Comparison of the two Hokage: Both ninja worlds are devastated.

Jiraiya hid within the gourd-shaped toad's protective barrier, secretly approaching the Six Paths of Pain.

Once the barrier's range was sufficient to cover the attack area, the two sages, Fukasaku and Shima, extended their tongues.

With lightning speed, they grabbed one of the six people in an instant.

In such a desperate situation, without proper intelligence, even if the capture is successful, unexpected events could occur.

Of the Six Paths of Pain, Jiraiya only knew information about two of them.

They are the Human Path, which can absorb ninjutsu, and the Animal Path, which can summon various giant beasts to fight.

Therefore, he decisively chose the animal realm, which was the easiest to deal with.

After capturing it into the barrier space, taking advantage of its unpreparedness, a Sage Art Rasengan sent it flying into the acidic gastric juices of the gourd toad, thus achieving complete control.

Then, after careful close inspection,

Jiraiya was utterly shocked to discover that

The so-called Pain, whom he initially thought was Nagato, turned out to be someone else entirely.

A powerful Jonin who had once fought him came from the Fuma clan, who were skilled in using Wind Release and shuriken techniques.

This clan was once an ally of the Uchiha clan, and the two maintained a close relationship, with the clan even supplying the Uchiha with weaponry.

However, perhaps because they were targeted, they took advantage of the chaos following the death of the Second Hokage and defected from Konoha.

For the Uchiha clan, the Fuuma was almost as significant as the Uzumaki clan was to the Senju clan.

Its powerful Wind Release techniques and unparalleled shuriken manipulation skills can significantly amplify the Uchiha clan's combat power.

Backed by the Uchiha clan, they also accumulated a great deal of wealth and resources.

Therefore, after leaving Konoha, they immediately encountered pursuit and plunder from Kumogakure and many envious individuals.

Their strength was severely depleted, and very few powerful individuals survived. This person was one of them.

Therefore, Jiraiya had a deep impression of him and recalled him in an instant.

Jiraiya stared blankly at the Jonin of the Fuma clan, a sense of understanding gradually forming in his mind.

Perhaps he now knows why there are so many Rinnegan.

"I need to go to those guys because there are things that need to be confirmed. You two should go back first."

"Nani?"

Shima was stunned by Jiraiya's words, and even his voice became distorted.

Fukasaku quickly advised:

"No, we'll definitely be killed this time. The number of eyes has increased again, and the barrier trap can't possibly catch the opponent again."

"While those guys haven't noticed us yet, now's the only time we can escape."

Unfortunately, Jiraiya, having made his own resolve and choice, could no longer be swayed by words.

"Although going out now might get you killed, it might also allow you to uncover the enemy's true identity."

If we miss this opportunity, it will be difficult for anyone to get so close to Pain's true form again. This is the only chance to expose their identities.

Now is the time of choice that the Great Toad Sage spoke of.

"Big brother and big sister, please take all the information we have so far, along with this body of Pain, back to Tsunade."

……

After a while,

In deep water,

The gourd toad spat out the bottle stopper from its mouth, and Jiraiya's figure emerged from it, slowly rising to the surface of the water.

Fukasaku used a giant Fuma Shuriken to draw the attention of the other five Paths of Pain.

Everyone turned their heads and looked toward the source of the commotion.

At that moment, Jiraiya saw the faces of all of them, and they matched the long-forgotten memories in his mind.

It's unclear whether Nagato made this choice intentionally or because he had met too many ninjas during his travels throughout the ninja world.

He actually knew everyone, that is, all six Paths of Pain.

Chapter 145 The End of a Hero's Life

Having already formed a guess and an answer in his mind, he observed Pain's Six Paths once more.

Jiraiya quickly discovered their true identities.

However, at that moment, the Six Paths of Pain also reacted immediately and surrounded him in a very short time.

The five men approached and pressed him from all directions.

The other person was lurking underwater, ready to launch a surprise attack.

In a single exchange, he shattered Jiraiya's throat with a single palm strike, the immense force sending him flying.

Almost simultaneously, the five Pain's surrounding figures suddenly accelerated and rushed forward.

The next instant, thick black iron rods were already embedded in Jiraiya's back, completely piercing through his entire body.

Vital organs, including the heart and spine, were all destroyed, leaving no chance of survival.

The bright red blood, like ink being splashed, quickly spread to a large area around it.

Jiraiya tried to speak, but after closing his mouth several times, he couldn't utter a sound.

Of course, at such an important moment,

The video, unsurprisingly, revealed all his inner thoughts through voice-over.

"We must convey Payne's true identity to our elder brother."

"No, is my throat ruined? Damn it, I'm even starting to lose consciousness, am I going to die?"

"I never imagined I would die in this way."

After a sigh,

Jiraiya's mind began to reminisce.

Under a clear, cloudless sky in Konoha Village

With white clouds overhead, he gazed at the towering Hokage Rock.

It was written in a notebook:

"Ninjas live in a world where how one dies is more important than how one lives."

The value of a ninja's life is not determined by how they live, but by their actions before they die.

After a brief flashback, the scene shifts to the speaker's current feelings.

Looking back, my life has truly been full of failures.

Despite being repeatedly rejected by Tsunade, he couldn't stop his friend from going astray.

They also failed to protect their teachers and students.

Compared to the great achievements of the Hokage of previous generations, what I have done is utterly worthless and incredibly boring.

I also want to die a glorious death like the Hokage of previous generations.

Whether a story is exciting or not is determined by its ending.

Although failure can be interesting, I have always believed that this kind of trial can temper me, which is why I have survived to this day.

But on the other hand, I would rather accomplish a great feat that can make up for all my past failures, and then die as a great ninja.

That's how it should have been, but this ending...

The Great Toad Sage prophesied that I am the guide of the changemakers.

The choice I make will determine whether the ninja world is destroyed or remains peaceful.

The goal is to defeat Pain here, stop Akatsuki, and save the ninja world.

As a result, even this choice failed.

How embarrassing!

"I never imagined this would be the ending of Jiraiya's Tale of the Gallant. What a boring story."

This dialogue is very long.

But because it is a heartfelt expression, only a moment has passed in the outside world.

at the same time,

Fragments of memories continued to flash through Jiraiya's mind.

The initial creation of my first novel, "Strong Willpower and Perseverance".

Minato decided to name his unborn child after the main character in the book.

Naruto mastered the Rasengan.

Naruto said he wanted to become Hokage, and a Hokage who would surpass any previous Hokage.

In his debate with Orochimaru, Orochimaru believed that a ninja was someone who had mastered ninjutsu, while he felt that a ninja was someone who could endure what ordinary people could not.

The most important quality of a ninja is not the number of ninjutsu they have mastered, but their unwavering will to never give up.

……

Just like the heartfelt words,

These fragments of memory, though seemingly long when presented, are actually just a fleeting moment in one's own consciousness.

After a fleeting thought,

Even though his heart had completely stopped beating, Jiraiya somehow mustered his last ounce of strength.

He even used Naruto's passionate words to boost his morale.

"Upright and frank, never breaking your promise, Naruto, if this is your ninja way, how can I, as your teacher, easily give up on you?"