I Punch the Tailed Beast Ball

The sudden surge of Pain’s chakra pressure stunned every ninja present. Their mocking and skeptical looks vanished, replaced by expressions of pure shock.

In truth, before arriving, few had any expectations for this so-called Yahiko.

Though the ninja world is vast, powerful shinobi tend to be known, at least by reputation, if not by a title.

But Yahiko? They’d never even heard the name. Naturally, they doubted someone unknown could truly be strong.

Then they arrived at Hikari-gakure, only to see a pierced, edgy young man with ”holes punched everywhere.” He looked more like a street punk than a powerhouse. Calling him a fraud might’ve been generous.

So, the lower their expectations had been, the greater their current shock.

”I must’ve been blind not to recognize Lord Yahiko’s strength. Please forgive my foolishness,”

stammered the same man who had earlier questioned Yahiko’s reputation.

Under Pain’s immense aura, most ninjas couldn’t even move. Some with weaker mental resilience outright fainted.

”The rumors really did understate Lord Yahiko’s power. If I find who spread them, I’ll teach them a lesson,”

someone said, acting deeply concerned.

Nida Ryūsei couldn’t help but smirk.

That same guy? He was one of the arrogant clan shinobi who’d refused to attend Ryūsei’s grassroots ninja exchange event years ago, practically sneering, ”You think a vagabond like you can share knowledge with us?”

Now he was brown-nosing like a dog.

Whether it was that man’s groveling apology or the others’ sycophantic praise, Pain’s expression didn’t change. His pressure remained unlifted, his face blank, his gaze emotionless.

”I, Nida Ryūsei, wish to join Hikari-gakure and become its ninja, to contribute to the rise of the Land of Fields. I ask for your approval, Lord Yahiko.”

Ryūsei raised his voice clearly and proudly.

Pain nodded, face unmoved,

”Approved.”

The moment Pain withdrew his chakra pressure, the gathered shinobi felt their bodies lighten. No longer did it feel like they were pinned under a mountain.

”Haa... I, Ishide Kaitō, also wish to help raise the Land of Fields! Lord Yahiko, please let me join!”

Another ninja spoke up.

”Me too, please let me join Hikari-gakure!”

”And me!”

Almost everyone present began requesting to join the village.

Not because they feared Yahiko would kill them if they refused, but because they sensed opportunity.

Before Hikari-gakure existed, small clan ninjas could still swagger a bit, they weren’t civilians. But now that a real ninja village was being formed, led by someone this powerful? Their time at the top was over.

Naturally, merchants, nobles, and even the daimyo would turn to the ninja village for missions. Those who didn’t join would be left behind.

And, to be fair, some truly wanted to strengthen their homeland. The Land of Fields had always been weak. Now, someone strong had stepped up to build something, this was their chance.

”Hikari-gakure welcomes all who strive for the rise of the Land of Fields. Your applications are all accepted,”

Pain declared.

One of his goals in forming the village was to grow his strength, so naturally, he wouldn’t refuse anyone. Numbers mattered just as much as elite power.

The Rain Village had failed in the past because its mid-to-low-level ninja couldn’t compete with the Five Great Nations. Pain wouldn’t repeat that mistake. Even if Field Country’s ninja weren’t as good, more numbers couldn’t hurt. Besides, he had no intention of stopping at one small nation.

This wasn’t just about stealing tailed beasts. He wanted to challenge the five great powers head-on, to destroy their system from the bottom up.

And if this was a real ninja village, it needed forehead protectors.

Hikari-gakure’s design? A small sun in the bottom left, with several long horizontal lines across the protector, like a rising sun.

Clearly, Pain had snuck in some symbolism. But as leader, who would stop him?

The new shinobi, now officially Hikari-nin, loved it. Some even began digging into its meaning,

”This sun represents our newly founded village. Though young, Hikari-gakure will shine across the shinobi world.”

”No, it’s the Land of Fields that’s rising like the sun thanks to the village, destined to shine!”

”Both interpretations must be what Lord Yahiko intended!”

Pain listened to all this cringey praise and felt... awkward.

In truth, he’d just been reminiscing about founding the original Akatsuki with Yahiko and slipped in a visual reference. But hey, if they wanted to overthink it, why stop them? Maybe it’d strengthen their loyalty when war came.

Ryūsei, however, didn’t bother overanalyzing. He took the headband, gave it a glance, and calmly tied it to his forehead.

He figured, Let future historians ponder its deeper meanings. Right now, our job is to build the damn village, and make the Land of Fields strong.

”Lord Yahiko,”

Ryūsei stepped forward respectfully.

This made Pain pause.

Ryūsei was the first shinobi from Field Country to approach him directly. The others only spoke from a distance, too intimidated by Pain’s strength and bizarre appearance.

”Is something wrong?” Pain asked evenly.

”I wanted to know if you have assignments for us already. The Land of Fields is falling too far behind. We need to act fast.”

Pain nodded.

”I’ve already made arrangements. You’ll fill out some paperwork and undergo testing. Assignments will be based on your strengths.”

Though Pain (Nagato) hadn’t done much managing in Amegakure, he wasn’t clueless. Plus, he had help, Konan, Black Zetsu, and Sasori were assisting in leadership and development.

”I understand,” Ryūsei nodded.

He could tell the system would categorize ninja by ability, finally, no more bias against self-taught shinobi like him.

Just then, Nagato sensed something and turned toward a direction.

He immediately dismissed the gathering, telling the Hikari-nin they’d receive instructions soon, then took off.

”Madara... why are you here? Weren’t you busy with something important?”

Nagato asked bluntly as he landed before the visitor.

He had sensed Obito’s chakra. After merging with a White Zetsu full of Hashirama cells, Nagato’s Uzumaki sensory powers were stronger than ever. He pinpointed Obito’s location easily.

Obito didn’t warp away, he stood his ground, now wearing a mask with two eyeholes, both showing his Mangekyō Sharingan.

”Important? ...Oh.”

Obito quickly realized, Zetsu hadn’t told Nagato that Obito had been captured by Nagasawa. He’d probably made up an excuse.

Obito thought about revealing everything, but hesitated. If I can’t convince him, how will I get any intel later? He decided to hold back.

”That task’s done. I had some free time and wanted to check in. How’s the plan going?”

”Progressing well. The first ninja village, Hikari-gakure, is established. Grass Village agreed to an alliance.”

Behind the mask, Obito’s face twitched in surprise.

So it really was Nagato who built this place... Is there a spy in Akatsuki? Or has Nagasawa set up a massive intelligence web?

Obito noted two key words, ”First” and ”Alliance with Grass.”

If this was the first, were more small villages coming? Why?

And what’s the deal with Grass Village? Obito didn’t believe Nagato allied out of goodwill, there must be deeper plans.

”Hmm,” he responded noncommittally.

But instead of elaborating on the plan, Nagato asked,

”This plan needs many jutsu and secret techniques. You should have plenty, being the legendary ’Madara Uchiha,’ right?”

Obito sensed the jab. Their relationship was never ”friendly.”

But sharing jutsu? Absolutely not, why arm the enemy?

”Sure, I’ve got plenty. I’ll send them over... later. Let’s focus on the plan first,”

Obito said vaguely, Next time for sure™.

Nagato frowned. Something felt off. He’d already been updated via Zetsu, and Obito had nothing new to say.

Sensing this, Obito gave up the act,

”Nagato, I’m not Madara. I’ve been lying to you this whole time. I’m sorry.”

Nagato was stunned. He and Konan had suspected this but let it slide, Obito had helped them, and power mattered more than names.

”So what’s your point?” Nagato asked flatly.

”You’re not Madara? Fine. The plan still matters.”

”No,” Obito said seriously. ”It does matter.”

”You can think of me as Madara’s heir. But Zetsu, he was never mine. He was Madara’s. He’s been spying on both of us.”

”Zetsu...”

Nagato was surprised. He’d always thought Zetsu was Obito’s tool, not the other way around.

”Turn back, Nagato. The world is already at peace. Don’t ruin it chasing some illusion. Zetsu lied to you.”

But this wasn’t going to be some feel-good speech that made Nagato cry and renounce his past.

Nagato stared coldly at Obito and asked,

”So what, you’re betraying us now?”