The Land of Rain.
Caught between the great nations, the Land of Rain was in an awkward position, rarely knowing peace. If it wasn't caught up in skirmishes from the great wars, then it was plagued by bandits and marauders. For the common folk here, simply surviving another day was already a luxury.
Dangerous as it sounded, the Land of Rain was not the worst place to live. Thanks to the reputation of Hanzō the Salamander, whose name still resounded across the ninja world, most villages dared not provoke the Land of Rain directly.
So while brigands and outlaws could be dealt with, there was little fear of a full invasion—especially now that the Third Great Ninja War had long since ended. Apart from minor frictions between the Land of Earth and the Land of Fire, the other great powers were in recovery. None of them had the appetite to fight on the soil of the Land of Rain.
Arriving here, Shimura Danzō immediately noticed the difference. Having lived his life in the dry air of Konoha, he felt suffocated by the perpetual dampness. The ever-falling drizzle clung to his skin, making him uncomfortable.
But the thought of Akatsuki banished his distaste. That organization had to be eradicated. First, however, he needed to find Hanzō and secure his cooperation. Only then could they strike.
In the Land of Rain, one might not know the name of their daimyo, but no one knows the name of Hanzō.
The "demigod" was both the Land of Rain's protector and its pride. Granted the title of "half-god" by the Five Kage themselves, it wasn't out of courtesy. Hanzō truly possessed strength worthy of that name.
Stepping into Amegakure, rain pelting his cloak, Danzō narrowed his eyes at the sight of poverty etched into the village streets. In a low voice, he muttered,
"The Land of Rain is deteriorating. At this rate, once Hanzō dies of old age, this land will once again become a battlefield. When that day comes… I will seize it for Konoha, and expand our dominion!"
The Land of Rain, by itself, was nothing. But the Land of Rain under Konoha's banner—that was something Danzō could not ignore.
With two Root squads at his back, he advanced toward the tallest building in the village, intent on meeting Hanzō face to face.
Akatsuki.
In the shadows of that very building, the true body of Pain stirred. Gaunt, skeletal, his fiery eyes—those of the Rinnegan—snapped open. Uchiha Nagato let out a cold laugh, his voice a whisper laced with venom.
"How convenient… I hadn't even gone to seek you out, yet you walk straight into Ame. Tell me, Shimura Danzō… doesn't that make your death all the more deserved?"
He could never forget the moment Yahiko died—that single scar carved into his heart for a lifetime. The betrayal and blood of that day had etched two names into his hatred forever: Hanzō the Salamander and Shimura Danzō of Konoha.
And now… the chance for revenge was here.
Summoning his Six Paths of Pain, Nagato prepared for the one who had come seeking death.
The highest tower of Ame was no longer Hanzō's residence. It was Akatsuki's citadel now. Hanzō the Salamander had long been slain; his body had returned to the Pure Land years ago.
Danzō, unaware of the danger, pressed on toward the top of the tower. Convinced he was drawing closer to Hanzō, he quickened his pace.
Then it began.
A colossal lizard, summoned from nothing, materialized in front of them, striking at the Root squads.
The Root shinobi crossed formation, shielding their commander.
From the shadows, the childlike voice of the Animal Path echoed as it summoned a second beast—this one blocking their retreat.
"Kuchiyose no Jutsu!"
This time, a massive iron-armored rhinoceros thundered onto the battlefield, its savage eyes locking onto Danzō's group.
Danzō's gaze shot upward. There, standing impossibly high, overlooking them all like a god, were the Six Paths of Pain.
That black cloak with red clouds—there was no mistaking it.
"Akatsuki…" Danzō muttered darkly.
The figure of the Deva Path raised its hand, voice flat and merciless:
"In the name of God… I pronounce your death."
At once, they attacked. With their shared vision and six different abilities, every move of the Root squads was already known to Nagato.
Danzō sneered.
"A god? Ridiculous. I thought you might be a threat, but you're just another deluded cult. Root—attack!"
Obeying his command, the two squads launched a barrage of ninjutsu—blazing Fire Release, crackling Lightning Release, and slicing blades of Wind.
The Deva Path calmly lifted one hand.
"Those who have never felt true pain can never understand the existence of God. Then feel it—Shinra Tensei!"
A wave of invisible force burst outward. Fire, lightning, shuriken, and kunai—all were repelled as though they had never existed.
The overwhelming repulsion lasted only an instant, but it was enough to make Danzō's eyes narrow. Something was not right here.
Still, with two squads at his side, he refused to believe that Akatsuki could kill him. He observed closely, seeking to unravel their abilities.
The Deva Path stepped aside, revealing the Asura Path.
The Asura Path, one of Pain's bodies, was modified into a weapon of war. With monstrous strength and mechanical weaponry, it unleashed its assault—an arm splitting open to fire a barrage of missiles.
"Earth Release: Earth Flow Wall!"
The Root shinobi threw up a wall of stone. Crude compared to Hatake Kakashi's technique, it was little more than a thick slab of earth—no carvings, no detail.
But before the smoke cleared, another of Pain's bodies advanced—the Preta Path. Its grotesque arms extended, sucking in the flames and lightning hurled its way.
As its name implied, the Preta Path devoured chakra itself. Its role was defense—perfect, impenetrable defense.
Meanwhile, the Deva Path drew forth a black chakra rod, moving with godlike precision. With a single thrust, it pierced the chest of a Root shinobi who had tried to strike with kenjutsu. The iron staff was sharper than steel, skewering the man without mercy.
The battle had only just begun.