The rain in Amegakure never stopped.
The dark gray sky hung low over the city of steel and concrete like a heavy, water-soaked curtain.
Raindrops continuously pounded against the tower's glass windows with a monotonous, oppressive rhythm, streaming down the frames like the endless tears of this weeping city.
This tallest iron tower in Amegakure was once the residence and ruling center of the Demigod of Ninja World, Hanzo the Salamander.
Now, it had changed owners.
On the broad platform atop the tower, a figure sat quietly at the edge.
Beneath his short orange hair, several black rods were embedded in his face, like strange ornaments or marks of suffering.
Most striking were his eyes: lavender sclera with concentric black rings at the center, like the eyes of a deity gazing down upon the mortal world.
Deva Path Pain.
One of the Six Paths of Pain controlled by Nagato, and the form Nagato most often presented to outsiders.
In this form, he overlooked the city he had saved and now ruled.
In Amegakure's Ninja Legends, he was the 'God' who brought peace. To the secretly resisting 'Hanzo remnants', he was a usurping false god. And to those thoroughly disillusioned Ninja who had fled the country, he was just another tyrant maintaining power through violence.
Footsteps approached from inside, light but still clear amidst the rain.
Konan walked to the platform's edge, standing half a step behind Pain.
She wore a black cloak patterned with red clouds, her light purple hair tied in a simple bun. Her face held its usual calm, but deep in her blue eyes was a hint of barely detectable worry.
"Pain," Konan's voice was soft, like raindrops on water. "Something seems to have happened in Konoha. Zetsu went to investigate. There should be news soon."
"Hn." Deva Path did not turn. His Rinnegan remained fixed on the endless rain outside.
After a few seconds of silence, ripples suddenly appeared on the platform floor.
A strange, pitcher plant-like organism 'grew' from the ground, quickly unfurling to reveal a body split into distinct halves: left side pure white with an exaggerated smile, while right side deep black with a gloomy, indifferent expression.
"Wow wow wow! Something big happened!" The white half spoke first, voice shrill and exaggerated, gesturing wildly in a manner clashing with the solemn atmosphere. "A huge thing in Konoha Village! That Mizuki guy… he sent out some intel as planned, but got too greedy, tried to snatch the Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki on the side! And then... and then there was an accident!"
The black half spoke coldly: "Now he's captured by Konoha's Anbu. Condition unknown. That line is cut."
Konan's brow furrowed slightly. "Mizuki... was one of the sleeper agents Orochimaru traded us, right?"
"That's right! That's right!" White Zetsu continued in that exaggerated tone. "The guy was just an ordinary Chunin teacher. His mission was gathering intel on the Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki and periodic reporting. Who knew he'd be so greedy? Seeing the Jinchuriki was just a fresh graduate, he wanted to kidnap him for greater rewards... Tsk tsk, human greed~"
Deva Path finally slowly turned his head.
The Rinnegan gaze fell upon Zetsu. The eyes held no emotion, but the chattering White Zetsu instinctively shrank back.
"A mere pawn," Pain's voice remained calm. "Lost is lost."
His gaze returned to the window, as if Mizuki's failure, the severed intelligence line, were just insignificant pieces removed from a chessboard, not worth further thought.
But Konan knew Nagato's heart was not so tranquil.
The Nine-Tails, the most powerful of the Nine Tailed Beasts, was indispensable to their [Eye of the Moon Plan].
From very early on, Akatsuki had gathered intel on each village's Jinchuriki, with the Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki receiving the highest attention from both Nagato and the man who called himself 'Uchiha Madara'.
Though losing this line wouldn't yet create a gap in their surveillance of Konoha and the Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki, it would undoubtedly draw Konoha's notice.
The air suddenly rippled with a vortex-like distortion.
Swirling patterns unfolded not far behind Pain. A figure wearing a tiger-striped mask with one eyehole slowly emerged from the vortex.
"I heard," Obito's voice came through the mask, deliberately aged and hoarse, though a trace of youth could still be faintly discerned. "The Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki graduated from the Ninja Academy. He'll likely start missions soon, leaving Konoha's protective range."
He walked to Pain's side, also gazing at the rain outside. His masked single eye glinted with calculation. "Our Tailed Beast Capture Plan... should it... begin?"
Deva Path did not answer immediately.
After a few seconds of silence, he slowly spoke, his voice carrying a barely detectable trace of sarcasm. "Madara, you seem to have forgotten. The One-Tail is not in Sunagakure now."
Obito's face under the mask darkened slightly.
The Gedo Statue's absorption of Tailed Beasts required the order from One-Tail to Nine-Tail.
And now, the One-Tail's Jinchuriki, originally in Sunagakure, was long gone from the destroyed village.
After the war three years ago, the Land of Stars annexed the Land of Wind. Sunagakure became history, and Gaara joined the Land of Stars, becoming a Ninja of the Land of Stars.
This meant if they initiated the Tailed Beast Capture Plan, the first they'd face was the Land of Stars.
And that man… Shura.
Both Obito and Nagato had fought Shura.
Though neither gave the other a detailed account, both knew in their hearts it was a crushing, one-sided defeat.
Nagato's three Paths of Pain were easily defeated, even losing the Preta and Animal Paths. Obito was deliberately toyed with. That both survived was less due to strength and more because the other hadn't intended to finish them.
"I know the One-Tail is in the Land of Stars," Obito's voice turned colder, maintaining the 'Madara' tone. "But according to Zetsu's reconnaissance intel from the Land of Stars, the One-Tail's Jinchuriki has started missions. The Land of Stars is vast, and they can't closely monitor every infiltrating White Zetsu."
The Land of Stars occupied most of the western continent, though White Zetsu could only operate in areas far from Star City.
Obito paused, then continued: "We can wait for an opportunity. When the One-Tail's Jinchuriki appears in another country or on a border mission, we execute a swift capture. With a meticulous plan and quick action, we can succeed before the Land of Stars reacts."
Deva Path slowly stood up.
His movements were slow, but an invisible pressure spread as he rose, making the surrounding rain seem to halt for an instant.
"First, confirm the status of all great Ninja Villages' Jinchuriki," Pain turned, looking directly at Obito's single eye under the mask. "If we move against the One-Tail's Jinchuriki, we must be prepared for full-scale war with Shura and the entire Land of Stars. Best to gather all Tailed Beasts at maximum speed to create the ultimate weapon."
These words instantly solidified the platform's atmosphere.
Konan's breathing quickened slightly.
Obito fell into silent speechlessness under his mask.
Though unwilling to admit it, currently the strongest power and largest influence in the Ninja World was undoubtedly the Land of Stars and its ruler, Shura.
That man possessed not only unfathomable personal strength but had gathered elites from ancient clans like Uchiha, Hyuga, and Uzumaki, along with scientists and a modernized, well-trained Ninja Force equipped with scientific ninja tools.
War with such an opponent meant the first battle would be the decisive battle!
The silence lasted over ten seconds.
Finally, Deva Path shifted his gaze to Zetsu. "One more thing. Regarding the 'Ten-Tails' legend three years ago, haven't you gathered more intel?"
About three years ago, on the eve of the great war between the Land of Stars and the Land of Wind, in the desert north of the Land of Wind near the Land of Stars, a terrifying rumor emerged: witnesses claimed to have seen a ten-tailed monster deep in the desert, emitting world-destroying aura.
Though the beast quickly vanished, rumors spread to various countries after the war, carried by refugees from Sunagakure.
Some even said the war between Sunagakure and the Land of Stars erupted over competing for this Tailed Beast.
Akatsuki's core plan was gathering the nine Tailed Beasts to create the [Ten-Tails], the ultimate weapon once controlled by the Sage of Six Paths, with world-destroying power.
So when the 'Ten-Tails' rumor appeared, Nagato and Obito even suspected a traitor within had leaked the Ten-Tails' secret.
"Oh dear oh dear~" White Zetsu used that exaggerated tone again. "That 'Ten-Tails' seems to have vanished! We turned that desert inside out, found no trace. And now the Land of Stars is doing 'desert control' there, with Star Ninja patrolling daily. Our movements are very restricted!"
Black Zetsu added in a much calmer voice: "The possibility that the 'Ten-Tails' is related to Shura cannot be ruled out. If Shura truly possesses Ten-Tails' power, his terrifying strength has a reasonable explanation."
But the real confusion in its heart was: 'Why was there a second Ten-Tails?'
'And that mysterious person who fought Shura in Amegakure years ago, equally powerful, easily killing the Preta Path with a casual gesture… where was he now?'
Too many mysteries.
Too many variables.
Black Zetsu had tried secretly cooperating with Shura to use him, but the other party was too cautious, and the price demanded also made Black Zetsu somewhat wary.
Deva Path listened in silence, with no emotion in his Rinnegan.
After a long while, he turned again to face the rain outside the window.
"Continue monitoring the great Ninja Villages. Ensure we have intel on all Jinchuriki."
…
Meanwhile, in Konoha.
Sunlight streamed through the Ninja Academy's classroom windows, casting bright squares on the floor.
Bird calls came from outside, along with shouts from distant training grounds. The air was filled with youth and vitality, and the unique restlessness of boys and girls.
The classroom was packed with excited, expectant new Genin.
"Hey hey hey! Shikamaru! Look, look!"
Naruto squirmed in his seat like a hyperactive monkey, turning and pointing his thumb at the Konoha's forehead protector on his head, a brilliant smile on his face. "I'm a qualified Ninja! Qualified!"
Sitting behind him, Shikamaru rested his chin on one hand, waving the other impatiently as if shooing a pesky fly. "I see, I see... Can't you be quiet? I really don't know how someone as hyperactive as you passed the exam."
Though his words said that, there was no real malice in Shikamaru's tone, just habitual resignation.
After years together, he was long used to Naruto's perpetually energetic personality, though most of that energy created trouble.
"Woof! Woof!"
Kiba's small dog, Akamaru, perched on his head, barked twice as if agreeing with Shikamaru.
Kiba immediately lifted his head proudly, saying to Naruto, "Hear that? Even Akamaru thinks you're too loud! And you, your theory exam must've barely passed, right?"
"As if you scored much better!" Naruto immediately countered. "Last practice exam, you only beat me by two points!"
"Two points is still higher!" Kiba didn't back down. "And my Taijutsu exam was an A! What about you?"
"I was just unlucky with the examiner! Next time I'll definitely get an A+!"
"You? In your dreams!"
The two started bickering as usual, voices growing louder, drawing side-eyes from classmates.
Next to Shikamaru, Ino and Sakura sat together.
But the girls' attention was clearly not on each other.
Ino propped her chin on her hands, gaze moving back and forth toward the classroom entrance, brow slightly furrowed. "It's so strange... Why hasn't Sasuke-kun appeared yet?"
Sakura also looked puzzled, unconsciously twirling a strand of pink hair. "Yeah... Usually Sasuke-kun comes late too, but today is team assignment day..."
Mentioning Sasuke, the atmosphere between the two girls immediately turned delicate.
Ino suddenly said with full expectation, "I really want to be in the same team as Sasuke-kun!"
Her gaze involuntarily drifted toward the classroom door, anticipating that aloof figure.
"Ino-pig! Don't get your hopes up!" Hearing Ino's words, Sakura immediately retorted indignantly. "The one in the same team as Sasuke will definitely be me!"
"Hah? With your amateur Ninjutsu?"
"Who are you calling amateur?!"
Shikamaru watched the arguing Ino and Sakura, then glanced at Choji beside him, still munching potato chips completely undisturbed, and Naruto arguing red-faced with Kiba. He sighed helplessly, head hurting more.
"Sigh... Women are so troublesome..."
His voice was muffled, filled with weariness toward this noisy world.
Just then, the classroom door was pushed open.
Menma and Hinata walked in one after the other.
Menma still wore simple black tracksuit, while Hinata wore light purple sportswear, head bowed, small hands nervously twisting her clothes' hem. Her pale cheeks held a faint blush as she followed closely behind Menma.
Their classmates were long accustomed to them arriving together.
Seeing the top student, the classroom noise subsided slightly.
Naruto immediately abandoned his 'battle' with Kiba, waving excitedly at Menma. "Menma-nii! Over here! Over here!"
Menma nodded at Naruto and sat with Hinata at the empty seats next to him.
Hinata's cheeks still held a faint blush. From encountering Menma at her doorstep this morning to walking side by side all the way, her heartbeat hadn't fully calmed.
She stole a glance at Menma beside her. He was calmly looking out the window at the playground, his profile especially clear in the morning light.
Just then, the classroom door was pushed open again.
Iruka walked in holding a file.
The classroom instantly fell silent.
All eyes were on this teacher.
Iruka walked to the lectern, gaze slowly sweeping over every face.
Naruto, Menma, Hinata, Shikamaru, Choji, Ino, Sakura, Kiba, Shino...
Every face was etched with expectation, nervousness, excitement.
His gaze lingered on Naruto for extra seconds, a flicker of relief in his eyes.
This once headache-inducing problem student, this Fourth Hokage's son burdened with the 'demon fox' stigma, had finally become an official Ninja.
Though last night's events left Iruka with lingering fear, seeing Naruto's energetic appearance now, he knew the child hadn't become despondent.
"First—" Iruka's voice sounded in the quiet classroom, gentle yet firm. "Congratulations to everyone on successfully graduating and becoming capable Ninja."
He paused, looking at these students he had taught for six years, especially Naruto, unable to suppress a proud smile.
"However," Iruka's tone shifted, expression turning serious. "The real hardship is just beginning. From now on, you will form three-person teams, following a Jonin Instructor on various missions."
A slight stir rippled through the classroom.
Though most clan-born students knew this procedure, now that the moment had truly arrived, they still couldn't suppress excitement.
Jonin Instructor!
Missions!
This meant they were no longer Academy Students but Ninja who could truly contribute to the village!
Iruka picked up the list on the lectern, clearing his throat.
"Now, we begin announcing team assignments."
The classroom fell utterly silent.
Even the noisiest Naruto held his breath, hands clenched into tense fists.
"Team 1..."
Iruka began reading names.
Team after team.
Students whose names were called reacted with delight, frowns, or exchanged glances with future teammates.
"Next is..." Iruka's eyes moved down the list, then he looked up toward the window-side seats. "Team 7."
Menma, who had been softly speaking to Hinata, slightly raised his head.
Naruto was so nervous he almost jumped from his seat.
Hinata twisted her fingers, cheeks flushed, heart beating so fast it felt like leaping from her chest.
Iruka's voice echoed clearly in the classroom:
"Team 7's members are—"
He paused, gaze sweeping over those three faces:
"Uzumaki Naruto."
"Menma."
"Hyuga Hinata."
"YEAH—!!!"
Naruto directly leaped from his seat, raising both hands, letting out an excited cheer. "I'm in the same team as Menma-nii! And Hinata! Awesome!"
His voice drew disdainful or amused looks from surrounding classmates.
Hinata lowered her head, face completely flushed, voice thin as a mosquito's. "That's great... Menma-kun..."
But in those pure white eyes shone barely suppressed joy.
'So it's Team 7 like this?' Menma's expression remained calm, only the corners of his mouth lifting slightly into a gentle smile.
Come to think of it, this made sense. It could deepen Naruto's bonds with the village while nurturing his, an 'orphan's', sense of belonging to Konoha.
Killing multiple birds with one stone.
Next, Kiba and Shino were assigned to Team 8. And when Iruka read 'Haruno Sakura's' name, obvious disappointment showed on Sakura's face.
Shikamaru, Choji, and Ino were unsurprisingly assigned to Team 9, making Ino sigh slightly.
But after all, the Ino-Shika-Cho combination was passed down through generations… it was a foregone conclusion.
After team assignments were announced, the classroom held a mix of joy and disappointment.
Iruka put away the file, placed both hands on the lectern, gaze sweeping over everyone. Finally, he said, "That concludes team assignments."
"Next, each team's Jonin Instructor will arrive to take you for initial meetings and mission briefings. Please remain quiet and wait patiently."
"Remember, from the moment you meet your Jonin Instructor, your Ninja careers officially begin! Good luck to you all!"
After Iruka left, the classroom buzzed again with discussion.
Naruto, already excited, started pulling Menma and Hinata into imagining future missions. "What will our first mission be? I hope it's bandit subjugation! That'd be thrilling!"
Hinata responded softly, "N-Naruto-kun... Missions should be decided by the Jonin Instructor..."
"I know! I'm just imagining!" Naruto grinned, showing a mouthful of white teeth.
Menma leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes to rest.
After all, the King of Tardiness wouldn't arrive who knew when.