Amegakure – Village Hidden in the Rain
Inside the dark hall of the Black Spire, Konan approached Nagato.
"It's confirmed," she said calmly. "After defecting, Shinno left with Obito."
"That bastard… He had the nerve to show up in Amegakure?" Nagato growled, clenching his fists.
His hatred for Obito ran deep—second only to Hanzo, who caused Yahiko's death. A deceiver who used lies and manipulation to control him… If they met again, Nagato would show no mercy. He'd kill him without hesitation.
"Hiruko and Shinno … Both defected one after another," Konan continued. "We've lost two key researchers. Without them, it's hard to continue the surgical enhancements. And the organization's recent expenses have been excessive. Funds are running low."
"…Then halt the project for now," Nagato said absentmindedly after a pause. "It's not our top priority anymore."
Konan hesitated for a moment. "…Nagato, are you hiding something from me?"
She'd noticed the change. Ever since Orochimaru summoned him abruptly that day, Nagato had been preoccupied, constantly distracted around her. He was never good at hiding his emotions—and they knew each other too well.
"…Yes."
Nagato exhaled deeply, then turned to face her. "It's about an enemy… a terrifying one. Knowing about him could put your life at risk. That's why I can't say more."
"I understand," Konan replied softly, her ever-calm expression softening. "Don't tell me, then. And don't carry it alone."
She didn't want to cause him further stress. She just wished she were strong enough to shoulder more.
"Konan…" Nagato's voice faltered. He knew how considerate she was, and in turn, he understood her burden too.
After a moment of silence, the tension between them eased. Whatever had been bothering them, their trust remained unshaken. Nagato felt his worries fade and focused once again on their current work—side by side with Konan.
A warm silence settled over the room.
---
A few hours later…
While drafting documents, Nagato suddenly stood. His eyes turned sharply toward the west of the village. His expression darkened.
"…He dares return?"
Ever since Shennong's betrayal, he had resumed the Rain Tiger at Will technique—blanketing Amegakure in constant perception. And now, a familiar presence had entered its range.
Konan rose quickly. "What is it?"
"Obito. He's back."
Despite his rage, Nagato didn't rush into an attack. He first monitored Obito's movements. Within the curtain of rain, Obito's chakra was faint but noticeable—he was using Kamui, slipping in and out of space. Ordinary shinobi wouldn't be able to track him, but to Nagato, his destination was clear.
"…The underground laboratory?"
He quickly pieced it together. With Hiruko and Shinno now aligned with Obito and Madara, it was clear they were targeting more than just fighters—they wanted research and data.
The underground lab still held valuable material—research data that even Kabuto had once coveted. They were here to claim it.
"I won't let you succeed."
Nagato turned to Konan. "I'll kill Obito. You stay here and protect yourself."
But Konan shook her head. "I'm coming with you. Nowhere in Amegakure is safe—not anymore."
If Obito had brought backup hidden in his Kamui space, then her staying behind wouldn't protect anything. It might even become a liability. Besides, if Madara attacked again, using her as a distraction, it could split Nagato's focus—a risk they couldn't take.
Nagato hesitated, then nodded. "…Alright."
They left the Black Spire together, soaring into the night rain. It didn't take long for them to intercept Obito's path.
No words were exchanged.
The moment Obito re-emerged into reality, Nagato's eyes lit up. With a sharp gesture, he extended his palm.
"Universal Pull!" (Banshō Ten'in)
Obito had just exited Kamui and couldn't phase out again immediately. He was yanked forward like a ragdoll, flung straight toward Nagato and Konan.
Konan waved her arm, and a swarm of paper butterflies erupted around her. They surged through the rain, igniting as they flew—lighting up the night in flashes of flame.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Explosions erupted through the rain, turning droplets into vapor. The mist split under the searing light.
Amidst the chaos, two massive shurikens cut through the smoke—hurling toward them with terrifying force.
Their speed tore at the very air, deadly enough to kill even those with near-immortal bodies. But just as the shurikens neared, a shadow leapt from behind Nagato—one nearly invisible to the untrained eye.
His Limbo Clone—the Rinnegan's hidden technique—intercepted both projectiles with its intangible body.
The distorted space briefly pulled at it, but the clone flowed like water, returning to Nagato's side. The Susanoo blades exploded harmlessly.
Obito, now encased in his own Susanoo, didn't seem surprised. He flared his chakra, dispersing the rain with a beat of wings and drew a sword from his waist, charging.
Nagato stood still in midair. A faint smirk played on his lips.
"You're not the only one who can summon Susanoo."
A towering, blue figure materialized around him—larger, more complete, more powerful. It raised its massive blade and met Obito's strike with a thunderous clang.
Clang!
Nagato pushed forward. Obito was flung backward, and Nagato's Susanoo chased him relentlessly.
Even with only one Rinnegan, Nagato's chakra vastly exceeded Obito's. His Susanoo was at least a third larger and far stronger. Their clash was a one-sided beatdown—Nagato's blade slashed through Obito's defenses, cracking armor and draining his chakra.
Obito's shell shattered quickly, and with it, his ability to reliably use Kamui.
Nagato had the upper hand—but he wasn't careless.
The fact that Obito hadn't fled immediately meant something else was at play.
Madara.
That was what concerned him.
Even as he pummeled Obito, Nagato kept the Rain Tiger technique active, scanning the entire village with his senses. And then—he noticed it.
His eyes narrowed.
"There."
At one of the distant spires, black sludge crept from a shadowy figure—Madara's clone, built from White Zetsu matter. He raised a hand toward the air.
"Universal Pull."
Konan, caught mid-flight, was suddenly yanked downward—helpless as a paper-winged moth spiraling toward flame.
"You dare—!"
Nagato's stoic face twisted in fury. With a mighty swing, he sent Obito flying and turned.
"Almighty Push!" (Shinra Tensei)
He couldn't let Madara's pull collide with his own force—not when Konan was the one caught between. But he could attack Madara directly.
As expected, the impact obliterated the clone—just another Zetsu body.
But before he could react further, a muscular figure kicked Konan mid-air, sending her crashing into a narrow alley.
"Shinno …" Nagato's fury intensified. He recognized the chakra instantly.
Shinno had broken his own body's limits—activating the Eight Gates. He sneered up at Nagato with scorn, bloodthirsty and confident.
At that moment, four white-cloaked shinobi emerged around the alley.
"Four-Corner Sealing Barrier: Purple Flame Formation!"
A crimson cube of energy snapped into place, trapping Konan inside.
"…Why?" Nagato muttered.
He recognized the jutsu. It was powerful—but using it on Konan, of all people, seemed excessive. It wasn't like her to be easily restrained.
"This is a mistake," he growled. "This barrier is nothing but paper to me."
Obito, bleeding and smiling eerily, said, "Too bad… you can't cut through it."
Nagato's heart sank.
He looked to the sky—and his eyes widened in horror.
A crimson meteor was falling.
"He cast it from above the clouds…" Nagato realized. Madara had hidden beyond even his Rain Tiger's detection range—out of reach, waiting.
This was his real strike.
Even now, Nagato could dodge it. But behind him… was Konan.
The Four-Purple Flames barrier couldn't withstand a direct hit.
Without a second thought, Nagato moved.
The blue giant stepped into the air, lifting its sword and rising to meet the meteor—
To protect her.
_____________________
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