Hidden Rain.
Perched atop the tongue-shaped platform of the Akatsuki headquarters, Pain watched the endless rain lash the village below, the downpour mirroring the turmoil in his mind. Moments later, Konan emerged from the building behind him.
"Pain," she called softly. "He's back from Hidden Mist."
Pain stood and turned, walking into the shadows of the structure. A figure stood there, clad in a swirling orange mask—Obito.
"You really love these gloomy places," Pain noted, his tone calm but edged with clear disdain.
Obito ignored the jab. His voice was a low rasp. "There was a hiccup. The Three-Tails jinchuriki is dead, but the beast will revive soon. Now, explain this 'Menma' on your side. Why did you let someone so uncontrollable join the Akatsuki?"
Just as in the original timeline, the Three-Tails jinchuriki—Yagura Karatachi, the Fourth Mizukage—had been revealed to be under genjutsu by Ao's Byakugan. Kirigakure had mobilized to free him, but Obito had played his ace, killing Yagura the moment he broke free. Without a puppet to command, Obito was forced to retreat. He couldn't return to the base with Itachi there; the Uchiha was too sharp, too eager to probe his limits.
So, Obito had retreated to his secret hideout filled with Sharingan eyes. He hadn't been there long before Black Zetsu appeared with disturbing news: the addition of Menma and his terrifying power used to seal Hashirama. News that such a monster had joined the Akatsuki made Obito couldn't sit still. He had to come and confront Pain directly.
Faced with Obito's interrogation, Konan frowned.
"We didn't invite him. He invaded Amegakure, killed a disguised White Zetsu, and fought Pain before demanding entry. To keep the plan from being derailed, we had no choice but to bring him in and keep him under surveillance."
"We investigated him," she continued, staring intently at the mask hiding Obito's face. "But there's nothing. It's like he appeared out of thin air. Aside from founding the Four-Star Village three months ago and codenaming himself 'Wind,' everything was self-reported. He claims he can grant others Tailed Beast chakra."
Konan paused, leaning in slightly. "You're supposed to be a legend. Have you never heard of a figure this powerful?"
Obito's visible eye narrowed, the Sharingan tomoe spinning into a shuriken shape. A dangerous pressure filled the room.
"The world isn't static," Obito said coldly. "New power rises constantly. Are you questioning me as a leader?"
Pain was the figurehead; Obito, posing as Madara, was the real power. Regardless of Nagato and Konan's doubts, their agreement was absolute: obey Obito, help him build a new world.
"No," Konan said, shaking her head. "I just thought you might know something."
She fell silent. Pain took over, steering the conversation back to the matter at hand.
"I agreed to let Menma join for two reasons: his strength, yes, but also because he claims to have a grudge against Konoha. He says he can help us deal with Itachi and capture the Nine-Tails jinchuriki."
"A grudge against Konoha?" Behind the mask, Obito's mind raced.
Few people knew Itachi was a spy, and even fewer had a grudge against Konoha while possessing the power to grant Tailed Beast chakra. Was he a rogue experiment from Danzo or Orochimaru?
After drawing a blank, Obito decided to see this Four-Star Village for himself.
"Fine," Obito instructed. "Then let's accelerate the capture plan. If Itachi acts up, let 'Menma' handle it as promised. We need to secure most of the Tailed Beasts within the year, especially while waiting for the One and Three-Tails to revive."
"A world of only victors, peace, and love," Obito promised. "Created by us."
Longing flickered in Pain's swirl-patterned eyes. He would use the Tailed Beasts to force the world to feel his pain, to understand it, to accept it, and finally, to yearn for peace. He would build the world Yahiko dreamed of, no matter the cost.
Calming his agitation, Pain looked at Obito. "And you? The plan is moving. Are you still hiding in the shadows?"
"I'll join the Akatsuki when the time is right," Obito replied.
As he spoke, the space around his mask rippled like a disturbed lake.
"But exposing myself now is unwise. I need to investigate quietly first. That terrifying guy's Four-Star Village... there might be secrets hidden within. I'll pass any important info to you through Zetsu."
With that, Obito spun and vanished.
He was joking. With Itachi already there, plus an even scarier "Wind," Obito wasn't showing his face. Itachi was a constant threat, a constant dig. Obito would never stand before the Akatsuki members unless he had no other choice.
Konan and Pain stared at the empty space where Obito had been, lost in thought.
After a moment, Pain spoke again. "Konan, when Menma returns, hand over the jinchuriki I was meant to capture. Then have Zetsu watch him closely. Figure out how he absorbs and distributes Tailed Beast chakra."
"Understood."
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