"You've worked hard."
Pain spoke quietly.
It was the only comfort he could offer.
Because—
Ever since the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path had been summoned—
It demanded a constant supply of life force.
Nagato—
With black receivers embedded across his back—
His body—
Withered.
Fragile.
Barely clinging to life.
For him—
Simply existing…
Already required everything.
Managing Amegakure?
Akatsuki?
Impossible.
Fortunately—
He had Konan.
…
Click—
From the darkness—
A mechanical chair rolled forward.
Nagato emerged 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 resembled—
A corpse.
"You shouldn't be out."
Konan's voice carried concern.
Nagato shook his head slightly.
"We've already found a candidate… haven't we?"
His voice was weak—
Yet unlike Pain—
It carried warmth.
Emotion.
Konan's concern deepened.
"I'm afraid…"
"…he'll be like the others."
Nagato exhaled softly.
"That's inevitable."
"Strong shinobi…"
"Are never easy to control."
"They may submit to power…"
"But they won't change."
"…Go rest."
Konan's gaze steadied.
"I'll think of something."
Nagato nodded.
"Don't push yourself too hard—"
He stopped mid-sentence.
Konan had frozen.
Her pupils—
Trembled.
"…What is it?" Nagato's voice sharpened.
His frail body tensed instantly.
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—
Was known.
Yes.
But recruitment?
Was never voluntary.
They selected.
They judged.
They took.
No one—
Had ever come to their door.
"…A communication jutsu?" Nagato muttered.
"Like projection?"
Konan shook her head.
"No."
"There was no medium."
"No connection."
"No trigger."
"…Interesting."
A faint smile touched Nagato's lips.
"What's his identity?"
"…The connection ended."
"…Then let's meet him."
Nagato closed his eyes—
Extending his perception.
Moments later—
They snapped open.
"…No wonder."
"He avoided detection."
"He used a raincoat."
"And an umbrella."
…
…
At the tower entrance—
Rain poured violently.
The streets—
Empty.
Only one figure stood there.
Facing the tower.
An umbrella in one hand.
A cane in the other.
The rain—
Could not touch him.
Like a lone boat—
Standing against a storm.
Unshaken.
…
…
"…We don't recruit the disabled."
Konan's voice was cold.
She stood at the gate—
Studying him carefully.
She admitted—
He was beautiful.
Flawless.
Even more refined than Sasori's true form.
But—
That was all.
No killing intent.
No pressure.
No presence.
Just—
Ordinary.
Ordinary—
And confident.
Such a person—
Would die quickly.
"Ninjas are not judged by their faces."
Her decision—
Already made.
"???"
Shenyue Yuan's lips twitched slightly.
Seriously?
Since when did Akatsuki discriminate against disabilities?
Itachi was terminally ill.
Sasori was a puppet.
Kisame looked like a shark.
Zetsu was… Zetsu.
And Orochimaru—
Didn't even need explanation.
And you—
You're literally made of paper.
…
Just as he was about to respond—
The rain stopped.
Only here.
Around the tower.
Beyond that boundary—
The storm still raged.
As if—
A god had drawn a line.
Yuan lowered his umbrella.
Removed his hood.
"I'm here for the test."
"Go ahead."
His voice—
Calm.
Steady.
Unshaken.
No anger.
No hesitation.
After all—
Why argue?
From a boss's perspective—
These were just future subordinates.
Everything here…
Would eventually belong to him.
Including—
Konan.
…
"You're certain?"
Konan's voice dropped further.
Colder.
If he insisted—
She would personally shatter his illusion.
Show him—
Reality.
"Yeah."
Yuan smiled faintly.
"Just give me a second."
He planted his cane firmly.
Reached into his pouch—
And pulled out a headband.
A scratched one.
With a smooth, practiced motion—
He tied it across his forehead.
Effortless.
Konan's eyes narrowed.
"…A Konoha rogue ninja?"
Before he could answer—
She asked:
"Your name."
Her gaze locked onto him.
For some reason—
She wanted a specific answer.
Just one.
"Shenyue Yuan."
Three simple words.
But—
They struck like thunder.
"…!"
Konan froze.
For the first time—
Her expression shifted.
Shock.
Doubt.
She studied him again.
Carefully.
This—
Was the man who destroyed Root?
Impossible.
"I can feel it."
Yuan smiled faintly.
"Looks like you've heard of me."
"…"
Konan opened her mouth—
But before she could speak—
A presence descended.
From above.
Like judgment.
Like divinity.
Pain.
He landed silently.
Then looked toward Konan.
"If he's from Konoha—"
"Let Orochimaru test him."
"I've already called him."
"…Alright."
Konan nodded slowly.
Still—
Unable to fully believe it.
They had just discussed him—
Moments ago.
And now—
He stood here.
Offering himself.
Before she could process further—
Yuan moved.
He raised his cane—
Pointing it directly at Pain.
A smile curved his lips.
Sharp.
Confident.
"Forget that."
"No need for extra steps."
"Let him test me."