Ame Village.
It was a village that experienced endless rainfall throughout the year. Its buildings, primarily made of steel, stood like towering skyscrapers across the land. On the water-accumulated surface, many large pipes and sewers were visible, forming a unique scenic feature.
Not long ago, something major had occurred in Ame Village, though nearly no one knew about it:
Jiraiya, a Konoha ninja, had infiltrated the village to gather intelligence, but was killed by Nagato—the ruler of Ame Village and leader of Akatsuki—using puppets known as the Six Paths of Pain.
Before his death, however, Jiraiya sacrificed his life to gather intel on the Six Paths of Pain and carved it onto Sage Fukasaku's back in the form of secret writings, sending it back to Konoha.
Afterward, Akatsuki planned to launch a full-scale assault on Leaf Village while Konoha had yet to decipher the secrets behind the Six Paths of Pain and capture the Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki.
However, during their reconnaissance before attacking Konoha, Akatsuki unexpectedly obtained a top-secret piece of intelligence from Konoha.
According to the content of that intelligence report, the Six Paths of Pain went into action together, heading toward Loulan to obtain the Dragon Vein.
Later, Nagato, the leader of Akatsuki, along with Konan and member "Tobi," utilized the Dragon Vein's power to cross into another parallel world.
No one knew what they experienced there.
The three returned quickly from this journey across worlds, retreating into a tall tower of Ame Village where they remained locked away for days, like beasts lying low in hiding.
The original plan to attack Konoha was thus abruptly scrapped.
Inside the tallest tower of Ame Village,
Within a vast chamber sat six tall nutrient tanks, each connected to numerous tubes continuously supplying nourishing liquid.
Inside these tanks were the Six Paths of Pain, crafted by Nagato using corpses of ninjas collected from all across the shinobi world.
Except for Deva Path, the other five were newly recreated because their previous versions had perished in that parallel world.
That terrifying world.
Sitting in his wheelchair, Nagato silently stared at the tanks, his expression distant, as if he had once again fallen deep into those nightmarish memories.
Just then, paper rustled through the air as a graceful figure drifted inside from the doorway.
"Konan, I've checked every file and intelligence report we have. There has never been a ninja called Turtle Immortal in Kiri or within the Land of Water's history."
Konan furrowed her brows, puzzled, as she reported this news to Nagato.
"There's no need to waste time investigating further, Konan. My guess is that the Turtle Immortal was merely a disguise, just like my Six Paths of Pain. The true identity of our opponent may remain forever unknown to us."
Nagato sighed, murmuring his thoughts.
"It's so strange. If it's a parallel world, logically speaking, it should be almost identical to ours, yet why are their ninjas so much stronger..."
Konan muttered softly, then gazed at Nagato with concern.
"Do you think the Turtle Immortal might take the Dragon Vein and travel across timelines to come into our world someday?"
"That's precisely what keeps me up at night."
"Not just possible—it's very likely."
Nagato's expression turned solemn. Then, his gaze hardened with determination as he continued, "So we must take action once more. We need to continue gathering all the Tailed Beasts and create an unparalleled ultimate weapon. Only by mastering that power can we fulfill Yahiko's final wish—intimidate the nations and bring lasting peace."
His voice had barely faded when Nagato formed a hand seal. The lids of six nutrient tanks opened simultaneously. The newly awakened Six Paths of Pain stirred to life and lined up in perfect formation within the chamber.
The Six Paths of Pain, bearing the name of gods.
Although they had suffered repeated defeats and embarrassment in the parallel world, back in their homeland, Nagato still believed they could strike back powerfully against Konoha and other ninja villages.
The world of shinobi was on the brink of a bloodbath unlike anything before.
...
After throwing Nagato and the others through the space-time gate, Heiyan temporarily stored the Dragon Vein crystal within his Kamui's space.
Then, stepping out of the cave, he returned to Kiri once more.
Seeing the injured Kirigakure ninjas supporting each other, Heiyan waved his hand casually. A purple rain of healing descended from the sky, sprinkling down on them.
Sage Master Ao and others quickly discovered, with great delight, that their wounds had rapidly healed after contact with the rain. Moreover, their physical and mental fatigue had also significantly eased—as if they had enjoyed a hearty meal followed by a deep, restorative sleep.
"Thank you so much, Immortal Sage!"
They all knelt and bowed before Heiyan, eyes filled with even more fervent admiration.
Surrounded like stars orbiting the moon, Heiyan arrived at the village gate of Kiri.
The village remained frozen, its buildings and streets covered in ice, along with Madara's rogue ninja army, transformed entirely into ice sculptures—bearing a cruel and sorrowful kind of beauty.
[Clop.]
Heiyan took out his cane again and tapped the ground lightly. Instantly, a warm ripple of chakra spread outward from beneath his feet, flowing across the entire village.
The snow and ice covering Kiri melted away.
The buildings remained intact without much damage. The rogue ninja army appeared perfectly preserved on the outside, but in reality, they had long lost their heartbeats and become lifeless corpses.
What came next didn't require Heiyan's instructions; the people of Kiri already sprang into action.
Some began cleaning up the rogue ninjas' bodies, while others searched outside the village for missing villagers and ninja. Most importantly, word needed to be sent across the Land of Water announcing what had happened in Kiri.
"Immortal Sage, please accept the role of Mizukage! Lead Kiri out of hardship and guide us back to our former glory!"
Accompanied by many Kirigakure ninja, Sage Master Ao collectively made this plea to Heiyan.
Everyone gazed at him expectantly.
To their disappointment, however, Heiyan gave a slow shake of his head.
"I neither possess the talent nor hold the interest or patience for governing a village, so I must refuse. Sage Master Ao, Kiri is in your hands now. I hope you can lead these young ones to restore this village's honor someday."
After speaking, he turned as if to leave.
Is this truly the realm of an immortal sage?
He accomplished his mission and withdrew, indifferent to the title of the village's Kage, quietly relinquishing the power that was rightfully his.
His attainment reached the level of Immortal Sage, earning him even greater reverence from the people of the Mist.
"Lord, please accept the title of Mizukage at least in name. No one else is worthy of this title. Even if you choose to leave today, we will always welcome you back."
Sage Master sincerely said, making a heartfelt plea. Others nodded in agreement upon hearing this.
"Very well then, I'll leave it to your arrangement."
Unable to refuse the earnest pleas of the people of the Mist, Heiyan finally relented and accepted.
Thus, as tens of thousands of Mist's ninja and villagers watched with heavy hearts, Heiyan ascended into the sky and soon vanished beyond the horizon.
After Heiyan, the "Mizukage," left, Sage Master — personally chosen by him — became the acting leader, managing all internal affairs of the village. With everyone working together, they managed to restore the village back on track.
And so, the story came to a quiet close.
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