Konoha's side quickly adopted Naruto's suggestion.
Tsunade, as Hokage, mobilized Konoha's forces to scatter as much as possible, avoiding annihilation from a single enemy Bijuudama wave.
At that moment, Edo Jiraiya trembled violently, his body once again forcibly controlled by Nagato.
However, this time, Nagato's focus was split controlling multiple Edo ninja, so he couldn't fully suppress Jiraiya's consciousness.
"Be careful, I'm being controlled again!"
Jiraiya shouted loudly, only able to control his mouth, urgently warning everyone.
Simultaneously, his body formed a Rasengan and charged at Naruto's Bijuu-transformed form nearby, attempting to disrupt Naruto's control over the Kyuubi.
"Quick! Stop Jiraiya!"
Tsunade shouted urgently, ordering the nearest Konoha ninja to intercept.
But most Konoha ninja were still dazed, and since it was Jiraiya attacking, they couldn't help but hesitate.
Fortunately, Kakashi was ruthless and swift, activating his Mangekyou Sharingan and using Kamui to try sucking Jiraiya into Kamui's dimension.
Unfortunately, Jiraiya's speed wasn't slow, moving at high velocity. Kakashi's Kamui missed its mark, only severing half of Jiraiya's arm.
But it at least stopped him from interfering with Naruto.
"Sorry, I really can't control myself!"
"Damn ghost! I'll hold you back!"
Tsunade rushed forward, knocking back Jiraiya—whose arm hadn't yet regenerated—with a single punch, sending him crashing into a distant wooden house.
Controlled Jiraiya, even if he summoned the two sage toads from Mount Myoboku, couldn't gain their approval to enter Sage Mode.
Thus, his combined combat strength was no match for Tsunade at full power, even though Tsunade had just woken up and was in average condition.
But restraining Jiraiya wasn't difficult.
"Kakashi, all of you, protect Naruto!"
"Got it!"
Kakashi and the others immediately complied, guarding beside the Kyuubi.
Though Naruto was deeply worried about Jiraiya, he had no energy to focus on his opponent, as he needed to stay vigilant for enemy Bijuudama attacks at any moment.
But Naruto waited over a minute, yet no second Bijuudama attack came.
As Naruto grew puzzled, four massive clay birds and a summoned eagle broke through the clouds in the sky, flying in formation and appearing in everyone's view.
Akatsuki's vanguard of high-level combat forces arrived first.
Edo Itachi Uchiha, Kisame Hoshigaki; Edo Deidara, Edo Sasori, Fourth Raikage Ei puppet, Acting Hokage Shimura Danzo puppet;
Edo Kakuzu, Pain Tendo, Pain Chikushodo, Pain Jigokudo; Edo Fourth Raikage A, Edo Fifth Mizukage Terumi Mei, Edo Hanzo the Salamander, Edo Kinkaku, Edo Ginkaku.
Each rode atop the four giant clay birds.
And Sasuke, radiating the strongest aura, stood holding a sword on his summoned eagle, Garuda.
A total of sixteen Kage-level forces appeared together.
The remaining hundred-plus elite Edo Jonin were still running on the ground, estimated to need a few more minutes to arrive.
But this terrifying vanguard formation alone was enough to intimidate any major village.
Sixteen Kage-level forces! Even the Five Kage combined would only amount to three generations' worth.
This lineup would panic anyone who saw it. Especially with several deadly Super Kage-level combatants among them, it was truly horrifying.
"Enemy attack, enemy attack!"
"Ten o'clock, air units!"
"Prepare for battle!"
In Konoha, loud alarms blared, and the Konoha ninja, who had been scattering, turned toward the targets.
"The enemy's here?"
"Kakashi-sensei? Those guys?" Naruto was confused, not understanding why the enemy didn't continue their Bijuudama attacks.
"Maybe they realized you can block Bijuudamas, so they changed their strategy and are preparing a full-scale assault."
Kakashi guessed part of the truth.
After all, not everyone could be like Itachi, ruthlessly considering the Kyuubi's retaliatory threat theory.
"Good! At least I don't have to worry about missing…"
Naruto sighed in relief. Compared to constantly tensing up, fearing a sudden long-range Bijuudama attack, he preferred a fight he could see with his own eyes. Otherwise, if he missed and failed to protect the village, Naruto would blame himself to death.
"Don't let your guard down!"
"The enemy's sending forces to attack, possibly just to disrupt your defenses, so they can seize the chance to keep launching Bijuudamas!" Kakashi warned urgently.
"Huh? Aren't they afraid of hitting their own side?"
"Be careful. Nagato might not be the real commander on their side. The enemy might have no limits at all!"
After all, were there any living people in the enemy's vanguard?
Weren't they deliberately sending an all-dead force to hold Naruto, then keep firing Bijuudamas to clear the battlefield?
Just thinking about it gave Kakashi a headache.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
In no time, Akatsuki's five "strategic transport aircraft" flew into the skies outside Konoha.
Naruto immediately spotted Pain Tendo at the forefront. With a glimmer of hope, he shouted loudly:
"Nagato! Wait! Don't attack the village—we can still negotiate! What do you actually need?!"
Naruto didn't understand why Nagato, who had clearly acknowledged him, had become like a different person after being revived, attacking Konoha again.
There had to be a misunderstanding here!
If that misunderstanding was resolved, this village-destroying crisis might be averted!
Pain Tendo looked down coldly at Naruto:
"Naruto, you're still as naive as ever! There's no misunderstanding. Today, I'm here only to annihilate Konoha. All who surrender will be spared; the rest will be killed without mercy!"
"Senpai, don't you believe in me? I'll definitely—"
Naruto tried to say more, but sadly, Nagato was now immune to Talk no Jutsu.
"Enough."
"Kill!"
Nagato, controlling Pain Tendo, had nothing more to say to Naruto.
Though he acknowledged Naruto's convictions, the grim future of Amegakure he'd witnessed was enough to shatter all illusory promises and ideals.
Nagato was determined to protect Amegakure's future himself.
Against his resolute self, no one's Talk no Jutsu would work.
If Naruto dared, he could defeat Akatsuki's entire force again and become Konoha's hero once more!
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
At the same time, Sasuke also saw Naruto's perfect Bijuu transformation, his fierce gaze and fighting spirit blazing hotter.
Naruto's growth speed was utterly irrational!
In such a short time, he'd tamed the Kyuubi? Mastered such immense power.
But Sasuke wouldn't give up. With his Eternal Mangekyou Sharingan, he'd never lose to anyone again!
"You guys talk too much!"
"Naruto, you're mine!"
Sasuke leaped from the summoned eagle, charging at Naruto's Kyuubi form below.
He instantly activated his Eternal Mangekyou Sharingan, unleashing Susano'o's fourth form!
Though Sasuke's eye power was far from enough for a perfect Susano'o, the fourth form was still formidable, surpassing Kage-level limits.
Power surged through his body, his eyes trembling with exhilaration. Sasuke brimmed with unprecedented confidence and arrogance.
This time, he would definitely defeat Naruto and erase his past shame!