Chapter 280: Madara's Rinnegan? It's Mine Now
Onoki turned to the Iwa-nin who brought the report and asked gravely:
"What's the specific situation at the coastal border? How many forces does the Mist Village have?"
Onoki's calm demeanor steadied the Iwa-nin, who replied, "Tsuchikage-sama, the enemy came prepared. With the help of traitors, most of our outposts were hit almost simultaneously."
"Only a few outposts managed to send out unverified reports before being overrun. The enemy's ninja forces are at least ten thousand strong."
Ten thousand? After two years of recovery, it seems the Mist Village has regained its strength!
Onoki's expression darkened, and he decisively gave orders, "Deploy reconnaissance units immediately to gather detailed information on the coastal border. Notify all border units to strengthen their defenses and prevent further incursions by the Mist Village."
"Yes, sir!" The Iwa-nin responded immediately and quickly left.
Onoki stood still, his brows tightly knitted.
One disaster after another.
First, it was the clones, then the Akatsuki, and now Hyuga Fuji and the Mist Village had joined in. The Land of Earth seemed to have become a target overnight, facing threats and attacks from all sides.
"Can the Land of Earth hold out?" Onoki asked himself, but then shook his head, dismissing the thought. "No matter how difficult it gets, I must lead the Land of Earth out of this crisis."
He took a deep breath, forcing himself to remain calm.
Now was not the time for panic. He needed to make swift decisions, mobilize all available resources, and devise an effective defense and counterattack strategy.
With that in mind, Onoki once again picked up the communication device and sent out requests for aid to the Land of Fire and the Land of Lightning.
"I just said we didn't need help, and now, not even ten minutes later..."
Onoki smiled bitterly and shook his head.
He set down the communication device, his expression growing serious once more. Although he had sent out calls for assistance, it was uncertain whether the Land of Fire and the Land of Lightning could provide timely support.
The Land of Snow wouldn't sit back and allow other nations to aid the Land of Earth, so ultimately, they would have to rely on themselves.
Onoki quickened his pace toward the meeting room, and before he had taken two steps, replies from the Land of Fire and the Land of Lightning arrived. After reading the messages, Onoki's heart sank. He hurried into the meeting room to relay the news to the assembled elders.
"The Land of Snow is confronting the Land of Fire at the border, and the Land of Lightning's coastline is also under attack?"
By now, the elders had gathered one after another, each of them bearing dark circles under their eyes.
Because of the Akatsuki, they hadn't had proper rest for a while. Seeing the latest intelligence, their faces instantly filled with anxiety and unease.
One elder asked, puzzled, "What's going on here? The Land of Snow is one thing, but why is the Land of Water acting so quickly?"
It had only been a few days, yet the Land of Water's army had already made it to their doorstep? Even the news of the Akatsuki's attack didn't reach the Land of Water this fast!
Yes, the Land of Water's maritime capabilities were indeed advanced, but the distance between them and the Land of Water was considerable. They shouldn't have arrived so quickly.
If the Land of Fire or the Land of Lightning had suddenly been attacked, it wouldn't be as surprising...
"We have no relevant intelligence, so I'm not sure either. But this concerns the survival of the Land of Earth, and we need to make decisions quickly."
Onoki's tone was serious, tinged with helplessness and gravity.
The elders exchanged glances, and the room fell into a brief silence. Each of them was trying to process the newly received information, attempting to make sense of the sudden and complex situation to formulate a response.
Clearly, they wouldn't be getting much sleep in the coming days either.
...
"The Land of Water has made a move?" Isshiki was somewhat surprised upon receiving the news, but his expression remained largely unchanged.
He was sitting in a dimly lit chamber, the walls covered with complex runes and seals, the air filled with faint chakra fluctuations.
In his hand, Isshiki held a freshly implanted Rinnegan, his fingers gently stroking its surface, feeling the immense power within.
That's right. He had transplanted the Rinnegan into his own body, but instead of placing it in his eye socket, he had embedded it into the palm of his hand.
Now, that Rinnegan no longer belonged to Uchiha Madara but to Isshiki!
"Yes, Lord Isshiki." A respectful Iwa-nin stood before him, his tone carrying a hint of reverence.
After all, this man was said to be a descendant of the Sage of Six Paths' brother and possessed power surpassing that of Uchiha Madara.
Even without considering his lineage, Isshiki's strength alone commanded respect.
"According to the latest intelligence, Kisame and the Fourth Mizukage have already led the Land of Water's forces to the border of the Land of Earth. The Land of Snow has also started exerting pressure on other nations."
Isshiki frowned slightly, a glint of thought flashing in his eyes. "Hyuga Fuji couldn't hold back any longer, huh."
He lowered his hand and nodded at the Iwa-nin in front of him. "I see. You may go."
The Iwa-nin bowed and withdrew.
Watching the Iwa-nin leave, Isshiki stood and walked to the adjacent training area. Forming seals with his hands, he pressed his palm to the ground.
"Summoning Jutsu!"
A burst of white smoke appeared, but nothing emerged.
Although it was his first time performing the Summoning Jutsu, Isshiki knew the failure wasn't due to his own error but rather because the summoned entity hadn't responded.
"As expected?"
Isshiki raised an eyebrow.
According to White Zetsu, the Gedo Statue had already amassed considerable power. If he could acquire it, his return to full strength would be much simpler.
But now it seemed that with one Rinnegan in his possession, Nagato and Uchiha Madara had safeguarded the Gedo Statue, preventing him from summoning it away.
After all, the Gedo Statue's summoning contract was tied to the Rinnegan, so Nagato and Madara's vigilance didn't surprise Isshiki.
"White Zetsu."
White Zetsu appeared instantly behind Isshiki, kneeling on one knee. "My lord, your orders."
Isshiki's eyes gleamed as he said:
"Go to Onoki and assist him in defending against the Land of Water's attack on the border."
The Land of Water's rapid offensive left few possibilities.
If his guess was correct, Hyuga Fuji should be there as well.
...
On the endless sea, a massive spatial rift hovered between the sky and water like a tear, radiating unsettling chakra fluctuations. One warship after another emerged from the rift, their steel hulls gleaming coldly under the sun, cutting through the waves and leaving a wake in their path.
These were no ordinary ships but heavily modified war machines. Their hulls were covered with complex runes and seals, emitting faint chakra glows. Each warship was equipped with formidable weapon systems, including chakra cannons, jutsu launchers, and various advanced combat equipment.
This was the Mist Village's progress over the past two years.
Above the fleet, Hyuga Fuji floated in the sky, hands clasped behind his back, gazing distantly in the direction of Iwagakure.
Ten thousand? The Mist Village's forces were far more than that.
(End of Chapter)