After leaving the Land of Wind, Li Xing and Karin had arrived at the Land of Rain, the base of the Akatsuki leader Pain. It was a very isolated country, and Li Xing, not wanting to go through the official channels, directly flew into Amegakure with Karin.
Of course, Pain sensed the intrusion immediately, as the rain covering the entire village was Nagato's Rain Tiger Vitality technique.
Li Xing took out an umbrella and leisurely walked towards the tall tower where Nagato resided with Karin. The villagers of Amegakure, assuming they were just children from some family, paid them no attention. Upon entering the tower, there were no ninja guards, and thus they were not stopped.
Just as Li Xing and Karin were about to reach the top, countless paper fragments suddenly floated around them. Karin, not knowing what they were, was about to ask Li Xing about the situation.
"Boom!"
The countless paper fragments exploded. Li Xing immediately activated his Susanoo to block the explosion and, without a word, began to unleash explosive tags, showing no regard for fair play.
"You hiding in the shadows don't need to hide anymore. This kind of attack won't harm me. Come out directly! I have some things I want to discuss with you."
As Li Xing finished speaking, countless more paper fragments appeared in the air, gradually forming a human figure before them. At the same time, paper wings were folded, making him look like an angel.
"Who are you? What are you doing in Amegakure?"
Konan's voice was accusatory, her gaze cold and emotionless, not taking Li Xing and Karin seriously.
Out of politeness, Li Xing deactivated his Susanoo and, with a gentlemanly bow, said, "Beautiful lady, hello. My name is Li Xing, and this is Karin Uzumaki. We've come to join your organization."
Hearing Li Xing compliment another woman's beauty, Karin immediately became anxious. She instantly grabbed Li Xing's arm, as if telling Konan that Li Xing was hers and she shouldn't even think about it.
"On what grounds?"
Suddenly, an orange-haired man appeared behind Konan. His face was adorned with black nails, and his eyes bore a pattern like tree rings – it was the legendary Rinnegan.
Li Xing was fine, but Karin immediately sensed Pain's powerful aura. Those eyes were intimidating, yet he moved and spoke like a dead person, but how could a dead person move and speak?
Sensing Karin's fear of Pain, Li Xing quickly embraced her. "You've scared my girlfriend. Please temper yourself. I've come with sincerity."
As he spoke, Li Xing threw a scroll over. Pain, with quick reflexes, used Shinra Tensei and Bansho Tenin to stop the scroll in mid-air between them.
Li Xing unsealed it, and suddenly smoke swirled, revealing the Seven-Tails, Chomei, before them. However, the Seven-Tails was currently powerless, lying on the ground as if at their mercy.
Konan looked on in surprise. This man had actually captured a Tailed Beast. It seemed this Li Xing was very mysterious, capable of extracting Tailed Beasts himself and knowing that the Akatsuki needed Tailed Beasts, he had brought one intentionally.
Facing a Tailed Beast offered to him, Heavenly Path Pain had no reason to refuse. With a word of agreement, he disappeared from Li Xing's sight, leaving Konan to handle things.
"Since Pain has agreed, you are now members of our organization. This is the symbol of the organization. Each of you will slash your forehead protectors, signifying the severing of your ties with your former villages." As she spoke, Konan threw two sets of red cloud cloaks to Li Xing.
"In the Akatsuki, you will undertake missions. Our goal is peace, to make the Five Great Nations experience pain, and by experiencing the pain of others, they will understand peace. We are currently beginning to capture the Tailed Beasts from around the world."
After hearing Konan's words, Li Xing felt like a probationary employee with nothing but a cloak. However, it didn't matter, as he was merely looking for something to do out of boredom.
"Alright, I understand. However, we don't have any forehead protectors, we are just two ronin. When we came here, I encountered two members of the Akatsuki, the ones who cannot be killed. I sealed them for twenty-four hours."
Konan immediately knew they were Kakuzu and Hidan. Being able to seal those two meant they had some strength. She then gave Li Xing and Karin a ring each. The rings had no inscriptions, but they could be used for communication.
"I understand. Then you can stay in the Land of Rain for one night. Tomorrow, I will introduce you to the other members of the organization. I will take this Tailed Beast with me."
...
At night, Li Xing and Karin were taking a bath. The Land of Rain was barren, with few hot springs, but having a place to bathe was still good.
"Hoshi-kun, that Pain today... he didn't seem alive, and this place is so strange, completely different from other ninja villages."
"What? Scared? That Pain is indeed a dead person, or rather, a corpse manipulated by another living person."
Li Xing scrubbed Karin's back as he explained the situation of Amegakure and the purpose of joining the Akatsuki – simply for fun, wanting to see the world of the Infinite Tsukuyomi.
As Karin listened to Li Xing's explanation of the day's events, she suddenly remembered Li Xing admitting his feelings for her in front of Pain, her heart burning even hotter, and her body slowly becoming feverish.
Then, Karin suddenly turned around and embraced Li Xing. "Hoshi-kun, I'm sorry... I... Actually, my body just moved on its own. I can't control it. Oh, right, it must be the water here. My body is so hot, I can't stand it anymore."
Li Xing held Karin's body, feeling her cleansed skin, and a slight smile curved his lips. "Since you can't stand it, then don't."
That night, they were both lost in a gentle embrace...
...
The next morning, Li Xing and Karin were already wearing the red cloud cloaks given by Konan and had put on the ring without inscriptions. Strangely, after wearing the rings, their fingernails changed color, indicating that the rings had some special curse seals.
Using the Phantom Sound Ninjutsu taught by Pain, Li Xing and Karin's consciousness projections appeared in a dark place. The first thing they saw was the not-yet-awakened Gedo Mazo.
"Are these the two new recruits who joined yesterday? They look even younger than Deidara!" Kisame Hoshigaki, watching Li Xing appear from afar, was somewhat curious. At this stage, they were still recruiting new members.
"New recruits! If you have time, you can come and appreciate my art, hmm!" After glancing at Li Xing, Deidara felt that these two would definitely be interested in his art.
At this moment, Kakuzu and Hidan suddenly appeared before everyone. Hidan, upon appearing, began to complain to Kakuzu, blaming him for being trapped and immobilized for an entire day.
"What did you say? If you hadn't insisted on going to kill that person, would we be in this situation? Be careful, I'll kill you!"
"Bastard! I only acted on your orders, and if you think you can kill me, then try it!"
As they argued, they suddenly saw Li Xing and Karin, which startled Hidan, who quickly jumped back. "How are these two here?"
"It's you!" Kakuzu glared at Li Xing fiercely. If his main body were present, he would have killed Li Xing a thousand times over.
"Everyone is here. Let me introduce you. These two are the new members who joined yesterday, Li Xing and Karin Uzumaki. Please introduce yourselves." Konan, seeing Kakuzu and Hidan arrive, began introducing Li Xing, so everyone would recognize each other.
"Kisame Hoshigaki! Please treat me well!"
"Itachi Uchiha."
"Kakuzu, Hidan."
"Deidara! I pursue fleeting art! Hmm!"
"Sasori. Most people call me Sasori of the Red Sand. You've likely heard of me."
"I am Zetsu, the information operative of the Akatsuki."
"Hee hee! My name is Tobi! I'm an intern for the organization. I envy you two, becoming my seniors right after joining."
"My name is Konan, and beside me is our leader, Pain."
After listening to everyone's self-introductions, Li Xing felt they were all quite strange. He then held Karin's hand. "My name is Li Xing, and this is my wife, Karin Uzumaki. Please take care of us from now on!"
Deidara was the first to question, "Hey, hey, is that for real? These brats already have wives."
As soon as Li Xing spoke, even the usually silent Itachi Uchiha couldn't help but glance at him. Konan's face flushed slightly. Yesterday she was his girlfriend, and today she's his wife. It wasn't hard to guess what had happened.