"Kirigakure... is gone."
Mei Terumi's expression was filled with despair. The Kirigakure shinobi behind her also fell silent upon hearing those words.
"Wait, what? What do you mean?" Deidara asked in shock.
"Not long ago, under the leadership of the Fourth Raikage, Kumogakure launched a surprise attack on Kirigakure. We were completely overwhelmed."
"Kirigakure has been entirely occupied by Kumogakure," Mei Terumi replied grimly.
The memory of her village falling played vividly in her mind, suffocating her with grief. Countless subordinates, comrades, and friends—either slain or captured.
The only ones who managed to escape were herself, a handful of Anbu, and the elite guard. Kirigakure had been utterly destroyed.
Recalling how Obito had previously allied with Kumogakure to ambush Nagato, Deidara pieced things together.
"Did a masked man with the Rinnegan and Sharingan also take part in the attack?"
Mei nodded. "You know him?"
Deidara's expression darkened. Uchiha Obito—he could no longer be left unchecked.
With Danzo already dealt with, Akatsuki as a whole had grown significantly stronger. More importantly, Kakashi had fully integrated Hashirama's cells, allowing him to use Kamui without limits.
Against Obito and his alliance with Kumogakure, their chances of victory were absolute.
It was time to take the initiative!
"You should all rest in the village for now. Leave the rest to us," Deidara said to Mei.
"Sigh... we have no other choice."
...
Atop the fingers of the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, another Akatsuki meeting commenced.
"Oh? Kumogakure, huh?"
"Perfect. It's time to settle the score with the Raikage," Hidan said excitedly.
Kakuzu remained silent, but his eyes revealed his agreement. The Raikage had humiliated him once before—this time, he would reclaim his dignity.
"So, Kakuzu and Hidan, you two are definitely going?" Kisame asked.
"You two can handle the Raikage. I'll take care of the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki," he added, eager for a real fight.
"And Obito—Kakashi is essential for countering his Mangekyō Sharingan," Nagato stated.
"He'll need backup, though. That means at least five of us will be mobilized."
"Why not send everyone, like last time? It's not like we have anything better to do," Hidan asked curiously.
"No. Konan and I must remain in Amegakure to manage affairs. If the village is left unguarded, it could become a target. Additionally, we need to remain cautious of Jiraiya from Konoha."
"We'll handle things here," Nagato said, his tone carrying a trace of frustration. Days of administrative work had worn him down, and there was no end in sight.
"Fine, fine."
"What about the newbie? Is he coming?" Hidan turned to Might Guy, who had remained silent.
"No! I'm not going!" Guy refused outright. Although he had been in Amegakure for some time and found it surprisingly peaceful, he still had reservations.
"Then it's settled. The seven of us will go," Deidara concluded.
Seven against three? This should be an easy win.
No! He couldn't afford to jinx it. Best to assume a fifty-fifty chance.
At the village gates, the group assembled. Deidara sculpted a massive clay bird and gestured for everyone to board.
"We'll fly in from above this time. Zetsu is too unpredictable—if we approach from the ground, we risk being detected early."
Everyone nodded in agreement and climbed aboard.
...
Somewhere in the Land of Lightning
Zetsu emerged from the ground, with White Zetsu speaking first, his tone as cheerful as ever despite delivering bad news.
"Bad news! Really bad news!"
"What is it?" Obito turned to him.
"We couldn't find the Nine-Tails in Konoha. Word is, Jiraiya sent him to Mount Myōboku! We can't get in there!"
Obito frowned. He had been carefully orchestrating his plan to revive the Ten-Tails. Everything was in place—he had successfully manipulated Danzo, provoked conflict between Konoha and Akatsuki, and significantly weakened the village.
Now, just when he was finally ready to capture the Nine-Tails, the Jinchuriki had been sent to Mount Myōboku.
"Damn it."
"Zetsu, do you know where Mount Myōboku is?" Obito suddenly asked, a trace of doubt forming in his mind.
The Three Great Sage Lands had existed since ancient times, yet their locations remained a mystery. Unlike other summoning clans—such as the Uchiha's ninja cats, whose territory was known—no one had ever pinpointed the exact locations of the Sage Lands. They seemed to exist beyond the physical world, accessible only through reverse summoning.
Black Zetsu's eyes flashed with a hint of cunning. He knew—but he couldn't reveal it. Even Uchiha Madara had never learned this secret.
As Madara's supposed "will incarnate," revealing it now would expose his deception.
Besides, knowing the location wouldn't help. Without Six Paths-level power, no one could force their way in.
Seeing Black Zetsu shake his head, Obito scowled.
What now?
Without the Nine-Tails, his plan was at a standstill.
"Looks like we'll have to use the backup plan," Obito muttered.
The contingency was to revive Kinkaku and Ginkaku using Edo Tensei and extract the Nine-Tails' chakra from them.
But that meant gaining control over Orochimaru first.
Only he possessed the secrets of Edo Tensei.
...
Before a shrine, the remnants of Sunagakure—led by Kazekage Rasa—knelt in reverence. Alongside them were remnants of Konoha's Police Force, including the rogue ninja.
All bowed low, their expressions filled with awe and fear.
"Go to Kumogakure," a deep, eerie voice resonated from within the shrine.
Rasa hesitated, then quickly lowered his head again. "May I ask for what purpose?"
"To retrieve the one who possesses the Rinnegan."
Rinnegan!
The assembled shinobi gasped in shock. The legendary eyes of the Sage of Six Paths existed in reality?
Even more surprising—why would someone with such power require their help?
As they pondered, a dark energy surged from within the shrine, flowing into each of them.
"Go forth. With my power, you are invincible. You are immortal."
"Go forth and take the first step in my conquest of this world!"
"Yes, Lord Moryo!" Empowered by the overwhelming darkness, they responded in unison, their voices brimming with newfound confidence.
----------------
Pls Drop some Power Stones
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