"Three years ago, when I took Naruto on his training journey, I already knew about the Akatsuki's existence."
Jiraiya's eyes were filled with both cold determination and hesitation.
"But I never wanted to believe it… That the Akatsuki I once knew… That you… would turn into this."
Nagato's expression remained icy. "I see. So our existence was exposed even three years ago."
Tendo stepped forward, chakra surging from his body.
"Then that means… you also know what our goal is?"
"The Ten-Tails..." Jiraiya took a deep breath.
"You plan to capture all the Tailed Beasts, then use the husk of the Ten-Tails sealed in the moon to bring it back to life."
Nagato narrowed his eyes.
"I didn't expect you to know that much, Jiraiya-sensei."
The hesitation in Jiraiya's gaze slowly faded, replaced by nothing but a cold resolve.
Clenching his fist, he stared at Tendo.
"Nagato, that's not peace. That's just an illusion, a fantasy that will never come true. You can't achieve real peace with something like that!"
A sudden silence fell over the battlefield.
All the Konoha shinobi stopped where they stood. Their faces were exhausted, but none of them backed down. They stared at the Six Paths of Pain, unwavering.
The six figures stood together, with Tendo at the center, his gaze sweeping across everyone present.
Jiraiya stood at the front, his voice heavy with emotion.
"Nagato… I never wanted to believe what Kurama told me. Because I never doubted you. I never doubted Yahiko. I believed that no one understood pain and hatred better than you… That you would never be the kind of person who would inflict suffering on the innocent."
"Nagato, stop this. Yahiko wouldn't have wanted this."
He could have gone to the Land of Rain to seek the truth when Kurama told him everything.
But he didn't.
Maybe it was because he never had the chance.
But more than that, he trusted Nagato and Konan. That much had never changed.
In the distance, Nagato, now hunched and frail, slowly raised his head.
His once vibrant red hair had faded into a dull shade under the shadows.
The Rinnegan in his eyes spun slightly as he whispered,
"Jiraiya-sensei… Yahiko… I'm sorry…" At the heart of Konoha's ruins, Tendo's face remained unchanged.
"If this were a few years ago, maybe I would have listened to you."
"But now… things are different, Jiraiya-sensei… No, Jiraiya..."
— ¶ —————————————————————
"Once,
I called you 'teacher.'"
Tendo looked at Jiraiya, his voice turning cold.
"It's because I've felt pain. It's because I understand hatred. That's why I now realize how naïve I used to be."
"Now that I understand hatred, I know what it brings. Now that I've experienced pain, I truly understand what it means."
"Too many people in the Land of Rain have died. Their suffering made me grow. A foolish, ignorant child can only truly grow up once they understand pain."
"It doesn't matter if no one understands me. I don't need anyone's approval. It doesn't matter if no one agrees with me. I alone am enough."
Tendo lifted his head. Behind him, the first light of dawn broke through the horizon.
Standing against the light, Tendo appeared like a 'god' watching over the shinobi world.
The sunlight poured down on the land, casting a long shadow over his face, making it impossible to see his expression. But it didn't matter. He spread his arms wide, facing the countless enemies before him, his voice rising.
"Yes, feel pain. Experience pain. Accept pain. Understand pain… Those who don't know pain will never understand peace."
Tendo lowered his hands, and the light of dawn turned into shadows that covered his face.
"I have transcended human limits through endless pain. I have risen from a mere man to a god."
"Let the world feel pain… That is the will of 'God.'"
Cold…
As the first light of dawn touched the earth, what people felt was not warmth, but an overwhelming chill hidden beneath the glow.
Gulp—
A ninja swallowed hard, staring at Tendo in shock.
Asuma's expression was ice-cold. Even after an exhausting night of battle, the burning fury in his eyes could not be hidden.
"You suffered pain… so now you want others to suffer too… That's the most ridiculous excuse I've ever heard."
"I don't need to explain anything to you."
Tendo didn't care about these people. He lowered his arms, his gaze turning to Jiraiya.
"I've searched all over Konohagakure. Jiraiya, tell me—where is the grave of the Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato?"
Jiraiya clenched his fists.
"Nagato… Over my dead body!"
There was no need for more words.
The man before him was no longer the student he had once been proud of.
He was just another enemy—one who had chosen the wrong path and started a pointless war.
Jiraiya closed his eyes, a bitter smile forming on his lips.
"I really was too naive… I knew you weren't the same person anymore, yet I still hoped to bring you back to the right path."
He opened his eyes. The bitterness remained on his face, but now, his gaze was filled with nothing but cold resolve.
"But, Nagato, I will stop you. I will stop you from destroying Konohagakure. I will stop you from defiling the dead."
"And if I can't… then I have only one choice left."
"I will kill you, Nagato!"
Jiraiya brought his hands together in a seal. His determination was unwavering. At this moment, he finally understood Nagato's resolve.
If there was no turning back, then before he could make an even greater mistake—he had to die.
That was the only thing Jiraiya, as his teacher, could do.
"That's exactly how it should be."
Nagato whispered, but his eyes were full of determination.
Tendo lifted his head.
"Then before you kill me, I'll send you on your way first. Your death will bring peace."
"Nagato!" Jiraiya shouted.
"Don't look back. Don't hesitate," his voice sank.
"If you turn back, you'll miss your chance. If you hesitate, you'll fail. So use your precious Rinnegan and watch closely—"
"This is the final technique I prepared for Yahiko."
"I call it… Sage Mode!"
Boom—!
Two figures descended from the sky, landing on either side of Jiraiya. Their sharp gazes locked onto Tendo.
Tsunade glanced at Jiraiya, her expression unusually serious. "All ninja, fall back. Go stop the other Akatsuki member. These six are ours."
Sakura, breathing heavily, looked at Tsunade. "Tsunade-sensei, Naruto and Sasuke can't return to the village right now."
"I figured." Tsunade's eyes remained calm. "What about Kakashi?"
"Kakashi-sensei is getting used to his new power. He won't be able to help for a while." Sakura swallowed and took a deep breath. "We've learned the true identity of the leader behind Akatsuki."
Tendo's eyes narrowed.
Tsunade let out a cold laugh. "Who is it?"
Sakura took a deep breath. "During the Third Great Ninja War, under the Fourth Hokage Namikaze Minato, he was thought to have died at the Kannabi Bridge… A member of the Uchiha clan—Uchiha Obito!"
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