Extra Chapter: Nagato's Death

Raindrops coalesced in the clouds, traversing thousands of meters before falling to the earth. In the relatively short descent, the liquid finally crashed into the steel-clad village.

Boom!

A powerful repulsion barrier erupted, shattering the raindrop.

Jiraiya was sent flying, smashing through a building, his body exposed to the cold rain.

However, in Sage Mode, his bodily functions far surpassed their usual limits. Twisting mid-air, he landed his feet on the steel wall of the building, his chakra clinging tightly.

The use of natural energy had drastically heightened Jiraiya's sensory abilities. In a single breath, he locked onto the enemy's position, raised one hand, and a chakra sphere with a diameter of five meters appeared.

—"Sage Art: Ultra-Big Ball Rasengan!"

The wall shattered as Jiraiya charged back into the building.

Nagato extended his arm, stopping the Super Giant Rasengan. The "Fuinjutsu Absorption Seal" activated, absorbing the massive chakra sphere entirely.

White Zetsu, wearing his monocular mask, seized the opportunity. Dozens of sharp kunai were hurled forward, and the Mangekyō Sharingan's power surged, increasing the kunai's weight dramatically, as though they were dozens of small mountains.

Nagato's expression didn't change at all. He merely shook his shoulders, and the skin beneath his clothes fractured and reformed, revealing mechanical cannons.

Indiscriminate firepower erupted within the tower, shattering all the kunai. At the same time, Nagato still had the strength to take a step forward, delivering a heavy punch toward Jiraiya.

"Two Great Sages!" Jiraiya shouted. Fukasaku and Shima, the two toad sages, understood perfectly. The man and two toads puffed out their cheeks simultaneously, and chakra surged.

"Sage Art: Goemon!"

Fire, wind, and oil—three jutsu were unleashed together, their power multiplying and covering a vast area.

Boom, boom, boom...

After the series of explosions, the red-haired young man stood in place. Aside from his scorched sleeves, he was entirely unscathed.

"So, this is the Rinnegan," White Zetsu said mockingly as he stood beside Jiraiya. "Bring out that woman. The trump card must be used at this time."

Jiraiya remained silent, his eyes fixed on his once-familiar disciple across from him, saying nothing.

"What's with this sense of teacher-student affection... Hmph." White Zetsu sneered, "Jiraiya, if we die here, all the Konoha shinobi outside will be doomed."

The strong, white-haired man sighed and finally placed his hand on the ground.

Konan, who was tightly bound, appeared. Nagato's lips moved, and just as his figure swayed slightly, Jiraiya had already pressed a kunai against Konan's throat.

Nagato stopped in his tracks, looking at Jiraiya in disbelief.

However, Jiraiya's expression did not waver.

He was a man who could give up everything for Konoha. As long as he perceived a threat to the village, Jiraiya could harden his heart and do anything.

A shinobi was always synonymous with slaughter and bloodshed.

Konan's jaw was dislocated, preventing her from speaking. She could only look at Nagato with tearful eyes, struggling desperately, which only worsened the wounds on her body.

"What must I do for you to spare Konan?" The red-haired young man spoke indifferently, as though resigning to his fate.

"Nagato, gouge out your eye." Jiraiya said softly, "Destroy the eye, prove that you are no longer a threat to Konoha. You and Konan can both live. You know I will keep my promise."

"Jiraiya-sensei, you've fallen too, haven't you? The man I knew would never use such tactics."

"I am willing to fall into darkness as long as the leaves can be touched by the shadow of fire. I can do anything."

"Konoha, Konoha, Konoha..." Nagato laughed maniacally, almost hysterically:

"Jiraiya, do you really think only Konoha is just? The entire world must revolve around your village?"

"To the people of Amegakure, you are nothing but demons!"

"You started wars, slaughtered in our homeland, killed my parents, and drove Yahiko to his death. And now, there are three thousand Konoha shinobi who have followed you in this invasion of Amegakure!"

"Turn around and look; the bastards invading our country are all brought here by you!"

"All that talk about the Will of Fire, ha... It's just a self-serving excuse wrapped in pretty words..."

Jiraiya gripped his kunai tightly, remaining silent.

—A great opportunity!

Two figures almost simultaneously charged out from the tower's corners.

Simple kunai appeared, and in the narrow space, their speed was almost comparable to the Flying Thunder God Technique.

On the other side, thorny vines with vicious barbs roared as the power of Wood Release exploded, instantly wrapping around Jiraiya's body.

The Impure World Reincarnation of Sakumo Hatake pierced Nagato's lung, while Kitsu temporarily restrained Jiraiya.

"Well done..." Nagato ignored the blood spurting from his body and used "Banshō Ten'in," dragging Jiraiya toward him.

Caught off guard, Jiraiya was pulled into the air. The thorns left deep cuts on his body and tore Fukasaku and Shima from him.

"Take Konan and go!" Nagato shouted. Kitsu didn't hesitate for a moment, picking up Konan and fleeing at full speed.

Jiraiya's face turned deathly pale.

Too many unexpected events had occurred tonight.

Konan, who had been confirmed dead in the report, Sakumo Hatake resurrected by the Impure World Reincarnation...

He didn't have time to think. Instinctively, he was about to chase after Kitsu and save the two toad sages.

However, three powerful gravitational forces simultaneously restrained the Impure World Reincarnation of Sakumo Hatake, White Zetsu, and Jiraiya.

"I won't let you catch up to Konan, never..."

Nagato's mouth bubbled with blood, his words slurred, but unlike his body, which was on the brink of collapse, his will was burning at its peak. His chakra poured furiously into his eyes, making even the atmosphere tremble.

'What Will of Fire, what world peace, what Child of Prophecy... Yahiko, Konan... From the beginning to the end, my only dream was to protect you two.'

(End of Chapter)