So where was the Five-Tails Jinchuriki now?
Outside Iwagakure, seven figures appeared.
The Animal Path of the Six Paths of Pain was still male at this point.
On their way, they had captured the Five-Tails Jinchuriki as he was preparing to head back.
They had originally planned to travel together, but halfway there, White Zetsu suddenly appeared and told Pain that Naruto Uzumaki had already taken Iwagakure.
The news instantly put Pain and Konan on high alert.
Iwagakure had been wiped out that quickly?
Since the Rinnegan's control had a limited range, moving Nagato had slowed their advance.
But that also meant Naruto had taken Iwagakure in just a day or two!
Ōnoki of Both Scales's reputation was no exaggeration. Their opponents really had defeated Iwagakure's ninja and occupied the entire village with just two people.
The Nine-Tails was essential. Right now, the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path was absorbing Nagato's chakra.
Whether they wanted to free Nagato or use the Ten-Tails' power to bring complete peace to the world, the tailed beasts were indispensable.
After discussing it, Nagato and Konan decided to fight first and test their opponent's strength.
When they reached Iwagakure, they saw the village's craftsmen rebuilding houses.
Rebuilding was always slower than destruction.
"Has he already left?"
Konan's delicate brows furrowed slightly.
"Probably not. He'll definitely wait for Konoha's ninja to arrive and garrison the village before leaving."
Pain looked down at Iwagakure below.
"He must have started this war to conquer territory. If he leaves now, he won't secure the land. He'll just have killed people.
I'd like our opponent to be a madman who starts wars simply to satisfy his bloodlust, but judging by what he did in Kusagakure, he isn't that sort of person."
A reckless madman would be easy to handle.