Rain pattered against the broken concrete of Amegakure. The city's metallic skeleton loomed under a grey sky, reflecting the mood of its people and the storm brewing between two titans of its past and future.
Nagato walked forward, his crimson hair soaked and clinging to his face. He wore a simple dark cloak, unlike the regal robes he would don in years to come. The Rinnegan shimmered faintly behind tired eyes. Today, he would not rely solely on divine power.
Across from him stood Hanzo of the Salamander battle-hardened, resolute, his breathing calm.
"So, you knew I was coming, huh? You're the leader of the Akatsuki, the group that's recently emerged, trying to shake the foundation I've built in this country?" Hanzo's voice cut through the rain.
Nagato stopped ten paces away. "I am. Honestly, I respected you once. But you should never have attacked my people. And now, you're working with Konoha's agents? You've stooped low, Hanzo."
Hanzo laughed not mockingly, but as a warrior intrigued. "You're young. You know nothing. Let's see if your strength measures up to your arrogance. In this world, strength is everything."
Without warning, Hanzo shot forward. His speed was monstrous decades of battle experience in motion. His scythe gleamed in the mist.
Nagato ducked under the first swing, the blade slicing a pillar behind him cleanly.
He spun, swept his leg low. Hanzo jumped, twisting midair, and aimed a strike at Nagato's ribs.
Nagato blocked with both arms, sliding back from the impact.
"You're not just a wielder of those eyes," Hanzo noted.
Though Hanzo didn't fully understand the Rinnegan's abilities, he knew eyes like those must have some connection to the Uchiha of Konoha and their reputation was terrifying, especially names like Madara.
Nagato smirked. "Don't underestimate me, Hanzo. I'm not one of those enemies you call the Three Sannin."
They clashed again, this time closer. Nagato's fists flew in rapid succession taijutsu forged in hardship. Hanzo parried expertly but underestimated the speed. One blow slipped through, cracking against his shoulder.
He grunted. "Not bad."
Hanzo countered with a blast of poisonous mist from a canister on his belt. Nagato leaped back, formed a quick seal, and expelled a burst of wind, scattering the toxins.
The rain intensified.
Hanzo charged again, scythe dancing.
Nagato focused. This time, he stepped inside the weapon's arc, striking Hanzo's arm and twisting his body in a perfect grappling throw. Hanzo hit the ground but rolled up immediately.
"Your body knows war," Hanzo admitted, wiping blood from his lip.
"The moment your will wavers, you're no longer my opponent, Hanzo," Nagato replied.
They fought across the rooftop, into ruined hallways, and over broken bridges. Their battle was a blur of motion striking pillars, shattering steel, and echoing through empty corridors.
Nagato landed a solid kick to Hanzo's chest, sending him crashing into a wall.
Hanzo coughed and pushed himself up. "You're holding back."
"So are you."
Hanzo nodded. "Then let us stop pretending."
With a roar, Hanzo summoned his salamander Ibuse. The massive beast emerged from a hidden reservoir, the ground quaking beneath its weight.
Nagato sighed. "Of course."
He raised a hand, just slightly. The Rinnegan pulsed—barely.
Rubble floated upward. Hanzo noticed. "You said you wouldn't rely on it."
"I'm not. Just... easing my burden."
With a grunt, Nagato surged forward, leaping onto Ibuse's back and charging toward Hanzo. He struck the salamander's eye with precise, chakra-infused blows, forcing it to retreat.
Hanzo launched a barrage of explosive tags. Nagato dodged through them, cloak singed. He grabbed Hanzo by the collar and slammed him to the ground.
Hanzo coughed violently.
"This war ends now," Nagato said.
Hanzo reached into his pouch.
Nagato kneed him hard.
"Stay down."
Hanzo lay there, breathing raggedly. "If you win... they will call you a tyrant."
"Then so be it. As long as peace follows."
Lightning forked the sky. The city watched, silent.
Nagato turned away, rain washing the blood from his knuckles.