Reviving the Uchiha Clan: Starting with a Legacy of Many Descendants

Jiraiya furrowed his brow, kicking off his wooden sandals.

"If ninjutsu can be absorbed, then I'll go for close combat. That ability of his is troublesome, so I'll take him out first!"

"In Sage Mode, there's no way he can keep up with my speed!"

Dropping onto all fours, Jiraiya's body bulked up, resembling a toad even more. With a powerful leap, he instantly appeared behind the Preta Path.

"Got you!"

Jiraiya swung his leg toward the back of the Preta Path's head, but to his surprise, the Path ducked swiftly, evading the attack.

"What? How did he dodge that? Does he have eyes on the back of his head?"

Before Jiraiya could process the situation, he felt a strong force pulling him backward, an overwhelming gravitational pull he couldn't resist.

Turning his head, he saw "Yahiko" with his hand raised, targeting him.

"So that's it… I get it now!"

"No wonder he could repel all attacks earlier! This guy's abilities are gravity and repulsion!"

A black rod extended from the Deva Path's sleeve.

"Stop analyzing, Little Jiraiya!" Fukasaku shouted urgently. "You mustn't let him pull you in!"

"Let me handle this!"

Shima opened her mouth wide, shooting out her long tongue, which wrapped around a nearby massive boulder.

"Grab onto me, old man! Jiraiya-boy!"

"This won't work for long!"

Meanwhile, the remaining five Paths of Pain, wielding their black rods, began rushing toward Jiraiya.

At that critical moment, a massive red toad descended from the sky.

"Die, you scum!"

Gamabunta had somehow returned, swinging his sword at the Deva Path.

The Deva Path's expression tightened at the attack.

"So, you managed to return after being blasted away. In that case, let's send you flying again…"

"Shinra Tensei."

As Gamabunta's sword was about to land, the Deva Path raised his hand, unleashing a powerful repulsion that launched Gamabunta into the air, turning him into a streaking meteor.

"Damn it! I'll be back!" Gamabunta's defiant shout echoed from the clouds.

"Well done, Bunta!"

Jiraiya was overjoyed. Although Gamabunta hadn't inflicted any damage, his intervention had at least disrupted the Deva Path's gravitational pull.

Seizing the opening, Jiraiya used his enhanced Sage Mode speed to evade to the side in an instant.

"Whew… that was close," Jiraiya muttered, exhaling in relief.

Fukasaku warned grimly, "These enemies are too strong, and their abilities are incredibly varied. Those black weapons of theirs are strange, too. I've got a bad feeling… If this continues, we might lose."

Shima added, "Jiraiya-boy, just give up! These guys aren't even human anymore! Let's retreat, come up with a proper plan, and face them again later!"

Hearing their advice, Jiraiya closed his eyes for a moment and shook his head.

"No. Their target is the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. Naruto is the person I hold dearest right now, and I have to stay to protect him."

"Besides, I never intended to win this fight. My goal is only to stall them. The Five Great Nations' forces are on their way to this island. Reinforcements will arrive soon."

Fukasaku frowned, glancing at the Six Paths of Pain and Konan hovering in the sky.

"That blue-haired girl doesn't seem easy to deal with either. If we're going to stall them… there's probably only one way."

As he spoke, Fukasaku coughed heavily.

"Cough, cough! Ma, clear your throat—it's time to sing!"