Amegakure Village.
Konan stood on top of a tall tower. This time, Nagato had left the village without her.
Looking down at the village below, Konan's face remained expressionless, her eyes somewhat lifeless, as if deep in thought.
With Nagato gone, the entire village would remain under the [Grudge Rain] technique, no matter what day it was.
"He should be back soon, right?" Despite herself, Konan still felt worried—but she didn't dare show even the faintest trace of it.
Just as these thoughts crossed her mind, Konan sensed something and turned around to look at the wall.
Zetsu slowly emerged halfway from the wall, his body wrapped in pitcher plants.
"Any news, Zetsu?" Konan asked. All members of the Organization had been sent out on missions, and Zetsu was responsible for reporting intelligence back to her.
"Everything's going smoothly. One-Tail and Seven-Tails are already on their way back. As for Two-Tails—Pain has already returned to the village!"
White Zetsu grinned, most of his moss-green hair clinging tightly to his scalp while a few loose strands drifted slightly in the air.
Creak! The door swung open, revealing a familiar figure—none other than Deva Path — Pain himself!
"Deva Path! You're back. Are you alright?" Konan's eyes lit up as she looked over.
Zetsu gave a knowing smirk but stayed silent. Earlier, he had observed Deva Path's battle and carefully noted his abilities.
"Yes, everything is normal. Haven't they returned yet?"
Deva Path nodded briefly, cast a glance toward Zetsu, then walked over to the window.
"I've already brought back Two-Tails. Once they return, we'll begin the sealing process."
He stepped onto the single log that extended outside, sat there, and coldly watched the figures moving quickly through the rain below.
"Once this mission is over, the villages with tailed beasts will surely tighten their guard. We should lie low for now."
Without turning around, it sounded almost like he was talking to himself.
"Mm!" Konan moved closer and nodded.
"I'll go check on them." Zetsu narrowed his eyes at Deva Path, then slowly sank into the wall and vanished.
...
"Hey, hurry up!" Hidan carried Fu and his scythe with a grumbling look on his face.
Kakuzu was about ten meters ahead. At his foot lay a blood-soaked enemy ninja who could no longer move.
"Weren't you the one rushing us earlier and not letting me finish my job?"
Hidan watched as Kakuzu tossed the freshly killed ninja over his shoulder.
"If you saw cash on the ground, wouldn't you just scoop it up?"
Kakuzu gave a slight smile.
"There's no harm in making a little extra before heading back."
"Do whatever you want. I don't care anyway."
...
Creak! A puppet scraped along the ground as they moved.
Yura walked behind, carrying Gaara on his back.
They were nearing Amegakure Village, having already entered the territory of the Land of Rain.
"What are you thinking, Sasori?" Saitama stared at Hiruko, sensing something was off.
Sasori didn't respond, maintaining his steady pace forward.
"Tch!" Saitama shrugged off the awkwardness and stopped asking questions.
But his eyes occasionally flickered, deep in thought.
Encountering Shisui on this mission was unexpected yet reasonable in his eyes.
No matter what, future actions would face greater resistance, but that only made Saitama more determined.
He wondered what some people would do when they learned Saitama was still alive.
The air grew moist — a constant feature of the Land of Rain, where clouds never fully part.
...
Sunagakure Village.
"Lord Kazekage, we'll take our leave now to report everything back."
Shisui bowed toward Rasa. Rasa had already left the hospital the second morning after returning.
Although his condition had not fully improved, he had resumed normal work duties.
Sunagakure's current situation did not allow him to continue resting in the hospital recovering.
His left arm wound had mostly healed. Rasa planned to summon several puppet masters soon to install a prosthetic limb for his left hand—enough to handle daily needs.
"Thank you both," Rasa nodded warmly as he looked at Shisui's youthful face.
Shisui grinned, then turned around. They needed to hurry back and report everything clearly.
And the news about Saitama fell like a heavy bombshell...
...
This place was a pitch-black forest with a clear little stream flowing through it.
A pale-skinned child squatted beside the water, staring at his own reflection.
"Where exactly should I go? What am I supposed to do?" Kimimaro looked at the water, clearly confused. Ever since he was very young, he hadn't understood the meaning of his existence. Now that he'd left his clan, he felt even more lost.
He glanced down and saw a white flower beside him—a single pure bloom amid the darkness.
Thinking this, Kimimaro grabbed the stem with his left hand and plucked the flower.
Clo clop! Light footsteps echoed nearby. Kimimaro stiffened, quickly turning around with his right arm raised defensively as he looked over.
"Who are you?" Kimimaro's expression turned cautious as he eyed the approaching man. The stranger didn't seem like someone from the village, nor did he emit any malicious intent.
Still, for safety, he remained appropriately vigilant. From his right palm emerged a sharp white bone blade protruding slightly.
"Hehehe..." Orochimaru stared intently at this child, filled with interest.
"There is no inherent meaning to life, but continuing to live guarantees discovering meaningful things."
Orochimaru's eyes sparkled with philosophical insight as he spoke.
"Just like how you discovered that flower, I discovered you! Isn't that right?"
Slowly extending his right hand, Orochimaru held it open before Kimimaro, fingers flexing invitingly.
"Is that really how it is..." Hearing these words from the strange man before him, Kimimaro's eyes gradually shifted from confusion to resolve.
Right now, he still didn't know the meaning of life—but time was long, and he could indeed take time searching.
Lifting his head, Kimimaro locked eyes with Orochimaru, gazing at the man's face which gave him a sense of familiarity.
The bone blade slowly retracted into his right hand. Holding the flower in his left, Kimimaro reached out and took Orochimaru's hand with his right.
"Let's go. I'll take you somewhere. Stay alive, and then find your own purpose in life!"
Orochimaru grabbed Kimimaro's hand and turned to leave.
"Yes!" Kimimaro raised his head, his eyes gradually showing determination. Had he already found what he was looking for?
...
Iwagakure Village, Tsuchikage Building.
Onoki stood by the window, his face filled with anguish, his brows tightly knitted together.
"Just who is defying me and Iwagakure Village? Better not let me find out! Otherwise..."
Iwagakure had already dispatched several teams to search for clues, but according to the reports received, there was nothing useful.
"Make sure Baan doesn't leave the village recently! Let him stay home! And strengthen Anbu's protection!"
Onoki looked at the village outside as he issued orders to the hidden Anbu members.
Baan and Roshi were both Jinchuriki. Roshi's fate made Baan feel deeply empathetic, which only increased his distress.
Recently, Baan had been requesting to go out to gather intelligence on the enemy.
But for Baan's safety, Onoki had never agreed, continuously suppressing Baan's desires.
"He's been driving everyone nuts recently!"
"I don't care about that. You handle it. If he wants to act up, just tell him it's my arrangement!"
"Yes!"
...
Konoha Village, Hokage Building.
"So the enemy has already captured the Seven-Tails (Jinchuriki container of the seven-tailed beast)?"
Minato Namikaze frowned while Shikaku rubbed his chin. Pakkun the Ninken sat slouched in a chair.
"Kakashi wasn't very clear on the details. He's right behind me and should arrive soon!"
Pakkun very humanely held a cup, sipping water slowly.
"Understood."
Minato nodded slightly, looking at Shikaku.
"The enemy acted much faster than I expected. If this continues, Sunagakure will probably..."
<><><><><><><><>
Thank you for reading! Your support will keep me updating!
~ Every 50 Powerstones = **4 Bonus Chapters** this weekend!
<><><><><><><><>
~ 100+ Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon!
~ More *Free* Chapters and Books Available on Patreon!
patreon.com/Tansnovel
<><><><><><><><>