"You've worked hard."
Pain said quietly.
It was the only comfort he could offer.
Because—
Ever since the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path was summoned—
It required constant life force to sustain.
Nagato—
Had black receivers embedded across his back.
His body—
Withered.
Fragile.
Barely alive.
To him—
Simply existing…
Already required everything.
Managing Amegakure?
Akatsuki?
Impossible.
Fortunately—
He had Konan.
…
Click—
From the darkness—
A mechanical chair rolled forward.
Nagato appeared behind them.
His shadow—
Swallowed both of them whole.
His face—
Pale.
Sunken.
The Rinnegan dim.
His red hair—
Dry. Lifeless.
Like dead grass.
He looked like—
A corpse.
"You shouldn't be out."
Konan said, worry in her voice.
Nagato shook his head.
"We've already found a candidate… haven't we?"
His voice was weak.
But unlike Pain—
It carried emotion.
Warmth.
Konan's worry deepened.
"I'm afraid…"
"…he'll be like the others."
Nagato sighed.
"That's inevitable."
"Strong shinobi…"
"Are all difficult to control."
"They may submit to power…"
"But they won't change easily."
"…Go rest."
Konan's gaze steadied again.
"I'll think of something."
Nagato nodded.
"Don't pressure yourself too much…"
He was about to continue—
Then stopped.
Konan had frozen.
Her pupils—
Shaken.
"…What is it?"
Nagato's voice sharpened.
His body tensed.
Worst-case scenarios—
Flashed through his mind.
Konan turned slowly.
"There was a voice…"
"In my head."
"A man."
"He said—"
"He's at the entrance."
"He wants to join Akatsuki."
"…He asked for an interview."
"…"
Silence.
Heavy.
Akatsuki's name—
Was known.
That was true.
But—
They recruited.
Through force.
Through judgment.
Through selection.
Never—
Had someone come knocking.
On their door.
"…A communication jutsu?" Nagato muttered.
"Like projection?"
Konan shook her head.
"No."
"There was no medium."
"No connection."
"No trigger."
"…Interesting."
Nagato smirked faintly.
"What's his identity?"
"…The connection ended."
"…Then let's meet him."
Nagato closed his eyes.
Activated his perception.
Moments later—
His eyes snapped open.
"…No wonder."
"He avoided detection."
"He wore a raincoat."
"And used an umbrella."
…
…
At the tower entrance—
Rain poured.
Violent.
Heavy.
The streets—
Empty.
One figure stood alone.
Facing the tower.
Umbrella in one hand.
Cane in the other.
The rain—
Couldn't touch him.
Like a lone boat—
Facing a storm.
Unshaken.
…
…
"…We don't recruit the disabled."
Konan said coldly.
She stood at the gate—
Studying him.
Carefully.
She admitted—
He was beautiful.
The most perfect face she had seen.
Even more refined than Sasori's true form.
But—
That was it.
No killing intent.
No pressure.
No presence.
Just—
Ordinary.
Ordinary—
And confident.
Such a person—
Would be cannon fodder.
At best.
"Ninja aren't judged by their faces."
She had already decided.
"???"
Shenyue Yuan's lips twitched.
Seriously?
Since when does Akatsuki discriminate against disabilities?
Itachi was sick.
Sasori was a puppet.
Kisame looked like a shark.
Zetsu was… Zetsu.
And Orochimaru—
Don't even start.
And you—
You're literally paper.
…
Just as he was about to argue—
The rain stopped.
Only here.
Around the tower.
Beyond—
The storm still raged.
Like a god—
Had drawn a boundary.
Yuan lowered his umbrella.
Removed his hood.
"I'm here for the test."
"Go ahead."
His voice—
Calm.
Confident.
No hesitation.
No anger.
After all—
Why argue?
From a boss's perspective—
These were just future employees.
Everything here… will be mine anyway.
Including Konan.
…
"You're sure?"
Konan's voice dropped.
Cold.
If he insisted—
She'd crush his illusion herself.
Show him—
Reality.
"Yeah."
Yuan smiled.
"Just give me a second."
He planted his cane.
Reached into his pouch—
And pulled out a headband.
A scratched one.
He tied it across his forehead.
Smooth.
Practiced.
Effortless.
Konan's eyes narrowed.
"…Konoha rogue ninja?"
Before he could speak—
She asked:
"Your name."
Her gaze—
Locked onto him.
She didn't know why—
But she hoped—
For one answer.
Just one.
"Shenyue Yuan."
Three words.
Simple.
But—
They hit like thunder.
"…"
Konan froze.
Her expression—
Changed.
For the first time—
Doubt.
Shock.
She studied him again.
Carefully.
This—
Was the man who destroyed Root?
Impossible.
"I can feel it."
Yuan smiled slightly.
"Looks like you've heard of me."
"…"
Konan opened her mouth—
Then—
A presence descended.
From the sky.
Like judgment.
Like divinity.
Pain landed.
Silently.
He looked at Konan.
"If he's from Konoha—"
"Let Orochimaru test him."
"I've already called him."
"…Alright."
Konan nodded.
Still—
Not fully believing.
They had just discussed him.
Moments ago.
Now—
He stood here.
Voluntarily.
Offering himself.
Before she could process it—
Yuan moved.
He pulled out his cane—
And pointed it straight at Pain.
A smile.
Sharp.
Confident.
"Forget that."
"No need for extra steps."
"Let him test me."
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