Of course, he couldn't just let the Preta Path absorb his chakra and petrify it right away. That would be too obvious, and Nagato would definitely suspect how he knew about his puppets' abilities.
So he had to put on an act.
"Chidori!" Amemiya Kenichi activated his Sharingan. With its assistance, he could finally precisely control the Chidori's trajectory and attack direction.
Nagato and Konan watched from the sidelines, offering no comment on the ear-splitting ninjutsu.
"Sealing Technique Absorption!" As the Preta Path struck a peculiar pose, the lightning in Amemiya Kenichi's hand vanished in an instant.
Amemiya Kenichi clicked his tongue. This ability was truly useful. Too bad it required the Rinnegan. Otherwise, he could have forged a chakra-absorbing armor, becoming practically invincible by directly absorbing enemy ninjutsu.
Still, he managed to feign disbelief perfectly, his acting skills on point.
The Preta Path seized the opportunity and grabbed Amemiya Kenichi's hand. A moment later, Amemiya Kenichi feigned shock as he discovered his chakra being drained!
Fortunately, Amemiya Kenichi wasn't a ninja who relied solely on ninjutsu. He kicked the Preta Path away and used the Body Flicker Technique to create some distance.
"You can actually absorb chakra?" Amemiya Kenichi asked, his face grave.
Not an idiot, Nagato thought approvingly. With such an obvious ability on display, if Amemiya Kenichi couldn't figure it out, he'd never have made it into Akatsuki.
Intelligence was crucial, but often, ninjas gathered information during combat. The speed of information gathering could determine victory or defeat.
The Preta Path remained silent, waving its hand in a provocative gesture, like Master Ip preparing to take on ten opponents.
Amemiya Kenichi took a deep breath and activated his Chakra Sensing again. This time, he once more sensed the natural energy around him.
With the Preta Path as a buffer, Amemiya Kenichi fully opened himself to absorption. Instantly, countless streams of natural energy surged joyfully into his body.
Amemiya Kenichi had to control the flood of Natural Energy, balancing it with his physical and spiritual energy.
He'd expected this step to be dangerous and slow, but his body adapted to the Natural Energy almost instantly. A new Chakra energy surged within him.
Sage Chakra!
"Is it really this easy?" Kenichi opened his eyes in astonishment.
"Hmm? Why has his face changed?" Konan noticed dark golden patterns had appeared around the corners of Kenichi's eyes, etched like lightning bolts.
Nagato frowned slightly. What was this ability?
Feeling the immense power coursing through him, Kenichi grew excited. Was this Sage Mode? He could sense a tremendous boost to his physical capabilities. This ability was incredible!
Moreover, he showed no signs of losing control, and his transition into Sage Mode had been remarkably swift.
Amemiya Kenichi couldn't help but marvel. "As expected of Senju Hashirama, the God of Shinobi, and his Sage Body Constitution. This physique is truly terrifying—the difference between a genius and an ordinary person."
"Konoha Strong Whirlwind!" Amemiya Kenichi didn't use his new ninjutsu. Instead, he kicked directly at his opponent. Since the Preta Path could absorb ninjutsu, using Sage Art would be pointless.
Nagato remained impassive. His Preta Path could absorb chakra and ninjutsu. Taijutsu seemed like a good option.
But if his body got grabbed...
Sure enough, the Preta Path completely disregarded its own injuries and firmly seized Amemiya Kenichi's leg, beginning to absorb his chakra.
Amemiya Kenichi grinned. "Just waiting for this moment." It felt amazing to know his opponent's abilities beforehand—like getting a spoiler.
"Hmm? Preta Path?" Nagato looked momentarily surprised. He realized his connection to the Preta Path had been severed. Then he noticed his Preta Path had turned into a stone statue!
And that Konoha missing-nin had just kicked it into a pile of rubble.
"Did I pass the test?" Amemiya Kenichi turned to Nagato and Konan, who were watching. Konan remained silent.
This decision was Nagato's to make.
"Yes, you passed. But how did you petrify him?" Tendō Pain approached and handed Amemiya Kenichi a ring.
Amemiya Kenichi glanced down at the jade-inlaid ring. It was quite beautiful, and he slipped it onto his finger.
"My companion can absorb Chakra. I had just refined Sage Chakra. Overexposure to Natural Energy can cause petrification," Amemiya Kenichi explained without hesitation.
Letting Nagato know would likely ease any lingering concerns he might have, which would benefit Amemiya Kenichi's future prospects.
"Sage Art? Natural Energy? I understand," Tendō Pain nodded thoughtfully.
"I am the leader of Akatsuki. You may call me Pain. This is Konan," Pain said calmly, handing Amemiya Kenichi another ring.
Amemiya Kenichi glanced curiously at the ring. It was Orochimaru's.
"This is your teacher Orochimaru's ring. Wear it well. I'll explain Akatsuki's development plans later," Pain said, just as the Preta Path was revived.
Kenichi glanced at it. This ability was truly convenient—a complete resurrection, even on a large scale. It was utterly unreasonable.
"Understood. I'll take it back to my teacher," Kenichi nodded, then glanced at Pain's eyes.
The Rinnegan... I really want to study them.
But he probably couldn't beat Pain in a fight right now. He'd have to figure out how to study the Anti-Gravity Device first.
"Good. We'll assign missions to you later. This is for Akatsuki's growth," Pain said, showing some consideration for the first members of his organization by explaining.
"I understand," Kenichi replied earnestly.
Time to recruit Kakuzu! How can Akatsuki grow without Kakuzu, the perfect tool?
Kenichi didn't have time to go out and make money himself.
Speaking of making money, Amemiya Kenichi immediately thought of the first minor boss Naruto and his friends had encountered.