Chapter 57: 058 Steady Progress
The next day, after resting, the 108 Rain Shinobi gathered once more.
They had been divided into three teams based on their abilities, each with 36 members. Taiga, Setsuna, and Violet served as the captains of each team.
Now, standing before the blond masked boy, the Rain Shinobi looked at him with genuine respect.
Legends were one thing but seeing his power with their own eyes was something else entirely.
Naruto personally handed out specially made kunai to each of them, using the process to remember their faces and Chakra signatures.
Once everyone had received a kunai, Naruto turned his back to them and said:
"Each kunai has my space-time formula engraved on it. If you're ever in danger, inject your Chakra into it. I will sense it and come to your aid immediately."
There was a little-known detail about the Flying Thunder God Technique.
After Rin's death, Minato had blamed himself for not arriving in time. So, he improved the formula—allowing a kunai to send a stronger signal when Chakra is injected into it.
It wasn't perfect, but it made rescues much more reliable.
Naruto continued, "You are shinobi. Facing danger is part of your path. Think of these kunai as your last resort—not something to depend on. Focus on teamwork and improving your own skills. Understood?"
"Yes, Lord Pain!" they responded in unison, solemnly putting away their kunai.
Violet looked down at hers and thought: I've heard of this before... the Flying Thunder God Technique used by the Fourth Hokage of Konoha. How does he know it? Is he really... Pain?
Squad leader Setsuna asked, "Lord Pain, what mission do we need to carry out?"
Just then, Konan stepped forward.
With a wave of her hand, countless sheets of paper flew into the air and automatically folded into books.
The shinobi each took one, looking confused. "Angel-sama, what is this?" one asked.
Konan replied coldly, "It's a roster. It contains the names, faces, and abilities of ninjas you might encounter during missions. Use your judgment decide who you can handle and who you should avoid."
This detailed list had been compiled by Naruto overnight. It covered nearly every known and named ninja in the current world.
All the portraits were hand-drawn by Konan herself to ensure accuracy.
The original list remained with Naruto. What the Rain Shinobi held were paper rubbing copies Konan had made using her unique Paper Secret Technique.
Yes, Konan had the ability to copy and recreate paper-based items.
For example, detonating tags she only needed to create one original, and with her technique, she could mass-produce copies, though it did consume Chakra.
The 600 billion explosive tags she once used were the result of years of preparation.
After discovering Obito's powers, Konan had worked tirelessly to create them. If given more time, she could've made even more.
The Rain Shinobi quickly flipped through the roster.
"It's so detailed... all the current Kage and elite jōnin from the big villages are listed here."
There was no doubt that the masked man in the book caught everyone's attention.
"What is this? He lets attacks pass through his body… moves through space and time at will? Is this a joke? Are we really going to face someone like that someday?"
Konan replied calmly, "It's possible. But if you do, he'll be beyond your ability to defeat."
Later, in private, she added, "If you can't escape, I hope you'll choose to end your lives."
Ever since Konan realized Obito had hidden abilities even she didn't fully understand, she became more cautious. Deep down, she didn't want Naruto clashing with Obito too early just to save his subordinates.
Suddenly, someone from the first squad muttered while pointing at a strange figure, "What's with this guy? He has barbs around his crotch… is he even a ninja?"
Konan's gaze turned sharp and cold.
"Watch your mouth in front of the Angel!" shouted Taiga, the first squad's captain.
The ninja immediately bowed his head. "I'm sorry! I spoke without thinking!"
Konan looked away and said flatly, "That's White Zetsu. One of our most dangerous enemies. He's a spy tool, he has countless clones that can share information through a mental link. But that link weakens with distance, so when they're alone, they may not be able to send intel in real-time."
She continued, "They can also disguise themselves as spores and burrow into the ground. Worse yet, their chakra can't be sensed."
Ame ninjas were stunned. "Can't sense their chakra? Then one could be nearby and we wouldn't even know?!"
Then, a low, hoarse voice echoed from behind.
"Let me teach you how to sense them…"
A tall, pale man with long hair appeared, holding an umbrella as he walked through the rain.
Naruto narrowed his eyes. "Orochimaru… why are you here?"
Orochimaru smiled. "Just out for some fresh air. I happened to witness something interesting. These are the new Rain Anbu, aren't they?"
Naruto whispered, "Intelligence is the top priority for our future. We have to start building it now."
Orochimaru nodded. "Exactly."
Not only did Orochimaru teach them a crucial method for detecting White Zetsu, but he also gave each ninja a dose of a special toxin specifically developed to target White Zetsu.
"Naruto-kun," he said with a sly smile, "you don't think I'm interfering, do you?"
"No," Naruto replied sincerely. "It's a great help. This will give us a much stronger advantage."
Naruto then turned to the assembled ninjas.
"From now on, your missions will focus on gathering intelligence—on the major ninja villages, nearby forces, and the enemy group known as the Akatsuki. Even if you find nothing, report regularly. Understood?"
"Yes!"
"Go. I have high expectations for you."
"Yes, Lord Pain!"
The ninjas dispersed. Violet put her mask back on. As she turned to leave, she glanced once more at Naruto's back.
…
That night, Naruto and Konan stood atop a tall tower, silently watching the rain.
Naruto said, "At last, something important is complete. Thank you, Sister Konan. You've worked so hard."
Konan replied softly, "It's my duty."
Naruto continued, "Now that the Rain Shinobi are settled, I should focus on improving myself."
Konan asked, "Planning to visit another village for more forbidden techniques?"
Naruto shook his head. "No. Obito and Sasuke are about to make a big move. This isn't the time to make new enemies."
Konan looked at him. "Then… how do you plan to improve?"
Naruto said, "Lightning Style Chakra Mode allows you to use lightning chakra to boost your reflexes and physical abilities. But it also puts a heavy strain on the body. Like any technique, it has a self-protection limit, your physical strength decides how much power you can handle."
"My body isn't strong enough yet to fully control the deeper power of Lightning Style Chakra. Right now, I'm only using the basic stage."
"That means my next step is to strengthen my body. So… I have to go to a certain place."
Konan asked, "Where?"
Naruto's eyes turned serious. "Kumogakure Hell Valley."
.
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TO BE CONTINUED
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