[Sponsored] Chapter 197: Six Paths of Pain

[This Chapter Is Sponsored by jose vega! Everyone, please thank him in the comment!]

The snow on the branches falls lightly with a tremor, as two dark shadows appear on a pipe.

"Teacher Yoru, there has been a battle here, but the traces of the battle have been completely destroyed. Only the traces of a large spirit beast and the explosion marks of the Explosive Tag can be seen."

Faced with the battle traces that have long been buried and destroyed, the meticulous Uchiha Itachi calmly begins to analyze, while Uchiha Yoru looks up calmly at the treetops opposite.

It's only then that Uchiha Itachi, looking up, notices his teacher's action and immediately follows his gaze, his eyes sharpening.

Incredibly! He didn't sense any presence, only to see a figure from the Leaf's Anbu squatting on the treetop, looking at them with cold eyes.

"The elder of the Fire Temple was ambushed on his way to the Daimyo's residence, and the opponent was cautious, leaving no traceable clues."

The Anbu on the treetop calmly reports their information, while Uchiha Yoru looks around cautiously, seeing in his eyes three other Anbu members examining the details, as if trying to find out some information.

"The elder of the Fire Temple is not weak in strength, and this time the entourage to the Daimyo's residence should all be elite, but it seems there were no survivors, and moreover!"

Uchiha Yoru's eyes become more solemn as he speaks, "There are several routes from the Fire Temple to the Daimyo's residence, including water and land routes, and each time the Fire Temple chooses a different route, unknown to anyone."

"Only the Short Book Street is the only meeting place, but the ninja monks of the Fire Temple were ambushed before reaching Short Book Street, so it's very likely that the information was leaked internally."

Uchiha Yoru's calm analysis leads the Anbu members to nod in agreement, as such analysis and judgment are correct given the lack of information.

After all, no one would have expected the terror of the Six Paths of Pain of the Akatsuki, and more importantly, the information.

After finding the target, a tight plan needs to be arranged, and there's not enough time, as the opponent can't just push through.

Finding the target and then pushing through? Facing this idea, everyone can only sneer, yet what everyone deems unreasonable, is indeed the reality.

Information gap! Just then, a messenger hawk sounds, and the Anbu, though wearing masks, show shock in their eyes.

"Something happened at the Fire Temple, the Hokage orders all nearby Leaf ninjas to assist the Fire Temple, investigating all traces."

This Anbu squad leader, after reading the message, immediately issues the order to assist the members still searching for clues in the area.

This scene makes Uchiha Yoru more shocked, inwardly admiring the Six Paths of Pain, or rather, Nagato, who is truly a person who does great things when inspired.

Quick to react and ruthless in methods, it seems the Fire Temple is almost gone, as even the Five Great Ninja Villages tremble at the actions of this person.

"Itachi, return to Short Book Street."

Seeing the Anbu leaving the scene quickly without even searching for more clues, everyone knows they're facing a difficult problem.

"Yes, Teacher Yoru."

Although Uchiha Itachi is a genius, his current strength is not yet sufficient to handle too much.

Looking at Itachi's serious expression, Uchiha Yoru seems to understand what the other is thinking. When he sees no one around, he quietly shakes his head at Itachi.

"Itachi, my plan is to hire rogue ninjas through a bounty to set up an ambush."

This isn't something I did. I don't know about it. It has nothing to do with me.

Upon hearing this, Uchiha Itachi also nods slightly. Although he has a fanatical admiration for his teacher, it has not reached the point of blindness.

Perhaps the elder monk of the Fire Temple, who was ambushed, could do it, but the Fire Temple? Uchiha Itachi knows that this is a military force, with overall strength not inferior to the village's Anbu. It is a force comparable to the Uchiha clan, not something that can be shaken by one person.

Clearly, this was a premeditated incident, and their task just happened to be done by someone else.

Looking at Uchiha Itachi's expression, Uchiha Yoru's serious heart mutters secretly. The Fourth Ninja War is still far away, and the ninja world's understanding of powerful ninjas is still basic, so they do not know that some powerful ninjas truly have the ability to shake a major village.

But he feels no need to explain. Even if he did, would anyone believe him? Instead, he might be suspected.

A tall and short figure quickly moves through the forest. In the cold wind, a piece of white paper slowly appears in the forest, and Uchiha Yoru, who is moving fast, seems to sense something.

After making hand signs secretly, Uchiha Yoru, who is on the move, lowers his voice to Itachi: "Speed up and return to Short Book Street."

"Yes, teacher," Uchiha Itachi, although somewhat puzzled, does not ask questions due to his meticulous mind. Instead, he calmly quickened his pace.

In the forest, six figures dressed in black with red clouds slowly appear. Just then, as pieces of white paper appear, a figure emerges.

However, just as Konan appears and is about to say something, the expressions of the six people and Konan suddenly stiffen as a dark shadow descends.

Upon seeing the newcomer, a shock appears in their cold eyes.

The shadow flashes past, and Konan's hand, which wants to resist, slowly loosens. The shadow kidnaps her and vanishes, leaving a trail on the ground.

"Miss Konan, it seems you've been careless."

When the shadow reveals his true face, showing Uchiha Yoru's smile, he looks at Konan and says, "It seems you've been targeted, but this time I'll give you a discount."

This statement makes the atmosphere somewhat tense. The emotionless eyes of the six paths of Pain reveal a hint of nervousness, and Nagato, hiding in a distant tree hole, is dumbfounded.

It seems like a misunderstanding!

The current situation seems like a misunderstanding, but it indeed looks like one. After all, six mysterious people in strange outfits kidnapping a woman is not uncommon in the ninja world, especially those who kidnap women with special chakra natures.

"Mr. Yoru."

Konan, not wearing the uniform of the Akatsuki organization, looks at the current situation. Her eyes twitch involuntarily. Although this is a misunderstanding, in the cold ninja world, this action also brings a rare warmth to the cold hearts.

Good people are few.

A pair of black eyes calmly gazed at the Six paths of Pain opposite. At this moment, Uchiha Yoru's face revealed a confident smile, and his heart was secretly calculating that he should not have messed up, especially since you didn't wear a uniform, which was a perfect opportunity to boost friendly values.

"You and your forehead protectors!" Upon clearly seeing the six figures of the Six paths of Pain, Uchiha Yoru's face showed a solemn expression, and he quietly said to Konan behind him in a deep voice, "They are rogue ninjas from the Village Hidden in the Rain."

"I'll cover you. Prepare to escape back to Short Book Street. Is Nagato alright?"

Under the guise of a caring inquiry, Konan, shielded behind him, was somewhat amused but kept her usual cool composure, her face unchanged, though she stiffly nodded her head.

"Nagato is still in the inn. I was targeted by them while out gathering supplies."

Clearly, Konan and Nagato had been moved by Mr. Yoru in this unexpected encounter, and she had no choice but to continue playing along.

Caught off guard, Konan felt a warm touch on her cold palm, seeing the other person silently place a stack of explosive tags in her hand, and also felt a touch on her hip.

Her instinct was to get angry, but feeling a thick stack of explosive tags suddenly appearing in her ninja pouch, she was stunned again.

Uchiha Yoru, standing in front of her, wore a solemn expression, staring at the six figures and said in a firm voice, "Rogue ninjas from the Rain Village, what are you planning by sneaking into the Land of Fire?"

Faced with the question, the Six Paths of Pain remained silent. At this moment, Nagato, hidden in the dark, was also bewildered. Fortunately, these were six puppet bodies controlled by him; otherwise, it would have been really awkward.

"Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique"

Suddenly, Uchiha Yoru launched an attack, spewing flames from his mouth in all directions, effectively blocking all escape routes for the opponents.

"Run!"

Konan, not one to be outdated, immediately understood the awkward situation and hurriedly dodged away.

Without hesitation, Konan turned and fled, swiftly moving through the forest, leaving only a silhouette behind.

"How is this possible!"

A burly man, the Preta Path, stood in front of the other five, extending his hands and instantly absorbing the wildly incoming Fire Release jutsu, a scene that shocked Uchiha Yoru.

"Who are you!" Deva Path (Pain) stepped forward, appearing as the leader among the six, coldly staring at the other and asking.

At this moment, Uchiha Yoru observed the six people in front of him, his expression gradually becoming more solemn, and he said in a firm voice, "It seems I was underestimated."

Uchiha Yoru's disguise was flawless, as if encountering such strange ninja techniques for the first time.

"Fire Release: Great Dragon Fire Technique"

The speed at which the seals were formed to activate the ninjutsu even surprised the Six Paths of Pain. However, a towering fire dragon was already roaring towards them.

The Preta Path rushed forward again, extending its hands to directly absorb the incoming ninjutsu, but at that moment, a flash of cold light swept by.

Uchiha Yoru had already arrived in front of them. Due to his disguise, he did not use a ninja blade but instead launched a surprise punch. However, his wrist was caught by another person.

"Not good!"

In the moment he was restrained, as if he had been careless, Uchiha Yoru's expression changed, and he instantly kicked the attacker away with a side kick. His swift body movements were already flashing among the Six Paths of Pain.

Bang Bang~

In a brief moment, with afterimages flickering, Uchiha Yoru clashed back and forth with the Six Paths of Pain, without gaining any upper hand.

"How is this possible!"

Every attack from a blind spot was easily dodged by the opponent. Uchiha Yoru, with a shocked expression, quickly flashed away from the fray and stood on a treetop, his expression growing even more solemn.

Similarly, the Six Paths of Pain below looked at their opponent coldly, but at this moment, Nagato, hidden in the shadows, frowned, pondering how to end this farce. He didn't want to harm this gentleman.

Through the eyes of the Six Paths of Pain, Nagato saw Mr. Yoru's solemn expression, but the next moment he was stunned. He saw a slowly emerging scarlet hue in the eyes of the other party under such circumstances.

Three tomoe spinning, the Sharingan!

It's someone from Konoha!

"It seems you are not an ordinary person."

Uchiha Yoru, standing on the treetop, pretended to be forced to reveal his identity. As the three-tomoe Sharingan opened, he also showed a cold smile.

The seal on his wrist opened instantly, and he held the Kusanagi Sword in his hand. Under his solemn expression, Uchiha Yoru looked at the two and said in a deep voice, "Konoha ninja, Uchiha Yoru."

However, the Six Paths of Pain merely had a cold look in their eyes, without any response.

In the eerie atmosphere, Uchiha Yoru pretended to be solemn, but inwardly he was secretly muttering, considering it a godsend opportunity.

This encounter on Short Book Street was accidental, and it was not easy to build a relationship, but both sides were hiding their identities. By attracting the other's attention now, it probably wouldn't take long for the Akatsuki's intelligence capabilities to uncover his background.

Since his identity would be exposed sooner or later, what better situation could there be than this one?

Pretending to cover for his teammates' retreat, such a rare quality, and it turned out they were from his own side. Tsk tsk, blatantly revealing his identity without suspicion, perfect.

"It seems you are not planning to speak, but the methods just now, it seems your abilities are very peculiar, a Kekkei Genkai? Similar to Dark Release!"

Uchiha Yoru mumbled to himself and instantly took this opportunity to shoot out two shurikens as fast as lightning.

However, smoke bombs were attached behind the shurikens, and they exploded instantly, enveloping the surroundings in thick smoke. At that moment, Uchiha Yoru's figure charged in.

Bang Bang~

Amidst the thick smoke, a series of intense collisions were followed by the sound of large trees breaking.

Under the thick smoke, Pain's indifferent voice emerged, "It seems we have a difficult opponent."

As the smoke gradually cleared, Uchiha Yoru looked coldly at the person in front of him. Cold sweat slid down his forehead, as if shocked by the opponent's strength.

This scene did not escape the notice of Pain's Six Paths. Nagato, hidden in the shadows, couldn't help but curl his lips into a smile. Mr. Yoru, it's not that your physical skills are lacking, but rather a gap in intelligence.

Six people, twelve eyes, all sharing the same vision, the Six Paths of Pain saw everything clearly.

Uchiha Yoru, with a solemn expression and a mix of three parts feigned and seven parts genuine shock in his eyes, realized the terrifying strength of Pain's Six Paths. Although he knew it earlier, it was hard for him to imagine.

Without activating the Mangekyō Sharingan and relying only on the three tomoe Sharingan and his current ninjutsu skills, it was indeed difficult.

Is this the so-called Kage-level strength?

Pain's Six Paths did not use all their techniques, and this scene made Uchiha Yoru think deeply. Perhaps this was an opportunity to test the legendary Kage-level strength, but only for probing.

After all, for a woman he had only met a few times, although she was an employer, a powerful ninja might come to her rescue, but would not go all out.

He couldn't leave any flaws that would make the opponent suspicious.

Thinking of this, Uchiha Yoru suddenly showed a smile on his face, "Six rogue ninjas from the Village Hidden in the Rain, all in the same uniform. It seems you have come to the Land of Fire for a specific purpose, considering your strength, and the fact that you target women."

"It seems you must be bounty hunters, a ninja organization hired to capture women and children with Chakra for other countries."

Guessing the opponent's purpose, Uchiha Yoru's face was filled with a smile, but the curse mark on his neck began to activate. In an instant, his body was covered with black lines, and at the same time, fierce Raiton chakra began to emerge around his body.