**Chapter 207: Pain's Probe**

"Pain!"

Konan was visibly surprised to see him, clearly unaware that Pain was nearby.

However, Kimimaro was not at all surprised, as he had already sensed Pain's presence. 

With his current sensory abilities, as long as he remained vigilant, no one in the shinobi world could get within a kilometer of him without his knowledge.

Kimimaro didn't believe that Nagato would feel comfortable with Konan teaming up with him. 

The moment he saw Konan, he expanded his sensory abilities.

As expected, he detected Pain's presence not far away.

When Kimimaro pushed his Kagura Mind's Eye to its limits, he even located Nagato's exact position.

Without Konan's "God's Paper Person" jutsu to hide him, finding him wasn't difficult.

Nagato was guarded by five other bodies, so he was in no real danger.

Moreover, although Nagato's true body had crippled legs, he wasn't defenseless prey.

Pain was here specifically to protect Konan.

As the last person Nagato cared for in this world, he would never let Konan travel alone.

"Can you represent Orochimaru?"

Pain's voice was icy, and his face showed no emotion.

"Of course. If Orochimaru didn't support me, he wouldn't have given me this ring."

As Kimimaro spoke, he revealed his left pinky.

On it was the pale pink ring he had received from Orochimaru, engraved with the kanji for "void."

"It seems Orochimaru planned this."

"Lord Orochimaru had wanted to cooperate with you before, but I wasn't yet familiar with Akatsuki's strength, so I wanted to join the organization and see for myself. 

After spending some time with your members and witnessing their abilities, I now understand why Orochimaru holds Akatsuki in such high regard. 

So, on behalf of Lord Orochimaru, I extend an invitation for collaboration."

"Do you think, with my power, I need to cooperate with a renegade like Orochimaru?"

Pain's voice carried cold disdain. 

It was clear he didn't think much of Orochimaru.

Since becoming Pain, Nagato had developed a sense of pride.

"The strength of one person is ultimately limited. The other members of Akatsuki aren't loyal to you. If one day you face off against Madara, will they help you?"

Kimimaro's words left Pain in silence.

The Akatsuki of today was no longer the Akatsuki of Yahiko's time.

Back then, everyone shared the same ideals, united by a common cause.

It was that unity that had made even Hanzō of the Salamander, known as a demigod, fearful enough to resort to underhanded methods to dismantle Akatsuki.

But the current Akatsuki, though composed of stronger individuals, was nothing more than a band of rogue shinobi held together by Pain's overwhelming force. There was no real loyalty.

The group was secretly divided into factions, always on the brink of splitting apart.

If it came to a confrontation, Pain wasn't sure who the members would side with.

At best, they might remain neutral.

But Nagato knew that the masked man had his own loyal followers within the organization.

Zetsu and Kisame were clearly aligned with him.

And Uchiha Itachi, too, was unlikely to support Nagato. The best he would do was remain a bystander.

In this scenario, Nagato was at a clear disadvantage.

Even though he had complete confidence in his Rinnegan, the man who claimed the name "Madara" was still a serious threat.

He did need a collaborator.

One outside the masked man's knowledge.

"I do need a collaborator, but do you really think you're qualified?"

Pain's tone softened slightly, and Kimimaro knew he had piqued his interest.

Once interest was there, the rest was easy.

"It seems you're not confident in the strength of Lord Orochimaru and myself."

"Orochimaru couldn't withstand even one of my Shinra Tensei techniques. It's hard for me to have confidence in you."

"Defeating Lord Orochimaru is indeed not difficult. But killing him, even for you, is impossible. Lord Orochimaru's strengths do not lie in raw power.

As for strength, I believe I am qualified to be your partner."

Kimimaro stepped forward, his chakra subtly flowing.

"Do you intend to challenge a god?"

Pain's Rinnegan bore down on Kimimaro, and a terrifying pressure filled the air!

The eyes of the Sage of Six Paths, which had shaped the shinobi world, exuded an awe-inspiring power.

But for Kimimaro, who he was now, mere eye contact wouldn't be enough to make him submit.

"Byakugan!"

At that moment, Kimimaro did not hold back.

His green eyes turned into the pure white of the Byakugan.

A powerful surge of ocular energy flowed from his eyes.

Though not as intimidating as the Rinnegan, it was enough to resist its invasive power.

"Byakugan? You possess the Byakugan of the Hyūga Clan?"

Pain was genuinely surprised.

"My strength isn't limited to just these eyes."

Kimimaro smiled faintly.

"Hmph, interesting. But an ordinary pair of Byakugan isn't enough to make me take you seriously. Now, I'll show you the price of challenging a god."

As Pain spoke, he glanced at Konan.

In perfect sync, Konan dissolved into a flurry of paper, leaving the battle zone.

Once she was clear, Pain raised his right hand.

"Shinra Tensei!"

A terrifying repulsive force burst forth from Pain's palm.

Centered around him, the force radiated outward.

The surrounding trees were struck by the force, their leaves blown off, their branches snapping.

It was as if a hurricane had swept through!

A wide-scale, indiscriminate attack!

The repulsive force struck Kimimaro, pushing him several meters back.

His legs dug deep trenches into the ground before he regained control of his body.

"So, this is the technique Lord Orochimaru mentioned. Truly powerful."

After taking a hit from the Shinra Tensei, Kimimaro only felt his blood surge within him, but he quickly suppressed it.

"This strike was only at thirty percent power."

Pain coldly spoke those shocking words.

Just thirty percent of its power was already this terrifying.

No wonder Pain was so confident.

"If that's all you've got, then with the next move, you will die. The dead have no right to negotiate with me."

"It seems I'll have to show my true strength to impress you."

Kimimaro's smile faded. He knew that this battle was inevitable.

Fortunately, this was not a fight to the death.

There was only one opponent, not all six paths of Pain, which was good news.

But the opponent was the strongest—Deva Path Pain, which was indeed troublesome.

Against Deva Path Pain, ordinary techniques were meaningless.

"Shinra Tensei!"

Pain extended his right hand again, and this time, the Shinra Tensei was at full power, with no restraint.

Boom!

Dust filled the air, and the surrounding trees were uprooted!

In an instant, a ten-meter radius was reduced to ruins.

(End of Chapter)