In the Land of Rain, deep within a secret underground base, the Akatsuki organization's headquarters lay hidden.
"Nagato, Sasuke has successfully captured the Eight-Tails," a woman with light blue hair, dressed in Akatsuki's signature cloak, stepped into the dimly lit cave.
The woman, Konan, was a key member of Akatsuki.
Not far from her, a frail young man with spiky orange-red hair sat in a wheelchair. His body appeared weak and emaciated, a result of years of strain. But what stood out the most were his eyes—mystical purple orbs with concentric rings.
The Rinnegan.
One of the three great dōjutsu, the legendary eyes said to hold power over life and death.
This young man was Nagato, the true leader of Akatsuki and the controller of the Six Paths of Payne.
Due to prolonged use of the Gedo Statue, his body had become frail, leaving him incapable of walking.
"Sasuke has already captured the Eight-Tails? That means only the Nine-Tails remains… Kehehe~" Nagato chuckled hoarsely before erupting into a violent coughing fit.
Konan's brows furrowed with concern as she watched him struggle.
Sensing her worry, Nagato forced a small smile. "Don't worry, I can still hold on. And now… it's time for vengeance."
His eyes glinted coldly.
Capturing the Tailed Beasts was only part of the mission—Nagato had another goal.
Revenge.
Konoha was responsible for Yahiko's death. Shimura Danzo and the Hidden Leaf's actions had stolen his closest friend from him.
Now, he would make them suffer.
He would bring destruction to Konoha and make the world understand pain.
Only through pain could there be peace.
Even if it meant killing his own teacher, Jiraiya.
Meanwhile, elsewhere in the Akatsuki base, a figure wearing a spiraled mask stood in the shadows. His lone exposed eye gleamed as he chuckled darkly.
"Everything is going according to plan... Rin, I'll create a world where only you exist." His voice softened at the end, filled with eerie tenderness.
Suddenly, a white humanoid figure emerged from the wall.
"Don't be so careless. Konoha seems… different," the figure warned.
The masked man—Tobi—tilted his head. "What do you mean?"
"Danzo has been killed. And the man responsible for it is now Konoha's new Anbu leader. He's... suspicious."
"Danzo is dead?" Tobi's voice carried a hint of surprise.
Danzo was no weakling. Having transplanted multiple Sharingan and possessing even Shisui Uchiha's eye, he had significant power.
Yet, someone had taken him down.
"What kind of strength does this man have?" Tobi asked, now wary.
"We're not sure, but considering Nagato's abilities, even if the Third Hokage were to rise from the dead, he wouldn't be able to stop him."
Tobi exhaled through his mask. "I see… Still, I'll observe things myself when the time comes."
Konoha – Before the Attack
Tension filled the air in Konoha.
With the looming threat of war, the village had increased its defenses. Patrols were doubled, and any strangers attempting to enter were subjected to thorough interrogation. Hidden scouts monitored the outskirts, ready to report at the first sign of trouble.
On the balcony of the Hokage's office, Bai Ye stood with his arms crossed, gazing into the distance. His sharp senses picked up on something.
A presence.
No, multiple presences.
A smirk tugged at his lips.
"They're here," he muttered.
"You've been standing there for a while. What are you looking at?"
Tsunade's voice broke his thoughts as she walked up beside him. Her tone was noticeably softer than before.
Over time, she had come to understand Bai Ye's intentions.
Despite his immense power and influence, he had no interest in ruling Konoha or the Fire Nation directly. Instead, he allowed the existing leaders to govern as they always had, simply remaining a shadow behind the throne.
He had no desire for political control—only the power to protect what he deemed necessary.
Hearing her question, Bai Ye replied casually, "The Six Paths of Pain have arrived."
Tsunade frowned. "Pain's Six Paths? What does that mean?"
"In simple terms," Bai Ye explained, "they're six bodies controlled by the real leader of Akatsuki. That's why Jiraiya said there was 'no true body.'"
Tsunade's eyes widened in shock.
"Wait—are you saying that all of them are just puppets?"
Bai Ye nodded.
The realization hit her like a ton of bricks.
When they had received Jiraiya's final message before his death, the phrase "no true body" had been puzzling. Now, it all made sense.
Gritting her teeth, she turned to Shizune. "Go! Inform Kakashi, Shikaku, and Hiashi! Tell them the enemy has arrived!"
"Right away!" Shizune wasted no time and dashed off to relay the message.
At that moment, Bai Ye leaped off the balcony.
"The enemy is here," he called back before sprinting toward the village entrance.
Tsunade hesitated for a moment before cursing under her breath and following after him.
Konoha's Gates – The Attack Begins
On the outskirts of the village, Konoha's perimeter guards finally spotted the approaching figures.
Six cloaked individuals with identical Rinnegan eyes.
The Akatsuki.
Konoha's shinobi instantly recognized them and knew this was no ordinary threat.
One of them, a muscular figure from the Six Paths of Payne, moved with unnatural speed, appearing behind a Konoha shinobi in an instant.
THWACK!
With a single, devastating blow, the Konoha ninja was sent flying, crashing into the ground with a sickening thud—his fate uncertain.
Panic set in.
The remaining guards attempted to flee, hoping to warn the village.
But it was too late.
Another of the Six Paths moved. The Konoha shinobi barely had time to react before they, too, were swiftly and brutally taken down.
Now, only Konoha's great outer wall stood between the attackers and the village itself.
At the front of the group, the leader—Deva Path Payne—stepped forward, his gaze cold and unfeeling.
He slowly raised his hand.
"Shinra Tensei."
A pulse of invisible force erupted from him.
The moment it hit, Konoha's great wall shattered as though struck by an unseen explosion.
The once-imposing barrier was obliterated.
However—
BOOM!
A second shockwave met the first, colliding with immense force.
Dust and debris scattered everywhere.
As the smoke cleared, Deva Path Pain narrowed his eyes.
Standing unharmed before them was a lone figure, calmly brushing off his clothes.
"Tsk. Konoha isn't something I'll let you destroy."
Bai Ye had arrived.