Cloning technology was no simple matter, and it came with its own risks. A single failure could result in deformed limbs and a significant financial loss.
But now, someone else was footing the bill for Orochimaru.
He didn't have to spend his own money, and he could still accumulate experience and enhance his reputation. The Third Hokage also used this opportunity to strengthen ties with the various shinobi clans. It was a multi-beneficial arrangement, a win for everyone involved.
On the Uchiha side, Kawasaki took a more direct approach, simply distributing money to the clans.
Many knew perfectly well what was happening. Uchiha Kawasaki was competing with Orochimaru for influence.
...
The Land of Water battlefield.
Tsuren Island, a Hidden Mist stronghold.
Ever since the Hidden Mist's last failed assault on the Hidden Cloud, the Mist found themselves in an extremely passive position.
If they attacked, no one could stand against the Raikage. Even setting aside his lightning-fast assaults, his defense was exceptionally strong, even without his Lightning Release Chakra Mode active. Weaker shinobi couldn't even breach his defenses. If they didn't attack, they could only wait for the Hidden Cloud's main army to arrive.
Although the Akatsuki had gained an early advantage, Deidara and Sasori of the Red Sand had since disappeared. Hibaku was injured and missing. Now, the only Akatsuki members left were Jūzō Biwa, Kisame Hoshigaki, and Zabuza.
Today, Kisame brought Mei Terumi the news she had long been waiting for.
The leader of the Akatsuki, the Deva Path Pain, had arrived.
"If he's here, why won't he meet with me?" Mei asked, puzzled.
Kisame shook his head. "The leader is scouting the terrain, preparing to strike when the Cloud's army arrives. He will attack their rear flank at the very moment their main force lands."
Mei was completely baffled. "Attack their rear flank? How? The Hidden Cloud has five thousand troops. Even for the Akatsuki, it's impossible to charge directly into the heart of their army, isn't it?"
Kisame grinned. "You'll understand when the time comes."
...
Kisame wasn't intentionally hiding things from Mei. The truth was, he himself didn't know what kind of extraordinary method his leader planned to use, so he couldn't explain it.
Frustrated, Mei decided to seek out Jūzō Biwa, who had returned to the Hidden Mist and was, for all intents and purposes, one of her own. Perhaps she could get some information from him.
Mei shared her anxieties with Jūzō. Jūzō, however, had immense faith in the Akatsuki's leader.
"Lady Mizukage, there is no need to worry. The leader of the Akatsuki is incredibly powerful. If he has decided to attack the Cloud's rear flank, then we need only hold the front line."
Mei was, for the most part, satisfied with the Akatsuki's performance thus far. They had severely wounded Killer B and Yugito Nii, which had indeed reduced the Hidden Mist's losses. But she remained deeply concerned about the impending amphibious assault by the Cloud's main army. The Hidden Mist wouldn't have placed its hopes in a mercenary organization if it hadn't been driven to desperation.
Seeing her anxiety, Jūzō decided to reveal a secret. "Lady Mizukage, let me tell you something."
Jūzō said with a slight smile, "This is why I have so much trust in the Akatsuki's leader."
Mei's interest was piqued. "Go on."
Jūzō figured that Pain would eventually show himself on the battlefield anyway, so he told her, "The Akatsuki's leader is named Pain, and he possesses the legendary eyes of the Sage—the Rinnegan!"
Mei's face was a mask of astonishment. "The Rinnegan? Are you serious? But isn't that something only the Sage of Six Paths possessed?"
Jūzō gave a wry smile. "It's true. Against him, I couldn't even withstand a single move. Pain's Rinnegan not only grants him incredible combat prowess but also many other special abilities. Even though the Cloud has five thousand shinobi, if Pain says he will attack their rear, he is certain of his success."
Although Mei was shocked to learn that Pain possessed the Rinnegan, at this moment, the more powerful he was, the more at ease she felt.
"That sets my mind at ease." Mei's worries subsided, and she calmly awaited the arrival of the Hidden Cloud's army.
...
The front lines of the Land of Water battlefield.
The Hidden Cloud's grand army had finally arrived.
Countless ships approached the shore as the Raikage and his contingent arrived to receive the troops as they disembarked. Numerous scouts were monitoring the Hidden Mist for any movement. Everyone knew the Mist would not allow the Cloud to land unopposed.
Indeed, the Hidden Mist had already gathered their forces. But they didn't attack immediately, instead keeping a close watch on the Cloud shinobi.
The Cloud forces began to disembark in succession. Due to the sheer number of troops, the vanguard was already landing while the rear was still at sea.
At that moment, high in the sky, Pain stood with his hand on Konan's shoulder, gazing down at the Hidden Cloud forces below.
"Konan, it seems the balance maintained by the Tailed Beasts is as fragile as I thought."
Konan looked at the endless stream of ships heading for Tsuren Island and sighed. "Yes. Even a major power like the Land of Water cannot escape the fate of being invaded."
Pain was silent for a moment before speaking slowly. "The moment the Hidden Cloud learned the Mist no longer had a jinchuriki, they eagerly invaded, bringing the flames of war to the Land of Water. The strong only seek to conquer others, never considering how many innocent lives are lost to war. Kawasaki was right. Only when a greater threat emerges will they learn to cherish peace. Now, they must know pain. Only then will they understand the value of life."
Konan knew Nagato's plan and voiced her concern. "Are you going to use that jutsu? You're relaying your chakra through intermediaries right now."
Pain fell silent for a few seconds before answering. "This is the safest way. I'm certain Obito is nearby. He is lurking in the shadows, so we cannot reveal our position either. Although there will be a delay in this state, the distance is great enough to be safe."
Konan knew that Nagato had been recuperating and mastering the "relay method" Kawasaki had told them about, all in preparation for this moment. This knowledge put her much more at ease. After all, Nagato's real body was two hundred kilometers away in a straight line, which was a considerably safe distance.
There was, however, one small complication: after using that technique, the Deva Path would lose control. But they had prepared for this and had a contingency plan.
Konan glanced down at the Cloud shinobi, who were busy landing. "Then let's proceed. Is this spot acceptable?"
Pain's cold eyes swept over the scene below, taking in the Cloud warriors poised to invade the Land of Water. "This will do..."
As Konan responded, her body dissolved into countless sheets of paper that scattered slowly. The paper wings on her back transferred to Pain's. Her form dissipated completely—it had been a paper clone all along.
Pain, clad in his black cloak with red clouds, began a slow descent, supported by Konan's paper wings. He spread his arms, gathering chakra as he fell.
Two hundred kilometers away, on a remote island, a giant rock camouflaged with paper stood alone. Konan and Nagato's real body were hidden inside. Thanks to their thorough preparations, Nagato had ample time to gather his power, and he appeared much more relaxed this time.
An immense amount of chakra was gathering within Nagato's body, and his Rinnegan radiated a powerful ocular energy. This chakra was transmitted through the black rods in his back to one of the distant Six Paths. From there, it was passed to the next Path, and the next, until it finally reached the Deva Path Pain. This was the "relay method" Kawasaki had suggested. Despite the delay caused by the distance, its main advantage was safety.
Though Pain was high in the sky, his silhouette blocked out the light, drawing the attention of both the Cloud forces below and the distant Mist shinobi.
"It's one of the Akatsuki!"
The Hidden Cloud had suffered greatly at the hands of the Akatsuki before, and the sight of their cloak was unforgettable. They quickly reported to Raikage A, who had also spotted the figure in the air.
"What is that Akatsuki member trying to do!?" the Raikage roared, on high alert. He was not one to be easily fooled. The Akatsuki's strength was undeniable; they had nearly taken down his own brother. Their sudden appearance in the sky could not be a good omen.