Naruto: Echoes of a Distant Home

The Great Ninja Villages were taking action, casting an invisible net over much of the area, something Nagato could feel. But he wouldn't give this net a chance to close in on him.

Even though intelligence about him might constantly be gathered, Nagato was determined to keep all details regarding the Gedo Statue hidden from the Great Ninja Villages.

The vast intelligence-gathering network from the larger villages was something that Amegakure and even Akatsuki couldn't counter. Unlike in battle, the ninja responsible for intelligence work often lacked strong combat skills but excelled at stealth and evasion.

With such a large number, Amegakure might be able to punch through parts of the net, but they couldn't tear it down entirely.

As long as the Great Ninja Villages maintained this network, it would remain overhead, and any Amegakure squad operating outside the village would be hunted down and picked off by the villages.

This was no longer just the concentrated power of Sunagakure and Konoha working together, but dispersed teams that would take any opportunity to attack any Rain ninja squads they encountered.

In response, Nagato minimized Amegakure's external missions and began to focus on strengthening the village's forces internally.

Rather than getting bogged down in this, Nagato decided to focus on the next Jinchūriki target.

The target would not be Iwagakure's Five-Tails, nor Kirigakure's Six-Tails, but Takigakure's Seven-Tails.

The Six-Tails Jinchūriki from Kirigakure was off-limits for now. As for the Five-Tails from Iwagakure, while generally disliked within his own village, the capture mission would be easiest if the Jinchūriki left Iwagakure first.

Until the Five-Tails Jinchūriki left the village, the Seven-Tails from Takigakure would be the next target.

According to White Zetsu's intel, the Seven-Tails was currently sealed since the previous host had died, and Takigakure had yet to find a suitable vessel, similar to how Shukaku was sealed in Sunagakure before a new host could be found.

With limited options, Nagato prioritized the Seven-Tails. This time, he planned to go personally.

Compared to the Great Ninja Villages, Takigakure was far smaller in size and influence but housed the Seven-Tails, proving its strength was above the typical small village.

Geographically, Takigakure's position was even less ideal than the Land of Rain, surrounded on all sides by four larger countries.

Thanks to its unique location behind a massive waterfall, Takigakure had remained safe from invasions, as the village's entrance was hidden behind a series of waterfalls.

Thus, Takigakure's details remained obscure, and Nagato's only information came from White Zetsu.

He knew that if he moved against the Seven-Tails, he would face resistance from the entire village.

But Nagato didn't worry; he was confident in his ability to withstand the entire force of Takigakure alone.

This time, he hadn't informed the other Akatsuki members. He simply took Konan with him and set out for Takigakure .

He didn't need the Six Paths of Pain with him at all times. Once they reached their destination, he could summon them at any moment to join the fight.

Since Nagato hadn't informed anyone, Ye Zi was unaware of his mission. But White Zetsu's intel-gathering efforts would soon prove helpful.

Ye Zi had wanted Nagato to engage in battles to collect as much information on his abilities as possible.

With Nagato traveling alone, White Zetsu's clone would follow and monitor him from a safe distance, gathering information during the upcoming conflict and later relaying it to Ye Zi.

The White Zetsu clone had no chance to inform Ye Zi of the mission, so when Nagato departed Amegakure for Takigakure, Ye Zi continued his Edo Tensei preparations, unaware of Nagato's absence.

To avoid drawing attention to their goal of collecting Tailed Beasts, Nagato and Konan took a route that evaded the surveillance of the Great Ninja Villages.

Several days later, they arrived in the Land of Waterfalls.

Twice the size of the Land of Rain, the country bordered the sea and was famed for its numerous waterfalls.

Mountains intersected throughout the region, with rivers rushing between them, plunging down the mountainsides to form natural barriers of massive waterfalls.

The entrance to Takigakure was hidden behind one such waterfall; crossing through it led into the village.

Flying was another way to reach Takigakure. Konan could fly, after all…

Unfurling her paper wings like those of an angel, Konan lifted Nagato, flying over the rivers and waterfalls to locate Takigakure.

The aerial view was broad, and soon, they spotted the village surrounded by mountain waterfalls.

From above, Takigakure was about the size of Amegakure, its structures primarily stone buildings packed closely together.

With just a glance, it was clear that Takigakure had a substantial population, although the general level of their shinobi remained unknown.

"It's time to begin."

Unconcerned by the resistance they would face, Nagato performed a summoning jutsu mid-air, conjuring the Animal Path, which bore a resemblance to him. The Animal Path descended into the village, landing with a resounding crash in the center of Takigakure.

"Konan, let's go over there." After summoning Animal Path, Nagato directed Konan to a ledge on a cliff, where the flowing waterfall split around the outcrop.

"Understood." Konan brought Nagato to the rocky ledge, where they observed the village below.

The sharp sound of descent alerted Takigakure's ninja, who immediately noticed the dark figure landing in their midst.

"Enemy invasion!"

Within moments, Takigakure responded without even identifying their foe.

Their strongest shinobi quickly moved toward the source of the noise, while those with lesser combat abilities focused on evacuating civilians to safety.

Rising from his landing position, the Animal Path's Rinnegan took in the sight of Takigakure ninja converging on him from all directions.

"Summoning Jutsu."

With a sharp voice, the Animal Path swiftly made hand seals and pressed down on the ground, activating a dark jutsu circle that unleashed clouds of white smoke.

As the smoke dispersed, five shadowy figures emerged, taking form before the Animal Path.

The figures, each of varying heights and builds, had distinct features but shared emotionless expressions and black chakra rods embedded across their faces and limbs.

The gathered Takigakure ninja stared warily at the Six Paths of Pain, clad in identical attire.

"Six enemies…?"

Check out the patreon and get 55 chapters in advance -> SaintXI

Currently on Chapter 398 - A Loss that was Unbearable