A great mouthful of blood gushed from Jiraiya's mouth.
Before his shocked eyes, the remaining Five Paths of Pain and Konan slowly rose.
"Th-this... how could this be!"
"Little Jiraiya, are you all right?"
Fukasaku and Shima did not understand why the enemies had woken up, but that no longer mattered. They were more concerned about Jiraiya's condition.
"Urgh!"
Jiraiya collapsed to the ground, groaning in pain. Just then, a white figure slowly emerged from underground.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk... Lord Jiraiya, one of the legendary Sannin. Hello there~"
"We're the ones who released the genjutsu on Nagato and Konan. Well? Surprised? Didn't see that coming, did you?"
After mocking him with a cheeky grin, White Zetsu turned to Pain and said:
"The Five Kage and plenty of powerful fighters will be here soon. We'd better hurry~"
Deva Path said, "Have you found the Nine-Tails?"
"Hehe, of course. With me around, no matter where you hide the Jinchūriki, he can't escape my grasp."
As he spoke, White Zetsu split his body open right before Jiraiya's eyes. Naruto was actually enclosed within him.
"Damn it, you...!" Jiraiya despaired. He had taken advantage of the chaos earlier to hide Naruto somewhere extremely secluded, never imagining that this strange human would still find him.
"Give Naruto back to me!"
Forcing himself to endure the pain in his body, Jiraiya struggled to his feet, his eyes bloodshot. All he wanted now was to take Naruto back, whatever the cost-even his own life.
To Deva Path, Jiraiya's desperate resistance was no more than an ant's struggle. A black rod slid out of his sleeve.
"Now that we have the Nine-Tails, there's no point in keeping you alive..."
"Die, Sensei..."
"Ma! Little Jiraiya's lost his head. Staying alive comes first-use that move!" Fukasaku quickly pointed at his