Dark clouds gathered.
Rain fell without end.
The Land of Rain.
Amegakure—
A hidden village isolated beneath a storm that never ceased.
Massive industrial towers pierced the sky.
Wires tangled overhead like a web.
Pipelines stretched in every direction.
The entire village resembled—
A steel beast from another age.
If neon lights were added…
If futuristic aircraft filled the sky—
This place could pass as a cyberpunk city within the ninja world.
And yet—
Beneath that cold, metallic exterior—
It was rotten.
Broken.
The rain poured in sheets.
On the streets—
People moved beneath umbrellas.
Expressionless.Mechanical.
Like components…
Inside a vast machine.
No matter who ruled this place—
The gloom never lifted.
The oppression—
Never faded.
…
Among the crowd—
One figure stood out.
Out of place.
A raincoat draped over his body.
An umbrella in his left hand.
A black cane in his right.
Shenyue Yuan slowly raised his head.
Removed his hood.
And looked toward the center of Amegakure—
Toward that towering structure.
"…Finally."
At the peak of the tower—
A massive stone face loomed.
Ferocious.
Its tongue extended outward.
And those eyes—
Enormous.
Ripple-patterned.
The Rinnegan.
Gazing down upon the entire village.
Sacred—
Yet sinister.
That tower—
Represented absolute authority.
The throne of power.
Where "God" resided.
But Shenyue Yuan felt no reverence.
To him—
It was no different from Konoha's Hokage Rock.
Just scenery.
A landmark.
Something… to be used.
After all—
The best scenic spots—
Were perfect for dates.
Maybe one day—
He would lie on Konan's lap here.
Relax.
Enjoy himself.
After all—
Resting on Kurenai's lap had granted him "genjutsu immunity."
Who knew what Konan's might give?
…
He shook off the thought.
And stepped forward.
Heading toward the center.
In truth—
He had arrived in the Land of Rain seven days ago.
But he waited.
For "Equality of All Beings" to refresh.
Now—
With that trump card restored—
Even if he encountered Pain—
He wouldn't need to avoid him.
After all—
He was just a nobody.
If he angered Pain—
It wasn't like he'd be hunted down like Jiraiya.
One-on-one?
As long as the fight lasted—
It was a perfect 50–50.
Who was afraid of whom?
Still—
His priority remained clear—
Joining Akatsuki.
…
…
Statue Tower.Conference Room.
Cold.
Dark.
Six figures stood around a long table.
At the head—
Orange hair.
Piercings embedded across his face.
A slashed Rain headband.
And those eyes—
The Rinnegan.
Pain.
God.
He wore the black cloak patterned with red clouds.
His gaze swept across the room—
As if seeing through everyone.
Even though—
Aside from him and Konan—
The others were merely projections.
The Phantom Lantern Technique.
Behind him—
Konan stood quietly.
The Angel.
Calm.
Almost divine.
Yet—
Within her amber eyes—
Emotion still lingered.
Thought.
Her blue-purple hair was adorned with a paper flower.
Her beauty—
Undeniable.
Even the cloak couldn't conceal her figure.
Her presence—
The only warmth in that frozen room.
Bzzzt—
Static crackled.
A seventh figure appeared.
Colorful. Distorted.
A projection.
A massive executioner blade rested across his back.
Jūzō Biwa.
"Sorry."
"Just finished a mission."
"I'm late."
Pain spoke.
Flat.
Emotionless.
"Everyone is here."
"The meeting begins."
Around the table—
The remaining members:
Zetsu — codename: Xuan.Sasori — codename: Jade.Kakuzu — codename: North.Orochimaru — codename: Void.
Zetsu spoke first.
"Leader."
"The deployment of White Zetsu across smaller nations is progressing smoothly."
"However—"
"The barrier systems of the Five Great Nations are… troublesome."
"Breaking them will take time."
Pain nodded slightly.
"You've done well."
This was how Akatsuki functioned.
Efficient.
Direct.
Each member reported progress.
Then—
Shared intelligence.
"Hehehe…"
Orochimaru chuckled softly.
"My experiments are progressing quite well."
"I may soon begin research into Kekkei Genkai."
"I will require… additional funding."
The moment he mentioned money—
Kakuzu's expression darkened.
"Orochimaru."
"You'd better produce results this time."
Even Sasori and Jūzō frowned slightly.
Akatsuki's funds—
Mostly came from Kakuzu.
And the others—
Completing dangerous bounty missions.
Meanwhile—
Orochimaru?
Few missions.
Plenty of demands.
Always asking for resources.
Naturally—
That didn't sit well.
Orochimaru smiled faintly.
"Relax."
"My credibility… speaks for itself."
Silence followed.
Then—
Pain spoke again.
Cold.
"You have six months."
"Fulfill your promise."
"…Understood."
Orochimaru nodded.
Six months?
Heh.
Whether he would still remain in Akatsuki by then—
Was another matter entirely.
One by one—
The others reported.
Then—
Pain spoke once more.
"The meeting enters its next phase."
"But first—"
He looked at them all.
"A new member will soon join."
"Once our numbers are sufficient—"
"We will divide into teams."
"Two per unit."
A pause.
"And then—"
"The organization will advance to its next stage."
"We begin capturing the tailed beasts."
"From all major villages."
His voice deepened—
Carrying weight.
"Do not forget—"
"Why we are here."
"To end war."
"To achieve…"
"True peace."
"…Understood."
Voices responded.
Unified—
On the surface.
But beneath—
Different intentions.
Kakuzu:
As long as there is money—
That is enough.
Sasori:
Interesting.
So many powerful monsters gathered together.
He liked that.
And Zetsu—
…
Everyone here—
Was merely a piece.
A piece—
To revive his mother.