In the Land of Rain, a country shrouded in endless rainfall, Deva Path Pain stood atop the tallest high tower in Amegakure, gazing at the steadily intensifying downpour in silence, lost in thought.
Konan approached with a document in hand and said coolly, "Nagato, the mission to receive the Konoha missing-nin has failed."
"Failed?" A flicker of surprise crossed Deva Path Pain's eyes as he asked calmly, "What did Hayato say?"
Hayato's full name was Idate Hayato. He was a Jonin of Amegakure, and his older brother, Idate Kyōsuke, had been one of Akatsuki's early founding members—a true companion who had fought alongside Nagato, Yahiko, and Konan for their dream.
However, Idate Hayato knew nothing of his brother's deeds. He only joined Amegakure after Nagato and Konan killed Hanzō and took control of the Land of Rain in the name of gods.
If their paths had not diverged, Nagato was still someone who deeply cherished old bonds.
Although Idate Hayato did not know the connection between Akatsuki and the village, nor was he qualified to join Akatsuki, under Nagato and Konan's deliberate guidance, he had lived up to expectations and become a capable Jonin of Amegakure with considerable strength.
This time, to receive Aoi Rokushō, Deva Path Pain had openly dispatched an elite squad led by Idate Hayato. Secretly, he had also sent a team of elite Anbu. By his estimation, nothing should have gone wrong.
Konan responded, "Hayato's team encountered Hatake Kakashi. Our Anbu were also held up by Konoha's Anbu ninja. Both sides had their reservations and only carried out a brief probe, without engaging in any overly intense battle."
Taking in missing-nin from other ninja villages was already a highly taboo matter, especially when the target was from Konoha. After encountering Konoha ninja, Hayato's group naturally had