Hidden Rain Village
On the highest tower, Pain stood motionless, staring into the endless downpour.
He wasn't merely watching—he was listening.
Through the Rain Tiger jutsu, Every raindrop falling over Amegakure fed information into his senses.
In this village, where rain never ceased, he was a god who missed nothing.
In the original timeline, even Jiraiya couldn't slip past this technique.
Then—Pain's eyes narrowed.
A faint chakra signature, one he knew intimately, brushed against his perception.
Konan
After nearly two months away, she had finally returned from the Land of Earth, where she'd gone to sell silver jewelry—a venture Pain, or rather Nagato, had quietly dismissed as unlikely to earn much.
In his view, Akatsuki's most efficient income source was still underground bounties; the organization was full of elite shinobi, after all.
Moments later, Konan descended from the sky, paper wings folding neatly behind her as she landed before him.
"Nagato."
She produced a document.
"This is the silver jewelry sales report for the past two months."
Pain glanced at it—then froze.
…Two extra zeroes?
No, the number truly was that large.
He took the document and read it carefully.
"Are you absolutely certain these figures are correct?"
"There's no mistake."
Konan's thoughts flickered back to Kitazawa, and her expression softened with a mix of awe and helpless amusement.
"Even I didn't expect the profits to be this high."
Pain fell silent.
The amount Konan had earned in two months equaled Akatsuki's entire annual revenue.
Even the "god" of Amegakure felt shaken.
"But there's a problem," Konan continued, brow creasing.
"The silver mines in the Land of Rain are nearly depleted."
"Then mobilize every Akatsuki member to search for new mines."
Pain didn't hesitate.
Konan blinked.
"No more bounty missions?"
"The only purpose of bounties is money."
Pain's voice was resolute. "Silver jewelry is more profitable. Our strategy must change."
Konan exhaled in relief.
Nagato had clearly been skeptical before, but the results spoke for themselves.
"If there are no more mines in the Land of Rain, expand the search to neighboring small countries," Pain added.
Konan nodded.
Then her expression softened. "Nagato… do you still have enough of your medicine?"
"Kitazawa said he can treat my legs in a month."
For the first time in a long while, Pain's voice held a faint ripple of emotion.
"Soon, I'll be able to stand again."
Konan's chest tightened.
If she hadn't been taken hostage by Hanzo years ago…
Yahiko wouldn't have died.
Nagato wouldn't have been crippled.
The guilt still lingered, carved deep into her heart.
"Use a portion of the profits to improve the Land of Rain," Pain said suddenly.
"This was Yahiko's dream."
Konan lowered her head in thought.
The Land of Rain had almost no industry—only perpetual storms and endless gray skies.
Right now, the only thriving craft was silver jewelry processing, thanks to Kitazawa's guidance.
Perhaps… she should return to Konoha and ask him again.
Somehow, Kitazawa always seemed to know the right answers—especially when it came to money.
"The silver jewelry operations are yours to handle," Pain said.
"If any Akatsuki members refuse to follow orders, come to me."
He knew well how entrenched their traditional shinobi mindsets were.
But it didn't matter—he had the authority to crush resistance.
"Yes."
Konan paused, then asked, "Has Uchiha Madara made any unusual moves lately?"
"No," Pain replied. "He's been doing bounties like everyone else."
"In that case, let him continue. Don't involve him in the silver jewelry trade."
Her voice was calm, but her distrust was clear.
She didn't believe in the masked man who claimed the name.
"Understood."
Konan looked up at the rain.
"I'll return to Konoha tomorrow."
Pain studied her quietly.
She had changed—grown more independent, more decisive.
But he believed one thing would never change:
Konan would always stand with Akatsuki.
Two days slipped by in an instant.
As the sun dipped below the rooftops, the Ninja Academy emptied in a lively stream of students. Kitazawa stepped out through the school gate—only for a familiar flicker of chakra to brush his senses.
In the shadow of a far-off corner stood a lone Anbu operative.
Almost invisible… unless you were looking for her.
Konan.
"Welcome back to Konoha," Kitazawa greeted her with a small smile as he approached.
Konan blinked, momentarily caught off guard.
To her ears, the words sounded strangely… warm.
As if this village were truly her home.
"…Thank you," she replied, voice cool as ever.
She handed him a document. Kitazawa skimmed it, nodding with clear satisfaction.
"Looks like my marketing strategy paid off."
"It was more effective than I imagined," Konan admitted, unable to hide a hint of admiration.
The more time she spent around him, the more she felt Kitazawa was… different.
Impossible to read.
Endlessly resourceful.
"Who's overseeing the silver jewelry operations?" Kitazawa asked, tucking the report away.
"One of our members," Konan replied. "Someone very experienced with money."
Kitazawa smirked inwardly.
Kakuzu—obviously.
After a pause, Konan took a small breath, as if gathering her resolve.
"Kitazawa… I want to ask you something. If we want to develop the Land of Rain… where do we even start?"
Kitazawa met her gaze with playful ease.
"I'm an advisor to the Akatsuki's finances, not to an entire country."
His eyes narrowed teasingly.
"So—what's the reward?"
Konan blinked, caught off balance.
"…What reward do you want?"
Kitazawa stepped closer, gently removing her Anbu mask.
He studied her face for a long, quiet moment… before placing the mask back.
"I'll let you owe me," he said lightly. "Now—development? It's simple."
"Simple?" Konan echoed, stunned.
She, Nagato, Yahiko, the Land of Rain's previous leaders—none of them had ever found an answer.
How could it be "simple"?
Kitazawa folded his arms.
"What's the Land of Rain's greatest resource?"
"…We have no resources," Konan said flatly.
"It's rain."
Kitazawa's voice held a faint laugh.
Konan stared at him.
"…How can rain be a resource?"
"To you—sure, it's worthless," Kitazawa said. "But what about the Land of Wind? A desert nation with water shortages year-round."
Konan's eyes widened.
"You mean—"
"Collect your rainwater, refine it, and sell it to them," Kitazawa said. "You're sitting on a fortune and don't even realize it."
Konan froze.
It was obvious.
Painfully obvious.
Yet no one had ever said it aloud.
"And moving the water? Plenty of options," Kitazawa continued.
"Use the same Summoning Beasts that carry silver ore.
Or lay pipelines—Earth Release to dig them, Water Release to direct the flow."
If Kisame had lived, it would've been child's play.
Still, the Akatsuki had ninja like Kakuzu and Jūzō—more than capable.
Konan opened her mouth, but no words emerged.
A ridiculous thought flickered through her mind—If Kitazawa was in the Akatsuki… the Land of Rain might already be prosperous.
But unfortunately, he belonged to Konoha.
"…I need to return," Konan finally said. There was urgency in her voice.
"We'll see each other in a few days," Kitazawa replied with a soft smile.
"Thank you," Konan said quietly—sincerely—before taking off in a swirl of paper.
Kitazawa watched her leave and sighed.
Helping Akatsuki develop the Land of Rain was pointless in the long run.
Once the Eye of the Moon Plan unfolded, no amount of development would matter.
But helping Konan cost him nothing…and her favor was worth a great deal.
Konan landed in front of Pain's tower.
"You've returned quickly," Pain said, sensing her chakra through the rain.
"Nagato," Konan began, then explained Kitazawa's idea—though she referred only to a "business advisor".
"…You can really profit from something so simple?" Pain murmured, unable to hide his surprise.
Yet the more he considered it, the more perfect it sounded.
"It seems your advisor is quite capable," he said at last.
Konan merely nodded.
She would never reveal Kitazawa's involvement.
"We already have connections with nobles in the Land of Wind," she continued. "If we approach them directly, they'll definitely agree."
Water in a desert was worth more than gold—
and the Akatsuki could control that market entirely.
"You'll be responsible for this plan," Pain decided.
"I want to assign Biwa Jūzō," Konan said. "His Water Release is ideal for transport. Kakuzu will continue managing the silver jewelry. I'll stay stationed in Konoha."
Pain accepted without hesitation.
"Do as you see fit."
He didn't realize Konan was staying in Konoha not for the mission—but for Kitazawa.
Three days passed in the blink of an eye.
Saturday arrived.
Kitazawa made his way to the ANBU Base, where Kabuto was already waiting.
"Kitazawa-sensei," Kabuto said, producing a scroll. "After sustained surveillance, we've confirmed the issue with Takumi Village."
As expected, Kitazawa thought as he unrolled the scroll.
Everything was exactly as he predicted—Takumi Village had cut corners.
Half the materials from the Box of Bliss were embezzled, and the remaining half was diluted with inferior metals to forge four bows.
"It seems Konoha's prestige still isn't intimidating enough," Kitazawa said with a quiet laugh.
"Should we retrieve the stolen materials?" Kabuto asked.
To Kabuto, a small village like Takumi daring to scam Konoha was nothing short of suicidal. Without Kitazawa's restraint, the ANBU could erase them from the map overnight.
"No hurry," Kitazawa said after a short pause. "Give it another half-month."
Half a month later would be the Genius Class's second monthly exam—perfect timing to take Hinata and Neji to Takumi Village.
The so-called Four Celestial Symbols were "Jōnin" only on paper. Their strength primarily came from their unique chakra-conducting tools. Without them, they were barely elite Chūnin.
He remembered the set well—three swords and a set of armor:
Peacock Twin Swords: Reduced Wind Release chakra consumption and boosted Wind Release power.
Dragon-Eye Retractable Sword: A blade that could extend and manifest as a dragon.
Light Sword: A chakra-light blade, functioning similarly to the Sword of the Thunder God.
Armor: Too bulky, too ugly—not worth using.
The swords, though, were valuable. He could already imagine:
Seven Ninja Swordsmen of Konoha.
Samehada, the Thunder God Sword, two Yin-Release bows…
Add these three swords, and the collection was complete.
Though distribution would be tricky.
Yakumo excelled in swordsmanship. That made one.
But among his remaining students, only Naruto and Sasuke practiced Leaf-Style Swordsmanship.
The Peacock Twin Swords were Wind-Release-oriented—suited for Kabuto.
That left the Dragon-Eye Sword and the Light Sword.
His choices narrowed.
"Since you've returned, you won't need to escort the bows anymore," Kitazawa told Kabuto. "I'll assign someone else. Go rest."
"Yes, Kitazawa-sensei." Kabuto bowed and left.
Kitazawa leaned back, thinking through team composition. He wanted two more students besides Hinata and Neji.
He settled on Yakumo and Tenten—each would benefit from a sword.
Just then, soft footsteps approached.
Warm hands touched his forehead.
"I'll give you a massage," Konan said, her cool voice betraying no emotion.
"Wait."
Kitazawa caught her wrist and guided her to the sofa.
Konan hesitated—just a fraction—but sat gracefully.
Kitazawa rested his head on her lap, inhaling her faint fragrance before drifting into sleep.
Half an hour later, he sat up.
"The Akatsuki have already gone to negotiate with the Land of Wind regarding the rainwater," Konan reported. "If it succeeds, I will split the profits with you—half, as with the silver jewelry."
It was a cost-free enterprise.
Rainwater cost nothing.
"Thank you," Kitazawa said, stretching. "You don't need to follow me today. Go rest at the ANBU dormitory."
After Konan departed, he headed to a nearby training ground.
With Deep Forest Emergence mastered, his next Wood Release technique was Wood Release: Four Pillar House—Yamato's signature jutsu.
A jutsu perfect for missions.
Why set up a tent when you could conjure a house?
He also wanted to learn the Four Pillar Prison Technique, capable of creating multiple structures at once. With enough chakra, one could create dozens—hundreds—of shelters.
Such techniques could become invaluable in future large-scale crises.
(Not that Pain's invasion would ever happen again—Kitazawa intended to stop Nagato long before that.)
He smirked to himself, pushing stray thoughts aside.
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