Chapter 376: The "God" of Pain
As the weakest of the four great nations, the Village Hidden in the Mist chose to "watch from the sidelines." Meanwhile, the Akatsuki Organization, which had long operated in the shadows, now found itself under severe pressure Konoha was simply too powerful.
The strongest of the ninja villages had shamelessly declared war on the tiny Village Hidden in the Rain, leaving Amegakure and the Akatsuki with little hope of survival. Upon receiving the news, many of the Rain shinobi were filled with dread.
Although their leader, Hanzō of the Salamander, had once been revered as a "Demi God" of the shinobi world, the new leader of Amegakure claimed to be even stronger a "God." Still, they knew that Konoha's "God of Shinobi" had long made his mark on the world, and Konoha had dominated three of the Great Ninja Wars against all four great nations. Nothing they could say would help them in the face of such overwhelming power, and morale began to crumble. It was the definition of a "rabble."
At Amegakure's highest tower, Nagato's inner circle prepared for the storm.
"Nagato, this capture of the One Tail Jinchūriki was far too hasty," Konan said with a frown. "We're now fully in Konoha's sights."
Nagato, frail and emaciated in his wheelchair, his once bright red hair dulled to a rusty hue, gazed calmly into the distance. "Perhaps. But the moment we decided to make this plan our goal, a clash with the Five Great Nations became inevitable. It was only a matter of time."
Nagato's reasoning left Konan speechless. She knew he was right. Their mission was nearly impossible a desperate wish to unite the nine tailed beasts into a single, ultimate weapon: the Ten Tails. It was a goal bordering on the fantastical, and without his legendary eyes, the so called "Eyes of God"...
Her gaze fell upon the Rinnegan, the legendary eyes within Nagato's sunken sockets, said to wield the power of the Sage of the Six Paths.
"Nagato, are you truly confident that you can face Konoha's forces?"
Nagato's expression was still, yet a steely confidence emanated from him. "Do not worry, Konan. I am no longer who I once was," he said, pausing briefly before continuing, "Have the weaker shinobi in the village evacuate. This war is not one they should be part of."
"Understood," Konan replied, agreeing without hesitation. Despite the darkness they had faced, she retained a sliver of kindness, particularly for the land that had once been their home. If they could avoid needless casualties, she would do so.
Nagato seemed to ponder something else and then asked, "Has Orochimaru returned?"
Konan's expression shifted with a flash of uncertainty as she shook her head. "No, but he sent a shadow clone with the One Tail Jinchūriki. It's safe to assume he's defected."
The room fell silent as the two contemplated Orochimaru's actions. He had completed his mission, but then fled to avoid entanglement in the conflict. They were left unsure whether to consider his actions principled or despicable.
Nagato's gaze turned cold. Traitors were something he despised above all else, but given the current crisis, he set his personal feelings aside.
"Let him go for now," he decided. "Once this situation is resolved, we'll make him pay. Traitors will not be tolerated."
"Understood. As for the others, Madara, Zetsu, and Hidan have agreed to fight, but Kakuzu and Jūzō Biwa tried to flee upon hearing of the impending war. I've sealed them for the time being how should we proceed?" Konan inquired flatly.
Nagato processed her report with a chilling calm, well aware of the unstable loyalties of his S rank rogue ninja allies. Akatsuki was now merely a loose coalition held together by Pain's sheer force. Even so, he found it strange that Madara and Zetsu had agreed to fight so readily.
Hidan's bloodlust aside, Madara and Zetsu, the two most mysterious additions to the new Akatsuki, were the true wild cards. Nagato couldn't shake his distrust of them, yet their strength was undeniable, and Akatsuki's ranks required their power.
Nagato thought carefully before replying, "Since Kakuzu and Jūzō chose betrayal, let them fill the remaining Pain Paths. Their bodies should serve as excellent puppets. As for Madara…"
He hesitated. "Assign him to assassinate Konoha's Fifth Hokage, Hatake Kakashi. With his unusual abilities, he should be capable. As for Zetsu, have him gather intel on Konoha's elite forces. During the battle, he can collect blood samples from the strongest enemies to aid Hidan in his Jashin rituals, which should reduce our enemy's strength."
Konan nodded to indicate she understood. She then glanced at Nagato, concerned. Though Nagato wasn't the object of her romantic affections, they had grown up together, and it pained her to see his frail form, once healthy, now so gaunt and wasted.
But Nagato felt a torment far deeper than his physical decay.
"The Great Nations…" he murmured, bitterness seeping into his voice. "They continue to wage war as they please, forcing this land to endure suffering once more. So let me, this reborn god, show them the meaning of true pain. Only when they've felt that pain will they understand it and only then can true peace exist."
Konan wasn't privy to Nagato's inner monologue, and she swiftly began issuing commands. Soon, the bustling Amegakure transformed into a ghost town.
Kakashi, meanwhile, was aware of every step. But he took no action, as his real target was only four people, and Ye Wen had provided him with all the intel he needed.
Victory was all but assured.
Given the power of his enemies, Kakashi chose to lead the operation himself.
"Begin," he ordered.
At his command, four beams of purple light shot into the sky, forming a vast barrier around the Rain Village.
"Barrier Technique: Four Violet Flames Formation!"
The divine decree was to capture, not kill. To prevent any escape, Kakashi was going to ensure all routes were sealed.
(End of Chapter)
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