The endless rain of Amegakure seemed to follow the wrath of a god as it descended upon Konoha.
The torrential rain from the night before had only just ceased. Konoha was still shrouded in damp morning mist, yet the streets had already regained their usual bustle.
Having endured several previous upheavals, Konoha's residents seemed to have developed remarkable mental resilience, and life quickly returned to normal.
Yet this fragile peace was destined to be nothing more than the final stillness before the storm.
High above Konoha, thousands of meters in the air, the clouds churned strangely.
Six figures clad in black robes adorned with red clouds floated there silently, like gods descending upon the world, coldly looking down upon the thriving village below.
At their head, Deva Path Pain's orange hair swayed faintly in the wind. His purple Rinnegan, devoid of any emotional fluctuation, reflected the entirety of Konoha, as though he were examining a swarm of ants about to be erased.
"From this moment onward, let the world... feel pain."
The cold, hoarse voice rang in the minds of the other five Paths of Pain at the same time, like a divine decree.
The next second, Animal Path Pain formed hand seals, and a massive summoning array unfolded beneath his feet.
"Summoning Jutsu!"
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
As three enormous clouds of white smoke erupted, Asura Path, Human Path, and Naraka Path Pain descended like three meteors, crashing into three different parts of Konoha.
Meanwhile, Preta Path and Animal Path followed behind Deva Path Pain, plunging straight toward the village's busiest central commercial district.
This was not infiltration, nor was it a test.
This was a completely undisguised, utterly pure, violently overwhelming invasion!
"Rumble—!"
A deafening roar instantly resounded through the sky. Wherever the three Paths of Pain landed, dust