Rain Tiger at Will Technique and the Rinnegan

"Senior Mikio, you had a hard journey. You didn't attract Konoha's attention, did you?"

After Kuniyoshi and the Karin mother and daughter left the secret chamber, Feng looked at Uchiha Mikio and asked with concern.

Naturally, his attitude toward his own people was different from how he treated ordinary people.

From Tea Country to Kusagakure in the Land of Grass lay the vast Land of Fire, where Konoha was located.

On the way there, Uchiha Mikio and Kuniyoshi, as Impure World Reincarnation bodies that did not need to eat, drink, or relieve themselves, naturally had no problems.

But on the return journey, they had to bring along the sickly Karin Uzumaki and her mother—two Uzumaki with extremely distinctive features—making it easy to be exposed.

"Don't worry. Kusagakure didn't watch the mother and daughter very closely, and Kusagakure's strength is utterly pathetic.

"When Kuniyoshi and I brought them out, we didn't cause much of a stir.

"On the way back, I didn't travel through the Land of Fire either.

"After leaving the Land of Grass, I passed through the Land of Rain, the Land of Rivers, Valley Country, the Land of That, and finally the Land of This, where I took a ship back to Tea Country.

"I traveled along sparsely populated back roads the entire way. Neither Kusagakure nor Konoha could have noticed anything."

With only the two of them present, Uchiha Mikio relaxed. He naturally sat beside Feng and explained.

"Didn't cause a stir... didn't go through the Land of Fire...

"Then there shouldn't be any problem!!

"Hmm!!!???"

Feng answered casually, but then suddenly froze as he realized something was wrong.

"Senior, you said you traveled through the Land of Rain?"

"Yeah. If I wasn't going through the Land of Fire, then naturally I had to pass through the Land of Rain. What's the problem??"

Uchiha Mikio was greatly puzzled.

"Uh, Senior, when you passed through the Land of Rain, did you go through Amegakure? And did you encounter rain in Amegakure?"

Instead of answering, Feng continued questioning him.

"Rain? It did rain. Isn't rain in the Land of Rain perfectly normal?"

Uchiha Mikio was even more confused.

"Damn it, the key point is Amegakure. Did you pass through Amegakure on your way?

"Senior, please tell me. This is very important."

Feng became more anxious. Traveling through the Land of Rain was not a problem, but if they had passed through Amegakure and gotten rained on... damn it, wouldn't Senior Mikio have been exposed right in front of Nagato...

"Amegakure... we did pass through it. And it really was raining then!"

Seeing how anxious Feng was, Uchiha Mikio seriously thought it over. After a moment, he gave a serious answer.

"Really?!"

Feng unwillingly pressed further. They had passed through Nagato's territory with two Uzumaki, yet Nagato had shown no reaction at all. That was far too strange.

"Really! Feng, just tell me already—what's the problem with getting rained on in Amegakure?!"

Uchiha Mikio was getting annoyed by the questions and answered bluntly.

Hearing that, Feng thought it over. It seemed there was no problem telling Senior Mikio some things.

After all, before long, once he became a Jinchūriki, he could send Senior Mikio back to the Pure Land. There was no need to worry that anything Senior Mikio learned would affect the future.

"Senior Mikio, about what I'm about to say, don't ask whether it's true, and don't ask how I know."

"Fine. Go ahead."

"Hmm, where should I begin...

"Right. Senior Mikio, you know Hanzo of the Salamander, the Demigod of the Shinobi World, right?"

"Obviously. During the Second Shinobi World War, I'd just become a ninja and happened to be on the Land of Rain battlefield. I saw that guy with my own eyes."

Uchiha Mikio had intended to roll his eyes at Feng, but in his Impure World Reincarnation state, his eye sockets were entirely black. He failed to give him a white-eyed look and instead looked as though his eyeballs were malfunctioning and rolling around.

"Is that so? Then it'll be easier to explain.

"During the Second Shinobi World War, Hanzo was the undisputed Demigod of the Shinobi World. Leading Amegakure alone against Konoha, Iwagakure, and Sunagakure, he did not fall behind.

"However, while Hanzo himself was powerful enough to win local battles, he could not conceal Amegakure's overall weakness. So in the end, Amegakure still lost the war.

"After the war, Hanzo barely continued protecting Amegakure through his personal strength and prestige.

"But a demigod was not a true god. He was still human, and humans aged.

"And aging meant declining bodily functions and deteriorating strength.

"For ordinary people, that was merely the natural cycle of life, aging, sickness, and death. It was nothing remarkable.

"But for Hanzo, it was unacceptable.

"After all, only a demigod at his peak had barely managed to protect Amegakure. Could a demigod whose strength had declined still protect it?

"Hanzo did not dare think about it, nor did he dare gamble.

"So, to conceal the deterioration of his aging body, the once undisputed Demigod of the Shinobi World—both in strength and bearing—became a coward.

"He began to fear.

"He began implementing oppressive policies in Amegakure. Anyone who showed even the slightest disobedience to his orders was executed.

"Hanzo used bloody slaughter to conceal his fear of his declining strength."

"...Get to the point. This has nothing to do with whether I got rained on in Amegakure."

Uchiha Mikio was growing impatient and interrupted Feng's story.

"Senior, aren't we getting to the point right now?

"While Amegakure was engulfed in bloody slaughter, an organization called Akatsuki was born.

"It was founded by three young people who aspired to create a peaceful future through understanding and love rather than extreme force.

"In the murder-filled Amegakure of that time, they were like a white lotus blooming from mud.

"Therefore, Akatsuki gained the support of many people and gradually rose to prominence and expanded.

"And naturally, Hanzo, who had already become a coward, would not allow anyone to challenge his authority in Amegakure.

"So Hanzo began looking for a way to deal with Akatsuki. By chance, Danzo was causing trouble in Amegakure and also wanted to deal with Akatsuki.

"The two naturally colluded and used a conspiracy to ambush Akatsuki's three founders.

"The process unfolded as Hanzo and Danzo had expected. Akatsuki suffered grievous losses, but the outcome was unexpected.

"When one of Akatsuki's three founders died on the spot, another founder erupted.

"After erupting, he defeated Hanzo and Danzo with his own power, frightening them into fleeing in panic."

At that point, Feng paused and took a sip of water, intending to continue, when Uchiha Mikio said:

"No, what does any of this have to do with anything? Get to the point, Feng. If you don't, I'm not listening anymore."

"Uh, Senior, now we're getting to the point."

"Then hurry up..."

"...Fine.

"I just said that after another of Akatsuki's founders erupted, he defeated Hanzo and Danzo alone.

"And the reason he was able to unleash such astonishing power was because he possessed the Rinnegan."

"Rinnegan!!! The eyes of the legendary Sage of Six Paths!?

"That's impossible! How could that be?!"

The previously impatient Uchiha Mikio instantly cried out.

"Yes, the Rinnegan possessed by the legendary Sage of Six Paths.

"Otherwise, how could he possibly defeat Hanzo and Danzo's joint ambush alone?

"Later, he even directly killed Hanzo and took control of Amegakure."

"This... when did that happen? Before I died in the Third Shinobi World War, wasn't Amegakure still under Hanzo's control?"

"Probably not long after the Third Shinobi World War ended—roughly two years ago."

"So when I passed through Amegakure, it was already ruled by the guy who killed Hanzo?

"He's the one you're worried about, right?

"But Uchiha shouldn't have any grudge against him, should we? Or do you have a grudge against him, Feng?"

Uchiha Mikio understood a little, but he was still confused.

"No. Neither Uchiha nor I personally have any grudge against him.

"Konoha does, though."

"Then what are you worried about???"

"That guy with the Rinnegan is from the Uzumaki. He belongs to the same clan as that mother and daughter from earlier."

"The Uzumaki??

"So that's what you were worried about. Relax, I was very careful on the road. I definitely wasn't exposed."

Uchiha Mikio patted his chest in assurance. The Jonin forehead protector he had worn in life was not bought with money; he had earned it step by step through missions.

Concealment, covering tracks, infiltration—he was exceptionally skilled in all the fundamental skills of a ninja.

"...The problem is that you got rained on in Amegakure, Senior..."

Feng sighed helplessly.

"??? So getting rained on in Amegakure exposes you??

"That... can't be right. As I recall, that rain covered all of Amegakure and lasted for a long time.

"Even if he has the Rinnegan, he couldn't possibly sustain a ninjutsu over such a vast range for so long."

Uchiha Mikio finally understood, but he still refused to give up.

"Sigh, Senior, you underestimate the Rinnegan too much.

"That technique is called the Rain Tiger at Will Technique. The caster mixes his chakra into the rainwater, making every raindrop a medium for his perception.

"Combined with the Land of Rain's year-round rainy weather, theoretically, however long the rain falls and however wide it covers, the caster's perception extends for just as long and just as far.

"So, Senior, you..."

"So I was exposed??"

"Uh, I don't know..."

"You don't know??"

"Yes, I don't know. It rains year-round in the Land of Rain, so no one knows which rainfall contains his ninjutsu and which does not.

"However, judging from the fact that you passed through Amegakure with that Uzumaki mother and daughter without being intercepted, you were most likely not exposed.

"But that guy with the Rinnegan is not in a very stable mental state right now. So it is also possible he noticed us but simply had no mood to deal with us for the moment.

"As for which possibility it is, I can't say for certain. So all I can tell you, Senior, is that I don't know."

Feng thought for a moment before answering.

Obito had gone dark after Rin Nohara died in the Battle of Kannabi Bridge in Konoha Year 50.

Then, after darkened Obito and Black Zetsu secretly contributed to the operation that killed Yahiko, Obito began guiding Nagato down a dark path step by step.

It was now the autumn of Konoha Year 52. By the timeline, Nagato should have only recently avenged Yahiko's death.

Although he had already begun going dark, he was not yet that "god" who went around 'carrying rice.'

But Nagato at this time was also at his most unpredictable. Even as a Hokage fan, Feng had no idea what state he was currently in.

"...Since nothing is certain,

"Why worry blindly? When soldiers come, we'll block them; when water comes, we'll dam it.

"Even if he has the Rinnegan, in my current Impure World Reincarnation state, I may not necessarily fear him."

Uchiha Mikio rolled his nonexistent eyes and spoke disdainfully.

"..." Feng did not want to speak.

Uchiha, Uchiha. They truly were good to their own clan, and they truly were arrogant.

Not afraid of the Rinnegan...

"Senior, you underestimate the Rinnegan.

"Forget one Impure World Reincarnation body like you. Even if the entire Uchiha Clan attacked together, all in Impure World Reincarnation states, he would still hang you up and beat you senseless."

To keep Senior Mikio from doing something foolish, Feng considered it and decided to tell the truth.

"...Is it really that powerful? Then isn't it stronger than the Mangekyō Sharingan?"

After hearing Feng's words, Uchiha Mikio paused, then unwillingly pressed the question.

Feng thought for a moment. He felt revealing a little information should not be a problem, so he answered:

"Senior Mikio, let me put it this way.

"The Three-Tomoe Sharingan evolves into the Mangekyō Sharingan;

"The Mangekyō evolves further into the Eternal Mangekyo;

"And only after the Eternal Mangekyo evolves does it become the Rinnegan.

"Now tell me, how can the Mangekyō compare with the Rinnegan?"

"!!! The Rinnegan evolved from the Mangekyō Sharingan??!

"Really? Is that true?!"

But Uchiha Mikio's focus was not on which was stronger. Instead, he noticed the relationship between the Mangekyō and the Rinnegan.

"Yes. The Rinnegan evolves from the Mangekyō Sharingan."

Since Feng had already decided to reveal some information, he naturally did not hold back.

"Then where did that Uzumaki guy in Amegakure get his Rinnegan?!"

Uchiha Mikio once again seized upon the key question.

"Naturally, an elder of our Uchiha Clan gave it to him..."

Feng pursed his lips, somewhat helpless.

He actually had a major problem with Madara Uchiha giving the Rinnegan to Nagato, but considering he could not beat Madara or the current Nagato, all he could do was feel unhappy and helpless inside.

But it was fine. He already had a plan. Sooner or later, he would get Nagato's Rinnegan for himself.

As for Madara, he could stay peacefully in the Pure Land and continue being lovey-dovey with Hashirama. He should stop messing around with that goddamn Eye of the Moon Plan.

"Hmm?!

"An elder of our Uchiha Clan?!

"Who?!"

Uchiha Mikio looked at Feng in disbelief and exclaimed.

As an elder of the clan and a Jonin, he had never heard of such a senior within the clan.

"...I don't know. I only know that the Rinnegan evolved from the Mangekyō.

So that guy from Amegakure must have received his Rinnegan from one of our clan's seniors.

As for who exactly it was, I don't know."

In the end, Feng still did not reveal everything and held some things back.

After all, Elder Mikio would soon return to the Pure Land. What if he started talking nonsense there?

Then, if some spirit who happened to hear Elder Mikio got brought back by Orochimaru through Impure World Reincarnation, everything would be exposed.

Feng would probably end up being targeted by that "shameless snake," and that would be a huge problem.

"...You really don't know which senior in the clan it was?"

After spending more than half a year with Feng, Uchiha Mikio noticed that Feng was holding something back and pressed him unwillingly.

"No, Elder. You don't even know about it, so how would a Genin like me, who only awakened my eyes not long ago, know?"

Feng felt somewhat guilty, but his expression remained unchanged as he spoke.

"Fine, if you don't know, then you don't know. Why are you getting so worked up?

Then how should we deal with Amegakure's situation?"

Knowing that anything Feng refused to say could not be pried out of him no matter what, Uchiha Mikio indifferently changed the subject.

"Amegakure... should be fine!

Elder, you'll soon return to the Pure Land, and so will Kuniyoshi.

As for that Uzumaki mother and daughter, the mother will die soon as well.

Of the four people who passed through Amegakure, three are gone, leaving only an infant who understands nothing.

Even if that guy with the Rinnegan had some plans, seeing this situation would probably make him give up on them.

Of course, it's more likely that he's busy with something else right now and simply never noticed your group back then."

After pondering for a moment, Feng gave his analysis.

As for Nagato, he was currently the Ninja World's most game-breaking monster. Aside from the even more deeply hidden Otsutsuki, he was unquestionably number one.

Although Feng was very cautious, it was not as though he had no way to deal with him.

With Flying Thunder God, even if I can't beat him, can't I just run? Heh.

Feng touched the last unused Copy Card, visible only to him, as he thought this.

"That makes sense. As you said, if he truly wanted to cause us trouble, we wouldn't be a match for him at all.

Since nothing has happened so far, he most likely either never noticed us or had no time to bother with us."

Uchiha Mikio thought it over after hearing this and accepted Feng's reasoning.

"Elder Mikio, thank you for all your help during this time.

Once Uzumaki Ayaka finishes helping me seal the Tailed Beasts, there won't be anything left for me to do here. Then I'll release you from the Impure World Reincarnation."

Feng nodded and did not dwell on Nagato or the Rinnegan.

Instead, he bowed deeply to Uchiha Mikio and earnestly spoke of something else.

"Yes. In the blink of an eye, I've remained in the human world for so long in this state.

It really is time for me to return to the Pure Land. Then I can tell everyone that the clan produced a genius like you."

Uchiha Mikio raised his eyes. After hearing Feng's words, he sank into deep thought.