----
Based on Neji and Hinata's descriptions, the ten individuals in the approaching group were the Six Paths of Pain, Kisame Hoshigaki, Deidara, a masked man, and a woman not wearing the black and red Akatsuki cloak.
"So Nagato and Konan aren't in the group. That unknown woman is likely the one responsible for summoning these monsters," Minato analyzed. "Were you able to see the masked man's face?"
Jiraiya was visibly disappointed. If Nagato and Konan weren't here, they would have to defeat Pain first and then figure out how to find them.
Kakashi, looking anxious, kept his gaze on Neji and Hinata he needed to know if that masked man was really Obito.
"The masked man…" Neji's eyes widened. "Black hair, black eyes, and scars covering the right half of his face…"
Kakashi's hand trembled slightly. Scars on the right side of the face had to be the wounds Obito sustained when he was crushed under the boulders to save him. Could it really be him?
"Um…" Hinata hesitated. "I think his chakra feels off… like it's not his own."
Neji scrutinized further but couldn't discern anything conclusive. However, he didn't doubt Hinata's observation. After witnessing Sasuke being manipulated last time, he knew that her Byakugan was far more perceptive than most Hyūga members.
"Could someone be impersonating him? Even mimicking his chakra?" Minato pondered aloud. "But for what purpose?"
"Don't forget that White Zetsu can absorb chakra and perfectly imitate appearances," Naruto reminded them. Then he struck a confident pose. "This is exactly the kind of situation where my malicious intent detection comes in handy!"
Crossing his arms, Naruto activated his golden chakra cloak… only to awkwardly freeze in place.
"What's wrong, Naruto-kun?" Hinata asked worriedly.
Naruto waved it off and looked skyward. "Nothing. I just realized… whether that guy is an imposter or not, he harbours extreme malice toward me."
His malicious intent detection technique was fantastic when White Zetsu tried to infiltrate their ranks to assassinate or cause chaos. But right now, it wasn't particularly useful, making Naruto feel a bit awkward.
The small fox curled in Hinata's arms and shot Naruto a disdainful look. This ability is mine, idiot. If you could really tell impostors apart, why would you need me?
"Ahem." Naruto coughed, trying to recover. "Even if I can't verify it now, I trust Hinata's judgment. That guy is definitely suspicious."
Apart from Hinata, no one else acknowledged Naruto's antics.
Kushina cracked her knuckles. "Well, whether he's real or not, we'll know after beating him up!"
Minato nodded. "The priority is ensuring victory. To be safe, let's follow Naruto's suggestion call for reinforcements."
"Leave it to me!" Veteran recruiter Naruto immediately took the job and pointed at the approaching figures. "Why don't we say hi first?"
"Up to you," Minato didn't stop him. Naruto's antics were at least always directed at enemies, so he could do as he pleased.
"Alright then!" Naruto excitedly stepped forward, bracing his stance. He positioned his hands at his waist in a specific formation, his expression turning serious. "Ka… me… ha… me… ha!"
A dark purple sphere, composed of yin-yang chakra, materialized between his palms before being hurled toward the distant figures.
Naruto wasn't expecting a single Tailed Beast Bomb to end the fight, but since he had already transformed, he had to make it worthwhile.
...
The Akatsuki members, of course, noticed the incoming attack, yet none of them dodged.
Pain remained expressionless, as if all he saw was some blond guy throwing a basketball at them.
"Ahhh! He can fire a Tailed Beast Bomb in human form?!" Tobi (Obito) ran in circles dramatically. "Senpai, do something! We're gonna die!"
"Shut up, Tobi!" Deidara snapped before muttering in admiration, "That level of chakra… I wonder what kind of explosion it'll create. Pure art."
"Hah? Didn't you already get hit by one before?" Kisame grinned, exposing Deidara's embarrassing history.
Deidara exploded figuratively. "You damn shark-face! One day, I'm gonna blow you to pieces!"
The only one truly panicking was Guren. What the hell is wrong with these people? Shouldn't they be dodging?!
She didn't trust them enough to bet her life on their countermeasures, so she made a quick decision. "Summoning Jutsu!"
A grotesque, amphibian-like creature named Tahm appeared before her. The others ignored her her mission was complete anyway.
"Tahm! Swallow me!" Guren commanded.
Tahm immediately opened its massive maw and gulped her down before vanishing into a puff of smoke.
"Huh? The temp worker ran off. Is that okay, Leader?" Tobi asked playfully before whining. "Waaah, at least take me too! I don't wanna die…"
Kisame smirked. "Typical of Orochimaru's underlings they sure know how to run."
Unfazed, Pain stood at the forefront, extending his hand just as the Tailed Beast Bomb neared.
"Shinra Tensei."
A massive repulsive force erupted from his palm, suspending the Tailed Beast Bomb midair before reversing its trajectory at the same speed.
"Whoa! That was incredible, Leader-sama!" Tobi cheered.
"Naruto-kun!" Hinata gasped. "Your attack was repelled!"
"You've got to be kidding me. Even that attack got reflected? Should we be evacuating?" Tenten asked sceptically, her fingers itching to test a new space-time jutsu that could teleport the Tailed Beast Bomb elsewhere.
"No rush. I caused this mess, I'll clean it up," Naruto reassured. "I thought he'd absorb it, but returning it? How polite."
He drew a Flying Thunder God kunai, gripping it with both hands and holding it horizontally before him.
The basketball-sized Tailed Beast Bomb seemed to collide with an invisible barrier, slowly sinking into it before vanishing entirely.
Minato, pleased, commented, "You're getting quite skilled. Tenten, keep practising."
"Yes, Minato-sensei!" Tenten eagerly replied. One day, she too wanted to deflect enemy attacks effortlessly or better yet, redirect them at the enemy's allies.
Then she had a realization. "Wait, Naruto, where did you send that attack? It hasn't exploded yet…"
Naruto had already dismissed his kunai and chakra cloak, looking dejected.
Sasuke, amused, speculated maliciously. Did Naruto… just get upset because he wasn't wearing his ceremonial Hokage robe and thought it wasn't stylish enough?
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