Actual Combat with Pain!
Several figures suddenly leapt onto the top of the tallest tower in the Hidden Rain Village.
These were not ordinary shinobi, but one of the Six Paths of Pain the Asura Path. His mechanical body moved with inhuman precision as he landed soundlessly despite the rain.
Through the sensory perception shared among the Six Paths, Uchiha Yi's presence was instantly detected.
Without a single word, the Asura Path extended his right hand, grasped his left arm, and twisted it sharply. With a crisp mechanical click, the outer shell separated, exposing the concealed missile launcher embedded within his arm. The weapon instantly locked onto the intruder below.
In the next instant, dense clusters of missiles erupted from the arm, flames roaring as they streaked toward the target at terrifying speed.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Explosions tore through the air, the thunderous impact drowning out even the relentless rainfall over Amegakure.
When it came to intruders, Pain never showed mercy.
From the very beginning, there was no intention of capturing anyone alive.
The smoke and fire from the explosions had not yet fully dispersed.
However, the Asura Path had clearly seen the missiles strike their mark directly, and throughout the entire attack, the target showed no sign of evasion or resistance.
Most likely, the intruder had already been eliminated.
If he could not even react to such a basic surprise attack, then the invader was nothing more than insignificant prey.
With that thought, the Asura Path lost interest. He turned his mechanical body slightly, preparing to leave and resume his patrol.
Just then
"Who attacked me?!"
"Is this how the Hidden Rain Village treats its guests?"
"The one who did this come out right now!"
A furious voice echoed from within the lingering smoke.
The "prey" that should have been reduced to ashes was still alive.
Clearly, the Asura Path's judgment had been wrong.
"…He survived?"
"In that case… he can begin to understand pain."
Though it was unclear what method had been used to survive the explosion, resistance in front of Pain was meaningless.
Before God, all struggles were futile.
The Asura Path raised his hands and slammed them into the ground.
Summoning Technique!
With a heavy bang, thick white smoke burst forth. When it cleared, the Deva Path Tendō Pain stood calmly atop the rain-soaked stone, having been summoned directly into the village.
All Six Paths shared vision and consciousness.
Tendō Pain already understood everything that had occurred.
Shua!
Two figures appeared almost simultaneously in front of Uchiha Yi, Tendō Pain and the Asura Path standing side by side.
"You two were the ones who attacked me just now?"
Uchiha Yi spoke in an angry tone, pretending ignorance while staring directly at them.
To be honest, it was embarrassing.
He had failed to notice the ambush entirely.
If he had not maintained elemental transformation and a shadow clone from the start, that attack might truly have succeeded.
This made Uchiha Yi realize something important despite possessing powerful abilities, his actual ninja combat awareness was still lacking.
"You're not wearing a forehead protector."
"Which village do you belong to?"
"What is your purpose for infiltrating Amegakure?"
Tendō Pain stared at him coldly. The mask and lack of identifying symbols made it impossible to determine his origin.
"I'll answer that later."
"But first, we're settling the score for that sneak attack."
Uchiha Yi declared boldly.
Of course, he had no illusion of defeating Pain.
But this was merely a shadow clone.
What did it matter?
This was the perfect opportunity to personally experience the power of the man who stood at the pinnacle of the ninja world.
Watching Pain from the manga and standing against him were two completely different things.
"Mortals remain mortals."
"Possessing a fragment of power, they mistake themselves for gods."
"They will never comprehend that God exists far beyond their reach."
"To offend God is to invite divine punishment."
Tendō Pain's voice was emotionless.
As he spoke, he slowly raised his right hand, palm facing Uchiha Yi.
Shinra Tensei.
Without warning, an invisible repulsive force exploded outward from Tendō Pain's body.
"So it's coming already?"
"Resist: Ring of Fire!"
Prepared in advance, Uchiha Yi activated his ability the instant Pain spoke.
A blazing ring of fire erupted outward from Uchiha Yi, expanding rapidly in all directions, its form eerily similar to Shinra Tensei.
However, the difference was immediate.
The fiery ring advanced only a few meters before colliding with the invisible repulsive barrier. In less than a second, it was crushed and forced backward.
Too weak.
The difference in power was obvious.
Elementalization!
Without hesitation, Uchiha Yi transformed his body into flames, allowing the repulsive force to pass through him.
The shadow clone was blasted away and dispersed, reforming moments later at a distance.
Ordinary shadow clones would have been obliterated instantly.
But a clone formed through elemental transformation could avoid direct damage.
In that sense, it was not inferior to a Wood Clone.
The fact that his attacks continued to miss entirely made Tendō Pain pause.
If this body were capable of expression, surprise would surely be visible.
"All things… are drawn toward heaven."
Tendō Pain raised his left hand.
Banshō Ten'in.
Uchiha Yi's body was yanked forward uncontrollably.
"Elementalization!"
He attempted the same tactic.
But even as an element, the pulling force remained.
"Tch!"
"Scorching Breath!"
Unable to move his limbs, Uchiha Yi exhaled violently.
A stream of intensely hot flames shot toward Tendō Pain.
With Shinra Tensei still on cooldown, Tendō Pain had no choice but to release Banshō Ten'in and evade.
The ground he had stood on was scorched black, flames lingering unnaturally long.
"This man…"
After several exchanges, Tendō Pain finally recognized the abnormality.
Every technique was instantaneous.
No hand seals.
And the opponent still had not revealed his full strength.
Unacceptable.
If necessary, all Six Paths would be summoned.
"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!"
Changing tactics, Tendō Pain formed seals.
Uchiha Yi responded immediately.
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"
Fire and water collided violently.
Steam exploded outward, filling the area with thick mist.
Rain further empowered the water technique.
Visibility dropped to nothing.
"…Sharingan."
Uchiha Yi activated his dōjutsu.
Three tomoe spun within scarlet eyes.
Raindrops seemed to slow drastically.
Still not enough.
"Fire Eyes, Golden Pupils!"
Flames ignited deep within his gaze, burning through illusions and obstruction alike.
The mist was meaningless.
Tendō Pain saw it clearly.
"Sharingan…?"
For the first time, Tendō Pain paused.
"You are an Uchiha?"
"Yes."
"I am one of the two survivors of the Uchiha clan's extermination."
The lie was delivered calmly.
Tendō Pain's hostility faded slightly.
The implications were clear.
"So… why infiltrate Amegakure?"
"I came because Akatsuki recruits powerful rogue ninja."
"I came to test my worth."
Silence followed.
Then
"You've passed."
"Follow me."
Tendō Pain turned and left the village, the Asura Path following.
Uchiha Yi hesitated briefly, then followed behind them, unaware of where this path would lead.