The rain returned to its usual rhythm.
Steady.
Endless.
Morning training had just ended.
Yahiko was arguing with Jiraiya about something trivial.
Konan quietly practiced paper manipulation nearby.
Nagato stood still.
Watching.
Listening.
Then—
He felt it.
A disturbance.
Subtle.
But wrong.
His eyes narrowed.
"…We're not alone."
Jiraiya stopped mid-sentence.
"…How many?" he asked immediately.
Nagato closed his eyes briefly.
"Five."
A pause.
"…No."
His voice lowered.
"…Seven."
Jiraiya's expression sharpened instantly.
"Where?"
Nagato pointed.
"Surrounding us."
Yahiko stiffened.
"…Again?!"
Konan's paper froze mid-air.
Jiraiya stepped forward slightly.
"…Stay behind me."
Nagato didn't move.
"They're not random," he said calmly.
Jiraiya glanced at him.
"…What do you mean?"
Nagato opened his eyes.
"Coordinated spacing."
"Controlled chakra."
A pause.
"…Trained."
Jiraiya's gaze hardened.
"…ANBU-level?"
Nagato didn't answer directly.
"…Close."
Silence.
Then—
They appeared.
Seven masked shinobi dropped from the trees.
Perfect formation.
No wasted movement.
One stepped forward.
"You three children."
His voice was cold.
"You're coming with us."
Yahiko snapped.
"…Like hell we are!"
The shinobi didn't react.
Jiraiya stepped in front.
"…You'll have to go through me."
A pause.
The leader tilted his head slightly.
"…Toad Sage."
Silence.
Recognition.
That wasn't good.
Nagato's thoughts moved instantly.
"They knew he was here."
"This is targeted."
"…Not random."
The leader spoke again.
"You're not our objective."
Jiraiya's eyes narrowed.
"…Then leave."
The man ignored him.
Instead—
He looked at Nagato.
"…Especially you."
Silence.
Yahiko frowned.
"…What?"
Nagato didn't react outwardly.
But inside—
"Confirmed."
"…They're here for me."
Jiraiya stepped slightly to the side.
Subtle.
Protective.
"…You're not taking any of them."
The leader sighed.
"…Unfortunate."
Then—
Everything exploded into motion.
Two shinobi rushed Jiraiya.
Fast.
Elite.
Jiraiya countered instantly.
Water and fire collided—
The battlefield split.
The remaining five moved toward the kids.
Yahiko jumped forward.
"I'll—"
Nagato grabbed his arm.
"Don't."
Yahiko froze.
"…What?!"
Nagato stepped forward.
"…Stay back."
Konan's eyes widened.
"…Nagato—"
Too late.
They attacked.
Three from the front.
Two from behind.
Perfect execution.
No openings.
No hesitation.
"…Efficient," Nagato thought.
But not enough.
He exhaled slowly.
"…Time to test it."
His eyes opened.
Rinnegan.
Fully visible.
For the first time.
The world… shifted.
Movement slowed.
Chakra lines became visible.
Intent became predictable.
Everything…
Clear.
The first attacker struck.
Nagato moved slightly.
The blade missed.
By centimeters.
Too precise to be luck.
The second came from behind.
Nagato didn't turn.
He raised his hand.
"…Stop."
A pulse.
Invisible.
But absolute.
The air warped.
BOOM.
The attacker was slammed into the ground—
Hard.
Cracking the earth beneath him.
Silence.
Yahiko froze.
"…What… was that…"
Konan's breath caught.
The remaining attackers hesitated—
Just for a moment.
That was enough.
Nagato stepped forward.
Calm.
Controlled.
"…Too slow."
One lunged again.
Nagato didn't dodge.
He looked at him—
Directly.
The man froze mid-motion.
His body—
Stopped.
Like something unseen was holding him.
"…What—"
Nagato tilted his head slightly.
"…Kneel."
CRACK.
The man's body slammed down—
Forced.
Unwilling.
Jiraiya's eyes widened mid-battle.
"…That pressure…"
"…No hand signs…"
"…What is that?!"
Nagato walked forward slowly.
The remaining enemies stepped back.
Fear.
Good.
"…Leave."
His voice was quiet.
But heavy.
One didn't listen.
He charged—
Desperate.
Nagato sighed.
"…Unfortunate."
He raised his hand slightly.
A stronger pulse—
BOOM.
The man was thrown—
Flying across the clearing—
Crashing into a tree hard enough to break it.
Silence.
The last two ran.
Didn't hesitate.
Didn't look back.
Nagato let them go.
Because—
"They'll spread the message."
Silence filled the battlefield.
Rain returned.
Jiraiya stood still.
Watching.
Processing.
"…Nagato."
Nagato turned.
His eyes—
Still Rinnegan.
Still glowing faintly.
Jiraiya felt it.
That pressure.
That presence.
"…That's not normal."
Nagato blinked once.
The Rinnegan faded.
Gone.
"…It's just my ability."
Jiraiya stared.
"No."
His voice was serious now.
"That's not 'just' anything."
Silence.
Yahiko rushed forward.
"…That was amazing!"
Konan didn't speak.
She just looked at Nagato.
Differently.
Nagato ignored them.
His gaze met Jiraiya's.
Two minds.
Both thinking.
But not the same way.
Jiraiya's thoughts:
"What was that power?"
"No seals."
"No buildup."
"Pure control…"
"…Dangerous."
Nagato's thoughts:
"He saw too much."
"…Adjust."
Jiraiya stepped closer.
"…We need to talk."
Nagato didn't refuse.
"…I know."
Rain fell between them.
Something had changed.
Not just power revealed—
But truth.
Jiraiya now knew—
Nagato wasn't normal.
Not talented.
Not gifted.
Something else.
Something far more dangerous.
And Nagato knew—
"…I'll have to be more careful."
Because from now on—
He wasn't just a student.
He was being watched.
By someone strong enough—
To become a problem.