After confirming Pain's location, Jiraiya released the toad's stomach binding technique.
One of the Ame-nin he had just interrogated stepped forward, moving stiffly, though not noticeably different to an outsider.
With a few quick jumps, he climbed to the rooftops of Amegakure, blending in with the other shinobi moving through the village.
Jiraiya, hidden within the Ame-nin's shadow, watched through his captive's eyes, scanning the village.
His gaze landed on a towering structure that stood out among the steel buildings.
"That's the tower you mentioned? The one where Pain is?"
The Ame-nin didn't respond—he had no will of his own at this moment.
Jiraiya was using the Toad Flat Shadow Manipulation technique, allowing him to merge with an enemy's shadow and control their actions like a puppet.
"Alright, let's get moving," Jiraiya muttered.
Of course, the controlled Ame-nin couldn't respond, but if he could, he'd probably be thinking: Brother, you're the one making me move. Why are you acting like this is a conversation?
With mechanical precision, the Ame-nin leapt across the rooftops, steadily approaching the tower.
But his strange movements quickly caught the attention of someone watching from above.
Konan.
She recognized him immediately. He was one of the missing Ame-nin.
Without hesitation, she spread her paper wings and took off toward him.
Jiraiya noticed her approach and immediately recognized her.
Konan… so she really is the "Angel" of this village.
Seeing her only confirmed his suspicions about Nagato.
Konan wasted no time. She pulled several sheets of paper from her body, folding them into sharp, spinning shapes.
"Paper Shuriken!"
The deadly projectiles shot toward them.
Reacting instantly, Jiraiya sprang out of the Ame-nin's shadow, pushing him aside just in time.
The paper shuriken struck the rooftop with a sharp thunk, embedding deep into the rock like real metal weapons.
Konan's cold eyes locked onto Jiraiya. For a brief moment, her expression flickered with recognition before her usual stoic mask returned.
"So… it's you, Jiraiya-sensei."
Jiraiya's gaze softened slightly as he looked at her, but he could feel the hostility radiating from her. His fists clenched.
"You're alive after all," he said. "Pain… he's Nagato, isn't he? Why is he planning to attack Konoha? And… what happened to Yahiko?"
Konan's expression remained unreadable.
"Yes, we've decided to attack Konoha," she said coolly. "It's all part of fulfilling Yahiko's and Akatsuki's dream."
"That dream was for peace," she continued. "But the five great nations—including Konoha—are the ones who perpetuate this endless cycle of war."
"Their existence prevents true peace. And so, we must remove them."
Jiraiya's eyes widened in anger. "You think destroying the great nations will bring peace?! What kind of twisted logic is that?!"
Before Konan could respond, another voice cut through the rain.
A voice Jiraiya knew all too well.
A voice he hadn't heard in years.
"Peace has meaning, Jiraiya-sensei."
Jiraiya turned sharply, his heart pounding.
Nagato.
Nagato stood before Jiraiya, his red hair damp from the rain, his gaze cold and unwavering.
"Sacrifices are necessary for revolution," he said. "If destroying the five great nations can bring lasting peace, then it's a price worth paying."
Jiraiya's expression hardened.
"Lasting peace? Don't be ridiculous, Nagato!" he shot back. "There's no such thing!"
But Nagato didn't falter.
"This is where we differ, Jiraiya-sensei," he said. "You're still thinking like a mere human, bound by mortal limitations. But I have transcended that. Only from my position—as a god—can I see the truth of this world."
"Because I am a god, I can accomplish what mortals cannot. I will put an end to this cycle of war and lead the world into true peace."
Jiraiya clenched his fists so tightly that his nails dug into his palms.
Nagato… had he really gone this far?
"Then tell me this," Jiraiya demanded. "Why are you gathering the tailed beasts?"
Nagato remained calm, his tone almost indifferent.
"It doesn't matter if you know," he said. "After all, you're about to die."
"The tailed beasts are necessary to create a forbidden technique—one powerful enough to destroy an entire nation in an instant."
"This will be the ultimate deterrent. The most powerful weapon ever conceived."
Jiraiya's eyes widened in disbelief.
"This… you think this will bring peace?" he shouted. "This will only lead to more destruction!"
Nagato's voice remained steady.
"That is your limited perspective, Jiraiya-sensei," he said.
"People will only understand peace once they understand true pain. That is why I will distribute this forbidden technique to every nation. When they inevitably use it, millions will die. Only then will the world learn the meaning of suffering."
"They will fear war. They will fear me. And that fear will prevent future conflicts. That is how peace will be achieved."
"Only through pain can the world evolve—just as I once did."
Jiraiya's body trembled with anger.
"So you see it as your duty to teach the world pain?" he growled.
Nagato's expression remained impassive.
"Yes, Jiraiya-sensei. Because I am a god of peace."
Jiraiya clenched his fists even tighter.
"This is insane!" he shouted. "Pain won't bring peace—it will bring only more suffering and destruction!"
But Nagato and Konan had already stopped listening.
Nagato closed his eyes briefly before opening them again, his gaze now filled with cold intent.
"It doesn't matter, Jiraiya-sensei. I don't need your approval."
With that, he raised a hand and pointed at Jiraiya.
Jiraiya instantly recognized the motion and moved to form a hand seal, knowing exactly what was coming.
Nagato activated his ability.
"Universal Pull."
A powerful force surged forward, drawing everything toward Nagato. Even the ground beneath Jiraiya's feet crumbled under the pressure, leaving him suspended in midair.
But Jiraiya had already finished his hand seal. Twisting in the air, he raised his fingers and exhaled a blazing attack.
"Fire Style: Giant Flame Bullet!"
A torrent of flames roared toward Nagato, expanding rapidly in the wake of the gravitational pull.
Yet, Nagato remained unfazed. As the fire approached, he activated another ability.
"Preta Path."
In an instant, the flames vanished—completely absorbed before they could even touch him.
Meanwhile, Jiraiya was still being pulled toward Nagato. If he got too close, he knew Nagato could end the fight in an instant—perhaps even by ripping his soul out on the spot.
He had to act fast.
Jiraiya slammed his hands together.
"Summoning Jutsu!"
Bang!
A massive cloud of smoke erupted between them. When it cleared, a large toad with a sword on its back stood firmly in front of Jiraiya, blocking Nagato's line of sight.
Nagato's absorption ability was useless against this.
The toad's sharp eyes locked onto Nagato.
"What a monstrous chakra… and those eyes! This one's dangerous, Jiraiya. I don't know if even you can handle this!"
Jiraiya tightened his fists. He knew it too.
Jiraiya gritted his teeth, scanning his surroundings. Nagato's ability to absorb both ninjutsu and people left him with almost no openings.
"I need to enter Sage Mode… it's my only chance!"
But he knew it wouldn't be easy. Without a summon to stall for time, achieving Sage Mode mid-battle was nearly impossible. If Nagato had chosen to attack his toad earlier, he wouldn't have even had this moment to think.
And now, things had just gotten worse.
More figures arrived.
Kisame was the first, positioning himself behind Jiraiya, far enough to avoid interfering with Nagato.
Then came Deidara, followed by Hidan, and even Zetsu, lurking at the edges.
Jiraiya was surrounded.
A bead of sweat rolled down his face.
"Is this it?"
…
On the left side of the water, under the shelter of an umbrella, a girl with red eyes stood, watching the scene unfold.
In her hand, she held a bag of crispy snacks, taking small bites as she observed the fight with interest.
Sakiya tilted her head slightly.
"Now then… what will you do?"
_____________
Support me on patreon and read
1)Insect princess from Konoha
2)Second girls journey in Naruto
3)Orochimaru's Magic lamp
patreon.com/Silver757