Naruto: Starting from the time when the Six Paths of Pain was Kira Yoshikage

"Able to communicate back in reverse..."

Pain's first thought was whether he could return to the Naruto world. After confirming that Nagato's main body could summon Pain back at any time, he immediately relaxed.

Yahiko's body is still very important to Nagato.

It's not just because of the will of Heaven.

"When you arrive in a strange place... the first thing you should do is determine where this place is... or where this world is."

Judging from the attire of the people or humanoids around them, they should be living in a medieval society, and the fact that humans and subspecies can coexist harmoniously eliminates many other worlds.

Judging from the bustling streets and countless carriages, the city I live in is quite prosperous.

Then Pain looked around and finally his gaze fell on some glowing gems.

"Swords and magic? I wonder if there are any adventurers' guilds like that..."

"If there were an adventurers' guild, it would undoubtedly be the best place to gather information..."

As Pain pondered, he also continuously sensed his own chakra.

"The main body can still transmit chakra normally, but there's a slight delay...it seems to be due to the distance...However, the control of the body is completely synchronized. Although it will have a minor impact on the performance of strength, it's not a problem overall..."

"Hey buddy over there, your outfit is really unusual. Aren't you a local?"

The sudden greeting interrupted Pain's thoughts. Looking in the direction of the voice, he saw one of the stall owners among the many small vendors. The stall owner had two conspicuous scars on his face, was covered in muscles, and had a burly build like a warrior.

The items being sold are apples...

An apple stand?!

Looking at the other party's iconic vest and appearance, Pain's pupils contracted slightly, and his expression became somewhat dazed.

"I think... I know where I am..."

Which apple stand is the most famous and memorable in isekai (another world) genre works?

The answer is RE0.

"interesting..."

Pain's lips curled up slightly.

Re:Zero -Starting Life in Another World-?

"Want to buy an apple, sir?" The stall owner picked up an apple and handed it to him.

Greeting passersby is also a way to attract business.

"I don't need apples," Pain said, looking at the stall owner. "But... I have some questions I'd like to ask, and I can pay you if you're willing to answer them."

Now that we've determined the world we're in, the new questions are... what timeline are we on... and has that person... arrived yet?

That person is the protagonist of this world.

Subaru Natsuki.

The stall owner nodded, looking completely unsurprised.

The purpose of deliberately greeting outsiders is not only to promote their own products, but also to sell information... The so-called selling of information is actually just telling outsiders some basic information about the city.

After all, he's just a small-time apple vendor, so it's not unreasonable for him to earn some pocket money this way, right?

This method of making money is known as "charity fee".

The stall owner chuckled, sizing up Pain, and said, "Outsider, don't give me other countries' currencies, okay? Lukenica can use those things but can't get them anywhere... Hmm?!"

It's common for outsiders not to use the local currency; while it's not exactly worthless paper, it's not much better.

Before the stall owner could finish speaking, his attention was completely drawn to what Pain had pulled out.

A piece of gold... although it was only the size of a fingernail, the stall owner was 100% certain that it was gold.

"Finally, I've met a generous outsider!"

The stall owner became excited, and his attitude became noticeably more respectful.

"Sir, what would you like to ask?"

Pain observed the stall owner's reaction and nodded inwardly.

It seems that gold is a hard currency in this world.

Thanks to Kakuzu, Pain often carried some gold with him, or more accurately, he carried a scroll that sealed the gold.

"I haven't met a guy like the one you described recently."

After Pain briefly described Subaru Natsuki's appearance and characteristics, the stall owner answered with certainty.

"Is it that the protagonist hasn't arrived yet, or... that they cease to exist because of my arrival?"

"Is there anything else you'd like to know?"

The stall owner rubbed his large, fan-like hands together and said in a slightly obsequious tone.

The stall owner, who was extremely unfriendly to the protagonist Subaru Natsuki, was incredibly respectful to Pain.

Money makes the world go round; this principle applies to any world.

"This is your payment."

After giving the small piece of gold to the stall owner, Pain's attitude became even more 'friendly' than could be.

"Also, I'd like to inquire about another piece of information..." As he spoke, Pain took out another small piece of gold.

After obtaining the information he wanted from the apple vendor, Pain bid farewell and left. Not long after entering a small alley, he heard three arrogant voices behind him.

"Hand over all your valuables, and you'll suffer less... stranger."

Three figures, one tall and one short, slowly emerged from the shadows, each carrying a weapon, clearly preparing to rob the victim.

"Still...an old acquaintance."

Pain silently watched the three men, who were the same trio who had robbed Subaru Natsuki. These three had been following him ever since he left the apple stand.

In other words, the three men robbing Natsuki Subaru was not an isolated incident; he had actually been targeted from the very beginning.

It's truly a city with simple and honest people.

"Brother, I saw the gold this guy was holding."

The short man whispered to the white-haired man at the head of the group.

Upon hearing this, the white-haired man's eyes immediately turned greedy. He brandished a dagger at Pain, saying, "Did you hear that? Don't try to hide it. Hand over the money obediently."

If the Naruto world, especially the guys in Amegakure, knew about robbing Pain, they would absolutely laugh their heads off.

It's like lighting a lamp in a toilet—looking for trouble (or death).

Just as Pain was about to make his move, his body suddenly froze.

"I don't need to do anything..."

The three robbers, thinking their partner was scared, said smugly, "Yes, that's it... Don't resist, or you'll suffer less..."

"Even though I was just passing by..."

A clear, melodious voice rang out behind them. A young girl dressed in a light purple-white dress with long, silver-white hair stepped out. Pointing at the three robbers, she said righteously, "But I absolutely cannot ignore this kind of illegal behavior."

Upon seeing the person's face clearly, and especially noticing the kitten perched on their shoulder, Pain's pupils contracted once more.

He glanced at the three robbers, then at the newcomers.

A sense of déjà vu is creeping in.

"It seems... it's the latter... a situation where someone took over the protagonist's role because of my arrival..."

The person who arrived was none other than Emilia, the female protagonist of RE0.

"A meddlesome woman..."

Seeing that someone was about to ruin their plans, the three of them immediately surrounded them.

Unfortunately, they were just three small-time thugs with no real ability, while they were facing a half-elf who had made a pact with the "Beast of the End of the Permafrost." The outcome was obvious.

The three thugs were easily driven away by the ice spikes that Emilia fired.

"A peculiar energy fluctuation... Is this magic? It's somewhat similar to Ice Release ninjutsu..."

The entire process, which could barely be called a battle, was observed by Pain, who became somewhat interested in Emilia.

"Thank you so much for your help. I was in real trouble if you hadn't shown up in time."