High above—
the Chibaku Tensei loomed—
blotting out the sky—
descending ever closer to the ground.
The world changed.
The rain stopped.
In Amegakure—
panic spread.
Villagers poured into the streets—
families clinging together.
One by one—
they lowered their heads—
hands clasped tightly at their chests—
praying.
To their god.
They believed—
they had sinned.
And now—
divine punishment had come.
In the crowd—
a purple-haired little girl—
driven by curiosity—
secretly looked up.
Then—
she saw it.
A sight—
she would never forget.
"Mom…"
The woman beside her snapped—
reaching to push her daughter's head down.
"Ajisai, don't look!"
But—
just as she moved—
her own eyes caught the sky.
Her breath stopped.
She froze.
BOOOOOOM—!!!
A thunderous explosion—
like the sky collapsing—
erupted above the village.
Terrifying shockwaves—
sent people crashing to the ground.
Then—
they saw it.
The "star"—
shattered.
Exploded.
The massive celestial body—
like a divine miracle—
burst apart—
like the most brilliant firework in existence.
Fragments—
rained down like an umbrella of stone.
Near the statue tower—
with gravity gone—
Kamizuki Gen fell from the sky.
And landed—
perfectly—
on the giant statue's extended crimson tongue.
"Ha…"
He exhaled.
Adjusting his breathing.
Sweat lined his forehead.
His chakra surged like tides.
His meridians—
aching faintly.
That punch—
was pure taijutsu principles.
With his stats equalized to Pain—
his body—
his control—
had reached near perfection.
Even without ninjutsu—
his destructive power—
was overwhelming.
Let alone—
a punch fueled by all his chakra.
A punch—
that shattered a star.
(Well… Chibaku Tensei counts.)
Gen looked toward Pain—
standing atop another tower.
"…."
Orochimaru stood beside Konan—
avoiding the falling debris.
Both stared upward.
At that moment—
the boy standing on the statue—
looked more like the guardian of this village—
than Pain himself.
Pain's Rinnegan—
locked onto Gen.
Behind him—
Nagato had nothing left to say.
"The test is over."
Pain spoke calmly.
"You have passed."
"If you are willing—"
"the Akatsuki will always welcome you."
"Together—"
"we will create a world without war."
No more fighting.
If they continued—
not just Amegakure—
the entire Land of Rain—
might be erased from the map.
And recruiting him…
After witnessing his power—
Nagato knew—
they couldn't control him.
And that—
was dangerous.
Someone equal to himself—
joining the organization—
would become its greatest instability.
For someone like Gen—
why join—
when he could simply create his own Akatsuki?
Yet—
letting him go—
would be a loss.
Konan's eyes flickered.
She hoped—
his earlier words—
were still true.
As for Orochimaru—
his face turned pale.
Cold sweat formed.
He had just accused this monster—
of being a spy.
Now?
That accusation—
felt like a death sentence.
He wanted to run.
But he couldn't.
Running—
would only get him killed faster.
So he prayed—
"Please don't join…"
"Just leave…"
"This place can't handle two gods…"
All eyes—
fell on Gen.
Gen smiled.
"I'm at a crossroads in life."
"Joining the Akatsuki—"
"might help me find a new purpose."
Pain nodded.
Satisfied.
Konan's eyes trembled slightly.
Orochimaru:
"…I'm leaving."
(Internally.)
"Welcome to the Akatsuki."
Pain said.
"Konan will brief you."
"For now, stay at headquarters."
With that—
his figure vanished—
like ink erased from paper.
"…That was smooth."
Gen muttered.
Through his perception—
he noticed—
the statue's gaping mouth—
led into the tower's interior.
The battle ended.
"All Things Equal" deactivated.
His body felt tired—
but nothing like the exhaustion from fighting Danzo.
Rustle—
Countless paper sheets fluttered out—
like white butterflies—
gathering before him.
They formed—
Konan.
Her blue-purple hair.
Her elegant figure.
A faint woody fragrance—
mixed with soft sweetness—
filled the air.
"Sorry."
"Let me reintroduce myself."
She gave a slight bow.
"I'm Konan."
"Angel of Pain."
"Codename: White."
"I manage Amegakure on his behalf."
"Nice to meet you."
Gen smiled.
Facing her.
Taking in the view.
"A rogue ninja of Konoha—"
"Kamizuki Gen."
Up close—
he felt like—
he was surrounded by fresh sheets of paper.
Clean.
Crisp.
Tempting—
like new textbooks.
Konan met his gaze.
Brows slightly raised.
Now—
he felt…
ordinary again.
Confident—
but ordinary.
If she hadn't witnessed that battle—
she would never believe—
this man—
stood equal to Pain.
In the ninja world—
you truly couldn't underestimate anyone.
"Follow me."
She turned—
walking toward the dark passage within the statue.
Gen paused.
Scanning the surroundings.
"Where's Orochimaru?"
Konan replied calmly:
"He said he wasn't feeling well."
"And left."
"…Right."
Gen thought:
"Yeah, sure. 'Not feeling well.'"
Before he could say more—
a system panel appeared.
[Main Quest]
[Infiltrate the Akatsuki and become its leader]
[Progress Update: Joined Akatsuki ✔]
[Reward Obtained]
→ Five Chakra Natures: Fire, Wind, Lightning, Earth, Water
→ Yin & Yang Release unlocked
Gen's lips curved slightly.
Now—
the real game—
begins.
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