Land of Rain.
Gray mist rolled through the valleys, the damp air carrying the scent of fresh grass.
In that familiar forest clearing, a dazzling green light suddenly bloomed.
Accompanied by a slight tremor in the earth, a floral fragrance quietly spread through the air.
Ivysaur was gradually engulfed by the light.
When the glow faded, the once-green bud had fully blossomed into an enormous flower.
The petals were broad as umbrellas, the treelike flower stalk at the top thick and powerful, like a pillar of life supporting heaven and earth.
Pollen drifted on the wind as Nagato stood still, his eyes filled with both awe and a touch of excitement.
He slowly reached out and gently stroked Venusaur's head.
"You've worked hard."
Venusaur lowered its head, showing a gentle smile.
The petals slightly opened and closed, releasing a fragrance that unconsciously soothed the anxiety in one's heart.
Shiroishi looked up at the sky: "Venusaur's new technique seems well-suited for you."
"Sunny Day!"
Following Nagato's command, Chakra flowed around Venusaur's body, and the petals on its back suddenly emitted a brilliant light.
The rain and mist were pierced by sunlight as a golden beam fell upon Venusaur and Nagato.
It was an artificially created sun!
Warm, bright, yet not blinding.
Shiroishi smiled and said, "Although it has become Venusaur, it still needs sunlight to consolidate its power."
He adjusted his glasses, his tone calm yet filled with satisfaction.
"Sunny Day can create a small area of sunlight. You should have Venusaur use this move frequently—not only to replenish its positive Chakra but also to accelerate its life cycle. Under continuous light, its life energy will steadily grow."
Nagato listened attentively, his gaze tender as he watched Venusaur.
Shiroishi nodded and continued explaining, "Venusaur absorbs the sun's energy as nourishment. When the flower is in full bloom, the fragrance it releases can calm agitated minds. This scent contains trace amounts of Chakra Pheromones."
Pheromones!?
"They can pacify chaotic mental fluctuations on the battlefield, even making enemies lay down their weapons."
"Interestingly, the fragrance also has a resonance effect on plants. If Venusaur continues to train under sunlight, its floral scent will become stronger and can even awaken dormant Natural Energy, allowing surrounding plants to assist in battle."
Nagato was momentarily stunned, his expression growing complex.
He looked up at the gloomy sky.
Venusaur softly murmured "Venu~," its voice warm, and Nagato suddenly laughed.
Shiroishi smiled faintly, clasping his hands behind his back.
"It seems it understands your feelings too."
"My feelings?"
Nagato was indeed anxious.
Yahiko and Charizard, Konan and Blastoise, had already entered waterfall training.
Only he and Ivysaur had not evolved. As the bearer of the Rinnegan, Nagato deeply wished to catch up with the others as soon as possible.
While his companions were gradually breaking through and evolving, he remained trapped in this rain-soaked land.
No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't break through that shadow.
But now, Venusaur had bloomed right before his eyes.
The suppressed emotions in Nagato's heart finally melted into a relieved smile.
"Thank you, Shiroishi."
"Venusaur blossomed because of your persistence. From now on, both of you should train diligently—learn to feel the sunlight and absorb the rainwater."
Nagato was somewhat worried that their group wouldn't be able to support Shiroishi in time during their training.
Shiroishi, however, showed no concern at all: "Don't worry, I have a way to handle it."
Raindrops fell incessantly.
The great waterfall roared, its torrents crashing down like a celestial river, with rising mist and scorching red light intertwining to form an eerie curtain of fog.
At the center of that mist stood the Flame Gym, towering and imposing.
Its outer walls glowed crimson like flowing magma, faintly engraved with flame patterns, resembling a volcano ready to erupt at any moment.
The Rain Ninjas from the first assault had long been carried away!
They hadn't even managed to force Red's Ninja Beast to reveal its true form—catching only a glimpse of a blazing light before being engulfed by a fiery shockwave.
"To think someone would build a military facility within the Land of Rain?"
Faced with endless reports, Hanzo could no longer hold back.
Now, he personally led several core subordinates into the southern great waterfall region.
"This place."
Hanzo murmured softly, his gaze sweeping forward.
Below the waterfall, two massive stone statues guarded the entrance to the Gym.
They were imposing statues of Hisuian Arcanine, their bodies covered in fiery patterns, their fur carved like burning clouds—even their sculpted presence radiated an overwhelming heat.
Hanzo stared intently for a long while, his brow furrowing deeper.
He could clearly sense that beneath these two statues lay a vast and orderly Chakra Wave—a defensive Barrier only an advanced Sealing Technique could create.
Just then, the Gym's doors slowly opened.
Red stepped out, confronting Hanzo.
"Who are you?"
Red smiled faintly, crossing his arms as he calmly replied:
"I am the Leader of the Flame Gym. My duty is to evaluate Trainers' strength and oversee whether challengers are qualified to earn a Badge."
"Trainer? Badge?"
Hanzo frowned slightly, the unfamiliar terms leaving him confused and unsure how to respond.
"You've invaded the Land of Rain, built this strange facility in my territory—what exactly are you trying to do?"
His tone carried killing intent, a murderous aura slowly spreading through the air.
Red didn't back down, only offering a faint smile.
"No." He shook his head, his gaze sharp as flames.
"The Gym exists solely to test whether Trainers and their partners have truly grown."
He raised a hand, pointing toward the creature half-hidden in the mist behind Hanzo.
"Your Koffing is quite well-raised. It seems you're an excellent Trainer as well."
Trainer?
What is that?
A new type of ninja?
Hanzo's eyes instantly turned fierce.
"Are you trying to provoke me?"
Red shook his head gently, his smile growing even brighter.
He spread his hands, flames igniting in his palms and coalescing into a circular Badge.
"I'm inviting you to challenge the Flame Gym."
Hanzo fell silent for a moment, toxic mist swirling around him.
After a pause, he murmured, "Interesting."
He raised his hand and gave a light wave.
The Koffing behind him roared as it surged into the air, its eyes gleaming with ferocity.
Faced with Hanzo's pressure, Red remained unhurried. From the three flames behind him, a beam of light descended from the sky!
A domineering blaze spread out, fierce and unyielding.
Red stared intently at Hanzo: "Be careful, my first partner possesses formidable Blaze power."
Blaze?!
Soon, a Ninja Beast gradually materialized before them. The raging flames burning across its body, the fur encircling its neck—were in truth searing fire.
Red swiftly formed hand seals!
The surrounding flames abruptly surged, as if ready to ignite everything.
Chakra blazed, erupting from within him like the scorching radiance of the sun.
Flames swirled along his silhouette, transforming him into a walking embodiment of the sun itself.
"Fire Release: Sunny Day!"