From Naruto onwards, I've become a dreamer.

Chapter 166 Rain Village Officially Joins the Battle!
Dark clouds covered the sky, and a light drizzle fell.

Since the previous leader of Amegakure, Hanzo, was assassinated by the Akatsuki organization, the forces that originally belonged to Hanzo have been in continuous defeat.

Led by Pain, the Akatsuki organization swept away the remaining forces of Amegakure in just a few months with overwhelming power and officially took over the village.

Now, the Akatsuki organization is the true leader, and Pain, who calls himself 'God,' lives in the tallest building in Amegakure.

No one has ever seen 'Pain's' true face, and there are even rumors that everyone who has seen him has died.

Inside the building filled with steel pipes, due to the overuse of the 'Rinnegan', coupled with the severe injuries he suffered previously and the summoning of the Gedo Mazo, Nagato lost his ability to walk and could only lie like a corpse inside the 'egg'-shaped device filled with tubes.

"Xiao Nan, someone's here."

Like Nagato who had been dozing, he suddenly opened his eyes and said in a hoarse voice.

He mixed his chakra into the rainwater, creating a unique sensing barrier, and just now, he sensed someone breaking in.

A young girl emerged from the shadows, her expression indifferent: "I understand. I'll go take a look. Let the Beast Path follow me."

"it is good."

Nagato nodded slightly, but a complex look flashed in his eyes.

Since Yahiko's death, everything seems to have changed. Not only him, but even Konan has become so unfamiliar.

Outsiders say that Pain changed Amegakure, but only Nagato knows that Konan was secretly manipulating everything, from devising the plan to wipe out Hanzo's remaining forces to using ruthless and bloody methods to centralize power in Amegakure!

"Xiao Nan."

As Nagato watched Konan about to leave, he couldn't help but call out to her.

"what's up?"

Xiao Nan's voice was cold, and she didn't turn around.

Nagato opened his mouth, but found he didn't know what to say. In the end, he could only whisper, "Be careful. If anything happens, I'll send the other five to support you."

Xiao Nan remained silent for a moment before softly saying, "Okay."

The flying paper transformed into wings behind her, and like a holy angel, she swept across the drizzling rain and disappeared into the distance.

Soon, guided by the animal realm, she found the intruder.

In the drizzling rain, the man wore a simple white robe with a silver cross pendant hanging on his chest. He held a black book in his hands, had a light golden beard, and looked at her with pure eyes. He wore a simple and gentle smile and exuded a warm aura.

"Adam?"

Xiao Nan's cold expression seemed to melt slightly under the influence of that warm aura.

"It's been a long time, Xiao Nan."

Uchiha Muneki nodded slightly, a warm smile on his lips: "I can see that things have changed a lot here, both in Amegakure and in you."

"No, I owe it all to your teachings."

After the initial panic, Konan quickly calmed down and bowed slightly: "If it weren't for you, who cleared away the fog of fate for me, I'm afraid that Nagato and I would still be being deceived by fate. I sincerely thank you, Mr. Adam."

"Only those who dare to defy fate will be favored by the Lord."

Uchiha Muneki smiled faintly and said, "Instead of thanking me, you should thank yourself. It was your choice that made the 'Master' cast his gaze upon you."

"Mr. Adam, may I ask if you're here to see me?"

Xiao Nan was a little nervous, with a hint of anxiety between her brows. She was worried that Adam's appearance this time might be another sign that 'fate' had changed.

"Remember? I once said that."

By observing facial expressions and the changes in his mind, Uchiha Muneki easily guessed Konan's thoughts and subtly hinted, "I am an 'observer'. The reason I am here is naturally to witness firsthand the ripples that fate has created."

"Could it be."

Xiao Nan's pupils shrank sharply, and her face turned horrified.

Although it was only two short sentences, the information it conveyed left her no choice but to think about it.

Ripples of fate?
Having learned her lesson from the previous incident—ignoring the revelation of fate that led to Yahiko's tragic death—Konan was clearly more anxious this time. She didn't want to experience the pain of losing Nagato again!

"Mr. Adam, what should I do?" Xiao Nan asked anxiously.

"Don't panic, Minami."

Uchiha Munezuki's voice held a hint of hypnosis, his gentle gaze piercing straight to the heart: "Don't forget, the meaning of our existence is to 'guide' destiny."

Looking into Adam's pure and clear eyes, as clear as a baby's, Xiao Nan felt a sense of calm and gradually composed herself: "I understand. Could you please tell me where the 'ripples' appeared?"

When she said those words, Xiao Nan's eyes were already filled with murderous intent.

She would never allow another ripple of fate to occur; anyone or anything that could cause such a ripple had to be completely eradicated!
Uchiha Munetsuki stared at her and uttered two words calmly: "War."

"Konoha. Sand Village"

With just a hint, Konan's thoughts quickly expanded, and combined with the recent developments in the ninja world, she directly pointed the finger at the culprit!
"It seems you understand."

Uchiha Muneki nodded and chuckled, "However, I came for something else, something related to you, Konan."

"Mr. Adam, what is it?" Xiao Nan asked.

Uchiha Munetsu handed over a badge and smiled, "Consider this a gift to congratulate you on joining the Twilight Hermits."

The badge was exquisite, seemingly cast entirely in brass, and about the size of a coin.

The surface is engraved with intricate and mysterious symbols, seemingly possessing some kind of power. When Xiao Nan holds it in her hand, she feels as if she can establish some kind of secret connection with 'Adam' through the badge.

"Mr. Adam, what is this?" Xiao Nan asked, holding the badge in her hand.

“This badge is the symbol of the Twilight Hermits’ Society, and also a simple ritual.” Uchiha Munezuki said with a smile, “As long as you have it, you can establish a connection with me. At the appropriate time, I will summon you through the badge to formally meet with the other members.”

"I understand, Mr. Adam!"

Knowing the importance of the badge, Xiao Nan unconsciously gripped it tightly: "I will definitely keep it safe."

She was overjoyed, believing that she had finally gained Adam's approval and was now a member of the Twilight Hermits. A sense of curiosity about the other members also arose in her heart.

Those who can join the Twilight Hermits' Society must be very powerful people, right?

"Well then, see you next time."

Uchiha Muneki's figure gradually became transparent, disappearing from sight like a gust of wind.

Xiao Nan's vision blurred for a moment.

"Xiao Nan, what happened?"

The Beast Path, standing nearby, asked anxiously, "You've been completely still since just now. Are you under an illusion?"

"I"

After being woken up, Xiao Nan was momentarily stunned before her gaze returned to what was in front of her.

Adam seemed to have never existed; everything that had just happened seemed like a dream. But the badge in her hand reminded her that this was not an illusion.

Clutching the badge tightly, Konan finally saw clearly that the so-called 'intruder' was just an unlucky Sand Ninja.

"Recently, more and more ninjas from other villages have appeared."

Animal Path frowned, a flash of anger in his eyes: "These guys want to drag Rain Village into the war, it's unforgivable!"

"Nagato, I've made up my mind."

Konan stared at the unconscious Sand Ninja on the ground, a resolute glint in her eyes: "We will join the war!"

Upon hearing this, the beast's eyes narrowed slightly: "Xiao Nan, are you... serious?"

"There's no escaping Amegakure. Nagato."

Xiao Nan raised her head, gazing at the overcast sky, her tone sharp: "It's time to let those arrogant great powers feel our pain!"

(End of this chapter)