Knocking on the Door of God
"You've worked hard."
Pain's voice softened slightly as he spoke.
That—
was the only comfort he could offer Konan.
After all—
since summoning the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path—
Nagato had to constantly sustain it with his life force.
Black receivers pierced his back.
His body had withered—
like a corpse barely clinging to life.
Simply staying alive—
already demanded everything from him.
Managing Amegakure…
Overseeing Akatsuki…
He had no strength left for such burdens.
Fortunately—
he still had Konan.
Click—
From the shadows of the dim chamber—
a mechanism creaked.
Nagato emerged, seated in his mechanical chair.
His twisted, skeletal frame loomed behind them—
casting a heavy shadow.
His face was pale.
His eye sockets sunken.
Even the Rinnegan seemed dim.
His red hair—
once the pride of the Uzumaki clan—
had withered into brittle strands.
He looked like a dying man.
"Why are you out?" Konan asked, concern flashing across her face.
Nagato shook his head gently.
"Didn't we already find a new candidate?"
His voice was weak—
but unlike Pain's cold detachment—
it still carried warmth.
Konan's worry deepened.
"I'm afraid…"
"…this one will turn out like the others."
Nagato sighed.
"That is a problem."
"Powerful shinobi… always have strong wills."
"Even if subdued by force…"
"…they rarely accept another's ideals."
"Go rest," Konan said softly, regaining her composure. "I'll think of something."
Nagato nodded.
"Don't push yourself too hard…"
But before he could finish—
he froze.
Konan's expression had changed.
Her pupils contracted—
her body stiffened.
"…What is it?"
Nagato's tone sharpened.
He immediately prepared for the worst.
Konan turned to him, voice low and tense.
"Just now… a voice appeared in my mind."
"A man."
"He said…"
"He's at the entrance of the headquarters."
"He wants to join Akatsuki."
"…and asked for an interview."
Silence.
They exchanged a glance.
Akatsuki's name had spread—
that much was true.
But—
they were the ones who recruited.
Through force.
Through selection.
Never—
had someone walked up to their door—
and asked to join.
"…A remote communication technique?" Nagato frowned.
"Like the Phantom Lantern Technique?"
Konan shook her head.
"No."
"There was no medium."
"No link."
"…He forced the connection."
Nagato let out a cold chuckle.
"Interesting."
"Did he give a name?"
"No."
"The connection ended."
"…Then we'll meet him."
Nagato closed his eyes—
activating his perception.
A moment later—
his eyes snapped open.
"…No wonder the Rain Tiger at Will Technique didn't detect him."
"He's wearing a raincoat."
"…and holding an umbrella."
At the base of the statue tower—
rain crashed down like falling blades.
The streets were empty.
Only one figure stood there.
A young man.
Facing the tower.
An umbrella in one hand.
A cane in the other.
The storm raged—
yet not a single drop touched him.
Like a lone boat in a violent sea—
heading straight into towering waves.
Unflinching.
"…We don't recruit the disabled."
Konan's voice was calm.
Cold.
She stood at the entrance—
studying him carefully.
She had to admit—
this boy was the most handsome man she had ever seen.
Even Sasori's true body—
couldn't compare.
But aside from his looks—
and that inexplicable confidence—
he was…
ordinary.
Too ordinary.
And yet—
confident.
Someone like this—
even if accepted—
would be sent to the lower ranks.
Cannon fodder.
Akatsuki—
was not a place where appearance mattered.
In an instant—
she had judged him.
"…?"
Gen's lips twitched.
Internally, he sighed.
Seriously?
Since when did Akatsuki discriminate against disabilities?
Itachi was half-dead half the time.
Sasori lived in a puppet.
Kisame looked like a shark.
Zetsu was… whatever that was.
Orochimaru wasn't even fully human anymore.
And you—
you're literally made of paper.
Just as he was about to argue—
the rain stopped.
Not everywhere—
only around the tower.
Beyond that boundary—
the storm still raged.
It was as if—
a god had rewritten the rules of nature.
Gen lowered his umbrella.
Pulled back his hood.
Faced her directly.
"You can test me."
No need to argue.
This was just onboarding.
Think like a boss.
After all—
everything here would belong to him someday.
Including—
her.
Though—
at this rate—
he might fail the interview before even getting hired.
"…You're certain?"
Konan's tone sharpened.
If he insisted—
she wouldn't mind crushing his delusion herself.
"Mm."
Gen nodded confidently.
Then smiled.
"But before that—"
"Let me put this on."
He planted his cane into the ground.
Reached into his thigh pouch—
and pulled out a forehead protector.
A slashed one.
He tied it calmly around his head.
Konan's gaze sharpened.
"…A Konoha rogue ninja?"
Before he could speak—
she asked:
"Your name."
Her eyes locked onto him.
She didn't want to believe it—
but part of her—
hoped.
That he would say it.
Because if he did—
everything would change.
"…Kamizuki Gen."
Three words.
And the world shifted.
Konan froze.
Her expression cracked—
just for a moment.
She stared at him—
as if seeing him for the first time.
"I can feel your reaction," Gen said with a grin.
"Looks like you've heard of me."
"…!"
She opened her mouth—
but before she could respond—
a figure descended from above.
Boom—
Like a god stepping onto the earth.
The Deva Path of Pain.
He landed beside them.
"Since he's from Konoha…"
"…Orochimaru will test him."
"I've already summoned him."
Konan nodded slowly.
She still hadn't fully processed it.
They had just discussed this man.
Just decided to recruit him.
And now—
he had come on his own.
Before she could think further—
Gen moved.
He pulled his cane from the ground.
Raised it—
and pointed it directly at Pain.
Calm.
Confident.
"Let's not make it so complicated."
"Let him test me."
The air—
I froze.
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