Chapter 177: An Approaching Storm
While Ren was conversing with Sasuke, a relentless rain poured over the Land of Rain, as it always did. Atop a towering, strange structure, the leader of Akatsuki, the Deva Path of Pain, stood immobile, gazing down at the sodden village of Amegakure below. The rainwater soaked his robes, but he seemed oblivious to it.
"Pain, he's back."
A woman's voice sounded behind him. Pain showed no surprise, as if he had been expecting her.
"I know," he replied flatly, turning to face Konan, who stood a short distance away, her own Akatsuki cloak dark with moisture.
Together, they walked inside the building. Waiting for them was a figure also clad in the Akatsuki's black and red clouds, his face obscured by a swirling orange mask. This was the organization's true puppeteer, Uchiha Obito.
Obito, previously posing as the simpleton "Tobi," had been on the mission to capture the Three-Tails with Deidara. They had encountered Sasuke Uchiha, leading to Deidara's self-destruction and Sasuke's severe injury. Obito, using the space-time ninjutsu of his Mangekyo Sharingan, had survived the blast unharmed and retrieved the Three-Tails.
Pain was the first to speak. "Report. What happened? Who killed Deidara?"
"Sasuke Uchiha," Obito answered, his voice now devoid of its previous foolishness, replaced by a cold, calculating tone.
"I see. You made contact with him. Your assessment?"
"Promising. His mastery of the Sharingan is developing well, even exceeding expectations. Those eyes may surpass Itachi's in time. When the moment is right, I will approach him again."
Konan interjected, her voice skeptical. "Are you so confident he will listen to you? Do not forget Uchiha Ren."
Obito's visible eye narrowed. "Uchiha Ren is indeed a significant variable. He may become a major obstacle. It seems we must make contact with him as well. Both the Two-Tails and Four-Tails Jinchuriki are in his possession." He turned his focus back to Pain. "I leave this matter to you. If he proves... uncooperative, then eliminate him. In the end, I only require one Uchiha—Sasuke." His tone was final. "Remember, as the face of our leadership, you cannot afford failure. As for the Three-Tails, hold it for now. We will seal it together once you retrieve the Two-Tails and Four-Tails. It will be more efficient."
"Understood," Pain replied, his voice devoid of emotion.
"Have you located Itachi?"
"Yes. He is in an abandoned Uchiha stronghold. He shows no intention of returning to the organization."
Obito let out a dry laugh. "Hmph. I know what he is waiting for. He is of little use to us now. Focus on our primary objective. Go to Otogakure in the Land of Sound. Find Uchiha Ren." He paused, offering a final warning. "But be cautious. Anyone who could kill Kakuzu, Hidan, and Kisame, and single-handedly destroy Kumogakure, is not to be taken lightly. Even for you, caution is advised."
Before Pain could respond, Konan spoke up, her faith absolute. "It is meaningless to inflate the enemy's reputation. Pain has never been defeated."
Obito merely chuckled. "Heh. Very well. That is all. I take my leave." With that, he turned and vanished into the shadows of the building, leaving Pain and Konan alone.
"Pain, what are your orders?" Konan asked.
"We depart for the Land of Sound."
Having decided their course of action, the two figures also disappeared from the rainy tower.
***
Unbeknownst to them, shortly after their departure, in a waterlogged area of the Land of Rain, a large toad surfaced from the depths. It swam to the shore and, bizarrely, opened its mouth wide. A figure gradually emerged from within the toad and stepped onto the muddy bank.
The man had spiky white hair, wore a traditional kimono, and bore a forehead protector with the character for "Oil." Two red marks slashed down from his eyes like tears. This was Jiraiya, one of the Legendary Sannin.
"The Land of Rain... infiltration successful. Surprisingly easy," Jiraiya muttered to himself, scanning the perpetual drizzle. "But... what now?"
He had been tracking Akatsuki for some time and had recently confirmed their base was located within the Land of Rain. He had received permission from the Fifth Hokage, Tsunade—his former teammate and fellow Sannin—to infiltrate and investigate. What he did not know was that the apparent leader of Akatsuki had just left the country.
In the original timeline, Jiraiya's infiltration would have led to a direct confrontation with the Six Paths of Pain, a battle that would ultimately claim his life. But now, the timeline had been fractured by Uchiha Ren's actions. Distracted by the threat Ren posed, Pain had left his post. By a twist of fate, Jiraiya's path had narrowly avoided a fatal intersection. His mission, and perhaps his life, had been granted an unexpected reprieve. What intelligence he might uncover now was an unknown variable in the rapidly shifting balance of power.
***
Meanwhile, far away in Otogakure, Ren, unaware that a formidable enemy was approaching, felt a subtle but distinct shift in the ambient chakra. He paused, his senses stretching outward, and looked toward the distant horizon, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. A storm was coming, but he was ready to meet it.
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