The water trembled beneath Jin-Woo's feet.
Rain fell heavier now, as if responding to his presence. The six bodies before him stood unmoving, watching. Cloaked in black, eyes glowing with the power of the Rinnegan. The Six Paths of Pain.
> [Hostile Intent Detected]
[Enemy Types: Human (Modified) | Chakra Core: Unified Network]
[Tactical Analysis: High Coordination, Shared Vision]
[Risk Level: S-Rank+]
[Engagement Suggested: Yes]
[Opening Strike Window: 2.1 seconds]
Jin-Woo narrowed his eyes.
Behind him, Jiraiya gasped for air, blood still dripping down his side. "Th-they're connected… all of them… same eyes."
Beru stepped beside Jin-Woo, his insectoid form hunching low. "My King, shall I eliminate them?"
"No," Jin-Woo answered. "I'll handle this. Stay with him."
Jin-Woo stepped forward, his boots gently disturbing the water's surface.
The Deva Path, once known as Yahiko, raised a hand—and the air thickened.
"Shinra Tensei."
The force struck like a tidal wave.
But Jin-Woo didn't move.
Shadows surged up from his feet, absorbing the impact. The water behind him exploded outward, but he stood untouched.
> [Skill Resistance Active]
[Force Nullified by Shadow Shield]
[No Damage Taken]
Pain's eyes narrowed.
Jin-Woo disappeared.
He reappeared in the middle of the Six Paths—fist slamming into the Asura Path's jaw. Metal shattered. The body flew backward like a missile, crashing through two buildings before exploding.
> [Enemy Body Deactivated: Asura Path]
[5 Remaining]
[Host Chakra Signature Detected Inside Main Control Node]
"Too slow," Jin-Woo muttered.
The Animal Path leapt back, summoning a giant multi-headed dog.
Jin-Woo raised his hand—and dozens of shadow soldiers erupted from the ground, roaring in unison.
> [Skill: Shadow Extraction – Active]
[Units Summoned: 42]
[Named Soldier: Igris – Commander Deployed]
Igris bowed. "Your orders, my liege?"
"Kill anything that attacks."
The battlefield ignited.
Toads clashed with monsters. Fire met lightning. Shadow soldiers fought summoned beasts.
In the chaos, Jin-Woo moved like a ghost—dodging projectiles, crushing limbs, warping through shadows. The Preta Path reached for him—attempting to absorb his magic.
> [Warning: Chakra Absorption Detected]
[Countermeasure: Shadow Decoy]
[Deploying…]
The Preta Path grabbed a clone—then exploded in black fire.
> [Enemy Body Deactivated: Preta Path]
[4 Remaining]
In the background, Konan arrived—wings of paper unfolding.
She tried to intercept Jin-Woo, forming a barrage of explosive sheets.
Beru intercepted midair—slashing the paper like confetti.
Konan's eyes widened. "What is that thing—!?"
Beru bared his claws. "The King's servant."
—
Back on the ground, Jiraiya slowly sat up, bandaging his wounds with a strip torn from his sleeve.
He watched in disbelief as Jin-Woo dismantled Pain's formation.
"Unreal…" Jiraiya muttered. "He's fighting six Pains—and winning."
One of the toads beside him—Fukasaku—croaked. "Boy's power… isn't chakra. That ain't ninjutsu."
"No," Jiraiya whispered. "It's something else."
—
Meanwhile, the Deva Path floated above the water now, hand extended.
"Chibaku Tensei."
The sky cracked.
Debris rose.
A black orb formed high above—pulling everything upward.
Buildings, stone, corpses, toads, all rising.
Even Jin-Woo.
> [Gravitational Field Detected]
[Warning: Area Displacement Imminent]
[Countermeasure Unlocked: Shadow Anchor]
Jin-Woo plunged his hand into his own shadow.
Dozens of shadow arms emerged—latching onto the ground, anchoring him.
Then—
He launched himself upward.
Through the collapsing rubble. Past Pain. Toward the black sphere.
"Let me show you a real technique."
He reached the orb—slammed his hand into it—and whispered:
"Shadow Burst."
The sphere imploded—swallowed whole by tendrils of black.
The Deva Path was yanked downward, slamming into the earth like a meteor.
Jin-Woo landed beside him.
Yahiko's body twitched.
Nagato's voice echoed through the fallen puppet. "Who are you?"
Jin-Woo stared at him.
"I am Shadow."
> [Enemy Bodies Severed from Source Chakra]
[Remote Control Link Severed]
[Nagato: Unable to Engage]
[Victory Condition Achieved]
Pain's remaining bodies collapsed like puppets without strings.
—
Minutes passed.
Rain still fell—but the battlefield was silent.
Jin-Woo stood in the center, surrounded by water, blood, and fading chakra.
Jiraiya limped toward him. "You saved me… and destroyed what I couldn't."
Jin-Woo glanced at him. "Why were they after you?"
"Because I knew their secret," Jiraiya said. "The Rinnegan. The true mastermind—Nagato. Hidden far from here, controlling them."
Jin-Woo nodded.
"Your world… you're not from here," Jiraiya continued.
"No."
"…And you're strong. Too strong to be wandering without purpose."
Jin-Woo pulled a vial from his inventory. It shimmered with golden light.
> [Item: Elixir of Rebirth – A-Rank]
[Effect: Restores Lifeforce and Chakra Pathways]
[Cooldown: 30 Days]
He handed it to Jiraiya.
"This will heal you—and more. Use it."
Jiraiya stared. "This is… priceless."
"Where I come from, life is more priceless."
Jiraiya smiled faintly. "Then let me repay you."
He sat, despite the pain, and used a summoning scroll.
Smoke swirled—and an image projected above them: a map of the Shinobi Nations, marked with key locations.
"This is everything I know. Akatsuki. Nagato. Their bases. Their goals."
Jin-Woo absorbed every detail.
The system chimed again.
> [Quest Update]
[Main Quest: "Cleanse the Hidden Worlds" – Stage 2 Unlocked]
[New Objectives:
1. Investigate Nagato's Location
2. Prevent the Resurrection of the Ten-Tails
3. Discover the Origin of Chakra
Reward: ??? ]
Jin-Woo stood.
"I'll be moving soon."
"Will we meet again?" Jiraiya asked.
"If fate demands it."
He turned, shadows swirling at his feet.
"Thank you," Jiraiya called.
Jin-Woo paused. "Then survive long enough to make it worth it."
He vanished.
And for the first time in years, the rain in Amegakure began to fade.