Chapter 266: Found You! Chūin!
Deep in the Rain Village, inside a secret base hidden in the core area of a massive drainage pipe.
The place was damp and dim, with only a few dim yellow lamps providing faint light, illuminating the distorted metal walls and the reflections of accumulated water on the ground.
In the center of the empty hall, Yahiko’s modified Deva Path Rinnegan eyes glowed with cold purple ripples, expressionlessly watching Orochimaru, who had just formally joined the organization.
Konan stood quietly to the side.
“From today onward, you are Akatsuki’s ‘Three Tai’.” Pain’s cold voice echoed in the empty underground space as he extended his hand, handing a ring engraved with the character “Three” to Orochimaru.
Due to Menma’s intervention, Orochimaru joined the Akatsuki much later than in the original story, so the codename “Empty Chen” that might have belonged to him had long been given by Nagato to another member.
Orochimaru extended his pale hand marked with suture scars and took the ring symbolizing identity and restraint. A hard-to-grasp gleam flickered in his golden snake eyes.
He put it on his finger, feeling the icy touch.
“Regarding your partner,” Pain continued in his emotionless tone, “you will team up with Sasori, codenamed ‘Jade Girl’, for missions.”
“Sasori?” Orochimaru’s snake eyes narrowed slightly, revealing a hint of interest: “That genius puppeteer from the Sand Village? Heh, who would’ve thought after disappearing for over a decade, even the Third Kazekage’s disappearance is connected to him… Tsk tsk, he’s joined Akatsuki too.”
This was indeed unexpected intelligence. The talents gathered by Akatsuki were even more diverse than he had imagined; even a ninja like Sasori could be found and recruited.
Konan added from the side: “Scorpion is currently out on a mission. When he returns, you can meet formally.”
At that moment, in a certain secret chamber, Nagato, who was remotely controlling Pain via Chakra Black Rods, suddenly opened his eyes wide—his true body hidden in the shadows!
Through the “Rain Tiger Jutsu” covering the entire Rain Village, he clearly sensed a familiar and powerful chakra.
‘This chakra… is Teacher Jiraiya?!’ Nagato’s heart shook violently.
After over a decade, why had Teacher Jiraiya suddenly appeared in the Rain Village?
Was it because of the news of Orochimaru joining?
But he immediately dismissed that thought.
Orochimaru had just joined; the news couldn’t have leaked so quickly.
He immediately issued an order through Pain: “Zetsu.”
The ground writhed, and Zetsu’s eerie half-black, half-white body emerged.
“Any orders, Leader?” The White Zetsu half asked with a cheeky grin.
Pain’s Rinnegan eyes coldly stared at Zetsu: “Jiraiya has infiltrated the Rain Village. Go, monitor his every move and report back at all times.”
“Jiraiya? That perverted sage?” White Zetsu exclaimed exaggeratedly.
“Shut up, idiot.” The Black Zetsu half rasped, interrupting, then respectfully said to Pain: “Understood.”
Zetsu then quickly sank into the ground and vanished.
“Teacher Jiraiya… is here?” Konan, hearing this news, also showed surprise on her face and instinctively glanced at Orochimaru nearby.
Orochimaru crossed his arms and let out an ambiguous chuckle: “Heh heh… this has nothing to do with me. If I remember correctly, that guy Jiraiya should be coming for you three, right?”
Jiraiya’s appearance brought back many memories for Orochimaru.
His gaze swept over Pain and Konan with a hint of amusement: “During the Second Great Ninja War over twenty years ago, after us ‘Sannin’ clashed with Hanzo, Jiraiya stayed behind specifically for three kids from the Land of Rain. So… it was you all.”
He paused, a flicker of doubt in his snake eyes as he looked at Pain: “However, I remember the kid with those legendary eyes back then was a red-haired boy named… Nagato? Why now…”
Orochimaru keenly noticed that this “Pain” before him, though possessing the Rinnegan, had a demeanor and chakra feel different from the Nagato in his memory.
“This has nothing to do with you, Orochimaru.” The Deva Path coldly interrupted him, his Rinnegan turning to Konan.
Pain’s voice remained icy, carrying a resolute severance from the past: “What happened before is no longer important. The path we have chosen now is utterly different from what Teacher Jiraiya believes in.”
“Konan, wait for Zetsu’s report for now. If Teacher Jiraiya’s target isn’t us, and he’s just passing through or investigating Hanzo’s intelligence, let him be. But if… he’s coming for the Akatsuki organization…”
A cold killing intent flashed in Pain’s Rinnegan eyes: “…you go persuade him to leave first. If he insists on digging deeper and interfering with our plans, then don’t blame me for not honoring our old teacher-student bond.”
Hearing this, Orochimaru couldn’t help licking his lips, his eyes gleaming with even more excitement.
‘Interesting… a master-disciple falling out? Truly something to look forward to.’ He increasingly felt that joining Akatsuki was the right decision—here not only was there the Rinnegan he craved, but he could also witness such captivating drama.
…
Meanwhile, in the room rented by Menma.
He was fully focused on maintaining “Kagura Shingan,” meticulously sensing the activity inside the “Regenerative Medical Technology Company” across from him.
Suddenly, he detected an anomaly in the chakra fluctuations in Amado’s office.
Amado seemed to be talking to someone, but in his perception, aside from Amado’s steady and calm chakra, there was nothing else!
‘What’s going on?’ Menma’s heart jolted.
‘Even my Kagura Shingan can’t sense the other party? Is it some extremely advanced concealment technique, or…’
A name instantly flashed in his mind—Jigen!
Or rather, Otsutsuki Isshiki!
Only an existence of that level could completely block chakra perception!
In the soundproof office deep underground of the Regenerative Medical Technology Company.
Amado pushed up his orange glasses and looked at the uninvited “guest” before him.
This was a tall young man wearing a white haori and black pantskirt, with the Roman numeral “Ⅳ” tattooed below his left eye, a striking red neckpiece and wristbands on his neck and wrists, and odd short hair on top with a ponytail.
His demeanor was elegant, his speech refined, full of gentlemanly poise.
It was Jigen, who had been possessed by Isshiki and lived for a thousand years.
“Sorry to disturb you again, Mr. Amado. The supplies you requested have been delivered.” Jigen’s tone was mild and polite, full of gentlemanly grace: “It seems you’ve hit another bottleneck.”
Amado’s face remained calm, but inwardly he maintained the highest level of vigilance toward this mysterious person.
Jigen had provided him massive support in research funds and equipment, with knowledge so vast it was terrifying—especially in fields involving the essence of life. And… Amado’s scientific intuition told him that this “person” before him was off, like some… more dangerous existence cloaked in human skin.
“Failed experiments are the norm, Mr. Jigen.” Amado lit a cigarette, his tone flat: “Science advances through repeated failures.”
Jigen smiled elegantly, his gaze sweeping over the red data on the nearby instrument screen—representing the termination of a clone’s life signs, not yet fully cleared: “But creating life… this already touches on the domain of ‘Yin-Yang Release’. With your current understanding of chakra’s essence, especially life energy, even with these precision instruments’ aid, creating stable clone life will still be a long road.”
Amado was silent for a moment.
Jigen had mentioned the concept of “Yin-Yang Release” more than once.
“Could it be… that one really needs to become an existence like the legendary Sage of Six Paths to create life from nothing?” He couldn’t help asking, more like a sigh laced with frustration.
Jigen shook his head, like a patient teacher guiding step by step: “Not necessarily that extreme. The Sage of Six Paths’ techniques create from nothing. But if merely using existing cells for cloning and cultivation, it’s essentially replicating and reshaping life forms. A preliminary understanding and application of Yin-Yang Release power would suffice to greatly boost success rates.”
Though that bitch Kaguya had backstabbed Isshiki, turning him into a 5 version, it had to be admitted that her two sons born after devouring the God Tree fruit indeed surpassed ordinary Otsutsuki Clan members in strength—especially that guy Hagoromo.
And this planet, after producing one Chakra Fruit, hadn’t fully withered; it even showed potential to grow another God Tree.
Such planets were rare in the universe, and Isshiki anticipated more surprises from it.
Amado across from Jigen said nothing, silently noting this information.
Though wary of Jigen, the ideas and knowledge he provided were exactly what he urgently needed now.
Jigen glanced at the wall clock and said politely: “It’s getting late; I should take my leave. Looking forward to good news next time.”
He maintained his elegant etiquette, his heart calm as still water.
A thousand years of endurance had taught him ultimate patience.
Amado was an exceptionally talented individual, but he wasn’t in a rush.
Just as Jigen prepared to leave, suddenly, a muffled explosion sounded faintly from underground!
The sound wasn’t loud, but in the relatively quiet underground space, it was particularly clear.
Jigen paused his steps.
Amado frowned slightly but didn’t panic.
He merely commented flatly: “The Land of Rain seems forever plagued by strife.”
The Land of Rain, especially the Rain Village, never ceased its internal power struggles and armed conflicts; explosions weren’t uncommon.
Soon, the communicator in Amado’s lab rang, transmitting the slightly tense voice of a guard outside: “Mr. Amado! Unknown explosion in the East District—Lord Hanzo’s Anbu has mobilized! Please rest assured, company security has been raised to the highest level!”
Amado activated the comms and replied calmly: “Understood. Stay alert.”
After turning off the comms, he looked at Jigen.
Jigen’s face still bore that gentlemanly elegance and composure: “It seems the Rain Village remains unrestful. Then, I won’t disturb you further, Mr. Amado. Take care.”
With that, he nodded slightly, turned, and walked away with poised strides from the office, his figure soon vanishing at the corridor’s end.
From start to finish, Jigen acted like a collaborator who happened to visit and was interrupted by an unexpected event.
Amado stared at the closed door, silent for a long time.
He picked up a pre-death photo of his daughter Akebi from the desk, his fingertip gently brushing the frame.
The frustration of failure surged over him like a tide again, but he took a deep breath, suppressed his emotions, and turned his gaze back to the complex experimental data.
And after Jigen left, the “empty” anomaly in Amado’s office vanished from Menma’s Kagura Shingan perception.
‘As expected, it’s him… Jigen.’ Menma grew even more certain.
‘He was just here, and capable of completely evading my perception! This ability isn’t mere concealment, but higher-level perception blocking—perhaps suppression from Otsutsuki Clan bloodline… truly terrifying. Looks like to find him, keeping tabs on Amado is a clear lead.’
The distant explosion sounds from the East District and the Rain Village Anbu’s mobilization also led Menma to guess that the infiltrating mysterious ninja might have been discovered by Rain Village ninjas.
Menma withdrew his Kagura Shingan perception.
Jigen’s appearance made him realize that Jigen’s ability wasn’t simple concealment—likely chakra perception blocking. Pure long-range surveillance probably wouldn’t yield breakthroughs.
‘I must find a way to plant a Flying Thunder God mark on him…’ Menma thought darkly.
‘Uchiha Hikari’s ‘Eight Thousand Spears’ engraving—can it break through his shielding?’ Thinking of that Mangekyo dojutsu containing space-time power and the Flying Thunder God Technique, he began plotting.
If successful, Jigen’s greatest reliance—hiding in another dimension—would be rendered useless.
Thinking of Jigen’s other dimension made Menma recall the second Ten-Tails Isshiki hid there, and the remains of Otsutsuki Shibai, the so-called ‘God of Gods’.
Though the second Ten-Tails was just an “immature seedling” without devouring Otsutsuki sacrifices or absorbing planetary energy to grow into a God Tree, its chakra reserves alone could shake the Ninja World.
In the original story, before battling Naruto and Sasuke, Jigen specifically absorbed the Ten-Tails’ chakra to activate the “wedge’s” second stage, suppressing Immortal Fox Naruto and Rinnegan Sasuke in one fell swoop.
‘The wedge’s second stage… strength roughly at super-Kage peak, but still short of true Six Paths level. And Jigen’s body seems unable to sustain that power long-term—it’s an overdraft burst type.’ Menma calmly analyzed his potential opponent’s strength.
‘Compared to Kaguya, who had power but immature combat awareness, Jigen, lurking in the Ninja World for a millennium, has far more cunning experience and strategy. ‘Daikokuten’s’ other-dimensional storage and projection, ‘Sukuna Hikona’s’ extreme miniaturization—these core abilities are troublesome, but not unsolvable for me with the intel.’
‘The real problem is if he retreats into another dimension when the tide turns.’
‘Also, the artificial humans Amado created all possess Otsutsuki Shibai’s abilities, meaning Isshiki holds Shibai’s remains. Clearly, Kaguya’s ambush on Isshiki back then aimed to seize those remains too, but this guy escaped.’
“Looks like… it’s getting more intense over there!” As Menma immersed in strategic deduction, Konan nearby let out a tense exclamation.
She was at the window, worriedly gazing toward the East District.
Through the rain curtain, thick black smoke mixed with firelight rose, and even from a distance, faint sounds of chaos could be heard.
Konan turned her head, her face full of anxiety: “I have to go check it out!”
As a Rain Village ninja, maintaining village order was almost instinct.
Before her words finished, she nimbly leaped out the window, her purple figure bounding across slick rooftops toward the explosion.
Menma shook his head slightly; this girl’s kindness and naivety were truly…
He deployed Kagura Shingan again, precisely targeting the explosion’s core area.
Chaotic chakra fluctuations, panicked crowds, and rapidly arriving Anbu ninjas bearing the unique cold aura of Hanzo of the Salamander’s subordinates.
However, at the edge of his perception, the explosion site seemed slightly off from the mysterious infiltrator’s direction?
A trace of doubt surfaced in Menma’s mind; he quickly formed hand seals.
“Shadow Clone Jutsu.”
A puff of white smoke flashed, and a boy identical to Menma’s current disguised form appeared in the room corner.
This was Menma’s backup plan; this shadow clone will monitor the “Regenerative Medical Technology Company” long-term here.
As long as they kept eyes on Amado, Jigen wouldn’t stay hidden.
“Original, leave this to me!” The shadow clone said lowly, then went to the window, activated Kagura Shingan, and locked onto the building across.
Menma casually grabbed a tattered gray raincoat nearby, pulled down the hood, blended his figure into the pattering rain, and silently followed Konan.
The rain grew heavier, washing street filth and blurring visibility further.
But the raindrops halted a few centimeters above Menma’s head, as if blocked by an invisible umbrella—no drop wetting his raincoat.
Menma trailed far behind Konan, watching her deftly navigate narrow alleys and low rooftops, far more familiar with the terrain than an outsider.
Soon, the two approached the incident site one after the other.
The explosion originated from a street-side shop, now a wreckage of charred wood and scattered bricks. Several Rain Anbu were sealing the scene, perimeter lines up, dispersing onlookers.
Menma’s gaze swept the site, quickly landing on an intact izakaya across the street.
The izakaya’s second-floor window was open; a strikingly conspicuous figure leaned there.
He had wild, unrestrained white long hair, wore a red haori, and even through the rain curtain, one could see him with women in revealing clothes on both sides, laughing and chatting, sake cup in hand—clearly indulging in pleasure.
“Jiraiya…” Menma’s mouth twitched slightly.
So it was this guy.
As expected, he never forgot “gathering material” and enjoyment wherever he went.
His leisurely demeanor showed the earlier explosion had nothing to do with him.
At that moment, several Rain ninjas with hands bound behind, covered in wounds, were dragged out by Anbu and escorted to the street center.
An Anbu captain-like ninja coldly read their “crimes”: conspiring rebellion, attacking security forces under Lord Hanzo.
Then, blade light flashed; short screams drowned in the rain. Blood instantly stained the wet ground, soon diluted and washed away.
Onlookers showed fear, heads down, hurrying away without a second glance.
This was the Rain Village’s norm under Hanzo of the Salamander’s iron-fisted, tyrannical rule.
Konan stood at a nearby alley entrance, witnessing the bloody scene, her face paling, biting her lower lip hard.
She seemed to want to step forward but held back, silently watching the Anbu clean up.
Menma’s attention wasn’t fully on this obvious “minor incident.”
His Kagura Shingan caught two subtler chakra fluctuations rapidly approaching.
One cold and ethereal, carrying a plant-like mustiness, spreading quietly like underground mold—Zetsu.
The other more familiar, sharp and light, like countless paper sheets dancing—Konan.
Zetsu’s chakra was hidden underground at a street corner, clearly on surveillance.
Konan swept directly from the sky, landing lightly like a paper butterfly on the izakaya’s rooftop. Her gaze pierced the rain curtain, solemnly fixing on the oblivious white-haired figure still drinking merrily on the second floor.
‘Coming for him…’ Menma understood.
For some reason, Jiraiya had noticed Akatsuki years ahead of schedule, even infiltrating to investigate.
Nagato had also detected Jiraiya’s infiltration; Konan was likely ordered to persuade him away.
He quietly retreated a few steps, fully merging into the shadows behind a building, like a true bystander, awaiting how this impending teacher-disciple reunion would unfold.
The rain poured; next up, there was quite a show to watch.
【PS: End of the month—any monthly votes left to spare? Bowl-tapping.jpg】
