What shot that good feeling down was when the boy's eye flickered open, out of the many possible colors of eyes to have, it was one that belonged to three individuals. And seeing as two of them were dead and had yet to exist, there could only be one with the Rinnegan.

Nagato Uzumaki.

/XXX/

Well, I knew that I was in the Rain Village during the Second Shinobi War, the architecture of the village matched with what was shown in the anime and the many shinobi from different countries killing each was enough of a tell.

So I knew that the future Akatsuki and Sannin were here, but that was supposed to be background info. I never expected to actually run into any of them.

And here I was now, in some cave sitting over the boy who Jiraiya would name a Child of Prophecy in recognition of the potential that the Rinnegan held. The potential to bring peace or bring great ruin to the world.

Potential that could be mine. All I had to do was take it and none could threaten me in this world! Senjutsu and the Rinnegan would have me unmatched!

But… no. Just no. Despite what the battle maniac in me wanted, oh so competant in the ways of battle and just as violent in everything else, taking the Rinnegan wasn't something that I wanted to do.

Aside the fact that I didn't want to blind the kid after he just started to wake up, what would be the point? I wasn't a medical ninja and in spite of the anime depicting eyeballs to be as interchangeable as lightbulbs, I didn't fancy testing that on my own. And there was no medic that I could trust not to just kill me and steal the eyes if I even found one 'willing' to do a transplant in the first place.

And besides the eyes being unusable for me, that may get Madara and Zetsu's attention on me long before I was ready for them. They wouldn't let an unknown run around with such a crucial part of their plans and would be quite pissed at me for disrupting a major asset to it. Not like old man Madara was in any state to leave that cave of his but Zetsu could easily direct enough trouble my way that I couldn't just slaughter my way out of... yet.

Now, I was confident in my ability to handle Chunin and even Jonin handedly. But for all that my bloodbath from earlier would have me believe; I was not even near the pinnacle that this world had to offer. Of course, bringing up the Otsutsuki and the reincarnations of Indra and Ahsura were already a moot point and even in my battle high I wasn't delusional enough to entertain the thought of being anywhere near their level at the time.

No, I was referring more to the 'normal' hierarchy of power in the world, where the Kages and S ranks stood at the top through extraoridnary but more feasible means: be it hard work, a secret technique, gimmick, or a bloodline not as bullshit as the Sharingan or Mokuton.

I had slain probably hundreds of average shinobi (near two hundred more likely but I never took a count), the Third Raikage would later go on to do the same on a much grander scale to ten thousand shinobi.

My bloodline granted me massive potential, no doubt about that, but until I lived up to it to the fullest, I still had to be wary of this world that I found myself in and what I'd do here.

There's still Nagato's potential to be a threat to me. If he could kill Jiraiya despite their time together, he would kill me should he or Obito see fit despite any sentimentally my actions may have brought.

…yes, but there's also the potential to benefit massively from this. Nagato was in the top twenty list of most powerful shinobi in this world due to his mastery of the Rinnegan alone, and that was as a cripple. Here and now, he was a far cry from that shinobi, but he could grow beyond the Paths of Pain and more into his resurrected self if things went right. And would be especially useful when it'd come to taking care of Obito later on.

To get things there, I'd have to guide the lad away from ending up how he did in canon, preaching peace through pain. Not that the man was wrong per se, but how he went about it wouldn't have worked long term and only set himself up for failure. Dying as a sacrifice or being woefully unprepared to handle the weapon he thought his eyes would grant him control over and damning the world through the Juubi or Kaguya.

A few cheery barks got my attention and pulled my focus back over to the puppy now nuzzling on the subject of my thoughts.

After taking a few licks in from the puppy, Nagato finally gave them a firm hold as he looked before looking over to me. His eyes widened in surprise before they narrowed in suspicion.

"Who are you supposed to be?" he demanded. Nagato's voice sounded like what I remembered, though it was higher in pitch than I remembered. His hair now draped over both his eyes, appearing to be more of a flowing style than I expected but I guess such a thing could've easily gone unnoticed. Strange but probably nothing to think much about.

"The guy who pulled you out of the ground." I simply answered.

"Wait, you… helped me? Why?" He asked, clearly puzzled.

At that I just raised a brow, "I couldn't leave a kid stranded in the rain and mud."

"You're a Konoha shinobi!" Nagato exclaimed, as if to accuse me of the vilest crime possible.

Oh, right. They killed his parents. To most children, that would be the vilest thing you could do.

"Actually, despite what my clothes may suggest, I'm not a Konoha shinobi nor am I affiliated with them," I quickly explained, "My old clothes were ruined and I needed new ones. There happened to be a guy who didn't need these anymore, so I borrowed it." It was the truth, I just left out the how I came to 'borrow' it. I doubted that children of this world were as sheltered from the cold truth of the world, especially ones who lived through the worst truths, but I didn't want to paint myself as a murderer just about yet, let alone a mass murderer.

Nagato's eyes narrowed even further, suspicion and anger flashing in his gaze.

"I don't believe you," he spat. "Konoha shinobi are all the same, all of you are evil. You're here to finish what they started, to kill me like they did my parents!"

I held up my hands in a placating gesture, also demonstrating that I'm unarmed. "Look, I'm not here to hurt anyone. I just happened to be passing by when I saw you in trouble. Besides, if I really was with Konoha and wanted you dead, wouldn't I have just killed you and your dog while you couldn't do anything to stop me?"

Nagato hesitated, his gaze flickering between me and the puppy in his arms. The dog was at ease despite my presence and its master's anger. Finally, he seemed to make a decision, "Fine. But I'm keeping an eye on you. If you try anything, I'll make you regret it."

I nodded, relieved that he looked to have calmed down a bit. And considering that he had all of the abilities of the Rinnegan, which granted him various abilities with the most dangerous of them being control over gravity and ripping out souls, he could very much back up those words. I had no resistance besides potential durability against getting flung like a ragdoll by one of the fundamental forces of the universe and nothing to counter having my soul ripped out, so best not to provoke that, "Fair enough. So, what's your name?"

He hesitated for a moment, as if debating whether or not to trust me with that information. Finally, he spoke. "Nagato Uzumaki. And this is my puppy, Chibi."

I smiled, hoping to put him at ease. Thankfully the blood once thoroughly rinsed out didn't stain my teeth, my mouth was open a few times during the fight and the taste of iron and flesh still lingered on my tongue. "Nice to meet you, Nagato. I'm...well," I don't really have a name at the moment, shit, "You can call me...Tadashi."

Nagato nodded, still eyeing me warily. "Alright, Tadashi. What do you want?"

I shrugged. "Nothing, really. I just thought maybe I could help you out. You seem like you could use a hand."

Nagato regarded me for a few moments longer, his suspicion lingering, before seeming to relax slightly. "I appreciate the help, but I can take care of myself," he said, shifting Chibi in his arms. "I've been doing it for a while now."

"Kid, I just found you face down in a mud puddle. You should consider yourself lucky that you weren't blessed with more rain falling near you." I bluntly pointed out.

His face blushed in embarrassment at the reminder. It was cute to see such a sight from a sad and angsting lad.

I added, a hint of amusement in my voice. "Besides, it doesn't hurt to have someone to watch your back. You never know what kind of trouble you might run into out here. And I happen to be pretty strong you know, so I'm good for repellant." Or I could attract shinobi like flies considering the whole 'Cycle of Hatred' thing and shinobi being vindictive bastards towards those who hurt their 'precious people', even if they themselves have done so to countless others.

"Plus~," I start with grin as I reached into my surprisingly deep pockets, "I got food!" I announced as I pulled out a multicultural assortment of ration bars.

Nagato's eyes lit up upon the sight of food and eagerly took a bar out from my hand. His teeth ripped off the wrapper and spat it out before going right into the ration bar. After a few bites and shallows, he stopped just before blanching in disgust.

"They're ration bars that I also borrowed from some shinobi. They taste like shit, but they supposedly have everything that a person needs to keep themselves fed and satisfied, nutritionally at most."

Nagato glared at me for failing to bring up that important detail for a moment before nodding and shoving another into his mouth and handing some over to Chibi, "Still, any food is better than no food. Thanks," he said after the bad taste overcame his hunger, "But I don't have anything to offer you in return."

"Don't worry about it," I said, waving a hand. "I'm just happy to help."

Nagato and I sat in silence for a while, each lost in our own thoughts. The rain continued to pour down on us, but at least we were sheltered under the cave though not from the cold.

After some time, Nagato spoke up. "Why did you help me?"

I looked at him, surprised by the question. "I told you, I couldn't leave a kid stranded in the rain and mud."

Nagato shook his head. "I know that's what you said. I mean, why did you really help me? You could have just left me there, like everyone else."

I paused for a moment, considering my answer. "I guess...I just wanted to help. I saw someone who needed assistance, and I had the ability to provide it. It's just...the right thing to do, you know? Not to say that you should help everyone, because that is a road that leads to madness, but to do what you can if able."

Nagato looked at me, his expression unreadable. "I don't know if there is such a thing as 'right' anymore. Not in this village, not in this world."

I sighed. "I know it's not easy. But that doesn't mean we shouldn't try to do what's right, whenever we can."

Nagato seemed to ponder my words for a moment before nodding. "You're right. It's just...sometimes it feels like there's no hope. Like everything is just darkness."

I put a hand on his shoulder. "I know it's tough. But things can get better. We just have to keep pushing forward."

Nagato looked at me, his eyes searching. "Do you really believe that?"

I nodded. "I do. I've seen it happen. It's not easy, but it's possible. However, for most it will take luck and that's not something everybody could have. On the other hand, it'll also take strength, enough of it for you to make it happen. And unlike luck, that is much more under your control."

Nagato remained quiet for a moment, lost in thought. Despite the otherworldly nature of the Rinnegan, you could still read the person in them like any other eye. I could see the weight of his past experiences in his eyes, the pain of losing his parents, and the fear of being alone in a world at war. I knew I couldn't erase his trauma, but maybe I could offer him a different path.

"So, Nagato, what are your plans now?" I asked, breaking the silence.

"I don't know," he replied softly, still looking down at his puppy. "I was just trying to survive. I don't have any family left, and I have no one besides Chibi."

"Well, you don't have to be alone," I said, trying to offer him a glimmer of hope. "There are people out there who would be willing to help you, to guide you."

Nagato looked up at me, his eyes filled with doubt. "Who would want to help me? I'm just a kid with no skills, no friends, no family."

"I would," I replied with a smile. "And I know others who would too. There are people out there who value peace over war, who see the potential in others and want to help them reach it."

Nagato was quiet for a moment, considering my words. "But what can I do? I don't have any special abilities, I'm not a strong fighter."

Those eyes and Uzumaki genes would beg to differ. But either weren't something you could reliably control as of yet and only recently at that, so it was understandable that you'd think that way.

"Strength isn't just physical," I said. "There are many ways to in which we show strength. You've already demonstrated your strength, continuing to carry on despite losing your parents and even continuing to care for Chibi. A weaker person would've remained home and wasted away in the only comfort he knew or even resorted to selling or eating their dog."

"I would never do that! Not even if I could get the most delicious of ramen! Like how mother used to make it…"

"And beyond just surviving, " I interrupt before he could bring up the memories of his recently deceased parents and distract from what I'm trying to get him to understand, "you can make a difference in this world. You have a sharp mind, Nagato, and a compassionate heart. Those are valuable traits, ones that can help you in ways you can't imagine."

Nagato seemed to be mulling over my words, and I could see a flicker of hope in his eyes. Maybe he was starting to believe that there was a different path for him, one that was beyond what he was currently facing.

"I'll...think about it," he said finally, still hesitant but willing to consider what I've said.

"Anyway," Nagato continued, "what are you going to do now?"

I paused, considering my response. I didn't want to reveal too much about myself or my motives, but at the same time, I didn't want to lie to Nagato too much. "I don't know," I admitted, as while I knew what I wanted to do, going about doing it was still something I was figuring out. "Maybe something simple, where we could find some food and a dry place to rest for a while. It doesn't look like the rain is letting up anytime soon and this cave will get cold rather quick."

Nagato skeptically studied me for a moment before nodding slowly. "Okay, I'll come with you. But don't try anything funny, Tadashi."

I raised my hands in a gesture of surrender. "I won't, I promise."

With that, Nagato stood up and brushed off his clothes as best he could, with Chibi still nestled in his arms. I gestured for him to follow me, and we set off into the rainy streets of the Rain Village.

/XXX/

Once we reached a town, I tried to keep myself at a distance from Nagato while close enough to protect him if needed. People were more willing to give something up if they only had to do a little of it and they'd assume that he'd be alright with me watching over him and not give him the food.

Now while I still had some rations even after Nagato ravenously consumed a startling number of them, it'd be foolish not to get more food when you're able to. Even more so as those rations won't last forever.

Now I could just use my Sage Transformation to just burst into people's homes and steal the food, but that would instantly kill any rapport that I had with Nagato. After all, it was Konoha shinobi doing the same thing that had lost him his parents and left him in this mess to begin with. Though that old bastard saying that he didn't have any food despite having a basket full of bread, he didn't even close the window that good, had made me strongly consider busting my transformation out to scare or beat the fucker into sharing.

There was that, and I didn't want to attract any attention from Rain's shinobi, or worse, Hanzo. While I doubt that he himself would come to deal with me personally, he was paranoid enough to overwhelmingly crush whatever he deemed a threat to him.

With not much gained here, we went off towards the next town, Nagato and Chibi resting on my back despite the two of them being much heavier than what a lad my age should be capable of carrying.

While I didn't have my Sage Transformation activated at full capacity, it was always active, so I still received a passive boost from being actively channeling Nature Energy.

I had a hunch that I would run into someone soon, and it turned out to be a blue-haired girl with amber eyes under an umbrella.

She noticed me and glanced over at the sleeping Nagato, immediately showing concern.

"Is he okay?" she asked, rushing over to us.

I turned to face the girl, and saw the worry etched on her face. "Oh, don't worry about him too much. He's fine," I reassured her. "He's just out like a light right about now. All the walking got him tired and we've been doing it for a while," I shifted Nagato's weight on my back slightly, and he stirred in his sleep, but didn't wake up.

Konan seemed to relax slightly at my words, but still looked hesitant and concerned. "What about you? That can't be easy for yourself either, carrying him like that."

I smiled fainly, "I'm used to it. I've been on my own for a while now, so carrying Nagato and his dog isn't a big deal for me."

"And his dog?" she asked as she looked around me, though before I could answer Chibi made a little noise before hopping off Nagato's back and heading towards her.

I chuckled as Chibi approached Konan, wagging her tail excitedly. "Looks like Chibi likes you," I said, watching as the little dog nuzzled against Konan's legs. "I guess she can sense a kind heart when she sees one."

Konan smiled down at Chibi and scratched behind her ears. "She's cute," she said, before looking back up at me. "My name is Konan, by the way. And you are...?"

"You can call me Tadashi," I said finally, offering her a small bow.

Konan nodded, seeming to accept my answer. "Nice to meet you, Tadashi," she said, before glancing down at Nagato again. "So, where are you and Nagato headed?"

"We're just wandering around," I said nonchalantly, "Seeing the sights, I guess you could say."

Konan raised an eyebrow at my response, taking in the deary landscape and letting that say enough for her. "Well, if you need some help or a break from your 'sight-seeing', my friend and I are around," she said, gesturing to the umbrella she was holding. "We're part of a group that's trying to make things better here in for each other in Amegakure. We could always use more help."

"To be honest, we're trying to find somewhere safe to go. It's not easy out here on our own." I admitted.

Konan's eyes softened, and she nodded. "I understand. It's difficult out here, especially for someone like Nagato who I can tell has been alone for so long." She paused, then seemed to make a decision. "Listen, I can help you. I know of a safe place where you can stay for a while. It's not far from here. If you want, I can take you there."

I raised an eyebrow in surprise, I didn't expect her to offer it so easily after having just met. Though I guess that her offering it to Nagato wouldn't exactly need her saving him from near death. "That's... very kind of you. But why would you help us? We're strangers to you."

"You and Nagato aren't family, and I can tell that you're hardly friends and hardly for long, judging by how tense... 'he' seems to be on your back. Despite that, you're still helping 'him' out. I want to help you both, and you seem to be the type to help back."

I looked at Nagato, who was still sleeping soundly on my back. Then I turned back to Konan with a smile. Not a bloodthirsty one that unnerved many a man before his death, but a genuine one to convey gratitude. I was genuinely relieved to finally eat some decent fucking food, that and begin my joining of the Akatsuki, "Thank you, we'd appreciate your help. Lead the way."

"Of course," Konan nodded before the curious expression that's been building up finally showed itself on her face, "Though I do have something to ask."

"Alright, ask away."

"Why are you calling Nagato a 'he' when she's actually a 'she'?"

What.

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(how would you guys feel if it I remade title as a reference to Africa by Toto. Blessing the rains or something like sounds like a pretty good fit to me tbh.)

In this chapter, most of it has been to set up Nagato and MC's relationship. As MC mentioned, he wants to try and guide Nagato and help her out in a mix of benevolent and not so benevolent reasons. Also got to introduce Konan here as well, where she and then Yahiko will be seen more in the next chapter.

as for the MC himself, I'm going with the name Tadashi for now. It was that, Itsuki, or Vyland for names atm. I'll come back to it when it isn't 4 am and decide then lol. I still don't have an image in mind so an orange haired Mitsuki or Shisui is still my set look for now.

also, here's the AU. Fem Nagato, because he has girl hair. pretty pretty girl hair (though it could also be called hentai protagonist hair too)

did this all in a day so I probably have a bunch of things to fix/edit, I'll check it out latr

now I hope you guys like it and let me know your thoughts.