Land of Rain's rain has long been regarded by the people of this country as the silent cry of this war-torn and weak country.
The cold rain seems to never end, washing away the muddy roads and dilapidated buildings, and also washing away the slim hope for peace in people's hearts, making it even more difficult for crops to survive.
However, everything changed after the man who claimed to be a "god" and owned Rinnegan took control of Amegakure.
Pain changed Land of Rain.
Rain is no longer an endless cry.
Pain used his will and power to forcibly change the natural laws over this land.
Nowadays, Land of Rain rain only falls on Sundays every week.
The remaining six days were either cloudy or rarely sunny.
Laws bring order and vitality.
Residents of Amegakure can carry out construction, trade and go out on non-rainy days.
More importantly, crops that were originally difficult to survive in the continuous rain finally got a chance to breathe and grow.
Although the country is still closed and mysterious, its internal vitality is slowly and difficultly recovering.
Rain has changed from a "crying symbol" to a predictable, periodic natural phenomenon with an "oracle" meaning.
Today is Sunday.
A torrential rain came as expected, covering the entire Amegakure.
Heavy raindrops pounded the towering steel buildings, criss-crossing pipes and gloomy water, making a deafening roar.
Rainwater gathered and flowed down the steep eaves and rusted pipes, making this Ninja village even more grim and chilling.
At the top of the tallest steel spire, Deva Path Pain's figure with short orange hair, a cold face, and wearing Akatsuki cloak stood quietly like an emotionless stone statue.
His pair of Rinnegan looked down at the village under the heavy rain without any disturbance.
Beside him, Konan stood quietly.
She was wearing the same Akatsuki cloak, with light Purple Eyes hair tied up. Her delicate face looked a little blurry in the rain, but her calm eyes reflected the scattered lights and rain reflections below.
She didn't speak, she just accompanied him silently, like the most loyal guardian and enforcer.
They are not here to enjoy the rain.
Not long ago, they received an S-class commission from Land of Earth Iwagakure.
For the initial stage of Akatsuki, which has the primary goal of "collecting funds and preparing for the final plan", money is essential.
The world has never been truly peaceful.
The major powers maintain a fragile balance, while Small Country is still struggling in the cracks. Local conflicts and proxy wars have never ceased.
And Akatsuki happened to see the "business opportunity" in it.
They provide "war contracting" services at low but reliable prices to small countries or forces that cannot afford the high cost of ninja villages in large countries and are in urgent need of military power.
With the Akatsuki members' strong personal strength, ruthless and efficient style, and the principle of never overstepping their political stance, they quickly made a name for themselves in the secret war market.
Even Iwagakure, one of Five Great Nations, will outsource some tasks that are inconvenient to do directly or where internal manpower is insufficient under certain special or emergency situations to "Akatsuki", a powerful and agile mercenary group.
Today's Iwagakure seems to be one of Five Great Nations, but in fact, its internal strength is not as good as before.
Although more than ten years have passed since the last Shinobi World war, Iwagakure suffered heavy losses in that war.
Whether it was the huge sacrifice he made to eliminate Third Raikage, or in the confrontation with Konoha, he met the Minato Namikaze who almost became famous with the blood of Iwagakure Ninja.
All of which greatly weakened Iwagakure's strength.
These painful experiences have caused gaps in Iwagakure's high-end combat capabilities, and a lot of losses in its backbone.
Today, in some specific fields or special tasks, they even have to rely on external forces and outsource some tasks.
Akatsuki is the "reliable" mercenary channel they currently choose.
At this moment, Akatsuki is still in the early stages of "accumulating funds and recruiting members" and has not yet officially started the earth-shattering "Tailed Beast capture plan".
Therefore, in the eyes of Iwagakure and other employers, they are more of a top mercenary group with superior strength, reasonable fees, and mysterious behavior, rather than intending to subvert a terrorist organization.
"It's time to go."
Deva Path Pain's emotionless voice sounded in the sound of rain, breaking the silence.
The mission has been accepted, the target location is Land of Earth, and we need to leave immediately.
Konan nodded slightly.
However, just as the two were about to leave.
"I think you can wait a moment."
A low, hoarse voice with some strange magnetism, as if it had gone through many vicissitudes of life, sounded behind the two of them without any warning.
The two turned around quickly.
Not far behind them, in the rain curtain, they saw a figure wearing a black robe with Hood and an orange Spiral Mask with a spiral pattern on his face, standing there like a ghost.
The mask only revealed one scarlet Three Tomoe right eye, which looked unfathomable in the dim rainy sky.
The person who came was the man who called himself Madara Uchiha when he cooperated with Akatsuki after they encountered great changes.
"Madara?"
Deva Path Pain and Rinnegan stared at the visitor, their voice still cold.
"The target you have to face this time... is a pretty tough guy."
Obito maintained the voice of "Madara Uchiha" and Gate of Opening said straightforwardly.
"He is Perfect Jinchuriki who owns Nine-Tails, and he is accompanied by a little girl Uchiha who owns Mangekyō Sharingan."
"What?"
"Huh?"
Even with the indifference of Pain and the calmness of Konan, after hearing these words, a look of obvious astonishment appeared on their faces!
Perfect Jinchuriki of Nine-Tails?
As far as they know, Nine-Tails Jinchuriki should be only thirteen years old now!
What surprised them even more was "the little girl Uchiha who owns Mangekyō Sharingan".
Where did this Uchiha come from?
There was a rare hint of doubt in Pain's voice. "I remember...Uchiha Clan, apart from Itachi, the only one who survived was his younger brother, Sasuke Uchiha.
He was turned into a woman by Orochimaru?"
Konan also frowned slightly, obviously thinking of this possibility.
This is the reputation of Uchiha Itachi's service!
Under the mask, the corner of Obito's mouth twitched.
He didn't expect that the brain circuit of Pain, who had always been indifferent to others, would be so... strange?
"Pain."
Obito's voice was a little speechless.
"I didn't expect... you have a talent for humor."