Ninjutsu Genius or Taijutsu Liability?
It was completely natural for Tendō Pain to have such thoughts.
However, what he did not know was that Uchiha Yi was not a reasonable existence in the conventional sense at all.
The so-called "genius-level talent" he displayed in ninjutsu was merely an external manifestation of something closer to cheating than genuine cultivation.
Precisely because Uchiha Yi clearly understood his own true situation, he naturally would not be foolish enough to devote all of his time and energy to ninjutsu, taijutsu, or genjutsu like ordinary shinobi did.
As far as ninjutsu was concerned, there existed a system-based enhancement mechanism, making excessive training largely unnecessary.
As for genjutsu, due to the presence of the ability [Fire Eyes and Golden Pupils], most conventional illusion techniques were fundamentally ineffective against him.
However, if he truly encountered high-level ocular genjutsu or forbidden techniques such as Tsukuyomi, Infinite Tsukuyomi, Izanami, Izanagi, and other Mangekyō-level illusionary arts belonging to the Uchiha clan
Those were exceptions.
In the original records, Jiraiya once used the auditory illusion Sage Art: Demonic Illusion – Toad Confrontation Chant to successfully affect the Six Paths of Pain, proving that even the Rinnegan was not entirely immune to certain specialized genjutsu.
There was also the Darkness Walking Technique, a powerful illusion created by Tobirama Senju, specifically designed to counter the Uchiha clan's visual prowess.
…And many other similar techniques that could not be easily seen through.
The reason for this was simple.
The current level of [Fire Eyes and Golden Pupils] was still insufficient; its authority and depth had not yet reached an absolute stage.
Uchiha Yi firmly believed that once this ability was further upgraded, there would be no illusion in the ninja world that he could not break.
That said, while genjutsu was indeed a highly effective combat method, after actually using it, he realized how complicated and troublesome its execution truly was.
To use genjutsu well, the most important factor was deception.
If the illusion failed to deceive the opponent, all the effort invested would be completely wasted.
Therefore, if ordinary enemies those weaker than himself could simply be overwhelmed through direct means, why bother resorting to such complicated techniques?
On the other hand, when facing truly powerful opponents, illusions were often unreliable and could easily become meaningless.
In short, Uchiha Yi had no intention of wasting excessive energy on genjutsu.
That left only one area.
Taijutsu.
This was his most glaring weakness, and also the aspect he cared about the most.
The Sharingan granted extraordinary visual perception, allowing one to see an opponent's movements with terrifying clarity.
However
Being able to see did not mean the body could react in time.
Previously, Uchiha Yi had already felt physical exhaustion merely by dealing with Hidan alone.
What if he faced two, three, or even four opponents of similar strength?
Or enemies who were even stronger?
These questions forced him to confront reality.
"…Fine."
After hearing Uchiha Yi's explanation, Tendō Pain fell silent for a moment before finally agreeing.
He did not particularly care about the personalities, motivations, or even inner struggles of Akatsuki's members.
However, understanding something was always better than knowing nothing at all.
And this
Was a rare opportunity.
"Then please guide me, Mr. Pain."
Uchiha Yi spoke politely, his attitude sincere.
"You may attack at any time."
Tendō Pain replied coldly.
In truth, when he heard the word guidance, a faint emotional ripple surfaced deep within his consciousness.
But his world had long since turned into hell.
He had chosen to embrace darkness, abandoning any belief in light.
The moment his words fell, Uchiha Yi launched his attack without hesitation.
"The intent is far too obvious."
As Uchiha Yi moved, Tendō Pain frowned slightly.
Just moments ago, he had assumed that Uchiha Yi's claim about poor taijutsu was merely modesty.
Now
It was painfully obvious that it was the truth.
This wasn't simply bad.
It was outright terrible.
If Uchiha Yi's actual taijutsu level was truly this low, Tendō Pain felt that even some genin who had yet to graduate from the Ninja Academy could defeat him in close combat.
For a brief moment, Tendō Pain genuinely did not know how to evaluate the man before him.
Outstanding ninjutsu talent?
Utterly trash-level taijutsu?
How could such an extreme contrast exist within the Uchiha clan, a lineage famed for producing prodigies?
Among all the shinobi Tendō Pain had encountered, even those with unbalanced talents had never displayed such a ridiculous disparity.
…Was he still hiding something?
Casually deflecting Uchiha Yi's disorderly attacks, Tendō Pain continued thinking.
In that case
He would increase the pressure.
When Uchiha Yi attacked again, Tendō Pain subtly shifted his footing, his body narrowly slipping past the incoming fist.
At the same time, he counterattacked.
The leg that had just moved rose instantly, driving a knee strike straight toward Uchiha Yi's abdomen.
Without activating the Sharingan, it would have been impossible to track Tendō Pain's movement.
At the critical moment the knee was about to connect, Uchiha Yi's body instinctively transformed into elemental form, barely evading the blow.
That was close.
I almost got hit.
This time, it was Uchiha Yi's real body sparring with Tendō Pain not a shadow clone.
After all, training taijutsu with clones only transferred experience, not actual physical conditioning.
"If your true taijutsu level is only this high,"
"Then frankly speaking, it can only be described as disastrous."
Although Uchiha Yi had avoided the strike, it had relied on ninjutsu rather than physical reaction, and that alone exposed the problem.
Tendō Pain spoke bluntly, confusion evident in his tone.
"I understand."
"That's why I'll have to trouble you, Mr. Pain, for guidance from now on."
Uchiha Yi smiled awkwardly, embarrassment clearly written across his face.
After all, he came from a peaceful world where combat was nonexistent.
In a ninja world where life and death were decided in an instant, how could one master taijutsu overnight without proper instruction?
Being weak in this area was only natural.
Many of Tendō Pain's doubts were things Uchiha Yi simply could not explain.
The training continued.
What was rare was that during the guidance process, the usually taciturn Tendō Pain gradually spoke more.
He corrected mistakes verbally, demonstrated movements with his own body, and even adjusted posture directly.
Uchiha Yi gained immense benefit from this.
Tendō Pain Nagato himself did not notice the subtle change.
But Konan, watching from afar and intimately familiar with Nagato, felt a complicated emotion stir within her heart.
It was as if a tiny crack had appeared deep inside it.
"…Uchiha Yi."
As the session ended, Tendō Pain suddenly called out to him.
"Yes? Mr. Pain?"
Uchiha Yi looked up, slightly puzzled.
"What do you think about the extermination of the Uchiha clan?"
The timing of the question was sudden.
And dangerous.
"How else would I see it?"
"Of course revenge."
Uchiha Yi answered calmly.
Despite it being a matter of blood feud, not a single trace of hatred or rage appeared on his face.
"Is it truly revenge?"
"And after revenge… what then?"
Tendō Pain asked quietly.
In truth, after killing Hanzō, vengeance for Yahiko had largely been fulfilled aside from Danzō Shimura.
Yet strangely, no sense of relief followed.
Only deeper confusion.
What should come next?
It was Yahiko's dream of peace and the fact that Danzō still lived that allowed Nagato to continue moving forward.
Otherwise, the weight of his suffering might have already crushed him.
Now, seeing Uchiha Yi a young man burdened with hatred just as he once was
Whether out of sympathy, reflection, or something deeper
Tendō Pain found himself unable to stop asking that question.