Nara Shikaku personally arrived at the Iwa-nin camp. Since Konoha had offered significant concessions, Ōnoki was rather courteous toward Shikaku and his team.
Konoha had come to deliver intel they had gathered. Ōnoki was beginning to trust the information provided. Iwa-nin had clashed with Akatsuki a few times already, but Ōnoki hadn't expected the organization to be founded by the leader of Amegakure. If he had known that earlier, he would've sent scouts sooner.
"Lord Tsuchikage, the Hokage proposes we exchange intelligence operatives. That way, if either side encounters the leader of Amegakure, we can gather intel on the Rinnegan. While your side might eliminate him on sight, Konoha is quite interested in the Rinnegan's capabilities."
Shikaku's words subtly complimented Iwa-nin's strength. After a moment of thought, Ōnoki agreed.
"Very well, I accept."
It was merely an exchange of a few scouts. As long as the Iwa-nin camp was tightly guarded, their secrets wouldn't leak. Plus, sending people to Konoha's camp might reveal something about them.
Ōnoki had a general understanding of Akatsuki's power, but he had no intention of sharing intelligence with Konoha. Konoha must be holding back too—if they had captured any Akatsuki members, they'd certainly have more information than they were letting on.
This time, Iwa-nin deployed nearly 1,200 shinobi—more than they sent against Konoha during the Third Shinobi World War. If not for the aim of seizing resources, this entire operation would be pointless.
Small nations exist solely to feed the major powers. This wasn't just Ōnoki's belief—Hiruzen Sarutobi thought so too.
If Iwa-nin could plunder the Land of Rain's resources, their strength would grow rapidly. Even if a Fourth Shinobi World War broke out in a few years, Iwa-nin would not fear it.
"Nagato, the Iwa-nin forces are almost at the location where we're storing the steel."
Konan arrived, sounding anxious. That steel was essential to transforming the Land of Rain's environment. If Iwa-nin looted it all, the project would be halted.
"Have Kakuzu and Raiga reached position?"
"Yes. Fortunately, Iwa-nin hasn't transported the materials back to the Land of Earth yet. Otherwise, we couldn't recover the losses," Konan nodded, then hesitated. "It seems we've lost contact with Jūzō Biwa. Should we try reaching him with the Illusionary Projection Technique? If there's no response, he may have been taken by Konoha…"
"Konoha…"
Nagato repeated the name, a strange light flickering in his eyes. Then he said calmly, "Forget him. If he hasn't responded, it means Konoha's ninja have captured or killed him. It seems some Konoha elites are still within the Land of Rain."
"Right now, Iwa-nin is the biggest problem. Driven by greed, they recklessly inflict suffering on smaller nations. The major villages themselves are a mistake in this world!"
Nagato spoke coldly, "It's because of them that Yahiko died in pain. If they can't experience suffering themselves, the great villages will never understand the pain of the small ones—and peace will never come. This time, I'll make Iwa-nin feel the pain that our people have endured."
After long treatment using the medical machine, Nagato had gradually regained some mobility. But the device on his back, the black transmitter, was still necessary to control the Six Paths of Pain and the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path. Without high mobility, the Six Paths were still his strongest means.
Nagato said, "Let's go, Konan. First we deal with Iwa-nin, then Konoha."
"Understood!"
Rather than use her Paper Technique to travel, Konan chose to move with Nagato by conventional ninja leaps to conserve chakra and let him recover more.
They were already near the frontlines, and after gathering intel on the Iwa-nin force, they headed straight toward them.
Their travel speed wasn't fast—Nagato was slowing Konan down.
As they neared the Iwa-nin position, the two suddenly encountered two Iwa-nin squads chasing some Amegakure shinobi.
"Hmph!"
Konan let out a cold snort and began splitting into sheets of paper to strike the invaders.
"Konan, let me handle this. The Human Path can extract intel."
Nagato stopped her, and she paused the Paper Technique.
"Summoning Jutsu!"
Forming hand seals, Nagato quickly summoned the Six Paths of Pain.
Boom boom boom!
With bursts of smoke, the Six Paths of Pain appeared and, under Nagato's control, leapt out from the woods toward the Iwa-nin squads.
"Who's there?!"
The sudden appearance of six figures from the forest startled the Iwa-nin, who were in the middle of attacking the Amegakure ninjas. Seeing their forehead protectors, the Iwa-nin quickly realized they were reinforcements from Amegakure.
"More lambs for slaughter. Shin, Ryosuke—kill them!"
The Iwa-nin Jonin sneered. The coordination of big nation shinobi crushed the disorganized small nations. Amegakure ninjas lacked teamwork and structure, both in jutsu and tactics—they were like tofu against Iwa-nin's sharp blades.
"Earth Release: Earth Lance Gun!"
Their teamwork was flawless. After the Jonin gave the signal, the other two immediately understood what jutsu to use. All three quickly formed seals and launched the same Earth Release technique.
Rumble!
Hundreds of sharp stone spears burst from the ground, attacking the Six Paths of Pain from all directions.
Deva Path Pain extended a hand, expressionless. "Shinra Tensei."
Boom!
A powerful repulsive force exploded outward from Deva Path Pain, shattering all the incoming stone spears instantly.
"What!?"
The Iwa-nin Jonin's eyes were full of disbelief. What kind of jutsu was that? He didn't even form seals!
Before he could react, the Human Path appeared behind him and reached forward, grabbing his throat.
"Ugh—!"
The immense strength from the Human Path's grip nearly choked the Jonin unconscious. He couldn't even form seals under the pain.
Just before he passed out, the Human Path ripped his soul from his body.
"Captain!"
The other two Iwa-nin tried to rush to their leader's aid but were caught in Deva Path Pain's Banshō Ten'in and pulled toward him. As they closed in, two black rods shot from his palm and pierced their hearts.
"One soul from a Jonin is enough to gather intel."
Deva Path Pain flung away the two corpses and turned his head slightly. He saw that the rest of the Iwa-nin were already on the verge of death under the assault of the Asura, Naraka, and Animal Paths.
Meanwhile, Konan appeared before the fleeing Amegakure shinobi using her Paper Technique and said calmly, "Leave this place. You're no longer needed for this battle."
"Angel-sama!?"
All Amegakure shinobi recognized her technique. Seeing the paper swirling around her, the three shinobi were instantly moved. Without hesitation, they obeyed Konan's order and swiftly retreated.
(End of Chapter)