Ame.
The sky here seemed to always be weeping. The never-ending drizzle would only pause and clear up briefly on rare occasions.
However, for the villagers living here, they had long grown used to this kind of weather. Some even felt at ease in it.
Because they believed the falling rain was a gift from God. Rain meant that God was in the village.
"Uncle here are the herbs you needed."
Inside a store, a cute purple-haired girl placed a wrapped package on the counter. The shopkeeper smiled and thanked her.
"Thank you so much, Ajisai. You're always helping me gather materials and run errands."
"It's nothing."
The girl smiled shyly, her voice clear and sweet. "I only bought these after finishing my mission, so it didn't interfere with anything."
"As expected of Lady Angel's disciple."
The shopkeeper praised her generously. Embarrassed by the compliment, Ajisai quickly found an excuse to run out of the shop without even collecting payment.
"Tsk, fate… can't be described."
Yami watched the girl's back as she left. "Kakashi, this is your target. I can tell at a glance—she's a perfect candidate for learning summoning techniques."
Kakashi remained silent.
He really felt like he wasn't on a mission with the Hokage but was just accompanying some frivolous noble who wanted to kidnap women.
This kind of mission was one he'd normally never take.
Unless the pay was really good.
Kakashi probed, "How about… dealing with Pain first? She's just a Genin. She won't get away."
"What, are you trying to watch a play?"
Yami looked at him in disdain, then casually strolled toward the steel jungle at the heart of the village.
Kakashi let out a helpless sigh and quietly slapped himself.
If Tsunade didn't beat him to death, Yami would torture him to death anyway.
The moment Yami entered Ame, Pain sensed it.
The Rain Tiger at Will Technique could detect all unfamiliar chakra coming into contact with the rain. However, Pain didn't know who it was—he only assumed it was a spy sent by Konoha to gather intelligence.
But the moment they met, Pain immediately recognized the boy he'd once intercepted.
The rain suddenly stopped. Under the robe with a black background and red clouds dancing in the wind, Human Path Pain closely studied Yami.
Come to think of it, they had met once before.
It was during Yami's intrusion into the Akatsuki meeting. But back then, both sides were just blurry projections, and neither could see the other clearly.
Now that he saw the real person, Pain had to admit that the intel was correct.
Shimura Yami—widely known as the most handsome man in the shinobi world. Just having that thought in your mind meant you'd seen the strongest Kage in the entire world.
He didn't look like a Kage at all. More like a young master of a noble clan. It was obvious he had grown up in luxury.
"You seem surprised to see me?" Yami tilted his head and asked curiously.
"Shouldn't I be?"
Human Pain replied calmly, "It's hard not to be surprised when a Kage suddenly shows up in a small place like Ame."
"No need to be so formal."
Yami smiled and shook his head. "Didn't we just chat about ninjutsu not long ago?
As he spoke, Yami looked up as if sensing something. On top of a cold high-rise, a woman with paper wings and long blue hair was silently observing him with the same cold expression as Pain.
"So this is the 'Angel' Konan? She does look quite feminine."
A trace of disgust flashed across Konan's eyes, and her impression of Yami worsened further.
"Enough pointless chatter."
Pain spoke up, drawing Yami's attention back. "Fifth Hokage, I truly don't know whether to call you arrogant or simply overconfident."
"Konoha was the village I was least eager to provoke, yet you had the nerve to come here alone. Didn't Jiraiya's death teach you anything?"
"There's nowhere in this world I don't dare to go."
Yami pulled out the gift box he had been carrying and tossed it over. Human Path Pain caught it instinctively and was about to throw it aside in disgust.
But after sensing there was no threat, he held back.
What did it mean?
"Thank you."
Yami smiled and explained to the confused pair, "Thank you for helping me kill Jiraiya. I have a big family, but the gift may be small—it's the thought that counts. I'm sure you understand."
Pain and Konan's expressions changed.
Yami continued talking to himself, "Honestly, I was having a headache figuring out how to deal with Jiraiya."
"He's one of the Sannin, student of the Third Hokage, and teacher of the Fourth. He accomplished great feats during the war. Even for me, attacking him without reason would be troublesome."
"Though I look down on them, there are only a few in this world who can kill Jiraiya. Others wouldn't dare to antagonize Konoha without cause. Orochimaru, despite everything, still cherishes old bonds…"
"Luckily, he had two good students like you." Yami looked sincerely at Pain and Konan, who were visibly trembling. "Akatsuki has such strength, and you were even able to act so decisively."
"Thanks to Jiraiya's death, I can now visit you in person without raising suspicion."
"After getting so much benefit, shouldn't I send a thank you gift?"
Konan's killing intent was no longer concealed. "Yami, don't you find yourself shameless?"
"A traitorous ninja, plotting against your own village. You're exactly what I expect from a so-called great nation—filthy, rotten, and full of lies."
Yami raised an eyebrow. "I can understand that from anyone else, but you?"
"You three were war orphans from Ame. You only survived because Jiraiya protected you. He taught you how to mold chakra, taught you ninjutsu…"
"You're the last people in this world qualified to hurt Jiraiya."
"You!"
Konan was trembling with rage but couldn't refute him.
She had attacked Jiraiya at the time to create an opportunity for his escape. But Jiraiya chose to fight to the death, and even Nagato couldn't stop him. What else could she do?
Seeing Konan's expression, Pain took over the conversation, his tone emotionless. "Akatsuki's ideals and ambitions are not swayed by emotion."
"Jiraiya-sensei stood in our way, so he died. You, Shimura Yami, will follow in his footsteps."
Tap, tap, tap...
Footsteps echoed across the empty square.
Several figures emerged from different passageways, each wearing the familiar black cloak with red clouds.
Yami glanced over.
Kakuzu, Hidan, Orochimaru, Kisame, and the remaining Pain bodies aside from the Human Path.
Tendo Pain slowly descended from the sky and replaced the Human Path in the center.
"That's all you've got?" Yami clicked his tongue. "Well, I did catch two, and one's dead. Where's the black-and-white guy and Uchiha Madara?"
"Shimura, you should be honored," Pain said indifferently. "Akatsuki rarely mobilizes this many members."
With a hand seal from the Animal Path, a giant rhino, a multi-headed hound, and a giant bird were summoned.
"Haha! The Evil God will love this sacrifice!"
Hidan cackled wildly and rushed forward with his scythe, shielded by the beasts.
Kakuzu launched Earth Grudge techniques, and Kisame began forming hand seals.
Pain set aside his self-proclaimed godhood and ordered a full-scale team attack.
Yami let out a light sigh, feeling both amused and a little helpless.
"It's been a while since I fought seriously. I don't even know what to use."
"Whatever, let's stick to the classics."
Bang!
Yami clapped his hands and entered Sage Mode. Green chakra flames engulfed his entire body, the mark on his forehead pulsed, and his skin glowed with a bright luster.
"Sage Art: Wood Release: Nativity of a Sea of Trees!"
Boom!
The hard ground cracked apart, and enormous tree roots surged up from the earth.
The roots twisted like tentacles, immediately slapping away the charging Hidan. Then, several roots worked in unison, instantly binding the summoned beasts tight. No matter how they roared, they couldn't break free.
Control the battlefield—always the correct strategy.
Animal Path summoned a centipede and a giant crab, both tearing through the tree roots with sharp fangs and claws.
"Water Release: Waterfall Technique!"
Kisame followed up. With his vast chakra reserves, he sent a torrent of water crashing forward. Yami floated mid-air, slammed both palms down, and lightning chakra surged through the water, sending electric currents everywhere.
Tendo Pain had no choice but to absorb the entire flood of lightning and water.
He also tried to drain the trees of chakra, but the Wood Release roots absorbed chakra too.
The moment the two powers clashed, neither could overpower the other.
Draining the forest completely was impossible.
"Lightning Release: False Darkness!"
"Fire Release: Ash Pile Burning!"
"Wind Release: Pressure Damage!"
"Water Release: Water Curtain!"
Kakuzu's Earth Grudge launched simultaneous attacks, and his main body tossed out countless explosive tags.
"Showing off in front of a master."
Yami remained calm. Several Wood Clones rose behind him, each releasing a different elemental jutsu.
Massive fire dragons and water dragons, dozens of times larger than average, smashed Kakuzu's attacks effortlessly and surged toward him.
Yami rarely used standard elemental jutsu. But that didn't mean he'd forgotten how. On the contrary, even the most basic Dragon Bullet techniques were amplified to terrifying levels by his power.
Kakuzu's stunned expression said it all—he was scared stiff.
Fortunately, Pain didn't hesitate. He stepped in front of Kakuzu and raised his palm. A wave of chakra force exploded.
"Shinra Tensei!"
The immense shockwave scattered the attacks and shattered much of the forest. Even the trapped beasts broke free and charged toward Yami.
Shurado's body contorted, his neck splitting to gather lasers, his arms opening to reveal missile launchers. Dozens of projectiles blasted toward Yami.
"Wood Release: Advent of the Demonic Wood King."
A massive wooden shield shaped like a demonic face rose to protect Yami. After the explosions subsided, not a single scratch remained.
Tendo Pain's expression darkened.
Wood Release… was simply too versatile.
He finally realized that Yami's boldness in coming alone wasn't foolish. In fact, this was Ame territory. Yami could fight without holding back. But Pain had to worry about his members.
The Akatsuki were becoming liabilities, limiting him rather than helping.
A dull voice echoed from beneath the mask.
"Wood Release: Deep Forest Bloom"
Massive flower buds broke through the ground, rapidly growing to several stories high before blooming. Pollen scattered into the wind, quickly spreading through the area.
"The pollen is poisonous! Konan, don't use paper bombs. Retreat first."
Seeing Kakuzu collapse with his eyes rolled back, Pain immediately understood and issued the order.
Konan didn't hesitate. She flapped her wings and flew out of the tower to protect Nagato's real body. Kisame moved even faster, using Samehada to carve a path out while holding his breath.
Following Pain's order, Hidan dragged Kakuzu away. Several of Yami's Wood Clones gave chase.
Only Orochimaru remained unmoved.
"Yami-kun, today I will claim your body."
Orochimaru sneered, spitting out a large amount of purple gas. His transformed body rendered the poison ineffective.
When Pain had summoned him to fight Yami, Orochimaru thought it was a joke.
A Kage charging into the base of a group of rogue ninjas?
But when he confirmed Pain wasn't joking, Orochimaru became exhilarated. Even without past grievances, he had long coveted Yami's secrets.
"Kabuto, call out my old friend."
"Yes."
Kabuto pushed up his glasses. Though worried about Yami, he still followed orders and summoned a coffin.
A tall white-haired man stepped out. After a moment of confusion, he immediately glared at Orochimaru.
It was none other than Jiraiya, who had died at Pain's hands and disappeared into the depths of the sea.
(To be continued.)
***
For every 200 PS = 1 extra chapter. Support me on P/treon to read 30+ advanced chapters: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves
(Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)