"God fears nothing. Since this friend has come to visit our village, we must welcome him as good hosts."
Pain said with a smile, an indescribable authority shining in his eyes.
Itachi Uchiha, standing beside him, nodded. A glimmer of approval flashed in his deep Sharingan.
"Indeed, Pain. As hosts, we should show our guest the respect he deserves."
His voice was low and powerful, as if every word contained boundless wisdom.
Kisame Hoshigaki grinned, baring his sharp teeth. "Heh. I'm the best at welcoming guests. Let me give them a greeting they'll never forget!"
There was a hint of cunning in his tone, as if he were already plotting some prank.
Konan shook her head gently and smiled. "Kisame, you should tone it down. We're not going to scare our guest." Her voice was soft and warm, like a spring breeze passing through the heart.
"Exactly. Don't cause trouble for us, Kisame," Juzo chimed in, his eyes revealing a steady, dependable air.
Pain nodded, sweeping his gaze over everyone. "But this guest doesn't seem very polite. So, let's return the courtesy. I'll go out first. Wait here for me."
Inside the head of Susanoo was a dark, mysterious space, seemingly cut off from the commotion outside.
Liuli floated in the void, a playful, teasing look in her eyes.
She glanced around as if she knew this place inside out. She had already used her Nine-Tomoe Rinnegan to locate Pain and the others.
"Oh? Is this the Akatsuki from the original story, teaming up for a battle?" Liuli sounded amused, as if she didn't take the fight very seriously.
After all, in her eyes, the Akatsuki at this point was still far from its peak.
Liuli frowned slightly and continued, "But Orochimaru has only just defected at this point, and the group isn't even at full strength. How am I supposed to fight them?"
Her words revealed her disdain for the Akatsuki's current state, as if this battle posed no challenge to her at all.
However, Liuli didn't know that it was precisely the Akatsuki's incomplete roster that made this battle more full of possibilities and uncertainty.
Every member was unique, and their strength and intelligence would play a crucial role in the fight.
In the dark space, Liuli's figure gradually blurred.
Her teasing words seemed to become part of the space, blending with the blue chakra energy around her.
Pain used the Body Flicker Technique, moving like the wind. In the blink of an eye, he was near Liuli. He slowly raised his head and saw a towering Susanoo, dozens of meters tall, standing like a mountain.
Pain's brows furrowed deeply. He could feel the tremendous chakra radiating from Susanoo, its power far exceeding his expectations.
"You're finally here. I've been waiting a long time." Liuli's voice rang in Pain's ears.
She dispelled Susanoo's armor.
Pain stared at Liuli, unable to suppress his doubts.
"I've never heard of you in the Ninja World. And you have the Rinnegan and some kind of alternative Mangekyō?"
Pain sounded both surprised and puzzled. He kept his eyes fixed on Liuli, as if trying to find the answers in her face.
Liuli smiled faintly. She knew that her identity was indeed a mystery in the Ninja World. Instead of answering Pain directly, she raised her head and looked toward the battered remains of Amegakure.
"The Ninja World is vast, and anything is possible. Just because you don't know me doesn't mean I don't exist." Liuli's voice was low and powerful, as if every word carried an indescribable force.
She fixed her gaze on Pain and continued, "I came looking for the Akatsuki. I've heard a lot about you—collecting the Tailed Beasts, pursuing world peace, and that mysterious Eye of the Moon Plan."
Pain was slightly shaken as he listened. He hadn't expected Liuli to know so much about the Akatsuki.
He took a deep breath to compose himself, then slowly replied, "Oh? You know quite a bit about the Akatsuki."
Liuli smiled faintly. "If I dared to come looking for you, of course I'd know something about you. I know that the members of the Akatsuki are powerful shinobi, each with their own strengths and signature techniques. Your goal is to collect all the Tailed Beasts and achieve world peace."
Pain nodded. "That's right. Our goal is to collect all the Tailed Beasts and achieve world peace. But it won't be easy. We'll face countless challenges and hardships."
"I didn't come here to listen to your boring philosophy. I came to get revenge on the Akatsuki—and have a little fun while I'm at it." Liuli folded her arms, looking utterly arrogant.
Pain frowned slightly. He hadn't expected Liuli to be so brazen, or to keep claiming she wanted revenge on the Akatsuki.
Doubt and wariness stirred in him, but he didn't show it. Instead, he asked coolly, "Revenge? The Akatsuki hasn't wronged you, has it?"
"Your strength is nothing to scoff at. Otherwise, this place would still be in one piece, like it was ten minutes ago."
Liuli sneered. "How many people has the Akatsuki wronged? Isn't it common knowledge that you'll hurt innocent people to achieve your goals?"
"So you're an enemy, then?" Pain's voice seemed to freeze the air. A murderous aura spread through the area.
His eyes sharpened, as if they could pierce through every illusion and disguise. He stared at Liuli, waiting for her answer.
Liuli met Pain's gaze without fear. He said coldly, "That's right. I'm your enemy. Maybe we'll be some kind of friends later."
Liuli struck first, using the Six-Tomoe Rinnegan to flash beside Pain. In that instant, the air seemed to tear around her speed, forming a glaring streak.
Chidori had already formed in her right hand, its dazzling light seeming to swallow everything around it.
Her gaze was icy, fixed on Pain's heart. Her next move would be to pierce it and end the fight.
"What?!" Pain cried out. He hadn't expected Liuli to be so fast—or to attack so decisively.
He felt a sense of danger unlike anything he'd experienced before, as if his life rested entirely on Liuli's next move.
However, Pain was the leader of the Akatsuki, and his strength was unfathomable.
Just as Liuli was about to pierce his heart, he shifted his body slightly and dodged the fatal strike.
At the same time, he thrust out his left hand and grabbed Liuli's wrist, stopping her from attacking again.
A flicker of surprise crossed Liuli's eyes. She hadn't expected Pain to react so quickly.
But she didn't give up. Using the force of Pain's grip on her wrist, she spun, broke free, and kicked him in the chest.
Pain frowned. He could feel the tremendous force behind Liuli's kick.
He didn't dare be careless. He quickly retreated and formed Hand Seals, launching his jutsu.
"Banshō Ten'in!" Pain shouted, forming Hand Seals. An invisible force burst from him and swept toward Liuli. It was one of the Rinnegan's powers, allowing him to control gravity and pull objects toward him—one of Pain's signature techniques.
Yet Liuli showed no fear in the face of Pain's Banshō Ten'in.
She watched him coldly, a disdainful smile tugging at her lips. "How dare you use the power of an ordinary Rinnegan against the Six Paths Rinnegan?"
As soon as Liuli finished speaking, brilliant light burst from her eyes.
It was the power of the Six Paths Rinnegan, more powerful and mysterious than an ordinary Rinnegan.
Under its influence, Pain's Banshō Ten'in instantly lost its effect, as if an invisible force had canceled it out.
"What?! It didn't work?!" Pain cried out. He hadn't expected Liuli to possess such powerful ocular abilities.
His Rinnegan seemed so small and powerless next to Liuli's Six Paths Rinnegan, and he couldn't help feeling afraid.
"You actually managed to hurt me. That's a surprise," Pain said in a low, powerful voice. "But that doesn't mean you can defeat me. The power I possess is far beyond your imagination."
Liuli frowned slightly. She sensed the powerful aura around Pain and knew this fight wouldn't be simple.
Pain took a deep breath, formed Hand Seals, and attacked again.
This time, he didn't use the power of the Rinnegan. Instead, he drew on his own chakra to unleash a powerful jutsu.
In an instant, the entire sky darkened, as though an invisible force had engulfed it.
Liuli was startled. She knew this was Pain's trump card and that she had to be careful.
"Feel pain. Before a god, resistance is futile. You may have a Rinnegan I've never seen before, but you don't know what the true power of the Rinnegan looks like."
Liuli's mouth twitched. She knew Pain wasn't making any sense, and she couldn't be bothered to explain.
"Super Shinra Tensei!" Pain roared, bringing his hands together. An invisible force erupted from him in an instant.
The force was powerful and violent, as if it would destroy everything around him. The air shuddered beneath its pressure, forming terrifying whirlwinds that spread wildly in every direction.
Liuli felt the dreadful force and brilliant light flashed in her eyes.
"Susanoo!" Liuli shouted. The Six Paths Rinnegan in her eyes spun rapidly, and a vast power erupted from within her.
A gigantic shape gradually emerged behind Liuli: the outline of Susanoo.
As Liuli's shout faded, Susanoo's form grew clearer.
It stood hundreds of meters tall, its body covered in thick armor, radiating indescribable authority and dominance.
Brilliant light shone in its eyes, as if it could see through every illusion and disguise.
Pain looked at the Susanoo behind Liuli, and fear stirred in his heart.
He felt its tremendous, mysterious power and knew he had to be careful.
The Perfect Susanoo, clad in towering armor imbued with Six Paths Power, displayed unparalleled might under Liuli's control. Shinra Tensei failed instantly before its power, as fragile as paper, and rebounded toward Pain.
Pain's expression changed drastically. He felt the tremendous force hurtling back at him, as if a mountain had slammed into him. His whole body shot backward through the air, tracing a long arc before crashing hard into the ground and kicking up a cloud of dust.
"Just as I thought—you're a formidable opponent!" Pain struggled to his feet. A trace of blood trickled from his mouth; he had clearly been badly hurt by the impact.
Yet there was no fear in his eyes. Instead, they burned with fervor and fighting spirit.
Liuli didn't give Pain much time to catch his breath. She controlled the Perfect Susanoo and launched another fierce attack.
The armored giant, hundreds of meters tall, towered over the battlefield like a mountain. Every movement shook the earth as if it were about to split apart.
Pain clenched his teeth. He knew he would have to give it everything he had to withstand Liuli's attacks.
Just then, the Perfect Susanoo was already upon him.
Its enormous fist came down on him like a small mountain, carrying the force to destroy the world. Pain was startled, but it was already too late to dodge.
Bang! A tremendous crash rang out as the Perfect Susanoo's fist smashed Pain into the ground.
His body hurt as if it were coming apart, but he forced himself to endure the pain and struggle back to his feet.
Liuli didn't stop there. She controlled the Perfect Susanoo and continued its fierce assault. Every strike made Pain's heart lurch, as if he could be utterly destroyed by its power at any moment.
"My pain is greater than yours!" Pain's voice echoed across the battlefield. He dodged another punch from Susanoo, demonstrating his superb combat skills and reflexes.
His opponent had no intention of stopping. Liuli sneered, preparing to use Amenotejikara.
Just then, Liuli noticed a bag of rice she had bought from an old woman earlier. She decided to use it to teach Pain a memorable lesson.
"Pain, huh? A bag of rice, huh? Feel it, huh?" Liuli muttered. She quickly activated Amenotejikara and sent the bag flying toward Pain.
Under Liuli's control, the bag of rice flew like a cannonball, carrying tremendous speed and force.
Pain was startled when he saw it. He understood that, under the effects of Liuli's Amenotejikara, the bag had become a deadly weapon.
He didn't dare be careless. Quickly adjusting his stance, he prepared to meet the incoming bag.
However, Liuli didn't stop attacking. She continued to use Amenotejikara, sending objects all around them hurtling toward Pain.
Under Liuli's control, the objects seemed to come alive, nimbly evading Pain's defenses as they searched for an opening.
Faced with this sudden assault, Pain was thrown into confusion.
He kept dodging the objects while searching for a chance to counterattack.
"Enough. The game ends here. Kirin!" Liuli said coldly.
Clouds began gathering in the sky, and thunder rumbled. Bolts of lightning darted through the clouds like furious dragons hunting for prey. Liuli's gaze grew sharper and sharper. She knew this was the perfect moment to unleash Kirin.
Pain looked up at the sky, which resembled hell, and shouted, "Animal Path, Preta Path, Asura Path!"
"Kirin!" Liuli cried, pouring her chakra into the storm clouds above.
In an instant, it seemed as if Liuli's power had ignited the entire sky. A massive bolt of lightning descended from the heavens and struck at Pain as he tried to dodge on the ground.
The lightning's power was so immense that it seemed capable of tearing the whole world apart.
The dust on the ground was swept up at once, forming a massive dust storm.
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