Pain Is Born This Day!

Hanzō left, and Riu's breathing grew somewhat labored. Fighting Hanzō at the height of his power had been far from as easy as he had imagined.

To defend against the Sharingan's genjutsu, Hanzō had kept a great distance from him from beginning to end. This made it difficult for the long-range Kamui in his left eye to focus accurately at his current stage. He could only use Susanoo to unleash Kamui Shuriken, and the Chakra consumption was enormous.

Without Hashirama Senju's Chakra supporting him, he would have collapsed from exhaustion long ago.

But this battle made Riu even more certain of one thing: the potential of these Mangekyo Sharingan was tremendous!

With just the second form of Susanoo, he had been able to gain the upper hand against Hanzō, known as one of the Shinobi World's strongest. Hanzō had not gone all out, but neither had Riu.

"Who can make me use the third form of the Crow Tengu Susanoo right now!"

Whoosh! The Susanoo dissipated, and the rain it had blocked came pouring down again...

Behind him, Nagato stared at Riu with fervent eyes. "Unbelievable... You actually managed to injure Hanzō..."

Riu did not turn around. He did not want Nagato to see how fatigued he was at that moment. Only by maintaining an absolute air of mystery would it be easier to carry out the plan that followed.

"If you can master the Rinnegan's true power, you can do it too. You may even do better than I did..." Riu said deeply.

"The Rinnegan's true power?" Nagato's pupils trembled.

Riu looked up at the sky, spreading his hands to welcome the rain as he said in a low voice, "Yes. Those who possess the Rinnegan can not only summon the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, but also wield the abilities of the Six Paths. Before, you could occasionally repel nearby attacks or absorb part of a ninjutsu's power. Those all fall within the scope of Six Paths power. If you can grasp them precisely and develop them in a targeted manner, you can enter the domain of the Six Paths..."

Nagato raised a hand and pressed it over his eyes, saying wistfully, "You understand my eyes even better than I do. If only I had met you sooner... Yahiko and everyone in Akatsuki might not have died..."

At those words, Konan lowered her pale blue eyes, her expression filled with sorrow.

Riu fell silent. Whether he had come early or late, those destined to die would still die. Yahiko had to die; otherwise, Nagato would never understand pain...

The Rinnegan had evolved from the Sharingan, and the method for awakening its power was similar: intense mental stimulation!

But Riu was still fortunate that he had arrived after Yahiko's death. Nagato in this period was more sensitive, more helpless, and more desperate for power—making him easier to control.

Nagato said gloomily, "My dream used to be protecting Yahiko and Konan. Later, as a member of Akatsuki, I sincerely wanted to fulfill Yahiko's wish and bring peace to war-torn Amegakure, and even the Shinobi World. Yahiko, Konan, and everyone in Akatsuki all sincerely believed in me. But when Yahiko died before my eyes, I began to doubt whether I truly had that ability..."

"It is not too late. Yahiko can be resurrected, and the Shinobi World will welcome peace as well—all through your Rinnegan!" At that moment, Riu finally dropped a bombshell.

"What did you say?" Nagato's Rinnegan widened, and even Konan raised her head, staring at Riu in disbelief.

Riu turned around and looked directly at Nagato. "The Rinnegan's Outer Path Power can even grant a power that transcends life and death."

"Is what you said true?" Nagato was nearly suffocating.

"Absolutely. But it requires the price of one's life..." Riu had no intention of concealing that.

Upon hearing that price, Konan's expression darkened.

Unlike Konan, Nagato appeared exceptionally excited. "Then can I use that power now?"

It seemed he could not wait to resurrect Yahiko, even if it meant offering up his own life.

Nagato, your spirit is admirable, and I appreciate it. But unfortunately, whether it is Kishimoto's script or mine, you are destined for a tragic ending...

He gazed deeply at Nagato and said, "You can."

"Then..."

Riu interrupted Nagato. "But think about it. Yahiko would live, while you would die. Could he truly accept your goodwill with peace of mind? Yahiko and everyone in Akatsuki have placed their hopes on you, the reincarnation of the Sage of Six Paths who possesses the Rinnegan. If you leave, who will fulfill Yahiko's ambitions and ideals? Now is absolutely not the time to resurrect Yahiko. At the very least, you must wait until you have fulfilled Yahiko's wish, then make that decision yourself!"

Nagato seemed to awaken from a dream. "Right, you're right! Then how can I bring peace to the Shinobi World?"

With the groundwork laid, Riu got to the point. "First, you must master the Rinnegan's Six Paths Techniques. That will make you invincible. On that basis, rebuild Akatsuki and gather and harness the power of the Tailed Beasts..."

"Tailed Beasts? Those legendary giant Chakra beasts? I know there are nine Tailed Beasts in the world, and Konoha possesses the strongest one, the Nine-Tails!" Nagato said.

Riu continued smoothly, "Yes. The nine Tailed Beasts were originally one. Before the Sage of Six Paths died, he divided their power, hoping that someone in later generations could control it and bring peace to the world. You are the Sage's reincarnation and possess the Rinnegan. From the moment you were born, you carried this responsibility. If you are interested, I can tell you more..."

"I'm interested. Please, you must tell me!" Nagato said without hesitation.

Beneath his mask, a faint smile appeared on Riu's lips. "Come with me. I'll tell you everything about this world..."

Whoosh! A Kamui vortex appeared and drew Nagato and Konan inside.

Several days later.

On top of a tower outside Amegakure, Nagato stood within a Chakra transmission device, his back covered in Black Receivers.

Creak. The iron door opened...

Konan walked in. She wore Akatsuki's Fire Cloud Cloak, and beneath her pale lips was a black lip piercing.

At her side followed a brown-haired man with heroic features and a cold, merciless expression. He also wore a Fire Cloud Cloak, with Black Receivers embedded in his nose and ears. He was none other than Deva Path Pain, whose former self was... Yahiko.

"I never thought I would be able to fight alongside Yahiko once more. Mr. Yu, it is all thanks to you." Nagato looked toward the shadows at the side.

There, Riu rose to his feet and draped a black cloak over himself. "It is nothing. This can make up for your lack of mobility while protecting the safety of your real body. Now, it is time for me to leave..."

"Mr. Yu, I am willing to honor you forever as Akatsuki's leader behind the scenes!" Nagato said fervently to Riu's retreating back.

"Mm." Riu paused slightly and replied blandly.

Watching Riu depart, Nagato looked at Deva Path Pain. "And Akatsuki's leader in the public eye will always be you, Yahiko..."

"What do we do next?" Konan asked.

Deva Path Pain said, "We will follow Mr. Yu's suggestion. First, recruit rogue ninja from every nation. Regardless of origin or past, we will value only strength. We will restructure Akatsuki into a transnational mercenary organization, accumulate wealth and power, and once the time is right, begin gathering the Tailed Beasts..."

Rumble...!

Thunder rolled through the oppressive clouds, as though the sky itself were mourning.

Riu stood in the rain, looking back toward Amegakure as he murmured, "This small country that weeps all year round is the most suitable place for darkness to take root... This day, Pain is born."