Superior Reed Richards

While I was talking with Tsunade and Jiraiya, my students—Naruto and Fū—were spending time together. At the moment, the blond was showing her the sights of Konoha.

Since Fū and Naruto didn't hide their status as jinchūriki from each other, finding common ground was extremely easy for them.

I had nothing to do with them for now, which meant I had a couple of possible plans of action...

"Reed-san!"

My gaze fell upon a group of jōnin. It seemed they had decided to gather to take a break from their genin.

"Long time no see."

I realized that I had found a way to occupy myself for the next three hours.

—= Some Time Later =—

"You haven't been wasting your time," Asuma said.

At that moment, we were in one of the most popular establishments among jōnin.

"What do you mean?"

Hiruzen's son smirked and said:

"I'm talking about your involvement in suppressing the civil war in Kirigakure."

Ah, yes, by this time, every interested party was already aware of what I did in Kirigakure. And it wasn't just because every major village has spies in each other.

"An interesting experience."

"Only you could say that suppressing a civil war is a trivial matter," Kurenai said with a slight smile, shaking her head.

At that moment, I felt a very familiar chakra approaching the establishment.

Itachi and Sasuke entered the place. The boy with the spiky hairstyle looked much better than during my last visit.

"For what you did with Itachi, I'm most grateful," Kakashi said, noticing my gaze. "Since Itachi's return, Sasuke's mental state has improved."

I knew that after Itachi returned to Konoha, he had a rather heavy conversation with young Uchiha. Thanks to numerous factors coming together, Sasuke forgave his brother for what he had done. The death of Danzō and Hiruzen's involvement in those conversations played a role in this forgiveness.

"I take it that further training of Sasuke has been taken over by Itachi?" I asked Kakashi.

The one-eyed jōnin nodded. Then, seeing that the other jōnin were interested, he added after thinking for a couple of seconds:

"At least, Itachi has taken over training with the Sharingan. I'm still handling team training aimed at improving teamwork."

"Naruto is training under Jiraiya-san, but who is training Sakura?" Asuma asked.

Kakashi smiled and looked at Kurenai.

"She's training with me," said one of the few genjutsu masters in Konoha. "Since my genin are training within their clans, I have time to work with Sakura. Sakura has excellent chakra control, which is ideal for practicing genjutsu."

—= Some Time Later =—

Amegakure greeted Jiraiya and me with rain that poured incessantly, as if it were an integral part of its existence. The rain fell in sheets, piercing the air and shrouding the city under a dense veil of water, creating the impression that this city was always underwater.

Amegakure, known as the Village Hidden by Rain, fully lived up to its name. Narrow streets paved with slippery cobblestones were filled with puddles. The roofs of houses, from which water trickled down in thin streams, created a melody that accompanied us every step. Tall buildings with flat roofs and metal structures towered over the streets, creating a feeling of confinement and gloom.

Metal towers, covered with moss and rust, rose above the city like sentinels watching every movement. Pipes and channels for diverting rainwater were installed on these towers, but they couldn't keep up with the flow, and water bubbled and overflowed over the edges. In the light of rare lanterns that flickered through the curtain of rain, the water sparkled and glistened, creating bizarre reflections on the wet pavement.

The inhabitants of Amegakure, wrapped in cloaks with hoods, moved along the streets, hiding their faces from the endless downpour. Their steps were cautious and swift, as if they were accustomed to the constant rain and knew how to move without lingering under its streams.

The sounds of dripping water, the rustle of wet footsteps, and the quiet whisper of rain created a unique atmosphere. It seemed that the city lived in its own rhythm, obeying the unchanging law of the rain.

"If it weren't for these tall buildings, I'd say that Amegakure has frozen in time," Jiraiya whispered.

At that moment, I felt the rain change.

"We've been detected. The rain serves as a medium for Nagato's technique."

One of Pain's bodies, the one responsible for summoning, began moving in our direction.

"One of his bodies will be here in five minutes."

Jiraiya was already aware of what Pain was. For this reason, he formed the seals for the summoning technique. Judging by the amount of chakra flowing through his body, he intended to start with his trump card.

"Summoning Jutsu!"

The moment Jiraiya's palm hit the ground and a series of symbols spread across it, Pain's body was already visible in the air. Pain's Rinnegan scanned me and Jiraiya, apparently considering us dangerous enough to confront us fully prepared.

As soon as the body responsible for summoning landed on the ground, a series of symbols spread from the spot where his palm had touched.

"Summoning Jutsu!"

In a cloud of smoke appeared all Six Paths of Pain. In an identical cloud of smoke stood Jiraiya, on whose shoulders now sat two very powerful elders from Mount Myōboku.

"Jiraiya, you could at least visit us once in a while..." said one of the elders from Mount Myōboku, Shima, the Mother of the Toad Way.

"Wife, we're on the battlefield right now..." replied her husband, Fukasaku.

At that moment, Jiraiya folded his hands into seals for concentration. Judging by how sharply his facial features changed, it could be concluded that he had entered Sage Mode.

"I'll definitely visit you when we're done with my foolish student," Jiraiya declared loudly enough for Nagato to hear.

The toads raised their eyes in the direction where, at that moment, stood one who bore the Rinnegan in his eye sockets.

"So it's him..." Shima whispered.

"Rinnegan..." Fukasaku murmured.

"Long time no see, Jiraiya-sensei," said the Deva Path, who was once Yahiko.

Jiraiya's eyes filled with sadness when he saw Yahiko's face with Nagato's impassive eyes.

"Nagato..."

If Jiraiya wanted to say something, he didn't get the chance, as the Six Paths of Pain began to act.

The Animal Path performed another summoning. This time, from a cloud of smoke emerged a dog-like creature that moved toward us.

Understanding Nagato's tactics was quite simple. He wanted to use the summoned creature to figure out how to deal with us.

"You're underestimating me," I said before bringing my hands together in the seal to create a Wood Release technique. "Wood Release: Wood Golem Jutsu!"

From beneath the ground burst a giant wooden hand that grabbed the dog in mid-air. Soon, the rest of the giant wooden golem emerged.

Wood Release possessed the incredibly useful property of absorbing an opponent's chakra and using it against them. This feature allowed users of this nature to employ it effectively against bijuu.

Pain's summoned beast was strong, but it wasn't stronger than a bijuu. For this reason, it couldn't even move the tip of its tail, let alone split into two separate dogs.

While my golem held the dog, my attention was drawn to movement from a point Nagato perceived as my blind spot. The Asura Path, having taken a very advantageous position, transformed its arm into a rocket launcher.

Nagato was clearly counting on killing me with this projectile. However, something happened that he did not expect.

Activating the Sharingan, I focused my gaze on the Asura Path. Using Amaterasu in this area would be extremely wasteful, so I opted for Kamui. The torso of the Asura Path disappeared into Kamui.

At that moment, Jiraiya and the remaining Paths of Pain joined the fray.

The Animal Path summoned a giant rhinoceros that charged at my golem with full force.

"Universal Pull!" the Deva Path used Banshō Ten'in on me.

I allowed him to draw me closer to the Preta Path, who was alongside the Human Path. His plan was not only to neutralize my chakra but also to extract my soul to obtain information.

"Sage Art: Super Big Ball Rasengan!"

My gaze fell on Jiraiya, who had also begun to act. A gigantic blue sphere obliterated the Animal Path.

"From this position, it will be easier to execute..." the thought flashed through my mind as a massive psionic energy burst from my eyes.

Nagato attempted to absorb this attack, thinking it was essentially ninjutsu. He clearly expected no harm and that everything would go as he planned. In response to Nagato's actions, a smirk appeared on my face.

"Too bad," I said as the absorption failed and the Preta Path literally vanished.

The destruction of the Preta Path was unexpected for Nagato, and Banshō Ten'in ceased momentarily. However, due to inertia, I was still flying toward the Human Path.

My eyes turned bright red, gleaming in the half-light of rainy Amegakure. The tomoe in my eyes began spinning with increasing speed, like whirlpools in a swift current. Slowly but surely, they merged, forming a new, more complex, and menacing pattern.

Every movement now seemed slowed down; every raindrop falling from the sky was vividly clear, as if suspended in the air. I could discern the tiniest details and nuances, perceiving the world entirely differently from everyone else.

And just as clearly, I saw Pain's body in all its details.

The moment before my body was captured by the Human Path, a skeletal Susanoo formed around me. A bony hand emerged from Susanoo's torso, grabbing Pain's body and crushing it instantly.

I then began using Susanoo to slice the Deva Path's body in half. However, Nagato understood perfectly what was about to happen and took countermeasures.

"Almighty Push!"

Encased in Susanoo, I was sent flying a few dozen meters. There was no significant damage since I was protected by Susanoo. Around the Deva Path, a perfectly shaped crater had formed.

The Deva Path raised its hand to initiate an attack. However, I acted faster.

Chakra rods, dark and smooth like onyx, pierced Yahiko's flesh, turning his body into Pain's obedient tool. These rods were not merely physical objects; they were vessels for transmitting and controlling chakra, allowing Nagato to manipulate Yahiko's body with astonishing precision. Each rod glistened in the dim light, reflecting its dark, ominous nature.

They penetrated deeply into the flesh, connecting with vital nerve nodes and organs, turning the body into a puppet entirely under Nagato's will. The rods served as antennas, transmitting commands through chakra, providing full control over every movement, every thought.

However, despite their power, these rods had one critical weakness: they were vulnerable to electromagnetic interference. I knew this was precisely where I could disrupt Nagato's control. Gathering all my strength, I focused on the rods, directing powerful electromagnetic waves that began to penetrate the metallic structures.

A moment. All it took was one moment to extract all the rods from Yahiko's body. Waves coursed along the metallic surfaces, causing them to vibrate and break apart. Nagato's influence vanished before my eyes, like a shadow dispelled by bright light. Yahiko's body, deprived of its power, fell to the ground like a puppet whose strings had been cut.

With Pain defeated, I turned my gaze to Jiraiya, who was currently engaged in battle with Konan. She had arrived at the moment the Deva Path used Banshō Ten'in. She thought Nagato wouldn't need assistance and decided to occupy Jiraiya.

"Ma! Pa!" Jiraiya exclaimed.

The elders from Mount Myōboku began to act without delay.

"Sage Art: Frog Call!"

The toads began their song, which reached its target—Konan. Under the influence of the toads' melody, she froze in place. Paralysis was just the first stage.

For the elders' technique to work, the opponent needed to hear the song. Konan had fulfilled the necessary conditions, allowing the toads to perform Mount Myōboku's genjutsu.

"Demonic Illusion: Toad Confrontation Chant!"

Konan found herself trapped in a genjutsu. It became clear to me what Jiraiya intended. The white-haired sage chose the difficult path; he decided to enlighten his student.

"I suppose all I can do is wait..." the thought crossed my mind.

—= Some Time Later =—

The powerful genjutsu from Mount Myōboku incapacitated Konan. After the technique ended, she lost consciousness. Jiraiya silently picked her up.

"That was quick," I said, looking at Jiraiya.

The Toad Sage appeared as if he had accomplished an incredibly challenging task. I would say that his dialogue with Konan did him good.

"She is my student," Jiraiya said. "I might even say she's like a daughter to me. Despite the years that have passed... I know her well."

"I hope you'll resolve the issue with Nagato just as swiftly."

Jiraiya merely smiled. Without another word, he stood beside me. I placed my hand on his shoulder and transported us to where Nagato was currently located.

Jiraiya's student looked extremely frail, as if he were on the brink of death. Giant chakra rods were implanted into his back, writhing from his body like black, sinister tendrils. Nagato had lost the ability to move and was confined to a specialized machine that sustained his life and enabled control over the Paths of Pain.

His arms were submerged in canisters filled with a liquid that bubbled softly in the dim light. Nagato's body was housed within a wooden chamber resembling a sarcophagus, from which numerous tubes and wires protruded, connecting to his emaciated, almost skeletal figure. Eyes that were once full of determination and fire now appeared dull and lifeless, hidden beneath thick strands of red hair that fell over his face.

Each breath was labored; a raspy sound emerged, as if air passed through shards lodged in his throat. Nagato looked exhausted and emaciated, his skin pale and gray, giving him the appearance of a ghost trapped in a body that had long since depleted its resources. His thin, bony hands trembled, and every muscle seemed stretched to the limit, like a taut string ready to snap at any moment.

"Long time no see... Nagato," Jiraiya said, looking at his student with pain in his eyes.

Read chapters ahead on [email protected]/patreonarcane