Chapter 372: Surprise
"Eh… Where is this place?"
Naruto's entrance was undeniably cool—standing atop Gamakichi, who in turn stood on Gamabunta's head, clad in a flowing red cloak, with a giant scroll strapped to his back, arms crossed, and that distinct beast-like eye shadow unique to Sage Mode. He looked impressive—and he was.
But what didn't match that cool image was the confused expression on Naruto's face.
Wasn't he summoned because Konoha was under attack by the Akatsuki?
So why was everything around him flattened, like newly cleared land?
And what's with all this dust in the air?
Naruto was completely baffled. Even Fukasaku began to wonder if his wife had messed up the summoning.
"This is Konoha,"
Gamamaru (Shima), who had just arrived, said solemnly.
"What?!"
"What the hell happened here?"
Gamakichi and the other toads who had arrived with Naruto were stunned. Naruto's heart sank.
"Look around carefully," Shima prompted.
Everyone turned and gazed through the dust. Soon, the cracked Hokage Rock came into view, and all their pupils contracted.
No way…
Naruto looked at Shima, about to speak, but Shima answered grimly, "I don't need to say it, do I? You already know who did this. It's the exact same feeling as when we were standing on that brat Jiraiya's shoulders."
Pain.
Naruto had his answer. Rage immediately surged inside him—but he forced himself to stay calm.
This was the enemy who killed Master Jiraiya. But if he let anger take control, he'd only make himself look more foolish in front of Pain.
What's done is done. This wasn't the time for rage.
Naruto activated Sage Mode's sensory abilities and began sensing the chakra signatures within Konoha.
Kakashi-sensei?
Konohamaru?
Chōji?
Ino?
And… Iruka-sensei?
They're probably out of the village on missions, right?
None of their chakra was within range. Naruto's heart grew heavy. He could only hope they simply weren't in the village—and not… dead. He didn't dare let the thought go further.
"Is that… Naruto?!"
"Naruto's here!"
"And he's learned Sage Mode!"
The Hyūga clan was the first to spot Naruto's arrival. Word spread quickly through Katsuyu to all the survivors in the village. The news that Naruto had returned—with Sage Mode—instantly sparked a glimmer of hope.
The hope of defeating Pain!
Boom!
Li Yao's Tendō Pain clone landed and slowly walked toward Naruto.
At the same time, Tsunade leapt down from the edge of the massive crater.
Soon, Li Yao's Tendō stood about a hundred meters in front of Gamabunta. Looking up at Naruto, he let out a faint smile inwardly—though his face remained expressionless in line with Pain's cold demeanor.
"So, you've finally arrived, Naruto."
Naruto furrowed his brows, staring down at Pain with barely suppressed fury.
This was the one who killed Master Jiraiya!
His chakra was indeed powerful… and was it his imagination?
Naruto squinted. He could sense streams of chakra being transmitted from far above—flowing into Pain's body.
"What is that?"
He wasn't sure, but this wasn't the time for questions. Defeating Pain came first.
"So this is Sage Chakra, huh?"
From the interstitial space, Li Yao's spiritual form observed Naruto's chakra. His face showed clear amazement.
It was unlike any chakra he'd sensed before. Sage Chakra had a unique feel—its strength put it roughly on par with Kekkei Tōta. Not quite Kekkei Mōra, but special nonetheless.
It was like Haki from One Piece—delivering a kind of true damage.
Just as natural energy represented the laws of nature, it could fuse with any chakra type and affect all forms of ninjutsu.
That, Li Yao reasoned, was likely why Sage techniques couldn't be negated by Kekkei Mōra.
The nature of Sage Chakra wasn't overly complex.
If Li Yao had left the interstitial space, he might've been able to replicate it in just a second—but he remained cautious.
Right now, there was a special kind of natural energy within Naruto—one with a soul's presence.
Clearly, it had been refined by someone.
And who could refine natural energy besides the three major sacred beast realms?
Jūgo could absorb natural energy, sure, but he used it only as raw force—he couldn't refine it.
But the sacred beasts could. They refined and absorbed it, and used it like chakra to cast elemental Sage techniques.
The natural energy on Naruto wasn't from Fukasaku or Shima.
It could only be from the Great Toad Sage.
Li Yao didn't even need to guess—he knew Naruto was currently being watched from Mount Myōboku.
Even though Li Yao's spiritual form in the interstitial space couldn't be sensed—not even by Sage Mode Naruto—there was still a chance the Great Toad Sage could detect him.
Better to be safe and keep analyzing from the interstitial space.
It wouldn't take long—about a minute, and he'd have fully replicated the properties of Sage Chakra.
"I wonder… once I've decoded the properties, can I form Sage Chakra directly?"
Within the interstitial space, Li Yao waited, both eager and a little nervous.
Tap tap!
Naruto and Li Yao's Tendō Pain squared off. The other six Paths dropped down from the sky, taking their positions behind Pain.
Now began the performance.
Li Yao didn't plan to actually defeat Naruto. He needed to give him the chance to win—so that later, when Naruto chose to spare him, the weight of that choice would hit harder.
Tap tap!
Just as the battle was about to erupt, Tsunade arrived, stepping between Naruto and Tendō. Her face filled with rage.
"I'm the Fifth Hokage!"
"You've destroyed our ancestors' legacy and dreams!"
"Unforgivable!"
She drew a deep breath, forced her exhausted body to stand tall, and roared, "As Hokage, I will put an end to this here and now!"
Li Yao, channeling Nagato's personality, replied coldly, "So you've begun to understand pain."
"But the one I seek is not you."
Tendō's eyes shifted past her, toward Naruto.
Just as he said that, the Asura Path suddenly charged—straight toward Tsunade.
But its speed was slower than before—matching Nagato's original control speed.
Still enough for average shinobi…
But not for Sage Mode Naruto.
"It's me you're after!"
With Naruto's angry voice, his fist exploded through the Asura Path's puppet body—reducing it to scattered metal.
"So fast!"
Even though he'd expected Naruto to be quick in Sage Mode, seeing it in action still caught Li Yao off guard.
It wasn't just on par with Lightning Release Armor Mode—it might even surpass it slightly.
(END CHAPTER)
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