Amegakure, a village shrouded in rain year-round, lay beneath a gray curtain of water.
Rain slid down the tower walls, gathering into rivulets between the stones and flowing down the steps, one by one, into the puddles below.
Inside a hidden chamber in the tower, the lighting was dim and yellow, and the air smelled of medicinal herbs and disinfectant.
Nagato lay on the operating table, his left eye socket empty. Dark red blood seeped from the edges of the gauze, spreading across the white fabric like a withered flower.
His face was pale as paper, and a fine sheen of cold sweat covered his forehead. But his breathing was steady; he had passed the most dangerous stage.
Konan stood beside the operating table, her hands moving deftly as she wrapped the last loop of bandage around his right arm and gently tied a knot.
Her fingers lingered on the bandage. Her gaze rested on Nagato's pale face, her eyes full of worry she could not conceal.
Nagato seemed to sense her gaze. He turned his head slightly and said hoarsely, "Don't worry. With one less Rinnegan, there's actually less strain on my body."
He paused and clenched his fist slightly, feeling the White Zetsu covering his arm.
"Besides, after merging with White Zetsu, my body has become much stronger.
"Although the Rinnegan's abilities have weakened, this body can withstand far more than before. Once I adjust, I won't be much weaker."
Konan said nothing. She merely nodded softly, but the worry in her eyes remained.
She knew Nagato was trying to comfort her, knew he did not want her to worry too much.
But the stolen Rinnegan was still in Tianyi's hands, like a thorn lodged in her heart.
She lowered her eyes and placed the roll of bandages