Naruto: Unlocking Kaido Template

"It seems that Roran has mastered the art of puppetry," Zixu nodded. With enough energy, Roran could function as a mobile war fortress—similar to how that centipede integrated Roran's buildings into its own body.

"Energy isn't really a problem. Worst case scenario, we can just get a few more guys brought back by Edo Tensei (Impure World Reincarnation) and use them as power sources. Orochimaru's ambition knows no bounds. I wouldn't be shocked if he triggered the Fourth Great Ninja War," Zixu said, listening again to Sara as she detailed more of the puppet's functions. He recognized its massive potential.

Sara frowned. Puppets required an enormous amount of chakra—or energy, more precisely. Every function needed a reliable power supply. But now, even the dragon vein's branch source was drying up. Without a new energy source, they'd have no choice but to abandon the puppets and start from scratch.

But Sara wasn't willing to give up. She had poured over a decade of her life into building Roran into what it was today. Surrendering that? Not an option.

"Sky City must require a tremendous amount of chakra to operate. Lord Dragon God, you should be able to handle it," she said firmly. Sara trusted Zixu completely. She believed he'd guide Roran into the light—just like he had rescued it from Mukade more than ten years ago.

"Maybe," Zixu nodded. "But power sources aren't exactly easy to get right now. Once the chaos in the ninja world escalates, human-shaped power sources might start flooding in. Then Roran's puppets will have their time to shine."

He took a deep breath. Even though they were underground, the air felt much cleaner than above. The people living inside the puppets didn't seem to suffer from any abnormalities; their faces radiated a longing for a better life.

"Next, we prepare to face Akatsuki's assault. Eliminate them one by one. No hesitation," Zixu muttered. He tossed a small iron ball in his hand, engraved with the intricate formula of Hiraishin no Jutsu (Flying Thunder God Technique). He hadn't fully adapted to the jutsu yet, so all he could do was train and practice more.

Hatsuizumi, who had been secretly taking photos of Zixu, didn't really get what was going on. She adjusted her glasses, looking puzzled.

"Akatsuki would dare step into our turf? Wasn't last time's beatdown enough for them?"

"They'll definitely come," Zixu replied coldly. "They're after the One-Tail sealed inside Gaara. If they want to summon the Jūbi (Ten-Tails), they'll need all the Tailed Beasts—even if it means storming through hell to get them."

Though Sara didn't fully grasp the context of the conversation, she nodded and respectfully kept her distance.

"Then I'll remain here. Once Lord Dragon God finds a new energy source, we'll fight together," Sara said, bowing slightly to Zixu. As Roran's queen, she had to stay by her people's side. It was her duty and her burden.

Zixu understood. She had truly grown into a worthy queen, unmoved by emotion when responsibility called.

After bidding Sara farewell, Zixu and the others returned to the Sky Castle. But the moment they arrived—before Zixu could even sit—Neji burst in, panting heavily.

"What happened? Take a breath and speak clearly," Zixu said. Judging by Neji's urgency, it had to be serious.

Neji exhaled deeply, choosing his words carefully. "The Akatsuki have attacked Konoha. They've requested our support."

"So soon? Pain..." Zixu's expression tightened. Kakashi had just received intel on Pain. It made sense. Pain probably attacked now to prevent any countermeasures from forming.

"We're still floating above Roran, technically in the Wind Country, pretty far from the Fire Country. With Pain's strength, the village could be wiped out before we even arrive," Zixu muttered, eyeing the small black sphere in his palm, deep in thought.

Things in Konoha were dire. If it hadn't been serious, Jiraiya wouldn't have sent a distress call. Kakashi had just returned Sasuke to the village—and then Sasuke vanished again. Before they could even analyze the intel properly, Pain made his move.

Naruto had returned to Mount Myōboku to train. His Sage Mode still wasn't perfect. Right now, not even Zixu—let alone Aburame Hatsuizumi—could be taken down by Naruto.

In terms of combat power, only Jiraiya and Tsunade were considered high-tier. Danzo? That old bastard vanished the moment trouble hit. Typical.

—----

(Before Tsunade and Jiraiya fought Pain)

The invasion began with only one of Pain's bodies flying into Konoha. A patrol spotted him mid-air, but before they could react, a black chakra rod pierced the man's throat.

That Pain immediately used Kuchiyose no Jutsu (Summoning Technique) to call forth the remaining five. The one previously beaten to death by his clone had been replaced—still six in total: the Six Paths of Pain.

"Where is the Jinchūriki of the Nine-Tails...?" Tendo Pain asked as he crushed the patrolman underfoot. The man remained silent, defiant to the end.

Then, the other Pain grabbed his head with one hand, placed the other on his temple, and violently yanked—ripping his spirit from his body.

"He doesn't know."

The patrolman collapsed, eyes lifeless.

"If you want peace, you must endure pain. From this moment forward, Konoha will know pain," Tendo Pain declared.

A massive spiritual beast materialized from another dimension. The Animal Path unleashed an army of creatures: a three-headed yellow dog, a massive rhino slamming the ground, and a blue-black archaeopteryx flying overhead. Konoha became a playground for monsters.

Asura Path—split into three heads and six arms—launched missiles from his limbs. Even his head transformed and exploded, causing utter chaos.

The Human Path, who'd ripped out the patrolman's soul, continued his slaughter. He grabbed anyone nearby and extracted their spirits without hesitation. Their screams were blood-curdling, but Pain was unfazed.

Konoha's guards weren't weak. They weren't Uchiha-level, but they had skill. They launched Fire Release, Water Release, and Earth Release techniques in rapid succession.

But the Preta Path stepped forward, absorbing all of it with a mere touch. Every jutsu dissolved into nothing.

Tendo Pain hovered in mid-air, pulling another guard toward him with Shinra Tensei (Almighty Push). Behind the Hell Path, a massive spectral head emerged—its eerie eyes locked onto the captured guard.

"I'll ask once more. Where is the Nine-Tails?" Tendo said coldly.

The mouth of the King of Hell opened, revealing a grotesque tongue. A hand protruded from its tip and gripped the guard's tongue tightly.

"I don't... know..."

The next moment, the hand yanked the tongue out and shoved it into the King of Hell's mouth, where it was chewed into pulp.

"You're stubborn. Let's make sure you understand what true pain feels like."

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