The border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Rain was stark in its contrast.
Ryujin Kenichi couldn't help but sigh as he observed the divide ahead.
On the Land of Fire's side, Konoha shinobi stood at ease—some chatting idly, others smoking without a care. They gave no indication that they were stationed at a tense international border.
By comparison, the Ame-nin stationed on their side of the boundary looked tense and vigilant. None dared look toward the Konoha shinobi, their movements stiff and watchful.
Kenichi understood the reason all too well. Hanzo the Salamander, the once-mighty ruler of Amegakure, had long since fallen—slain by the mysterious leader of the Akatsuki, Pain. That knowledge, while known only to a few in the outside world, had spread like whispers through underground networks. The Rain shinobi were likely aware that their new leader was far more unpredictable—and far more dangerous.
Not that it mattered to Kenichi.
He passed the Land of Fire's final checkpoint with a forged travel permit, stepping into the perpetually damp landscape of the Land of Rain.
Immediately, the difference was palpable. The rain began to fall as if on cue—light at first, but steady and unrelenting. The skies were always gray here, and the towns he passed through were small, utilitarian, and tightly walled.
He noticed the height of the town walls, far taller than those found in the Land of Fire.
"This is like expecting a silk curtain to stop a kunai," Kenichi muttered, shaking his head. Even if these walls rivaled those in some fantasy tale, they would be useless against any jōnin-level shinobi.
Still, he understood—the walls weren't built to stop invaders, but to comfort those living in fear.
He had no time to dwell. In the first town, he unloaded his goods, exchanged them for ryō, and slipped into anonymity once again.
The disguise of a Land of Fire merchant had served its purpose—no border patrol would question a harmless trader. But now, deeper within the Land of Rain, it was time to shed that identity.
At a street stall, he bought a simple fox mask and slipped it on before heading toward Amegakure, the Rain Ninja Village.
While traveling, he pulled out a worn scroll and checked his current research notes.
[Research Subject: Chakra Parasite]
[Progress: 0.05%]
He'd discovered the parasite encased in a strange piece of amber, likely from a ruin in the Land of Rivers. Just in case he was studying the amber and not the creature itself, he had melted the resin and extracted the parasite directly.
He named it the Chakra Parasite. Its presence reminded him vaguely of the Aburame Clan's symbiotic insects, but this specimen was completely foreign in biology. He doubted it was native to the Five Great Nations.
Its link to chakra intrigued him most—it didn't merely feed on it, but responded to chakra signals. Kenichi had high hopes for it.
He just needed time. And time was scarce.
By now, he stood near Amegakure's outer limits. The rain was heavier here, unnaturally so. More importantly, Kenichi could feel chakra signatures dispersed in the rainfall—almost unnoticeable unless you knew what to look for.
Activating his Sharingan, he saw the chakra trails clearly now.
"This must be the Rain Tiger at Will Technique…" he whispered. A sensory ninjutsu developed by Nagato—leader of the Akatsuki and de facto ruler of Amegakure. It allowed him to detect any foreign chakra entering the village through the rain itself.
Charging in now would be suicidal. He'd barely take a step into the city before attracting Nagato's attention—and likely a visit from one of the Six Paths of Pain.
"State your purpose, intruder."
Kenichi froze. He was already surrounded.
Descending from the rooftops came four figures—the Deva Path, the Preta Path, the Naraka Path, and the silent Konan, her paper wings already partially spread.
Kenichi grimaced. "Now this is what I call a welcome party."
He hadn't even touched the rain. How did they find him?
"Just to be clear," Kenichi said, calmly removing the fox mask, "I'm not affiliated with Konoha."
He reached into his pouch and peeled off a thin layer of transformation skin, revealing his true face underneath.
Konan's eyes narrowed as recognition flickered in them.
"That face…" she muttered, sifting through memories and intelligence files.
"…A-rank missing-nin from Konoha. Ryujin Kenichi."
Kenichi smiled slightly and gave a half-bow.
"Correct. And I believe we have mutual interests."
Yes, he was a missing-nin from Konoha, classified as A-rank.
A pity he hadn't reached S-rank status—yet.
Still, as long as he wasn't listed as C-rank, it was acceptable. Then again, didn't a certain bald Great Demon King from another world start from C-rank? Maybe it wasn't that shameful.
...Wait, could missing-nin even be classified as C-rank?
"Missing-nin of Konoha, state your purpose in coming to Amegakure."
The cold voice of Pain's Deva Path echoed through the rain-soaked air, addressing the cloaked figure before him: Ryujin Kenichi. Pain already knew of him—after all, information was power, and as the de facto ruler of Amegakure, he kept tabs on every notable rogue shinobi.
But it wasn't Kenichi that interested him most—it was Kenichi's teacher, Orochimaru, a known S-rank missing-nin and former member of the Akatsuki. Despite his betrayal, Orochimaru's talents were undeniable. If used carefully, he might still be of some value to Pain's greater plan.
"May I ask... is the Akatsuki currently recruiting?" Kenichi asked with a calm smile. "My teacher, Orochimaru—Konoha's S-rank missing-nin—has spoken highly of your organization."
There was a noticeable pause. Konan's paper wings twitched slightly, and Nagato, controlling the Deva Path remotely, narrowed his eyes.
To have someone show up on his own, asking to join the Akatsuki—before recruitment even began? That was unexpected.
"Your teacher's strength is acknowledged. He was once one of us," Pain said after a beat. "And we are preparing for a new phase. But no one joins the Akatsuki without proving their worth."
Kenichi nodded slightly. He had expected that.
"Then... what about me? Can I join as well?"
"You may try," Pain replied coolly.
Another of the Six Paths—the Preta Path—stepped forward, its eyes identical to those of the Deva Path. "Fight me. If you can defeat me, you may take a place among us."
Kenichi eyed the Preta Path thoughtfully.
He recognized this one. The Naruto fans from his world often turned the scenes of Pain's assault on Konoha into memes: "carrying multiple floors of rice," "QQ biting the mud"—classic references.
He remembered the Preta Path's ability: chakra absorption. Dangerous, yes, but not unbeatable.
Actually... wasn't that the perfect training partner for Sage Mode?
Kenichi froze mid-thought.
Wait...
That's right. If this guy could absorb chakra, wouldn't that make him an ideal sparring partner for practicing Senjutsu without worrying about over-absorbing nature energy?
A slow grin spread across his face.
This might actually work out better than expected.