The Chibaku Tensei hung low in the sky—
Like a second moon—
About to crush the world.
The heavens trembled.
The rain—
Stopped.
…
Across Amegakure—
Panic spread.
Villagers flooded the streets—
Dragging their families—
Falling to their knees.
Hands clasped.
Praying.
Begging.
…
They believed—
They had angered God.
And now—
Divine punishment had come.
…
Among them—
A small girl with purple hair looked up.
Curiosity—
Overpowered fear.
"Mom…"
…
"Don't look!"
Her mother tried to force her head down—
But—
She saw it too.
…
And froze.
…
BOOOOOOM—
A sound like the sky collapsing.
…
Shockwaves tore through the village.
People were thrown to the ground.
…
And then—
They saw it.
…
The "star"—
Cracked.
Shattered.
Exploded.
…
Like fireworks—
But divine.
Brilliant—
Terrifying—
Unforgivable.
…
Fragments rained from the sky.
Stone—
Steel—
Ruins of a fallen god.
…
Near the tower—
With gravity gone—
Shenyue Yuan fell.
…
And landed—
Perfectly—
On the statue's crimson tongue.
…
"Haah…"
He exhaled slowly.
Sweat beaded across his forehead.
Chakra surged within him—
Like roaring tides.
…
That punch—
Was pure taijutsu.
…
With Pain-level control—
With absolute physical dominance—
Even without jutsu—
He could shatter everything.
…
"One punch… breaking a star…"
He murmured.
…
Across from him—
Pain stood silently atop another tower.
…
Nearby—
Konan and Orochimaru watched—
Carefully avoiding the falling debris.
…
And in their eyes—
The boy standing on the statue—
Looked less like an invader—
And more like this village's protector.
…
Pain's Rinnegan locked onto him.
…
Behind those eyes—
Nagato had already reached his conclusion.
…
"Test… complete."
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 attacks.
No more movement.
They both understood.
Continue—
And not just the village—
The entire Land of Rain—
Would be erased.
…
But recruiting him?
…
That was another matter.
…
Because—
Nagato could not suppress him.
…
And a man like this—
Was never meant to follow.
…
Konan's gaze softened slightly.
She waited.
…
Would he still join?
…
Meanwhile—
Orochimaru was sweating.
Cold.
…
If he joins… I'm dead.
If he stays… I leave.
…
Everyone—
Watched.
…
Yuan smiled faintly.
"I'm currently… at a crossroads in life."
"Perhaps joining Akatsuki—"
"Will help me find a new purpose."
…
Silence.
…
Pain nodded.
Satisfied.
…
Konan's pupils trembled slightly.
…
Only Orochimaru—
Felt despair.
…
"Welcome… to the Akatsuki."
Pain declared.
"Konan will guide you."
"You will remain at headquarters for now."
…
Then—
He vanished.
Like ink erased from paper.
…
"…That was stylish."
Yuan muttered.
…
He scanned the surroundings with chakra.
The statue's mouth—
The entrance.
…
The battle—
Was over.
[Equality of All Beings] faded.
…
His strength—
Returned to normal.
…
Fatigue crept in—
But he wasn't exhausted.
…
Then—
Paper fluttered.
…
Countless sheets gathered—
Forming butterflies—
Merging—
Becoming—
Konan.
…
Her scent—
Light.
Clean.
Like fresh paper.
…
"Let's… properly introduce ourselves."
She gave a slight bow.
"I'm Konan."
"Angel of God."
"Akatsuki—White."
"I manage the Rain Village."
…
Yuan smiled.
"Nice to meet you."
"Rogue ninja of Konohagakure—"
"Shenyue Yuan."
…
Up close—
He observed her carefully.
Calm.
Elegant.
Dangerous.
…
For a moment—
A strange thought crossed his mind.
Like opening—
A brand-new book.
…
Konan raised an eyebrow.
…
The pressure—
Gone.
…
The man who had just shaken the heavens—
Now seemed…
Ordinary.
…
If she hadn't witnessed it herself—
She would never believe it.
…
In this world—
Appearances meant nothing.
…
"Follow me."
She turned—
Walking into the darkness of the tower.
…
Yuan followed.
Then asked casually—
"Where's Orochimaru?"
…
Konan replied calmly—
"He said… he wasn't feeling well."
"He left."
…
"…Right."
Yuan smirked inwardly.
Yeah.
"Not feeling well."
…
Suddenly—
A screen appeared.
Visible only to him.
…
[Main Quest][Infiltrate Akatsuki — Become the Leader][Phase Complete: Join Akatsuki]
[Reward: All Five Nature Transformations — Fire, Wind, Lightning, Earth, Water][+ Yin–Yang Release]
…
"…Now that's a reward."
…
The game—
Had truly begun.