"This should be a summoning beast's ability. It looks like my senior has already run into Pain."
Mitsuri stepped out of Lin Guang's arms and said, "Really? Then we need to hurry, or your senior will be in danger, Guang."
The tide of foam gradually receded, revealing a white skeleton.
"Of course, but we'll need to approach from somewhere else."
Lin Guang looked up at the pipes towering all around them.
Elsewhere, Jiraiya had bound Pain with his hair.
"Nagato, I have a few things to ask you. What happened to Yahiko?"
Hearing that familiar name, Pain seemed to remember something.
"Ah, yes, there was someone like that. He died long ago."
Cold and heartless, he spoke of his former companion's death with utter indifference.
Jiraiya was shocked to see what Nagato had become.
"Nagato... you... what on earth happened...?"
"Nothing happened. Only battle. Too many people died here. Their suffering made me grow."
Pain lowered his head, seemingly recalling the battles that had once taken place here.
Hearing this, Jiraiya asked, "What do you mean?"
"Ignorant, foolish children grow into adults once they learn pain. What they say and think will differ from person to person."
That simple analogy seemed to recount everything Pain had experienced.
Hearing Pain's words, Jiraiya guessed that Nagato, Konan, and Yahiko must have endured many hardships after he left.
But Jiraiya still could not understand what could have turned his former student into what he was now.
"Even so, is abandoning your friendship with your friends what you call growing up?"
Hearing Jiraiya's words, Pain knew he could not make him understand.
"Teacher, you are still merely human. But through endless pain, I grew into a being beyond humanity."
Jiraiya furrowed his brows.
"What on earth are you talking about?"
Pain continued talking to