Chapter 201: Feel the Pain
Tonari followed Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan to Akatsuki's current base—an unassuming cave situated a fair distance from Amegakure.
The base was rudimentary, a clear sign that Akatsuki was still in its infancy. Scattered about were people who had found refuge under Yahiko's leadership, many of whom lacked proper shinobi training. Some barely possessed enough chakra to be considered ninjas at all.
Rather than being drawn in by Yahiko's ideology, most of these people had simply sought shelter and security.
Yet, Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan were different.
Under Jiraiya's guidance, they had built solid foundations in ninjutsu, and given their inherent potential, the three had grown into fully capable jonin-level shinobi.
Particularly Nagato—if he wished, he could ascend to kage-level, perhaps even beyond, in an instant.
Despite their youth and inexperience, Akatsuki's ideology was gaining traction. In a war-torn land where people craved safety, three jonin were a force to be reckoned with.
Hanzo, the ruler of Amegakure, had dismissed them as naïve children. He was too blind to recognize that given enough time, they would become a true threat to his rule.
The members of Akatsuki didn't yet wear their infamous black cloaks adorned with red clouds. The only consistency was that most wore black waterproof coats, a practical choice given the never-ending rain.
As Yahiko greeted members along the way, it was evident that some followers were genuinely loyal to the trio—not only because of their ideals but because of their power.
Tonari took note of these interactions.
At the deepest part of the base, inside the cave, a crude living space had been arranged.
Despite its simplicity, certain small details stood out—remnants of their childhood.
A clay vase, housing a delicate paper flower, sat upon a shelf. Though faded and weathered, it had clearly been crafted with care—likely by Konan during her childhood.
Elsewhere, faint crumbs of old food lingered on a wooden shelf. The passage of time had almost erased them, but Tonari's keen eyes did not miss a thing.
This cave…
It wasn't just a base.
It was their home.
The place where they had grown up, struggled, and survived together.
The very heart of their dreams.
A flicker of emotion stirred in Tonari's chest.
If Nagato hadn't been given those eyes, would all of this tragedy have even unfolded?
Without the Rinnegan, Jiraiya would never have taken special notice of them.
Without Jiraiya, they wouldn't have become strong.
Without strength, Akatsuki wouldn't exist.
Everything—all of it—was because Uchiha Madara had chosen Nagato to be the vessel for his stolen eyes.
Madara's judgment was precise.
Nagato was ideal—a passive, loyal soul with no personal ambition. Someone who existed solely to support Yahiko's dream.
A perfect puppet.
Just like Obito would later become.
"Please, sit," Yahiko gestured. "It's not much, but we hope you don't mind."
Yahiko was already settling into the role of a leader.
He was a born commander.
Tonari smiled and shook his head.
"No, it's I who am intruding."
Konan quietly poured him a cup of water, then sat down beside Nagato without a word.
Nagato, however, kept staring at Tonari.
Something about him felt off.
There was an instinctive rejection, a sense of unease.
Was it just wariness toward a stranger? Or was it something deeper?
Nagato dismissed the thought. He had experienced this feeling before when encountering unfamiliar people.
But one thing was certain—Tonari was strong.
Strong enough that Nagato's instincts screamed at him to be cautious.
At last, Yahiko broke the silence.
"So, Conan-san," Yahiko addressed him, maintaining a level voice. "Why are you here?"
Tonari chuckled lightly and casually pointed at Nagato.
Instantly, the atmosphere changed.
Yahiko's previously warm demeanor hardened.
Konan tensed.
Under the table, she reached for a concealed kunai.
Nagato's fingers twitched ever so slightly.
"Explain," Yahiko's voice was stern.
Tonari, unfazed, leaned back.
"A red-haired boy…" he mused aloud. "You must be an Uzumaki orphan."
Nagato's breath hitched.
"I have two friends—both red-haired, both from Uzumaki bloodlines. They, too, became wanderers after Uzushiogakure fell."
The tension in the room lessened slightly.
Nagato leaned forward, eyes widening.
"I… I'm an Uzumaki?" he whispered. "There are others like me?"
Tonari nodded.
"Red hair is rare in the shinobi world. To my knowledge, only the Uzumaki possess it. And… there's also your eyes."
At last, he acknowledged the Rinnegan.
The room fell dead silent.
For a moment, no one spoke.
Even before Jiraiya's training, they had known that Nagato's eyes were… different.
But after studying under Jiraiya, they had come to understand.
These weren't just strange eyes.
They were the Rinnegan—the very eyes of the Sage of Six Paths.
A legendary power, lost to time.
The moment Tonari spoke of it, the wariness in the air tripled.
The three exchanged subtle glances.
There was no panic, but there was suspicion.
A stranger who knew about the Rinnegan?
That wasn't normal.
Tonari sensed their growing hostility and sighed.
He understood.
If someone approached him and casually mentioned his biggest secret, he'd be cautious too.
"I don't mean anything by it," he reassured them. "I'm just surprised. I never imagined an Uzumaki could awaken the Rinnegan. It was honestly shocking."
Yahiko didn't relax.
"So you're saying… you're only here out of curiosity?"
Tonari smirked.
Yahiko was sharp.
If Tonari were in his shoes, he wouldn't buy that excuse either.
There was a long silence.
Then, abruptly—Tonari stood up.
Yahiko, Konan, and Nagato stiffened.
"Your hostility is a bit much," he muttered. "But I get it."
He turned toward the exit.
"I have things to do," he continued. "Next time, we'll talk properly."
Just as he reached the doorway, he paused.
Then, with his back still turned, he said:
"If you ever find yourselves facing a pain too great to endure, reach out to me."
"I can show you where to direct your suffering."
"I can help you find the source of your pain."
A white card fluttered to the ground.
A seal array was carved into its surface.
Yahiko slowly picked it up, examining it.
Nagato was silent.
Konan's brows furrowed.
"…Is he an ally?" she murmured.
"I don't know," Yahiko admitted.
"But if he knows about the Rinnegan and isn't making a move… then there are only two explanations."
"Either he's like Jiraiya—he doesn't desire it."
"Or…"
He fell silent, gripping the card.
Konan frowned.
"Or what?"
Yahiko exhaled deeply.
"Or… he wants something far greater."
Nagato's fingers idly toyed with a strand of his red hair.
"Uzumaki, huh…?"
---
Elsewhere
Tonari left the base, weaving through the darkened rainforest.
Then—he stopped.
He slowly scanned the surroundings, voice low and cold.
"…Come out."
Silence.
Only the sound of rain pattering against leaves.
His eyes narrowed.
Raising his hand, iron sand particles began coalescing into a black sphere.
Rain-drenched branches trembled under unseen pressure.
No one appeared.
Tonari's gaze darkened.
"…Was it just my imagination?"
He let the magnetized sand disperse.
As he leapt into the night—
A black mass silently rose from the ground.
A whisper.
"…He almost sensed me?"
Black Zetsu's eyes gleamed.
"I must inform Madara immediately."
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