The sudden appearance of Minato Namikaze, the Fourth Hokage, left everyone on the rooftop stunned. After briefly greeting Tsunade, Minato smiled and began conversing with Aoki. Aoki was surprised to learn that Minato had already dealt with the Third Hokage and Danzo in his own world—truly befitting the title of the fastest ninja in the Ninja World, his efficiency was astonishing.
Kakashi and the others, seeing the living Minato Namikaze, finally fully believed Tsunade's claim that she could summon Hokages from parallel worlds. After all, in their world, their Fourth Hokage had passed away many years ago.
The scene was surreal, yet undeniably real.
But even more shocking sights were yet to come. Two more figures emerged from the colorful light gate, and this time, the astonishment in everyone's hearts reached its peak.
"That's… the First Hokage?!"
"And the Second Hokage!"
"Heavens! It's the God of the Shinobi World, the First Hokage, and the Second Hokage!"
"Could this be another Edo Tensei?"
The rooftop was filled with gasps of disbelief and shock. Watching Senju Hashirama and Senju Tobirama step out of the light gate, everyone was left speechless. Tsunade hadn't just summoned Hokages from her own generation—she had even brought legendary predecessors like the First and Second Hokages from parallel worlds. This ability was truly awe-inspiring.
Hashirama and Tobirama surveyed their surroundings, and after confirming everything was in order, their gazes locked onto Pain hovering in the sky.
The overwhelming aura emanating from the two Hokages caused the ground beneath their feet to crack slightly, further deepening the reverence and shock in everyone's hearts. Kakashi and the others finally understood that the First and Second Hokages resurrected by Orochimaru through Edo Tensei were nothing but crude imitations compared to the genuine articles before them—the difference in power was like heaven and earth.
The Deva Path of Pain stared at the four figures who had appeared one after another, each clad in the Hokage's Ceremonial Robe, including two legendary former Hokages, and fell into utter confusion.
This invasion of Konoha had revealed a massive blind spot in his understanding. Hovering in mid-air, his body stiffened, completely unable to comprehend the situation before him. He even briefly wondered if Orochimaru had returned to Konoha, but these Hokages were clearly not Edo Tensei bodies, and their power far exceeded anything Orochimaru could control.
Nagato snapped out of his initial shock and suppressed his astonishment. No matter what tricks Konoha was playing, he had no time to dwell on them. His primary goal remained capturing the Nine-Tails.
"Such petty tricks are insignificant in the face of a god."
"It's time for you to experience true pain! From this day forward, let the entire world know the taste of suffering!"
The voice of the Deva Path of Pain echoed across Konoha as he flew toward the sky above the village center. The moment his words fell, the Chakra within him began to gather with frenzied intensity.
On the other side, Aoki and the others immediately sprang into action, positioning themselves protectively around Tsunade. Since they had come to assist, they intended to resolve this matter thoroughly. Aoki, Minato, Hashirama, and Tobirama exchanged a glance and simultaneously activated the Flying Thunder God Technique, charging straight toward the Deva Path of Pain.
In an instant, the four appeared at the four cardinal points beneath the Deva Path, forming a seal to erect the Four Red Yang Formation. Crimson transparent walls of fire erupted from the ground, so fast that Pain had no time to react before he was securely trapped within the formation, unable to even activate his Shinra Tensei.
Pain immediately unleashed his strongest Shinra Tensei, blasting it against the fiery walls. To his shock, however, the attack failed to budge the Four Red Yang Formation in the slightest.
The powerful repulsive force collided with the formation's walls without so much as creating a ripple, swallowed up like a stone sinking into the sea, utterly ineffective. It was worth noting that in the true history of the Ninja World, this formation was capable of restraining even the Ten-Tails.
Nagato, controlling the Deva Path of Pain, stared blankly at the Four Red Yang Formation before him. Meanwhile, Kakashi and the others on the rooftop were left utterly dumbfounded by the power of these Hokage.
"Is this the power of a Hokage? It's terrifying!"
"His strongest attack didn't even have the slightest effect?"
"My god..."
The onlookers were filled with shock and disbelief. Outside the formation, Aoki, Minato, Hashirama, and Tobirama had already activated Sage Art, unleashing their true power in full. At that moment, Nagato felt a massive tremor in his heart, his very breath growing labored.
He finally understood that the Hokage resurrected by Orochimaru's Edo Tensei were nothing compared to these genuine Hokage before him, especially since all four had activated Sage Art.
How ironic. A millennium ago, that being who possessed the Rinnegan and also proclaimed himself a god was ultimately defeated by Sage Art. And now, it seemed history was about to repeat itself.
"These are nothing but boring tricks! No matter how many of you come, nothing will change today!"
Nagato's primary goal remained capturing the Nine-Tails. He immediately decided to retreat with Konan, simultaneously controlling the Six Paths of Pain and preparing to withdraw his own body as well.
"Let's go!"
The moment Nagato and Konan hastily began their retreat, the three Hokage who had activated Sage Art swiftly pinpointed Nagato's location and were about to give chase when Aoki suddenly called out to Minato.
"Minato, go find Tsunade and bring Naruto here. It's time you met your son. The three of us will pursue the enemy. Naruto is the key to resolving this matter completely. Here's a specially made kunai; activate the Flying Thunder God when the time is right!"
Though puzzled, Minato immediately agreed. Then, Aoki, along with Senju Hashirama and Senju Tobirama, swiftly pursued in the direction of Nagato's retreat.