On the other side...
The Animal Path Pain rapidly weaved hand seals!
With a loud bang, three massive centipedes suddenly appeared out of thin air, crashing down and obliterating countless houses!
"Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique!" A Chūnin launched a poorly executed Great Fireball at Preta Path, but Preta Path extended his hand and effortlessly absorbed the jutsu.
"Damn it!" the Chūnin from the Security Division roared as Konoha was engulfed in flames and smoke. "Didn't you say there was only one enemy?!"
"I'll confirm with my Byakugan right away!" Neji responded urgently.
"Damn it! It's too late to rely on the Barrier Corps alone!" the Chūnin shouted. "Quick! Contact the other units and request immediate reinforcements! I'll report to the Hokage myself!"
Meanwhile, the Asura Path coldly grasped the necks of two Jōnin.
One of the unfortunate Jōnin managed to pry the hand off his throat and, with a final spasm, died. Tch, maybe next time ask after letting go of someone's throat!
The Six Paths of Pain wreaked havoc throughout Konoha, swiftly drawing Naruto's attention.
Inside the Hokage Residence...
Tsunade stared grimly at the village engulfed in fire and chaos.
Suddenly, an Anbu appeared behind her. "Report from the analysis team! The enemy's combat strength is estimated to be equivalent to three full divisions!"
"Report! Intruders have been sighted!" another shinobi burst into the room. "They wear black cloaks with red clouds!"
"As expected... it's Akatsuki," Tsunade muttered with a deep frown. "Jiraiya, you damn fool..."
"Issue an emergency command! Speed-type Anbu and the tracking squad are to recall both Kakashi's and Naruto's teams immediately!" Tsunade shouted.
"Yes, ma'am!" The Anbu vanished in a blur.
BOOM!
A tremor shook the advisor's office. Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado stared out the window in shock.
"The Akatsuki have begun their assault," came a voice from the doorway.
"What?!" the two exclaimed.
"Yes," Danzo Shimura said with a disturbing smile. "The one attacking is the leader of Akatsuki... Pain. Jiraiya may already be dead."
"How do you know who Akatsuki's leader is?!" the two stared at Danzo, stunned. "Not only did he kill Jiraiya, but now he's assaulting Konoha?!"
"They've been hunting Jinchūriki to extract the Tailed Beasts," Danzo said calmly. "Even the Jinchūriki from Sunagakure may have already fallen."
"Then what is their target now?" asked Koharu.
"The legacy of the Fourth Hokage... Uzumaki Naruto," Danzo said with a grin. "Tsunade just ordered his return to the village. But if that order is ignored... Konoha is doomed."
Moments later, the advisors stormed into the Hokage's office just as Tsunade finished issuing her recall orders.
"No! I object!" Homura snapped. "Let Naruto continue pursuing Uchiha Sasuke!"
"What did you just say?!" Tsunade roared.
"We've received reports that the enemy is likely after Naruto," Koharu added nervously.
"So what?!" Tsunade glared at them with absolute disdain.
"Last time we turned a blind eye," Homura said sternly. "But this time is different. Jinchūriki or not, he is still just a child! Jiraiya might already be dead. If Naruto is captured, the Nine-Tails will be in Akatsuki's hands! That means—"
BOOM!
Tsunade appeared in front of them in an instant and grabbed both advisors, slamming them into the wall.
"Hey! Let go, Tsunade! What the hell are you doing?!" they screamed in panic.
"You fools!" Tsunade growled. "Who do you think you are?!"
With a swing, she hurled them across the room.
"Get out! If not for my grandfather's legacy, I'd make sure neither of you left this building!"
"You'll regret this, Tsunade!" the two snapped as they stormed out.
Tsunade ignored them. "Everyone, prepare to defend the village at all costs! Recall Kakashi's team immediately. Disperse!"
"Yes, ma'am!" the shinobi responded and vanished in shunshin.
Meanwhile, just outside the Hokage building...
An Anbu was ambushed. A blade pierced his chest from behind.
Danzo stood behind the fallen shinobi, expression twisted.
"Those two fossils are useless. They let Tsunade walk all over them," Danzo sneered. "Now I just need the Nine-Tails to be delayed. Tsunade's position will crumble, and Jinchūriki Naruto can be captured after he brings back Sasuke..."
Danzo chuckled darkly.
On a rooftop in Konoha...
Tsunade quickly performed hand seals.
"Summoning Technique!"
BOOM! A massive slug, Katsuyu, appeared before her.
"From now on, follow all shinobi and civilians. Distribute my chakra and heal everyone who is injured!" Tsunade ordered.
"Understood, Lady Tsunade." Katsuyu split into countless smaller slugs, dispersing across the village.
As time passed, the destruction only worsened.
Pain's Six Paths continued their merciless attack.
"He hasn't arrived yet!" Tsunade said through clenched teeth.
"Report! The Anbu's body has been retrieved, and the tracking ninja has returned!" an Anbu reported.
"What?!" Tsunade narrowed her eyes. Was it Pain... or something else?
Elsewhere, the Deva Path Pain loomed over a wounded Chūnin.
"Tell me, where is Uzumaki Naruto?" he asked expressionlessly.
"Someone like you doesn't deserve an answer!" Chūnin A barked defiantly.
"Very well. Then you don't deserve to live."
Pain drove a chakra rod toward the Chūnin's chest—but CLANG! It was stopped.
The Deva Path looked up. Kakashi Hatake stood before him, Sharingan blazing.
"Cause chaos to distract us, then search slowly. Clever." Kakashi addressed Chūnin A. "Take the wounded and get out of here. I'll handle this."
Pain didn't pursue. He turned his eyes back to Kakashi.
"Then I'll ask you. Where is the Nine-Tails?"
"Naruto isn't in the village. Your actions are meaningless," Kakashi said firmly. "This village is different. Even if it costs us our lives, no one will betray their comrades."
(Note: Mizuki disagrees. Danzo: Count me in. Random Villager: MMP! I really don't know anything!)
"Is that so?" Pain responded, expression still blank. "Then he will return... on his own."
With that, he lunged at Kakashi with a powerful kick. Kakashi ducked and swiftly formed hand seals.
"Earth Style: Earth Wall!"
A sturdy barrier encased both of them.
Pain struck at Kakashi with a palm thrust. Kakashi blocked with his forearm—but suddenly, a chakra rod shot from Pain's other hand and pierced Kakashi's shoulder.
"What?!" Kakashi gasped, stunned. "Lightning Blade!"
Without even forming seals, he unleashed his Raikiri straight toward Pain.
But at the last second, something was off—his chakra faltered. The Raikiri veered off, striking the wall behind Pain.
"Copy Ninja Kakashi. What a pleasure," Pain said coldly.
Kakashi retreated quickly, stabilizing his chakra and forming another Raikiri.
"You're not leaving this village alive," Kakashi said, rushing forward again.
Pain narrowed his eyes and uttered:
"Shinra Tensei!"
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