The rain of paper in the sky remained suspended in mid-air, each sheet sharp as a blade, locking onto every opening in Jiraiya's defenses.
Konon didn't speak, but the giant paper wings behind her trembled slightly, clearly waiting for a fatal opening.
Until a figure descended from the sky.
The curtain of rain was forced aside by an invisible power as an orange-haired figure slowly descended, landing atop the highest drainage pipe and looking down at Jiraiya from above.
Those pale purple Rinnegan eyes stared intently at Jiraiya.
"Jiraiya."
Pain—or rather, Nagato—spoke slowly through the body of the Deva Path, "State your purpose."
Jiraiya looked up, his gaze lingering on that familiar face for a moment. His Adam's apple bobbed once before he regained his composure.
Jiraiya brushed the rain off his shoulders.
"Nagato, since you've shown yourself, let's speak frankly."
Jiraiya's voice pierced through the rain, "I didn't come here to fight you, nor for the sake of nostalgia. I'm representing Konoha to negotiate a partnership."
"Partnership?"
Pain's face remained expressionless. "Akatsuki and Konoha have nothing to discuss. If you only came to say this, then you can stay here forever."
"Don't be so quick to refuse."
Jiraiya wagged a finger. "This deal concerns you, but more importantly... I want to see the guy in your organization named Zetsu."
His gaze went past Pain, scanning the dark shadows of the surrounding buildings.
"Tell Zetsu to come out."
Pain's brow furrowed slightly.
Konon's eyes sharpened.
"Why are you looking for him?" Pain asked.
"Some things must be said to his face, otherwise it's too much trouble."
Jiraiya crossed his arms, adopting a shameless attitude as if he wouldn't speak unless he got his way. "After all, this concerns a matter regarding his 'mother.' If he's not present, I can't really talk about what comes next."
Deep in the shadows.
Merged with the earth, Black Zetsu's yellow eyes suddenly constricted.
It had been lurking nearby, eavesdropping on the conversation.
Konoha's actions were far too unusual.
Instead of sending the Anbu to suppress them, they sent one of the Sannin, Jiraiya, alone. And now he was specifically calling for it by name?
"Mother"?
That word was like a needle, accurately piercing Black Zetsu's most sensitive nerve.
It couldn't help but wonder.
Could Konoha actually know something?
A second later, it dismissed the possibility.
Impossible.
It had lived for over a thousand years and wiped away every trace. Even Uchiha Madara was a puppet in its hands. How could a mere village like Konoha know its background?
But what was this sense of unease?
"Zetsu."
Pain's voice rang out with an unquestionable command. "Come out."
Black Zetsu hesitated for a moment.
Its current identity was Akatsuki's scout. If it defied the leader's order, it would rouse Nagato's suspicion.
The ground rippled.
A giant pitcher plant slowly rose, and a black-and-white figure appeared behind Pain.
Black Zetsu's raspy, piercing voice rang out: "Konoha shinobi, what do you want with me? I don't recall us being on friendly terms."
It was testing him, trying to read something from Jiraiya's face.
Seeing the target finally appear, the corners of Jiraiya's mouth curled into a meaningful arc.
He pulled a scroll from his robes but didn't open it immediately, instead toying with it in his hand.
"Everyone is here. What exactly do you want to say?"
Nagato asked through Pain, his tone carrying a hint of impatience.
The air around them suddenly tightened. Konon's paper emitted a slight tearing sound as if it would strike at any moment.
Jiraiya ignored it.
He locked his gaze onto the black-and-white creature. The playful look on his face vanished, replaced by an unprecedented seriousness.
"I have some intelligence to share."
Jiraiya stared into Black Zetsu's yellow eyes. "Or rather, I've been entrusted by someone to deliver information to Kaguya Otsutsuki's third son—Black Zetsu."
Boom!
The impact of these words was more terrifying than a direct hit from the leader's Almighty Push (Shinra Tensei).
Black Zetsu's body froze instantly, its yellow eyes trembling violently.
It even subconsciously took half a step back, the black half of its body rippling intensely.
*How is this possible?!*
That name... that identity...
Those were secrets even the Sage of Six Paths' two foolish sons didn't know!
How could this human know?!
"What nonsense are you talking about?"
Konon frowned. She didn't understand a word Jiraiya was saying. "Kaguya Otsutsuki? Who is that?"
Even Nagato was confused, his gaze shifting back and forth between Jiraiya and Black Zetsu.
"Stop playing dumb."
Jiraiya didn't give Black Zetsu any time to think of a counter-strategy, dropping the following bombs in rapid succession. "You tampered with the Uchiha Stone Tablet, manipulated Indra's descendants, and induced Uchiha Madara to awaken the Rinnegan to start the Eye of the Moon Plan... Wasn't the purpose of all this to break the seal and rescue your sealed mother?"
"Shut up!!!"
Black Zetsu let out a sharp roar.
Its raspy voice was now distorted and panicked, killing intent erupting like a tide. "Kill him! Pain! Kill him now! He's weaving lies!"
However, Pain didn't move.
Not only did Nagato not act, but he also controlled the Deva Path to turn sideways, blocking Black Zetsu's line of sight.
A cold, scrutinizing light flickered in those Rinnegan eyes.
"Zetsu."
Pain's voice was soft, yet it carried immense weight. "Why are you so agitated?"
"I..."
Black Zetsu was at a loss for words.
It realized it had lost its composure.
As 'Madara's will,' it should have shown contempt for such nonsense, not reacted like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.
This overreaction practically confirmed that it was hiding something.
"It seems I hit the mark."
Jiraiya shrugged, a triumphant smile appearing on his face. "Nagato, it seems your ally hasn't been entirely honest with you. The so-called Eye of the Moon Plan and the creation of a peaceful world were nothing more than a giant lie woven so it could save its mother."
"Who exactly are you?"
Black Zetsu glared at Jiraiya, its voice so dark it seemed to come from the depths of the underworld. "Konoha... shouldn't know these things."
"Konoha indeed doesn't know."
Jiraiya pointed to his own head. "But someone does. And that person asked me to relay a message to you."
Jiraiya stopped smiling, his gaze becoming incredibly sharp.
"The pursuers from the Otsutsuki Clan are already on their way."
"If you still want to waste time playing house with these kids, then your mother... will likely be picked clean by those outsiders."
With these words, Black Zetsu completely broke down.
The black half of its body surged violently like boiling pitch.
The Otsutsuki Main Branch!
That was Kaguya's most terrifying nightmare and the existence Black Zetsu was most powerless against.
If having its identity exposed was merely panicking, then this news struck its fatal weakness directly.
"You... know about the Main Branch?"
Black Zetsu's voice trembled, no longer able to maintain its previous facade.
Seeing this, how could Nagato and Konon not understand?
What Jiraiya said was actually true.
This individual who had been lurking by their side, claiming to be Madara's will and guiding them to collect the Tailed Beasts, was actually an alien creature that had lived for a thousand years?
And he had been using them all along?
A fury at being fooled surged in Nagato's heart.
"It looks like we need to get reacquainted."
Jiraiya shook the scroll in his hand. "Minato asked me to bring you a message. Regarding how to fight the Otsutsuki and... how to 'scientifically' rescue your mother, Konoha has a complete plan."
"Now, are you interested in sitting down and discussing this business properly?"
"Mr. Black Zetsu?"