Obito's meeting with Nagato this time ended on bad terms.
After Obito left, Human Path Pain appeared in front of Nagato, holding intelligence about Konoha in his hand.
"I understand."
"Now is not the time to act against Konoha, let's wait."
"Soon, I will make the entire Konoha feel pain!"
Nagato muttered to himself.
Already very weak, he now looked even more pathologically crazy.
Then Nagato slowly closed his eyes, and the Pains also left.
In the Akatsuki base in the Land of Rain, where the Gedo Statue was located.
Figures began to appear on the fingers of the Gedo Statue.
"After investigation during this period, it has been confirmed that there are three Tailed Beasts in Konoha."
"Nine-Tails Jinchūriki · Uzumaki Naruto, One-Tail Jinchūriki · Gaara, Three-Tails Jinchūriki · Karatachi Yagura."
"The Yondaime Mizukage is imprisoned by Konoha. Now Kirigakure has issued a letter of challenge to Konoha again, demanding Konoha return the Mizukage and pay compensation."
"Konoha's reaction is to declare war directly on Kirigakure, led by the Hyūga clan, with the slogan of recovering the lost Byakugan."
On a finger, a ninja wearing a Konoha missing-nin forehead protector and a ring with the character "Vermilion" (Shu) on his right index finger spoke first.
That's right, during his escape, Asuma met Konan.
Under her invitation, he became a member of the Akatsuki organization.
Carrying hatred, this was his best choice.
"This matter has been confirmed. I think we should act against the Konoha ninjas heading to the battlefield."
"While attracting the attention of Konoha's higher-ups, we can also infiltrate Konoha and take the opportunity to capture the three Tailed Beasts."
Biwa Jūzō, wearing the ring "South" (Nan) on his left ring finger, spoke deeply.
As missing-nin from Konoha and Kirigakure, investigating these matters was quite easy for them.
"I want to participate in this battle."
"Orochimaru seems to be in Konoha too."
Sasori's hoarse voice followed.
Although his relationship with Chiyo wasn't good, Konoha killed Chiyo, so Sasori also had thoughts of acting against Konoha.
Plus his partner Orochimaru defected; he had an obligation to deal with it.
"For this operation, Nan and Shu, you two go intercept the Konoha team."
"Sasori, I will go to Konoha with you."
...
An operation against Konoha was decided simply like this.
Land of Rain, on top of an abandoned building.
Konan sat on the edge of the rooftop with a worried face.
"Nagato, you are a bit hasty."
"But, what are you anxious about?"
Plans and decisions came too fast.
Konan felt a vague unease in her heart.
"Yahiko, if it were you... what would you choose to do now?"
Konan murmured, sitting in the rain looking at the gloomy and oppressive sky.
Meanwhile, in a corner of the Land of Rain, a black shadow slowly merged into the darkness.
...
A few days later.
At Konoha's main gate.
Hyūga Hiashi put on his ninja outfit. In front of him were fifty elite ninjas from the Hyūga clan.
Standing beside him were Hatake Kakashi and Inuzuka Tsume.
The two faced fifty civilian ninjas and fifty elite ninjas from the Inuzuka clan respectively.
This time, with their three teams as the vanguard, they headed to the eastern border of the Land of Fire to clean up all Kirigakure ninjas invading the Land of Fire.
At the same time, the Mission Department also issued a new mission.
Any ninja participating in the battle against Kirigakure, killing one Kirigakure ninja counted as completing one B-rank mission.
So, besides the three teams in the open, other ninjas had already set off in advance.
"Move out!"
Hyūga Hiashi had no superfluous words, just heavily spitting out two words.
Any pre-battle encouragement wasn't as useful as the rewards Kaze laid out.
Plus, those standing here knew the purpose of this war in advance.
So, more than a hundred people vanished instantly in front of Konoha's gate.
Inside the Hokage Office.
"Hyūga Hiashi has set off."
"Sunagakure has also responded, and the forehead protector has been sent over."
"Lord Hokage, here is another intelligence worth noting."
Nara Shikaku reported, placing a document in front of Kaze.
"Large number of ninjas lost contact?"
"Rasa, this Kazekage, is really somewhat of a failure..."
Rasa sent not only the forehead protector for Gaara but also a list.
Just the ninjas Rasa confirmed missing amounted to more than seventy!
Moreover, he, the Kazekage, had absolutely no idea what happened.
Saying it was to remind Konoha to pay attention, in reality, he hoped Konoha would help him search.
"The time of the disappearances is too coincidental."
"Perhaps related to our war against Kirigakure this time."
Nara Shikaku voiced his worry.
"Does our Konoha have missing ninjas?"
Kaze put down the document and spoke deeply.
"Yes..."
"Not many, more than thirty people cannot be contacted temporarily."
"Not on missions outside, nor registered reasons for leaving the village."
"Here is the list."
Nara Shikaku took out another document and placed it in front of Kaze.
At the same time, he was shocked inwardly.
He only realized to investigate if Konoha had a similar situation on the second day after receiving Sunagakure's intelligence.
While the Godaime Hokage in front of him, just by glancing at the intelligence, almost confirmed it already.
A smart madman, that was Nara Shikaku's perception of Uchiha Kaze before him!
"These people?"
"I probably know."
"Pass the intelligence to Hyūga Hiashi, let him be careful himself."
"For the rest, no need to waste power investigating; soon these ninjas will appear."
Kaze finished speaking and waved his hand.
Nara Shikaku nodded, turned, and left the Hokage Office.
"Interesting, Akatsuki organization, you guys can't hold back anymore?"
"It seems, have to find time to take back things belonging to our Uchiha."
"Also, do you think I didn't discover you?"
Kaze stood up and walked to the window.
Staring at the streets of Konoha, he spoke playfully.
"Lord Kaze."
At this moment, a mass of black slime slowly rose from the shadows in the corner.
"Oh?"
"What thing are you?"
Looking at this dark mass, Kaze recognized it at first glance...
Black Zetsu!
This guy appeared suddenly in Konoha, and in such an unconcealed manner in front of him.
Kaze didn't expose the opponent's identity immediately but stared at him playfully.
"I am the manifestation of your consciousness, Lord Kaze."
"An existence born into this world for you."
Black Zetsu spoke respectfully.
Hearing this, Kaze almost couldn't suppress the corner of his mouth.
Okay, okay, okay...
This guy Black Zetsu, is treating him like Uchiha Madara to coax?!
However, after hearing Black Zetsu's answer, Kaze became more curious about what Kaguya's premature baby wanted to do.
"Oh?"
"Consciousness body?"
"So your appearance, does it have any use?"
"I don't like... useless trash!"
Kaze finished speaking, and Mangekyō activated.
Terrifying pupil power enveloped Black Zetsu...