Chapter 203
"Jiraiya! This guy's no joke," Gamabunta said as he sheathed the massive blade in his hand. He had sliced through one summoned beast after another, but their numbers kept multiplying—especially that yellow mud three-headed dog. Now, the area was crawling with smaller versions of it. Even though their size had shrunk, their destructive force remained the same.
"Wait a second, I feel like we missed something..." Jiraiya muttered, narrowing his eyes. Back when Kakashi delivered the intel, he was attacked by Pain before explaining the critical details. That meant Kakashi must have discovered a fatal weakness.
"Black rods..." Jiraiya's eyes landed on the Path of Preta (Hungry Ghost Path) standing in front of him. He wanted to see what would happen if he pulled out the black chakra receivers embedded in its body.
"So, you noticed..." The Deva Path (Tendō) and the other five Pains froze. They shifted their focus completely onto Jiraiya.
Without warning, each Pain—clad in Akatsuki robes—summoned black rods. In perfect sync, they surrounded Jiraiya and stabbed at him from six directions.
Suddenly, yellowish-brown mud erupted beneath Jiraiya's feet. It bubbled and surged like boiling tar. Before Pain could strike, the mud coiled upward like molten gum, trying to entangle them. But the Deva Path repelled it with Shinra Tensei (Almighty Push).
Pain's assault didn't let up. A violent suction pulled at everything in front of the Deva Path. The Human Path waited, hands outstretched, anticipating Jiraiya being yanked in. The Preta Path stood in front, prepared to absorb any ninjutsu. Meanwhile, the Animal Path's summons cut off all escape routes.
In the back, the Naraka Path guarded with the Asura Path shielding it. Mechanical missiles launched from the Asura Path's arms and face, resembling the advanced tech of Zixu's world—devastatingly powerful.
Jiraiya struggled, but his limbs felt like they were filled with lead. Every move drained all his strength. He had no good options.