I am the new Hokage of Konoha.

For Scorpion, there is naturally no such thing as emotion.

He only chose to help because he saw that the other party had worked diligently in the organization over the years and was a good subordinate, and because the capture of the tailed beasts was still largely unfinished and there was a shortage of manpower.

In addition, he also wanted to take this opportunity to give Konoha a warning.

“Great powers that don’t understand pain cannot comprehend the suffering they inflict on smaller nations. It’s time for the great powers to experience pain as well,” Pain said calmly. “The one chasing Sasori is Tsunade, one of the Legendary Sannin of Konoha, isn’t she? Then let her experience the pain. Only in this way can Konoha understand the power of Akatsuki.”

Upon hearing this, Obito Uchiha frowned slightly.

Judging from Payne's words, he clearly wasn't just planning a rescue; he intended to escalate the situation.

He disagreed, saying, "Is it alright to reveal your strength now, Pain? You should know that we've only brought back two of the nine tailed beasts so far. If the people of the ninja world know about Akatsuki's strength, it will be much more difficult to capture Jinchuriki in the future."

Pain glanced at Madara and said calmly, "Iwagakure and Konoha are already deeply wary of Akatsuki. Although we don't know why, Akatsuki is now exposed to the ninja world. If they don't want to continue being targeted by these ninja villages, the only way is to show their strength so that these major ninja villages will hesitate to act. You must know that the Fourth Shinobi World War is getting closer and closer."

Having spent most of his life in war, he has a clear understanding of the current situation in the ninja world.

Konoha's ambitions have grown stronger over the years, and the other four great nations will not stand idly by and surrender.

The two sides will inevitably engage in a major battle.

While the elite forces of both sides are endlessly exhausted in their battles, it is also the best time for Akatsuki to carry out its Tailed Beast Weapon Project.

But before that, Xiao needs to preserve herself.

Onoki, contrary to his usual behavior, tricked the Akatsuki. Konoha suddenly turned its blade against the Akatsuki, undoubtedly recognizing the danger posed by this organization that did not belong to the five great nations. They planned to eliminate this force outside their control before the official war to avoid unnecessary accidents when the war arrived.

What Pain needed to do was make these forces fully aware of just how powerful Akatsuki was.

Before war inevitably breaks out, he wants to make these great powers understand the dire consequences of attacking Akatsuki.

When the effort and reward are disproportionate, and there are real external enemies, those in power know when to back down.

Upon learning of Pain's intentions, Obito Uchiha was not surprised.

After all, someone who can deny their own Eye of the Moon project and instead devise a ten-tailed weapon to intimidate major powers and use "nuclear weapons" to achieve peace is someone who, deep down, advocates violence against violence.

Just like now, he wanted to demonstrate his strength to intimidate Konoha.

But can Pain really intimidate Konoha?

Somewhat worried, Obito Uchiha reminded Pain, "You must know that Tsunade is the wife of the Fourth Hokage, and the Fourth Hokage is proficient in the Flying Thunder God Technique. It's possible that we might encounter him personally taking action next."

Obito still harbors lingering feelings for Senju Kumo-tei, who left an extremely deep impression on him.

Upon hearing this, Pain surprisingly showed interest and asked, "The power of Wood Release? Speaking of which, Madara, you once fought Hashirama Senju at the Valley of the End. In your opinion, which is stronger, Wood Release or the Rinnegan?"

Obito Uchiha's face beneath his Rasengan mask froze.

How could he, an imposter, know about the battle experience in the Valley of the End?

Although Madara taught him a lot before he died, no one would want to talk to others about such a defeat.

The only Wood Release techniques he had ever witnessed, aside from the half-baked Wood Release power he himself possessed but rarely used afterward, were those unleashed by Senju Kumogawa during the Nine-Tails Night.

Wood Release and Rinne Reincarnation are familiar and powerful.

Obito Uchiha really couldn't guarantee it.

However, thinking back to when Madara was defeated by Hashirama Senju, he had not yet awakened the Rinnegan. Although he ultimately lost, he still managed to wear Hashirama down until he died.

In his opinion, the Rinnegan is still superior.

Obito Uchiha answered Pain in this way.

Payne said, "If that's the case, then what does Mr. Madara have to worry about?"

Seeing this, Obito Uchiha could only sigh helplessly in his heart.

Could he say that he wasn't worried about the Rinnegan, but rather about Pain himself?

It should be noted that the latter is not the true master of the Rinnegan and cannot unleash its full power.

In his current state, he was honestly quite unsure about how to deal with Senju Untengu, who was almost on par with Senju Hashirama.

However, the now powerful Payne no longer listens to him as before, and even begins to doubt his identity as time goes by.

Under such circumstances, Obito Uchiha was unable to stop Pain.

At this moment, looking at the pawn in front of him who called himself "god" and was gradually slipping out of his control, Obito Uchiha's expression under the mask changed in an unpredictable way.

Pain was blinded by the powerful force of the Rinnegan.

If they continue like this, it's hard to guarantee that the Eye of the Moon plan will be successfully completed.

Should I make some changes?

Obito Uchiha watched Pain depart with hesitation, ultimately unable to make up his mind.

Just then, Black Zetsu's voice rang in his ear: "Lord Madara, are we still going to carry out the operation we agreed on?"

Upon regaining his senses, Obito's eyes flickered with a complex mix of emotions before he nodded emphatically and said, "Do it! Has Kakashi's location been confirmed?"

“Of course! Speaking of which, the other party isn’t too far from the route Sasori is currently taking. Lord Madara, if you withdraw your Sharingan, you can go and take a look there.” White Zetsu added with a grin.

It was naturally very clear about "Lord Ban's" true identity.

"That's even better!"

Before the Sasori incident, Obito Uchiha's original plan was to find Kakashi and retrieve the Sharingan that belonged to him.

The reason for this is that, faced with the increasingly difficult situation in the ninja world, and the absurdly powerful Senju Unting and the formidable Konoha military strength behind him, his strength with only one Mangekyou Sharingan is no longer sufficient.

Only when he possesses both Mangekyou Sharingan and reaches his peak strength will he be better able to deal with all of this.

Therefore, he would rather strip away and erase the last trace of Obito's original memories from Kakashi.

With the goal of creating a world with Rin, he was willing to deny his former self, his former companions, and his former ideals.

"Let's set off now... I hope Pain won't leave me with a mess when I arrive." The moment Obito Uchiha finished speaking, his robes fluttered, and he vanished from the rooftop of the tower.

Beside him, White Zetsu chuckled expectantly, and urged on by Black Zetsu, his body slowly sank down as well.

......

Sasori's planned meeting place with Kabuto Yakushi, named the God Bridge, is located in the western part of the Land of Fire, not too far from the Land of Rain.

Given that Sasori deliberately fled to the Land of Rain, judging by the speed of ninjas, Pain's arrival wouldn't be too late.

At this moment, in the dense forests most common in the Land of Fire.

During the chase scene that had already covered dozens of kilometers, the booming sounds of combat could be heard from time to time.

When putting on a show, you have to go all the way.

Scorpion's escape was quite a mess.

No matter how he tried to mislead anyone, he couldn't escape the shadow of Konoha's professional tracking team.

Even if he wanted to use the puppets to create traps to delay the pursuers, it all became a complete joke under a pair of disdainful eyes.

Moreover, the attacks from various ninjutsu techniques of the Konoha Anbu squads have completely destroyed his few remaining puppets.

Now, only his original body remains, having severed one of his spiral slashes.

"I hope someone from the organization will come to rescue me."

Even at this moment, Scorpion, whose life was hanging by a thread, showed no fear whatsoever.

He was not afraid of death itself, but of the fact that after he was killed, eternal art would also perish.

"I wonder if anyone will be able to inherit my art in the future," Scorpion thought to himself as he looked up at the sky.

Just then, less than a hundred meters behind him, Tsunade, who was chasing after an ANBU ninja and had a small slug draped over her shoulder, subtly yawned.

During the previous pursuit, the harassment of Scorpion was handled by the well-preserved Anbu, and she herself did not take action.

Therefore, the energy and energy consumed in the previous battle with Scorpion have now been fully recovered.

If she were serious, she would be fully capable of catching up with Scorpion and killing him right now.

Unfortunately, things still had to go according to plan.

Tsunade shook her head helplessly, then opened the map and looked at the distance.

Yun Ting's bottom line for her mission was that the target could not leave the borders of the Fire Country.

Therefore, if Scorpion is about to cross the border, even if no one comes to her rescue, she should take serious action.

It now appears that this group of people is less than ten kilometers away from the border of the Land of Fire.

As time went on, seeing that the distance to the border had been halved again, Tsunade shook her head and said, "It seems that Yun Ting's plan has failed."

After saying that, just as she was about to accelerate and deliver the final blow to the scorpion not far away.

suddenly!

Under the blinding sunlight, a figure with a black background and red clouds was flying rapidly from the sky.

Tsunade paused, a smirk playing on her lips.

"They've finally arrived!"

Chapter 195 Yun Ting and Payne

In the dazzling sunlight, the black robe with red clouds fluttered in the wind, particularly eye-catching.

At this moment, not only did the Konoha ninja led by Tsunade stop in their tracks, but Sasori, whose body was torn to pieces and who was in such a sorry state for the first time in his life, also stopped.

He never expected that the leader Payne would come to rescue him personally.

However, with this person taking action, I should be safe.

Thinking of this, Scorpion finally breathed a sigh of relief.

tread.

Soon, Pain landed on the ground, his feet touching the ground. He first nodded slightly to Sasori, then looked at Tsunade, a hint of reminiscence in his eyes, and said:

"Long time no see, Tsunade, one of the Legendary Sannin of Konoha."

haven't seen you for a long time?

When did I first meet this person from the Akatsuki?

Tsunade was taken aback at first, then looked at Pain carefully. Her gaze first swept over his conspicuous Rinnegan before moving on to other areas.