"Tch… no matter how many times I come here, I still hate the rain in this country."
Under the endless storm clouds of the Land of Rain, Jiraiya trudged forward in a straw raincoat, water pouring down in sheets around him.
As he walked, he couldn't help but complain.
"This place feels like it'll never stop raining. It's honestly unbearable."
"Keep your voice down," Ren replied lazily, also dressed in a raincoat. "Unless you want someone to poison you for insulting their economy."
Jiraiya froze for a second and instinctively glanced around.
"…You're still this annoying even after becoming Hokage's advisor?"
Ren shrugged.
"Think about the Land of Wind. No rain all year, sandstorms everywhere. They'd kill for water."
"But now? Thanks to our arrangement, the Land of Rain's water is being sold there."
"Everyone profits. That's what you call a win-win."
He smirked.
"So yeah—keep complaining, and someone might actually take offense."
Jiraiya snorted, but didn't argue.
After a brief pause, he asked—
"So what now? Should we go see Hanzo?"
"Akatsuki is too slippery. Getting information won't be easy."
"He's the ruler here. If anyone knows something, it should be him."
Ren glanced at him and immediately understood.
Jiraiya didn't want to meet Hanzo.
The title "Sannin" might sound glorious—but to them, it was born from defeat.
And Hanzo was the one who gave them that name.
"…I'll go alone," Ren said.
Jiraiya blinked.
"You sure?"
Ren nodded.
"You and him… have history."
"No need to force it."
"Besides, I also need information from them."
He paused, then added—
"We split up."
"You've got my Flying Thunder God kunai. If anything happens, call me."
Jiraiya clicked his tongue.
"Yeah, yeah. I'm not a kid."
But his expression softened slightly.
"…You've changed."
Ren just smiled.
Jiraiya waved him off and walked into the rain alone.
Watching him leave, Ren chuckled softly.
Then—
his figure vanished.
When he reappeared, he was already inside a quiet teahouse.
"You're here."
Konan calmly poured tea, completely unsurprised by his sudden arrival.
She pushed a cup toward him.
"Drink. It's warm."
"The Land of Rain isn't like the Land of Fire. You'll get sick if you're careless."
Ren laughed lightly.
"I'm a ninja. I don't get sick that easily."
Still, he took the cup and sipped.
"…Not bad."
He looked up.
"How's Nagato's side?"
Konan nodded.
"Everything is ready."
"Someone will guide Jiraiya-sensei to the location."
She paused, her expression turning complicated.
"…Ren."
"Are you really sure… that technique can bring Yahiko back?"
Ren reached out and gently took her hand.
"I've never doubted it."
"And honestly—you should thank Nagato."
Konan blinked.
"He preserved Yahiko's body."
"That's the foundation."
"Without it… even I couldn't do anything."
She tightened her grip unconsciously.
"…Yahiko…"
Her voice softened.
For them—
Yahiko wasn't just a memory.
He was the beginning of everything.
The one who shaped their path.
His death had changed their fate completely.
And now—
there was a chance to bring him back.
Not as a puppet.
Not as Edo Tensei.
But truly alive.
After a long silence, Konan asked—
"…You want the Rinnegan?"
Ren shook his head immediately.
"Don't misunderstand."
"I have zero interest in Nagato's eyes."
Konan frowned.
"Then why—"
"Because the Rinnegan…"
Ren looked out the window, rain streaming down endlessly.
"…is just the evolution of the Sharingan."
Konan froze.
"…What?"
"Don't worry," Ren said with a small smile. "You'll understand everything soon."
"I'll take you somewhere later."
"To see the truth."
He stood up slowly.
"But first—let's deal with Jiraiya."
Meanwhile—
Jiraiya walked through the rain-soaked streets.
The village was… lively.
Vendors shouting.
People moving about.
Life—everywhere.
It felt nothing like the war-torn Land of Rain he remembered.
"…Things really changed."
A nearby old man chuckled.
"You're not from here, are you?"
Jiraiya smiled.
"No. I've been here before, though."
"It's… very different now."
The old man nodded, catching rainwater in his palm.
"Used to think this rain was a curse."
"Now?"
"It's our fortune."
"If not for Konoha… we wouldn't have this life."
Jiraiya hesitated.
"…You fought in the war?"
The old man sighed.
"I lost a child."
Silence.
"But now?" he continued. "I don't hate anymore."
"Things changed."
"We have hope."
Jiraiya's expression turned complicated.
This wasn't the peace he envisioned.
But…
it was peace.
Real, tangible peace.
"…Thank you," he said quietly.
The old man waved him off.
"If you're here for that criminal from Konoha—find him fast."
"No one wants trouble now."
Jiraiya nodded.
Then—
he stopped.
"…Wait."
"Do you know any abandoned places? Hidden ones?"
The old man frowned, thinking.
After a long pause—
"…Yeah."
"There's one."
Deep underground—
Nagato slowly opened his eyes.
"He's here."
Through the rain, through the land—
he felt everything.
"…But Ren…"
He frowned slightly.
"I still can't sense him."
Then—
space distorted behind him.
Obito stepped out.
"Where is this?"
"Some sewer?"
Nagato replied calmly—
"An abandoned one."
"There'll be a fight soon."
Obito narrowed his eyes.
"…Who?"
"Jiraiya."
"And someone else."
"…Untraceable."
He didn't say Ren's name.
Obito clicked his tongue.
"…So it's my fault again?"
Nagato said nothing.
Obito exhaled sharply.
"…Fine."
"I'll handle it."
His eyes turned cold.
He needed to vent anyway.
Underground tunnels—
Jiraiya stepped inside cautiously.
"…This place."
He could feel chakra.
This was it.
He moved forward slowly—
Then—
lights exploded on.
"Found you."
Obito appeared, space twisting behind him.
"Well well… isn't this one of Konoha's Sannin?"
Jiraiya's eyes narrowed.
"…Obito."
Then—
another voice.
"Long time no see… Jiraiya-sensei."
Jiraiya froze.
Pain flashed across his face.
"…Yahiko…"
No—
Nagato.
Standing in Yahiko's body.
"…So this is how we meet again."
Nagato spoke calmly—
"Your path failed."
"You should understand that."
Jiraiya clenched his fists.
"…Then what about yours?"
"Rain has changed."
"Isn't that what you wanted?!"
Nagato's voice turned cold.
"This?"
"This isn't my peace."
"I'll create my own."
Silence.
Jiraiya closed his eyes briefly.
Then—
opened them again.
"…Then I'll stop you."
Battle erupted instantly.
Explosions roared through the tunnels.
"Earth Style: Earth Wall!"
The wall shattered in an instant.
"…Damn."
Jiraiya retreated.
"Too strong—and Obito hasn't even moved yet."
Fire roared.
Absorbed instantly.
Summons appeared.
Chaos erupted.
"Summoning Jutsu!"
Toad Ken appeared.
"I'll hold them off!"
"Thanks!"
Jiraiya moved quickly—
analyzing everything.
Shared vision.
Linked abilities.
"…So this is your full power, Nagato…"
Then—
Obito struck.
Chains lashed out—
BANG!
Jiraiya was sent flying.
Weapons rained down.
Summons clashed violently.
Everything collapsed into chaos.
"…I need Sage Mode."
"…And where the hell is Ren?!"
He had already activated the Flying Thunder God mark.
But—
no response.
Then—
Obito appeared right in front of him.
A black rod thrust forward.
"Die."
Jiraiya couldn't form seals.
He braced—
ready to take the hit—
"…Pretty intense."
A calm voice echoed.
Light rippled through the battlefield.
Everything—
seemed to pause.
A figure stepped forward from the distortion.
Jiraiya exhaled.
Nagato relaxed slightly.
Only Obito's face twisted violently—
"…Damn it."
"Ren is here."
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