The sweetness of the Royal Palace of the Land of Water still flowed through the night.
Thousands of miles away, in the Land of Akatsuki, Nagato sat cross-legged on a stone throne.
"Shun... kidnapping Ōnoki's granddaughter? He's as lustful as ever." Nagato's lips moved slightly, his voice echoing in the empty room.
His heart stirred, and his eyes burned.
Shun was a rare genius in the Ninja World, one in a thousand years. His strategic acumen earned his sincere admiration. But there could only be one peak in the Ninja World. If there's a chance, he will surpass him.
"Deva Path, access the highest encryption channel, contact Iwagakure and connect to Ōnoki's private communication."
Deva Path, like a machine receiving orders, picked up a special communication device.
Fine runes flowed across the device's surface. This was an Akatsuki custom-made encrypted Ninjutsu, effectively preventing communications from being intercepted.
—
At this moment in Iwagakure, the Tsuchikage's office was brightly lit, the atmosphere solemn yet oppressive.
Ōnoki's aged body was hunched, his eyes filled with anger, worry, and powerlessness.
The entire Ninja World knew Shun was a lustful man, and his granddaughter had been abducted by him. Now, it was likely...
"Shun... my granddaughter... alas..."
After his anger, Ōnoki felt a deeper sense of powerlessness.
He had personally witnessed Shun's thousand-meter Susanoo. That world-destroying power was something Iwagakure alone could not contend with.
"Who is unauthorizedly accessing my communication device?"
Suddenly sensing a strange Chakra fluctuation penetrating the office's defensive barrier, Ōnoki sharply looked up, a hint of vigilance flashing in his eyes.
The communication barrier slowly unfolded, and Deva Path's icy figure gradually appeared. He floated in mid-air, devoid of any emotional fluctuation.
"Ōnoki, I am Pain of Akatsuki."
Ōnoki's brows furrowed, his vigilance intensifying, even tinged with disgust. "What do you want with me? If you're after Iwagakure's Tailed Beast, then get lost."
"I am aware of Shun's rampage at the Iwagakure base and his abduction of your granddaughter, Kurotsuchi. I now represent Akatsuki to propose a collaboration to jointly assassinate Shun. Also participating in this will be Fourth Kazekage Rasa of Sunagakure, and A of Kumogakure."
"What did you say? Jointly assassinate Shun?"
Ōnoki trembled, suddenly standing up, a flicker of disbelief in his eyes, immediately replaced by ecstasy.
"You want to unite Rasa and A to deal with Shun?"
The thought of Kurotsuchi still in Shun's hands made his heart pound uncontrollably.
"It's not 'helping you,' but a mutually beneficial situation."
Deva Path's expression was exceptionally serious, spreading his hands to indicate, "We have a common enemy. Shun's strength has already threatened the balance of the Ninja World. By eliminating him, you can reclaim your granddaughter, and Iwagakure can restore its prestige and wipe away its shame."
Ōnoki's ecstasy gradually cooled, and a hesitant expression appeared on his face. He paced back and forth in the office, his footsteps echoing clearly in the empty room.
He knew Akatsuki was no benevolent group, and seeking help from them might backfire. But then he thought of Rasa and A, these two Kage-level individuals joining, and then of Kurotsuchi's stubborn eyes, and the scales in his heart continuously tipped.
"Why should I trust you? How can you guarantee that Rasa and A will really participate? How can you guarantee Kurotsuchi's safety? More importantly, how do we deal with Shun's thousand-meter Susanoo?"
Pain said, "This assassination will be divided into three steps. First, Akatsuki will engage Shun head-on, depleting his Chakra."
"Second, once his Chakra is more than half-depleted, you will seize the opportunity to launch a Dust Release sneak attack, aiming to severely injure or kill him."
"Third, Rasa will use Magnet Release: Gold Dust Imperial Funeral to seal the battlefield, preventing him from teleporting away. A will then launch a final fierce attack to completely eliminate him."
Onoki nodded. "Good. I agree but I must personally confirm the collaboration with Rasa and A."
"Very well. Communication ends here. See you at the ancient battlefield of the Land of Earth in three days."
The communication barrier instantly dissipated, and Deva Path's figure vanished with it. The oppressive feeling in the office also receded.
Ōnoki let out a long sigh, his gaze fixed in the direction of the Land of Water, his eyes cold. "Shun... your era should come to an end."
He leaned on his staff and walked to the window, looking at the night view of Iwagakure, a fire of revenge flickering in his eyes.
"Issue my command! Immediately gather all Jonin, Elders, and elite squad leaders for an emergency meeting! Also, notify Kitsuchi to lead Iwagakure's strongest Earth Release unit to prepare for battle!"
...
Nagato slowly closed his eyes, and the Chakra fluctuations around him stabilized.
The Chakra threads connecting the Six Paths of Pain gently swayed, pulling the Six Paths of Pain back into a suspended state, like six waiting sculptures.
"Shun... this show... I have already set the stage for you."
Nagato's voice carried complex emotions—admiration, anticipation, and a fervent desire to surpass Shun.
This plan was both a stepping stone for Shun and his testing ground. If Shun won, he would temporarily assist him in unifying the Ninja World.
If Shun lost, then the future of the Ninja World would be in his hands.
As night deepened, the winds of the Ninja World subtly stirred.
Four factions, each with their own interests, moved towards a single goal.
The three great Ninja Villages of Earth, Lightning, and Wind all believed themselves to be the orchestrators of this assassination plan. Yet, they were unaware that they were merely pawns in the hands of Shun and Nagato, all background actors.
Meanwhile, in the Royal Palace of the Land of Water, Shun held Kurotsuchi, sitting on the balcony of the bedchamber, admiring the starlit sky.
Kurotsuchi leaned against his chest, her short black hair gently fluttering in the night breeze, a happy smile on her face, her dark pupils reflecting the starlight and his image.
She gently snuggled against his chest, her movements tender.
With a longing for the future, Kurotsuchi whispered, "Shun, how wonderful it would be if we could always be this happy."
Shun gently kissed her forehead, his warm lips carrying his unique domineering aura.
"Kurotsuchi, it's late. We should sleep together."
Kurotsuchi lay in his arms, her face flushed with shyness. "Mhm... carry me inside."
***
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