibility and charged straight at Pakura.
Preta Path had already spread both hands, ready.
"Hehe..."
Pakura's laughter drifted through the smoke, a little smug and a little playful.
One of the fireballs beneath her feet burst,