Snow drifted from the skies—winter had come.
With the war between Konoha and Kumogakure finally at an end, the Shinobi World entered a long-overdue period of peace. To celebrate this hard-won tranquility, that year's New Year Festival was unusually lively, the sky filled with dazzling fireworks as people tried to chase away the lingering shadows and sorrow left by war.
But no matter how much they masked it, the pain left behind by war still lingered—etched into their bodies and hearts.
Once the strongest village in the ninja world, Konoha had suffered greatly. Its population and shinobi forces had both fallen to their lowest levels since the founding of the village. Even compared to the other Great Nations, it was now frail and weakened.
Fortunately, the current Fifth Hokage, Uchiha Fugaku, possessed a sharp political mind. By aligning himself firmly with Yuki Yoru, Konoha, though diminished, was still able to retain its seat among the major powers of the Shinobi World.
Iwagakure was still licking its wounds from the disaster involving the Box of Ultimate Bliss. Sunagakure, under Obito's puppet regime of Blood Sand, appeared to be making steady progress—but its internal strength and foundation were being drained rapidly.
Kumogakure had begun making contact with the Shadow Island and was slowly stepping into the world of the Quincy.
As for Yuki Yoru, he was now operating from Kirigakure—controlling the entire situation. Quietly, he continued refining the rapidly growing spiritual power within him, aiming toward a true evolution.
Yet in the corners of the ninja world, some restless figures had already begun to stir.
Amegakure – Central Tower
Dim light flickered weakly, unable to drive away the eternal gloom and rain of this land. Inside the tower, Obito, Zetsu, Pain (Tendō), Konan, and Uchiha Hikari each sat on solitary chairs—discussing the next phase of a world-shaking plan.
"The Chūnin Exams aren't some small-scale event," Konan said sternly. "You're not going to invite just Yuki Yoru."
"The current Fifth Hokage Uchiha Fugaku and Fourth Raikage A are both on Yoru's side. If we act at the venue, we'll be facing not only Yoru, but multiple Kage-level shinobi."
Her eyes briefly lingered on the girl with the childlike appearance, Uchiha Hikari, who was currently engrossed in reading Modern History of the Shinobi World.
"That risk is too high. Unless we have total assurance, I won't support it."
"But that's the most direct way to achieve our goal," Obito said with a frown. "If we follow your plan—increasing our numbers first, then igniting conflict between nations to make them understand war's cruelty—just the money required would be astronomical."
"Besides, who knows how strong Yoru will become in the coming years? And his influence is still expanding. Right now is our best chance—!"
"Madara."
Pain's voice was cold, his purple Rinnegan eyes radiating uncompromising dominance.
"Konan's concerns are valid. We move only after thorough preparation. I want results, not empty words."
"The Iron Country incident—once was enough. You should understand what I mean."
"But…"
"Madara, I am the leader."
Obito's reply caught in his throat.
That suffocating frustration burned in his chest, but he could only swallow it, remaining silent as he worked to refine his plan. Even Uchiha Hikari looked a little surprised at the confrontation.
Nagato and Obito were never truly of one mind.
Though they cooperated closely, their core ideologies diverged.
Nagato still held onto the ideals of Yahiko, striving to become the savior—the god who would awaken the world to its cruelty.
Beneath the body of "Pain the God," even though his broken legs had long since healed, Nagato's heart remained fragile—still the lost child who once wandered through the war-torn Rain Country.
Obito was different.
He wanted to destroy this world of darkness, slaughter, and despair—completely.
"I've severed all my foolish bonds with this world," Obito said inwardly. "I have the right to become a god now—one who sees beyond even Uchiha Madara!"
"Sunagakure and Kumogakure clashed during the Third War. I won't invite the Raikage. Besides, the Land of Lightning is too far from Suna—they won't act easily. As for Uchiha Fugaku…" Obito's voice darkened. "Hikari's strength is enough to suppress his Mangekyō Sharingan. He's no threat."
Pain gave Hikari a silent glance but did not object.
With the Rinnegan, he could feel the terrifying power within the girl's eyes. With her cooperation, their odds of success would indeed skyrocket.
But it still wasn't enough.
The Akatsuki was desperately short on members and resources.
They didn't even have enough to support Amegakure's current needs—let alone execute grand world-altering plans.
Obito understood Nagato's implication.
"I'll provide the funds for the organization's plans. Ten million ryō—delivered tomorrow."
Obito's words were steady. But Nagato simply gave a nonchalant grunt and said nothing else.
Clearly, he was leveraging the fact that Obito currently controlled Sunagakure.
Though Ame was poor—Suna was rich.
Yes, despite its desert location, Sunagakure had become the richest of the five great villages.
All because of one man: the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, who was now under Obito's control.
Nicknamed the "Golden Miner of the Shinobi World," Rasa had made a name for himself during the Third Great Ninja War in Suna's clash with Kumo.
After becoming Kazekage, he revived a defeated and nearly ruined village with his Gold Dust techniques, to the point of crashing gold prices across the entire Shinobi world—triggering an economic crisis.
He single-handedly resurrected a village through economics.
So yes—ten million ryō was nothing. Money wasn't what Nagato wanted.
He wanted people.
"Other than Konan and me," Pain said calmly, "our only active members are Hiruko and Sasori. Even counting Zetsu, that's only five."
His meaning was clear.
Obito rubbed his temples.
White Zetsu clones were useful, yes—but he still lacked true human assets.
But then—
"I have someone in mind. He's not suited for combat, but…" Obito finally pulled a scroll from Kamui's dimension and handed it to Nagato.
Nagato opened it, scanning the contents with a raised brow.
"Shinnō, former member of the Sky Country. His heart's desire is to revive the Sky Ninja and destroy Konoha. Another soul scarred by Konoha's wars."
Obito gave a brief rundown—emphasizing that Shinnō was a victim of Konoha's conquest.
Sure enough, Konan's expression shifted noticeably, and even Pain glanced sideways.
"Shinnō's not much of a fighter. At best, he's a standard jōnin. But his knowledge of medical ninjutsu and science is outstanding. If we bring him in, he could fill the void left by Orochimaru—and significantly boost Ame's tech development."
"Where is he now?"
"He's currently in the Land of Grass," Zetsu cut in. "If the leader agrees, I can issue an invitation. But if you really want him to join, you might need to visit him personally."
"I can bring him directly," Obito added.
Pain and Konan exchanged glances—clearly intrigued.
Right now, the Akatsuki desperately needed personnel, especially a medical scientist. Recruiting Shinnō could prove a critical turning point.
And beyond that—Nagato truly needed the Shikotsumyaku to execute Obito's final plan and achieve a Six Paths-level transformation.
"Very well. Prepare accordingly," Pain said at last. Then his gaze fell on the silent Hikari. "Suzaku of the Akatsuki—interested?"
Hikari looked up at him, calm and unreadable.
She didn't like being treated like a tool—but this organization's ideology... was at least interesting.
She turned to Obito.
He frowned slightly—but nodded.
Seeing this, Hikari nodded as well.
"Good. From today forward, you are one of us. The Akatsuki's Suzaku."
Pain tossed her a ring inscribed with the kanji for Suzaku.
Konan handed her a vial of purple nail polish and an official Akatsuki cloak.
"Akatsuki doesn't control what members do in their free time. As long as you don't betray the organization, you're free to act."
"However, all members work in pairs. Due to our current numbers, there are two unpaired members—you'll choose one to be your partner."
"Partner?" Hikari frowned slightly at the word.
Still, she was part of Akatsuki now—and would follow its rules.
Obito said nothing more.
As long as Nagato stood firm against Yuki Yoru and bought him time—everything would be worth it.
...
Akatsuki Underground Base
Two figures emerged from the shadows of the corridor.
"I hear there's a new recruit today," Hiruko said with excitement. "Maybe they have a unique kekkei genkai... I might finally complete my ultimate masterpiece!"
"Heh. Keep dreaming," Sasori sneered. "Your crude fusion techniques aren't art. They're pathetic clown tricks."
"You—!"
Hiruko froze, furious—but Sasori, sitting inside his puppet body Hiruko, ignored him and continued walking calmly toward the inner sanctum.
That disdain made Hiruko's veins bulge.
Orochimaru looked down on me. Now Sasori too? None of you geniuses ever took me seriously!
But just wait. When I collect all my materials—when I become the perfect ninja—your 'eternal art' will be reduced to dust beneath my feet!
Sasori didn't care.
The gaze of the weak meant nothing.
Soon, both arrived before the Gedo Statue, hands folded on its grotesque fingers.
Already waiting were:
Pain, Akatsuki's "Leader of Zero Entropy"
Konan, "White Tiger Angel"
Zetsu, "Black Turtle"
Now joined by Hiruko and Sasori, these made up the entire known Akatsuki roster.
Obito had not officially joined, despite cooperating with Nagato.
"Two matters today," Pain announced from atop the Gedo Statue's thumb. "First—the addition of a new member."
From the shadows, Uchiha Hikari stepped forward, her three-tomoe Sharingan glowing crimson as she gazed coldly at Sasori and Hiruko.
Hiruko and Sasori both knew her from intel—one a fugitive Konoha medical-nin who mastered bloodline fusion, the other, an S-class genius puppet master from Sunagakure.
To Hikari, neither posed the slightest threat.
Weak. Uninteresting.
But while she assessed them, they, too, looked her over.
A petite girl—young in age.
But those blood-red eyes—
"Sharingan…"
Hiruko, a former Konoha nin, was stunned. A girl this young had already awakened a full three-tomoe Sharingan?
"Uchiha Hikari. The Akatsuki's Suzaku," Pain said plainly. "Hikari—choose your partner. It is our rule: all members act in pairs—to support and monitor each other."
"I don't babysit kids," Sasori said flatly. "She's Uchiha. Let her pair with this guy."
"Tch." Hiruko scoffed—but didn't object. Instead, his gaze burned with curiosity.
So young. So powerful. Personally selected by Pain.
If I can use her in my fusion experiments…