(T/N: There is now a p.atreon for this work, and any new work I add will be dropped there first. check it out for an early release of up to 30 chapters edited smoothly. https://www.p.atreon.com/INeedRest)
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"What a convenient jutsu!" Jiraiya exclaimed with a hint of envy in his voice.
He wondered why he couldn't learn such a technique.
With it, the world would be his oyster. Every time he saw this brat use it, he couldn't help but want it.
Colt didn't respond.
He was keenly aware of the chakra infused in the rain.
[Rain Tiger at Will Technique], a large-scale sensory jutsu that used chakra-infused rainwater to detect intruders.
This meant that Pain had likely discovered them the moment they appeared.
He raised his head, looking towards the highest point of the Hidden Rain Village.
Despite the numerous obstacles, Colt could sense Pain's gaze upon him.
The Tower of God—that's what Pain had named the building.
He stood at its peak, with Konan by his side.
"It seems our guests have noticed us," Pain said impassively, his Rinnegan appearing with a blank gaze.
"Should I deal with them?" Paper wings began to form behind Konan.
At Pain's nod, she would immediately eliminate the intruders.
It had always been that way, how they operated.
Unexpectedly, Pain shook his head gently.
"Our guests are rather special this time—Jiraiya and Kamiyo Colt."
Konan's breath caught in her throat.
Jiraiya-sama...
She would never forget the days when she, Yahiko, and Nagato gathered around Jiraiya to learn ninjutsu.
But now… it was too late.
"Are you going to confront them?" she asked.
Pain hummed softly but didn't move immediately.
"I heard Madara sent Uchiha Sasuke with Kisame to capture the Eight-Tails?"
Obito had allowed Sasuke to join the Akatsuki without Pain's consent.
Naturally, Pain was displeased with this behavior.
However, the capture of the Tailed Beasts had reached a critical stage. Only the Seven-Tails, Eight-Tails, and Nine-Tails remained.
The others had already been sealed within the Gedo Statue.
Letting Uchiha Sasuke temporarily serve as a tool to help capture the Eight-Tails wasn't a major issue. The only one he had to be wary of was Madara.
Pain silently considered his next move, then suddenly asked, "Any news about the Seven-Tails?"
He had captured the Six-Tails long ago, but the Seven-Tails Jinchūriki had mysteriously vanished from Takigakure.
This originally simple target had become a hindrance.
Konan shook her head.
"I've searched extensively, however, not only have we failed to find it, but many of our subordinates have also disappeared without explanation."
Pain frowned.
This was becoming increasingly troublesome.
How could they fail to locate even the weakest Jinchūriki?
Meanwhile, Colt and Jiraiya had separated, searching in different directions.
Colt headed straight for Pain's location without hesitation.
This was the strongest enemy he had encountered in the ninja world so far.
While not quite at the Six Paths level, Pain had reached the pinnacle of Kage-level strength. Colt looked forward to seeing what surprises Pain might bring.
As he thought about this, Colt sighed.
Why hadn't his Sharingan evolved into the Rinnegan yet? It had only enhanced his ocular powers so far.
The streets grew emptier, and even the patrolling ninjas were disappearing.
This was Pain's doing.
Colt passed through an iron gate into a vast, empty square.
"It's been raining for so long. Aren't you tired of it?" he called out.
As he spoke, his hands formed seals. Chakra erupted, and airwaves rose into the sky, dispersing the rain clouds.
"This would be much easier if Yakumo was here," he mused, thinking of his maid's more refined techniques.
"Kamiyo Colt." A solemn voice echoed from high above, reverberating through the empty square with an almost sacred quality.
Colt wasn't sure if it was just his imagination, but he could swear he heard background music playing in his mind.
After several leaps, Colt found himself opposite Pain.
Beside the Deva Path stood the Asura Path and the Animal Path.
Konan had disappeared.
Pain didn't rush to attack.
"Kamiyo Colt, I've long heard of your name."
He had stood in the way of the Akatsuki multiple times and was in the possession of two fearsome Kekkei Genkais—Wood Release and the Sharingan.
Naturally, that had caught Pain's attention.
Colt laughed.
"I've never heard of you in the ninja world. You're as obscure as a mouse."
Pain wasn't offended by the taunt.
His voice remained flat.
"My name is Pain. Remember it as the last name you'll know before you die."
As he spoke, the Asura Path's arm unfolded and deformed, launching several small missiles towards Colt. Simultaneously, the Animal Path slammed its hands on the ground, summoning a giant crab and a three-headed dog.
Colt leaped to avoid the missiles and conjured an earth wall, but before he could steady himself, the three-headed dog lunged at him.
BOOM!
The wall crumbled as the three-headed dog collided with it.
But Colt had already scattered his Flying Thunder God feathers and instantly appeared beside the Asura Path, his fist raised to strike.
"[Flying Thunder God Technique]?" Pain's Deva Path quickly analyzed the situation.
"It seems every weapon of his bears his Flying Thunder God mark."
Thanks to their shared vision, the Asura Path anticipated Colt's trajectory and reached out to grab his fist.
However, this punch, empowered by Colt's immense physical strength, was not so easily countered.
BOOM! CRACK!
The unexpected force smashed the Asura Path into the ground, scattering weapon parts everywhere.
With just one blow, the Asura Path was completely destroyed.
Even the Deva Path Pain furrowed his brow.
He had expected Colt to be formidable, but primarily in ninjutsu.
He hadn't anticipated such overwhelming physical strength.
The summoned crab, having located Colt's position, spewed forth a torrent of foam, covering the surrounding Flying Thunder God feathers.
This way, no matter where Colt teleported, he would be vulnerable to an attack.
"Trying to restrict my movement? Then I won't move," Colt declared.
His 3-Tomoe Sharingan spun rapidly, forming the intricate pattern of the Mangekyō.
The giant [Susanoo] materialized around him, its samurai form easily deflecting the crab's water-style attacks.
Colt turned to look at the Deva Path Pain, who had yet to move.
"Still gathering information on me?"
He smiled confidently. "Then I'll give you more to collect."
"[Yasaka Magatama]!"
A series of magatama projectiles shot forth, and finally, the Deva Path Pain made his move as he couldn't keep watching.
"[Shinra Tensei]!"