The Tenseigan started from the Hyuga main family.

"What should we do, Payne?"

Countless sheets of white paper danced around Xiao Nan, their fluidity unaffected even by being soaked by rain.

"Konoha has sent out information about the organization. Although it hasn't attracted the attention of the other four great nations, they have all strengthened their protection of the Jinchūriki..."

Payne didn't answer directly, but instead changed the subject, as if he were trying to persuade Minami, or perhaps himself.

"...Now that it's confirmed he won't be our ally, but rather an obstacle to peace, we have no choice but to kill him. After all, there's nothing left for us to cherish."

Although Pain's words were extremely resolute, Konan, who knew Nagato best, deeply felt the sorrow contained in her companion's words.

Yahiko was right back then; among the three of us, Nagato was the kindest-hearted.

"I see……"

Suppressing her sorrow, Xiao Nan detached a piece of paper from her body and folded it into a paper airplane, which led the way for Payne.

“Payne, I’ll deal with him before you get there.”

If she could, Xiao Nan would choose to bear the sin of killing her master herself.

"If you can kill him, then do it."

Payne took a step forward and then leaped down from a height of several dozen feet.

-----------------

Hanzo of the Salamander died many years ago; it was Pain who single-handedly destroyed Amegakure...

Pain, who now rules Amegakure, has brought lasting peace to the country...

The former Rain Ninja's headband was covered in scratches, a testament to their loyalty to Pain...

As God's representative, the angel was responsible for presiding over sacrificial ceremonies, giving speeches, and issuing Payne's orders...

Jiraiya, walking along the streets of Amegakure, was preoccupied with his own thoughts and looked solemn.

The intelligence we had just gathered kept swirling in my mind.

This small country, which intelligence indicated was constantly embroiled in civil war, has undergone an unprecedented and enormous change, catching Jiraiya somewhat off guard.

Just then, Jiraiya suddenly stopped.

Not only because the continuous rain suddenly stopped, but also because the streets, which were just a few moments ago bustling with pedestrians, were now deserted.

Even the old lady who was just in the shop has disappeared, leaving only half a basket of unsold buns.

So it has already been discovered?

It is said that Payne is inside the tallest tower on the west side of the village.

Jiraiya sighed, then suddenly leaped up and shot towards the tallest building in Amegakure.

He was mentally prepared for an unprecedented battle to come.

-----------------

"I'm sorry, Naruto's emotions were very unstable because of Sasuke leaving the village, which caused such a big mess."

On a platform of a building, Kakashi leaned against the railing and spoke.

After sending Naruto back to the hospital, Kakashi hesitated for a long time before finally finding Hyuga Sawatatsu and apologizing for Naruto's tailed beast transformation.

"Everyone knows Naruto's personality perfectly well. I naturally won't take this little thing to heart."

Hinata Zechen, with his usual smile, waved to Kakashi.

If we were to ask who in the entire Hidden Leaf Village should most turn to the dark side, both Naruto and Kakashi in front of us would definitely be strong contenders for the top three spots.

Perhaps it was because he understood the pain of losing a close friend that Kakashi made the rare move to apologize to his disciple, in order to prevent Naruto from leaving any resentment in Hyuga Sawatatsu's heart.

"That's good……"

Before Kakashi could finish speaking, an ANBU member leaped rapidly from the rooftop under the astonished gazes of passersby, appearing in front of Hyuga Sawatatsu and Kakashi in a few flashes.

Isn't this the Hokage's direct ANBU?

Kakashi's pupils contracted, and he couldn't help but wonder if something big had happened again.

"Kakashi, Jonin, and Hyuga Zetsu, Genin, the Hokage has given an urgent order to proceed to the Hokage Building immediately."

Hyuga Zetsu and Kakashi exchanged a glance, then followed closely behind the Anbu without saying a word.

"That bastard Jiraiya actually sneaked into Amegakure to gather information on Pain."

With a loud crash, the table, which had just been replaced that morning, shattered into pieces once again under Tsunade's monstrous strength.

"With Jiraiya-sama's strength, he could easily infiltrate the Four Great Ninja Villages and escape unscathed, right?"

Kakashi's deadpan eyes twitched, unaware of the seriousness of the situation.

On the contrary, Hinata Zechen frowned slightly, and couldn't help but sigh in his heart that the butterfly effect he had created had begun to show.

Jiraiya infiltrated Amegakure three years ahead of schedule.

So, will Jiraiya's heroic tale also end in tragedy, with him perishing at sea?

"Is the Rinnegan really as terrifying as you say?"

Tsunade remained noncommittal to Kakashi's words of comfort, and instead looked at Hyuga Sawatatsu and asked a question.

"It all depends on Jiraiya-sama's choice. As Kakashi said, if he is determined to leave, no one in the ninja world can stop him. However, if he still clings to futile illusions, the outcome is unpredictable."

Upon hearing Hyuga Sawatatsu's assessment, and considering Jiraiya's personality, a sense of foreboding instantly filled Tsunade's heart.

The tragedy of Nawaki and the broken tree must never be repeated in Jiraiya's life.

"In the name of the Fifth Hokage, an S-rank emergency mission is issued: You two are requested to organize an elite force to go to Amegakure and bring Jiraiya back to Konoha."

Tsunade's eyes sharpened as she spoke.

Chapter 94 Arriving in Time

"Lord Hokage, given the distance between Konoha and Amegakure, even traveling at full speed, it's probably too late..."

Kakashi frowned, and after roughly estimating the distance in his mind, he couldn't help but speak up.

The Land of Rain is located at the intersection of the Land of Fire, the Land of Wind, and the Land of Earth. Even if one travels at full speed without considering conserving chakra, it would take at least a day. The possibility of catching up with the battle in Amegakure is almost zero.

"I'm going to the hospital right now. Even if it costs me all my chakra, I'll heal Namiashi Raido immediately and then try my luck."

Tsunade's hands visibly trembled, and she forced an awkward smile.

If Tsunade hadn't already taken over as the Fifth Hokage and couldn't have acted rashly and left Konoha, she probably would have chosen to personally lead a team to Amegakure to provide support.

Raido Namiashi was a member of the Shadow Guard of the former Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze. Together with two other Shadow Guard members, he could perform the Flying Thunder God Technique to enable long-distance teleportation.

However, due to an encounter, Namiashi Raido was severely injured by the four members of the Sound Village in their Cursed Seal II state and is still lying in a Konoha hospital.

"It seems the Hokage has forgotten that there is someone here who has mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique. There's no need to go to great lengths to find him. I happened to leave a Flying Thunder God mark in Tanabata Street last time, which will save me almost half the travel time."

Upon hearing Hyuga Zechen's reminder, Tsunade, who had just taken a step, felt a glimmer of hope in her eyes.

“Very good. It seems that when Jiraiya copied the Flying Thunder God Technique to you, it was destined to be used today. The situation is urgent. As for the people you need to take with you, as long as they are still in Konoha Village, you can choose anyone you like.”

Hinata Sawatatsu shook his head.

"We're just going to meet Jiraiya-sama. Bringing too many people would be inconvenient. Kakashi and I can go together."

Bringing Kakashi along was not only to verify whether his supposedly even strength was truly deserved, but more importantly, because Hyuga Zechen had never been to Amegakure before and needed a ninja familiar with the route to guide him.

"go!"

Seeing that Kakashi had no objections, Hyuga Zechen put a hand on Kakashi's shoulder, and the two instantly disappeared from Tsunade's sight.

We absolutely have to make it!

Looking at the empty office, Tsunade couldn't help but shout in her heart.

No, I should pray that Jiraiya won't come back this time.

After all, I always lose when I gamble!

-----------------

Two figures suddenly appeared on the bustling Tanzaku Street.

"Kakashi, can you tell me the direction and approximate distance of Amegakure from here?"

Looking at Kakashi, who seemed somewhat dizzy, Hyuga Zechen did not let go of the hand holding the other's shoulder and spoke.

Although he didn't know Hyuga Sawa's purpose, Kakashi immediately pointed out the direction and calculated the approximate distance after a very accurate map of the ninja world appeared in his mind.

The next moment, Hinata Zetsu's Tenseigan eyes shone brightly, and a spatial passage formed, sucking the two of them into it.

-----------------

"Pain, the Six Paths of Pain, pays his respects!"

Inside the tower, all six Paths of Pain had been mobilized, subtly surrounding Jiraiya and blocking all his escape routes.

"So it really is six corpse puppets. It seems that Hyuga Zechen's information was correct."

After failing to persuade Nagato to reform through words, Jiraiya immediately entered Sage Mode as soon as the battle with Pain began. With the two great sages of Mount Myōboku standing on his shoulders, he unleashed his full power.

However, Jiraiya was still in a terrible state, covered in blood, with a black rod stuck in his shoulder, and was constantly being interfered with by the Rinnegan chakra.

Because he had learned some information about the Rinnegan from Hyuga Sawatatsu in advance, Jiraiya remained extremely vigilant. Even after using Toad Song to kill three Pains in one fell swoop and then being ambushed by the Asura Path, he was only pierced through the shoulder by an iron rod, and did not have his arm severed as in the original timeline.

However, Jiraiya's current situation is by no means optimistic. Facing the Six Paths of Pain, Jiraiya, who is outnumbered and outmatched, is only a matter of time before he is defeated.

"Jiraiya, the situation is very bad, let's retreat first."

With a flick of his tongue, Fukasaku helped Jiraiya pull the iron rod off his shoulder, and couldn't help but offer some words of advice.

"What exactly happened, Nagato? You actually turned Yahiko's corpse into a corpse puppet?"

Jiraiya remained noncommittal to Fukasaku's advice, his entire focus being on Pain.

As soon as the Heavenly Path appeared, Jiraiya immediately associated this appearance with the young Yahiko.

"As expected of my teacher. However, Yahiko is long dead. Standing here is Pain, the leader of Akatsuki."

Pain, looking down at Jiraiya from his high vantage point, had lost all interest in continuing the conversation.

The other five Pain members leaped high into the air and surrounded Jiraiya, while Pain raised his hand, locking onto Jiraiya from afar.