Whoosh~
In the sky, another colossal blue energy blade slashed downwards. In mid-air, Deidara, having just fallen from his destroyed giant clay bird, was still disoriented and off-balance. Just as a grim expression appeared on Deidara's face, and he was preparing to sacrifice half of his body to ensure his survival, a familiar, deep voice suddenly sounded from below.
" Bansho Ten'in!"
An immense attractive force erupted, directly pulling Deidara's airborne body aside, allowing him to narrowly evade the devastating attack. Under the influence of this powerful suction, Deidara's body was dragged all the way to Tendo Pain's side.
After barely managing to regain his footing, Deidara, his expression ugly, stood alongside Tendo Pain, who had remained inactive until now. Both of them then looked up towards the two colossal energy giants. These were the Susanoo, manifested simultaneously by Uchiha Misuke and Shisui, who had both activated their Mangekyo Sharingan.
After dealing with the troublesome Deidara, Uchiha Misuke and Shisui didn't immediately engage Tendo Pain and his group. Instead, they turned their attention towards cleaning up the four rampaging summoning animals of the Animal Path. Their primary reason for summoning their Susanoo in the first place wasn't to confront Tendo Pain directly. If these four massive summoned beasts were allowed to continue their rampage within the village, the damage to Konoha would be even greater.
Faced with the combined assault of Uchiha Misuke and Shisui, the summoning animals, which had been so difficult for the other Konoha ninja to handle, were quickly and decisively eliminated. The giant bull, the Eight-Span Bird, and the giant crab were all cleaved apart by the Susanoo's massive blades, disappearing in puffs of white smoke. Only the multi-headed dog, with its ability to continuously split and regenerate, proved somewhat troublesome. However, it too was soon firmly suppressed by Shisui's Susanoo.
Throughout this time, Tendo Pain had merely stood by silently, observing the scene. He made no move to stop Uchiha Misuke and Shisui from eliminating the Animal Path's summons. Beside him, Deidara, though clearly unwilling to stand idly by, didn't dare to act rashly either. No matter how arrogant he was, he wouldn't foolishly charge head-on against two Uchiha who had both activated their Mangekyo Sharingan.
"Two Mangekyo Sharingan wielders!" Looking at the two towering Susanoo, Tendo Pain murmured softly to himself, his voice devoid of emotion. "Konoha Village… it seems some changes we were unaware of have indeed occurred here." In the ninja world, the Mangekyo Sharingan had always been regarded as a legend, rarely ever seen. Yet now, Konoha Village had produced multiple Uchiha clansmen who had awakened this powerful dojutsu in succession. There was definitely something more to this.
Just as Nagato was pondering these doubts, the Human Path, on another part of the battlefield, had already extracted information from a Konoha Jonin regarding the Chunin Exams and the fact that three Jinchuriki were currently gathered at the Forest of Death examination grounds.
"The targets are over there. Move out!" Thinking this, Tendo Pain immediately issued orders to the other Akatsuki members, who were hidden and awaiting his signal, using the Magic Lantern Body Technique.
Atop a civilian house, the Asura Path once again lifted the Animal Path and hurled her with immense force towards the Forest of Death. Whoosh! The Animal Path's body shot through the air like a deadly arrow, streaking towards the Forest of Death.
Simultaneously, on the high outer walls of Konoha Village, Kisame Hoshigaki, Uchiha Hiroomi, Kakuzu, Hidan, and Sasori appeared one by one, then all together rushed towards the examination grounds. Deidara, looking somewhat disheveled, flew off alone, weaving through the Konoha ninja defenses.
Poof! Poof! Poof!
A few moments later, accompanied by several puffs of white smoke, the remaining Paths of Pain, who had been engaged in battle with Konoha ninja throughout the village, all vanished from their locations.
"Damn it! Their target is Naruto and the others!" Atop the Hokage Tower, Tsunade, who had just rushed back to take command of the situation, saw this sudden redeployment and her expression changed drastically. Tsunade instantly understood Akatsuki's true objective this time. Without any hesitation, she barked out a few orders to Nara Shikaku, then, along with Kakashi and others, rushed back towards the examination grounds.
Watching the various Paths of Pain disappear, Uchiha Misuke and Shisui both dispelled their Susanoo and landed beside Kyoko and Itachi.
"Itachi, take some men and assist the village in restoring order and helping the civilians. Shisui and I will head to the examination grounds first," Uchiha Misuke immediately instructed Itachi after landing. With that, she nodded to Shisui, and the two of them prepared to rush towards the examination grounds to provide support.
"I'll go with you," Kyoko, seeing this, quickly interjected. At this critical juncture, Kyoko also wanted to contribute her strength to protect the village.
Hearing this, Uchiha Misuke immediately stopped and turned to Kyoko. "No! You can't go."
Kyoko frowned, puzzled. "Why not?"
Uchiha Misuke explained, "This battle will be extremely dangerous. We might not be able to spare the attention to look after you."
Kyoko retorted, unconvinced, "I don't need you to look after me!"
Uchiha Misuke still shook her head. "Kyoko, I know your strength is not weak. But I still can't let you take such a risk. If anything happens to you, I'm afraid he will be very difficult to deal with when he returns."
"But…" Kyoko began to protest again, but Uchiha Misuke cut her off, her expression serious. "Kyoko, compared to joining the battle directly, it would be much more helpful if you could try to find a way to contact him right now. Akatsuki has mobilized their full strength this time. If he's not here, the village will likely suffer heavy losses."
"Alright." Kyoko bit her lip, pondering for a few seconds, then nodded with some reluctance.
Seeing this, Uchiha Misuke and Shisui finally felt relieved and departed. Watching the two of them leave, Kyoko began to form hand seals.
Poof!
A puff of white smoke appeared, and the orange ninja cat, materialized beside Kyoko.
On the high wall at the edge of the tournament arena, Naruto, Sasuke, and the others stood silently, observing the commotion in the direction of the village from afar.
Suddenly, a piercing shriek echoed from the sky, and a black figure rapidly streaked across the sky, quickly arriving in the airspace not far from the examination grounds. This figure was none other than the Animal Path of the Six Paths of Pain.
Summoning Technique!
With the Asura Path's assistance having propelled her to a position not far above the examination grounds, the Animal Path quickly formed hand seals, and immediately summoned the other five Paths of Pain to her location.
"They're here!" Seeing this, Mitarashi Anko, who was standing beside Naruto, said in a low, grim voice. Immediately following this, from the edge of the forest on the other side, the remaining members of Akatsuki began to appear one by one.
"Naruto, you fall back first! They are definitely targeting you! We will deal with these individuals!" Watching the approaching Akatsuki members, Yuhi Kurenai, Mitarashi Anko, and Might Guy, all standing on the high wall, wore extremely grave expressions. Kurenai shouted this instruction to Naruto.
"No way! How can I retreat at a time like this! Sasuke!" However, Naruto completely ignored her command. Not only that, but Naruto also chose to directly take the initiative and attack. He leaped off the high wall of the arena, then his hands blurred through a rapid sequence of seals in mid-air.
Summoning Technique!
POOF!
A dense cloud of white smoke billowed upwards, and a colossal creature suddenly appeared before everyone on the high wall. It was a giant red toad, with a massive smoking pipe clenched in its mouth, a tanto strapped to its waist, and bandages wrapped around its torso.
Mount Myoboku's Gamabunta! This was a summoning Jiraiya had taught Naruto after he had returned to the village.
On the other side, another massive puff of white smoke erupted, and Seiryu's enormous serpentine form also appeared before everyone. Sasuke had also leaped down from the high wall and summoned Seiryu.
This was the first time Naruto and Sasuke had summoned these two incredibly powerful creatures in front of so many people. Seeing this, the other members of the Konoha 12 were all profoundly shocked and greatly inspired!