Land of Rain.
Black clouds churned overhead, and an endless curtain of rain cloaked the entire city. Raindrops fell upon the ruined buildings, as if whispering of the ninja village's boundless sorrow.
Inside a hidden tower, the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path stood silently, its enormous black hand reaching slowly toward the sky.
The projected figures of Akatsuki's members flickered atop its massive fingertips.
Their faces were all etched with confusion.
Juzo Biwa looked around, his brow furrowed as he asked in a low voice, "What happened?"
Orochimaru, standing nearby, curled his lips slightly. His hoarse voice carried a hint of mockery. "Summoning us in such a hurry—did something happen to the leader?"
A dangerous gleam flickered in his eyes.
Ever since joining Akatsuki, Orochimaru had harbored ulterior motives.
Pain's Rinnegan had long tempted him. If Pain really had met with an accident, it would undoubtedly be a heaven-sent opportunity.
"Heh. Life is so fragile."
Orochimaru licked his lips, his voice filled with fervor.
"Only by attaining immortality can one grasp the true nature of things."
Sasori of the Red Sands snorted from inside Hiruko, his voice muffled as he retorted, "Immortality? Utter foolishness! Only by mechanizing the body can you forge eternal art in the river of time!"
Hearing this, Orochimaru narrowed his eyes, making no attempt to hide his scorn.
"Art? Nothing but a futile delusion. You think shutting yourself inside that puppet body will let you escape death?"
"You think parasitizing another person's body makes you immortal?"
The two faced off, the air thick with tension ready to erupt.
Then a shout shattered the strained atmosphere.
"Enough!"
Pain's cold voice rang through the tower, a hint of chill flashing in his Rinnegan.
"If you want to keep arguing, I have no objection to silencing you myself."
At his words, Sasori of the Red Sands and Orochimaru both fell silent.
People didn't join Akatsuki by talking their way in. Every member had once bowed before Pain's absolute power.
Even Orochimaru, with all his ulterior motives, had to keep them in check for now.
Pain's gaze swept over the group as he spoke slowly. "This morning, someone summoned the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path away using an unfamiliar power."
The others were shaken.
"What?"
"Summoned it away?!"
Everyone's eyes snapped to the spot where the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path had stood beneath Pain.
Black Zetsu remained hidden in the shadows, watching without expression.
"Someone other than me can use the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path..." Pain said gravely, dangerous ripples stirring in his Rinnegan.
Even a god could be challenged.
And at that moment, Nagato felt utterly humiliated.
"Our plans must change."
Pain spoke solemnly, his gaze firm.
"We need to pick up the pace and gather the Tailed Beasts as soon as possible."
"The risk of losing the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path has made our timeline even more urgent."
"From now on, I want you to recruit more members."
"Each operation squad must have two members, working together to ensure efficiency."
"Zetsu, intensify the investigation. I want to know who in the Ninja World is most likely to have summoned the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path!"
Black Zetsu nodded slowly, his voice low. "Don't worry, Pain. I'll investigate personally."
The projections gradually faded, and the members went their separate ways.
But after this brief meeting, different thoughts stirred in each of their hearts.
Akatsuki was thrown into a frenzy of activity by the disappearance of the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path.
Meanwhile, another earthshaking storm was sweeping through Kumogakure.
Three Tailed Beasts stood before the gates of Kumogakure. Their immense chakra formed an invisible pressure that seemed to freeze the air.
The Eight-Tails, Two-Tails, and enormous Nine-Tails loomed like three towering mountains, filling everyone with dread.
The village's ninja quickly gathered, their faces grim. Though afraid, not one of them backed down.
Uchiha Yoru stood proudly atop the Nine-Tails' head, his scarlet Sharingan turning slightly as he looked down at the trembling Cloud Ninja.
He slowly raised a hand, a hint of mockery in his expression, as if inspecting a swarm of ignorant ants.
"You people..."
"Still want to struggle in vain?"
Uchiha Yoru's voice was indifferent, yet carried clearly in every direction. "After your Fourth Raikage died, I thought you'd learn what it meant to show some respect."
"I gave you a chance!"
The Cloud Ninja answered only with defiant glares.
"Bastard!"
"You demon!"
The ninja ground their teeth, wishing they could charge forward and fight to the death.
Uchiha Yoru chuckled softly, a trace of disdain flashing in his eyes.
After getting used to Konoha, where people liked to fight among themselves, he was somewhat surprised by Kumogakure's unity.
Even when faced with hopeless, overwhelming odds, they still chose to resist.
"Hmph, unity?" Uchiha Yoru muttered to himself, his lips curling slightly. "But unity won't help you."
As soon as he finished speaking, he swept out a hand. The Nine-Tails let out a low growl, and scarlet chakra rapidly gathered.
A swirling black sphere of chakra appeared in the Nine-Tails' mouth, and the pressure in the air instantly reached its peak.
"Tailed Beast Bomb."
BOOM—!!!
A beam of destructive energy burst forth, tearing through the sky and hurtling toward the Cloud Ninja!
"Get out of the way!"
"Barrier Ninjutsu! Put up a defense, now!"
The Cloud Ninja frantically used defensive techniques, trying to block the Tailed Beast Bomb.
But against a Tailed Beast Bomb, every effort seemed pathetically futile.
Rumble!!!
The terrifying shock wave swept through, instantly collapsing Kumogakure's walls. The earth shook, and smoke billowed everywhere.
Countless ninja were sent flying by the blast, their screams rising one after another.
Uchiha Yoru narrowed his eyes, as if enjoying a carefully staged play.
Yet as the smoke gradually cleared, a staggering figure was still standing amid the ruins.
"You devil!!!"
A Cloud Ninja, covered in blood, pointed furiously at Uchiha Yoru, flames of rage burning in his eyes.
Uchiha Yoru didn't respond. Only the Nine-Tails' low growl echoed in his ears.
"Devil?" He smiled faintly, his Sharingan spinning eerily, reflecting a sea of scarlet. "You'll learn that true terror... is only just beginning."
The next second, the chakra of the Two-Tails and Eight-Tails erupted! Frightening Tailed Beast Bombs rained down like drops of rain, carrying the force to destroy the heavens and earth as they slammed into the terrified Cloud Ninja.
BOOM!!!
Deafening explosions rang out one after another, and scorching flames tore through the night sky.
The elite ninja who had once been so arrogant were now as fragile as ants. In an instant, they were swallowed by the Tailed Beast Bombs, their bodies torn apart as their screams filled the air.
"Stop it!! Don't—don't attack us anymore!!"
"We surrender!! Please, spare us!!"
"Now you surrender?"
Uchiha Yoru sneered. The tomoe in his Sharingan turned slowly, his gaze full of indescribable mockery and coldness.
"Too late!!!"
Before you continue