Chương 84: Chapter 84: Road Interception 

Konan stood upon the high tower with the Deva Path while rain streamed from the roof above them. 

"Can Kakuzu be trusted with the organization's funds?" Konan asked. 

"He survived the Warring States Period," Pain replied. "He should understand respect for power." 

Konan nodded. "We will fulfill Yahiko's dream." 

Space twisted beside them. The masked man emerged from the distortion with his white spiral wrapped around him. "Before we discuss my proposal, you should deal with several Konoha spies. They spent half a year beneath your village and have begun their return journey." 

Konan's eyes hardened. "You watched them leave." 

"I did. This is Amegakure's territory, so I assumed its god would prefer to handle the matter personally. I can assist if necessary." 

Pain rose. The intruders had survived the rain, the Paths, Konan's searches, and months of intensified patrols. That achievement demanded caution. 

"Konoha still possesses capable shinobi," he said. 

"Capable enough to interest Akatsuki," the masked man replied. "If they can be persuaded." 

Pain did not answer. The Six Paths were already moving. 

Near the border between the Lands of Rain and Fire, four figures crossed the wet forest at sustained speed. 

Togekei could see brighter sky beyond the next ridge. "Teacher, you lived inside Amegakure for months without being discovered. Even the Intelligence Division will have trouble believing it." 

"We are not home yet," Tonbo said. "Save the admiration until after the report is accepted." 

Iwao and Murakumo said nothing. Both had survived too many extractions to celebrate at the first sight of a border. Togekei trusted Tonbo's unease and shifted his attention toward their rear. 

Several minutes later, Tonbo stopped. The forest ahead appeared empty. His perception said otherwise. Six figures waited ahead. 

"Scatter on my signal," he murmured. 

Space distorted between the trees. Six figures in black cloaks marked with red clouds appeared across the route, the Deva Path standing at their center. 

"You entered our village and stole its secrets," Pain said. "The Land of Rain will be your burial ground." 

Tonbo counted positions and abilities. He knew only fragments: attraction and repulsion from the Deva Path, summons from the Animal Path, absorption, weapons, restoration, and the extraction of souls. Shared vision made conventional blind spots nearly useless. 

His team could not win this engagement. Their only favorable condition was that Pain did not yet understand what Tonbo had prepared. 

"You six with the matching hair," Tonbo said. "We are in a hurry. Move aside. I am tired of the sight of you already." 

Behind his back, two fingers moved against his palm: leave immediately; do not wait. 

Togekei saw the signal. Iwao and Murakumo adjusted their footing as though preparing to fight, but their weight had already shifted toward escape routes. 

"Trying to distract me so your companions can escape?" Pain glanced at the other heads, then back at Tonbo. "You expect to hold all six of us alone. Is preserving your companions worth your life?" 

The question carried more than contempt. Tonbo heard an old wound beneath it, something connected to Yahiko's death and the choice that had shaped Nagato afterward. 

"Have you heard of the Will of Fire?" Tonbo asked. 

If Naruto could talk enemies into changing their minds, surely Tonbo could manage it. The boy was hardly an eloquent speaker. Perhaps a few words here would even prevent the Fourth Shinobi World War. He could save the world without anyone knowing. 

Pain remembered Jiraiya speaking of the same belief before Hanzō's betrayal taught him what ideals cost when power failed to defend them. 

Hidden among the trees, the masked man listened through the spiral. 

"Tobitake Tonbo," the deeper voice said. "He attended the Academy with me. He could not even beat me in our sparring classes. I never thought he would become a jōnin." 

The lighter voice sounded delighted. "A reunion. Will you rescue your old classmate?" 

"Konoha has nothing to do with me now. This world is false. I will replace it with one where loss cannot exist." 

Tonbo continued speaking while his senses tracked every Path. "A shinobi's power rarely rises above the conviction directing it. You possess conviction of your own. That does not make our deaths necessary." 

Togekei was deeply moved. His teacher understood the Will of Fire so well. Even Iwao and Murakumo paused in astonishment. 

Pain studied Tonbo. "You are right. That is all the more reason I cannot let you go." 

"Why are you still here?" Tonbo snapped. "Run." 

The three men used Body Flicker in different directions. 

The Deva Path raised one hand. 

An invisible attraction seized all three fugitives and dragged them backward through broken branches. They fought for balance, but their bodies accelerated toward Pain. Three black receivers appeared in his other hand. 

The rods pierced Togekei, Iwao, and Murakumo through the torso. 

Their cries cut across the forest. Blood struck the wet ground. 

Tonbo smiled. 

Pain's attention shifted from the impaled men to the captain who made no attempt to save them. 

"They are your companions." 

"Are they?" 

Tonbo pointed. 

The bodies vanished. Three burning explosive tags lay where his companions had seemed to fall.