Sasuke's eyes were sharp as blades: "Itachi, you coward, you only dare to send your clone to face me now?"
Itachi was momentarily taken aback: "You've seen through it? Impressive, it seems you've indeed grown much stronger."
Sasuke demanded, "Itachi, show yourself immediately, or I will kill all your companions!"
Itachi chuckled softly: "If you can, go ahead. But now, I want to return your words to you exactly."
Sasuke narrowed his eyes, a flicker of concern crossing his heart.
Itachi maintained a blank expression: "Right now, Kisame, Deidara, and I are at the base of the Ryūnosuke Society..."
Sasuke's eyes widened in shock. How could this be? Scorpion's intelligence didn't mention this!
Suigetsu interjected: "The base coordinates are hidden; you can't find them!"
Itachi replied, "The members of the Akatsuki organization are very powerful. I advise you not to underestimate them. Also, this mission is confidential, known only to the leader besides us."
Konan turned to Tendō: "Is that true?"
Tendō nodded slowly: "Yes, in order to achieve world peace, this is a necessary measure."
In fact, Tendō originally planned to persuade Sasuke. If persuasion failed, then Itachi and the others would attack the Ryūnosuke Society to capture the tailed beasts directly.
Even if something unexpected happened during the period, he could also take action to resist Sasuke.
But man proposes, God disposes. Who would have thought that Jiraiya would sneak into the Rain Village at this time?
Tendō was very worried. If Sasuke and Jiraiya joined forces, he would have no chance of winning even with the Rinnegan!
Sasuke suddenly realized the situation. No wonder even Scorpion didn't know. But if this happened, Karin and the others would be in danger!
Tendō said solemnly: "Uchiha Sasuke, how about a deal? You retreat now, and I will let Itachi and the others release your companions."
Sasuke's face was as dark as a stormy sea. The enemy's promise was not credible. It would be more reliable to capture a hostage than to trust these words!
Sasuke sneered: "Unfortunately, I don't accept threats. Besides..." He turned to look at Itachi, "You are the ones who should not underestimate my companions!"
Jūgo and Suigetsu exchanged glances and immediately prepared for a desperate fight.
Just then, with a bang, Tendō disappeared without a trace.
Konan's face changed drastically: "What, is there someone invading the village?"
Sasuke's eyes moved slightly. It was a summoning technique just now!
Suigetsu drew out the Executioner's Blade: "Sasuke, this is a good opportunity!"
Sasuke nodded: "I know, Susanoo!"
In an instant, a purple giant descended, its divine power so awe-inspiring that people dared not look at it.
Konan and Kakuzu faced a formidable enemy.
Boom boom boom!
Sasuke attacked with all his strength, his momentum overwhelming.
Konan and Kakuzu were like small boats in a storm, captured on the spot after a few moves.
Sasuke smirked: "Itachi, Akatsuki is nothing but this!"
Itachi sighed: "Sasuke, you still love to show off as before..."
Sasuke retorted: "Stop talking nonsense. If you dare to harm my companions, I guarantee these two will die miserably!"
Itachi was silent for a moment: "Alright, we will not harm any member of the Ryūnosuke Society, but we will not let the Jinchūriki go either..."
Sasuke was furious: "Itachi, stop bargaining with me!"
Itachi continued: "Sasuke, don't be impatient. I haven't finished my words yet. In exchange for taking the Jinchūriki..."
"Seven days later, Konoha Village, Hokage Rock, a fight to the death!"
Sasuke narrowed his eyes.
Itachi explained: "Sasuke, the reason you captured the tailed beasts is to force me to duel with you, isn't it? Since the goal has been achieved, it is useless to keep the tailed beasts."
Sasuke coldly replied: "Itachi, you'd better keep your promise!"
Itachi assured: "Of course, I've been waiting for this day anxiously... Then, see you in Konoha in seven days!"
Caw!
Itachi's clone turned into a crow and disappeared.
Suigetsu asked: "Sasuke, are you really going to give up on Guren and the others?"
Jūgo added: "It's not that Sasuke gave up, but Itachi is too strong, and Guren and the others can't stop him..."
Sasuke reassured them: "Don't worry, I've already thought of a solution."
Suigetsu inquired: "What solution?"
Sasuke whispered so only the three of them could hear: "I'm going to sneak into the Rain Village and give the Immortal Seal to Scorpion."
Suigetsu was surprised: "So there is such a trick, so Guren and the others can avoid life-threatening danger!"
Sasuke ordered: "Jūgo, Suigetsu, take the hostages away immediately, find an opportunity to meet up with Karin, and then send me a message..."
"Yes!"
At the same time.
Jiraiya exclaimed: "I see, I've found out the secret of Pain!"
Tendō replied: "Really? But it's too late, Jiraiya-sensei."
Boom!
The Six Paths of Pain appeared.
Jiraiya was horrified.
Pain showed no mercy and quickly defeated Jiraiya with a coordinated attack.
Tendō said: "Goodbye, Jiraiya-sensei!"
Plop!
Jiraiya sank into the bottomless water.
In the dark, Sasuke was shocked. Six pairs of Rinnegan, what on earth is going on?
What's even more strange is that none of them have entries displayed on them. This is impossible unless they are not human!
Sasuke's eyes lit up. Wait, could it be that these six people are... human puppets?
Remember that Scorpion once mentioned that he gave the method of making human puppets to Pain.
If Pain is really a puppet, then it can explain why there are no entries.
Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh!
The Six Paths of Pain disappeared without a trace.
Sasuke looked at the water surface. Perhaps Jiraiya, who had fought with the Six Paths of Pain, could confirm his previous guess...
Plop!
Sasuke dived into the water to rescue Jiraiya. Fortunately, the other party was still half alive.
Immortal Seal, condense!
Sasuke wiped the sweat from his forehead and condensed several Immortal Seals in succession. Even with the body of the sage, it was a bit too much.
Swoosh!
The Immortal Seal drilled into Jiraiya's body.
In an instant, Jiraiya recovered as before.
Then, Sasuke took Jiraiya and quickly left.
Ten miles away from the Rain Village.
"Ahem!"
Jiraiya opened his eyes: "Hey, wasn't I dead? Wait, you... are Uchiha Sasuke?"
Sasuke remained silent.
Jiraiya's eyes flickered: "I've heard from Sakura that you can come back to life. I guess you saved me."
Sasuke nodded.
Jiraiya thanked him: "Thank you, Sasuke!" He slapped his forehead and said, "Oh no, I must tell Tsunade the secret of Pain's Rinnegan immediately!"
Sasuke said calmly: "If I guess correctly, Pain's Six Paths is just a puppet, and the real owner of the Rinnegan is not among them."
Jiraiya exclaimed: "How did you know?"
Sasuke replied: "I saw it."
Jiraiya was speechless. Good grief, he fought hard and risked his life to get the information, but others just took a few glances to figure it out...
Is the gap between people really that big?
Suddenly, Jiraiya said earnestly: "Sasuke, capturing the tailed beasts to force Itachi to show up is a good strategy, but it will also make you a public enemy in the ninja world. Naruto and Sakura are worried sick every day. You must act carefully in the future."
Sasuke smiled: "Seven days later, Itachi and I will have a life-and-death duel at Hokage Rock. After completing my revenge, I will take the tailed beasts back from the Akatsuki organization and return them to their original owners!"
Jiraiya nodded secretly, feeling a growing admiration for Sasuke. He clearly distinguished between gratitude and resentment. What a remarkable Uchiha Sasuke!
Jiraiya suggested: "Sasuke, let's go back to Konoha now. I can't imagine how happy Naruto will be to see you."
Sasuke shook his head slightly: "I appreciate your kindness, but my mind is full of the duel in seven days, so let's talk about this later."
Jiraiya didn't press further. He stood up, bid farewell solemnly, and hurried back to Konoha Village.
One day later.
Akatsuki organization.
Tendō announced: "Jiraiya sneaked in to investigate. To prevent him from revealing the secret of the Rinnegan, I decided to capture the Nine-Tails in seven days!"
Itachi's eyes moved slightly: "Leader, I have a suggestion: use the duel between me and Sasuke to attract attention, and then you will find an opportunity to break through Konoha's defense..."
Tendō agreed: "Good idea. As for Konan and Kakuzu, they will have to endure some hardship for a while."
Konoha Village.
In order to let Naruto have the power to protect himself, Jiraiya took him to Mount Myoboku to learn Sage Arts...
At this time, Sasuke came to another base of the Ryūnosuke Society.
"Karin, what losses have we suffered?"