Hanzo gave the command—and Yūren Village moved without warning.
The Akatsuki organization, caught completely off guard by the sudden assault, suffered severe casualties at the hands of Rain-nin operatives.
"What is Hanzo thinking?"
At the Akatsuki strategy meeting, Blackwater's expression was stormy, his displeasure with Hanzo's actions evident to everyone present.
Over the years, Akatsuki had flourished under Yahiko's guidance. What once began as a fringe group of a few stray ninja had grown into a formidable network, with elite Jōnin forming the organization's backbone.
Among them, Blackwater held particular influence. As one of Akatsuki's founding members, he had mentored many of the current Jōnin, giving him both prestige and authority.
Yun sat quietly, deep in contemplation. "Hanzo's sudden offensive makes no strategic sense…"
Even in the wake of Danzō's death, such abrupt aggression was uncharacteristic. If Hanzo truly wanted to confront Akatsuki, he should've at least staged negotiations or diplomacy to veil his true intent. Direct conflict would only invite massive losses on both sides. Akatsuki's current strength wasn't something Yūren Village could easily suppress without severe repercussions.
"What could have provoked Hanzo into acting this recklessly?"
Yun's thoughts drifted to a memory—something shared with him recently by Earth and Stone. He remembered Jue's intent to enter the Land of Rain.
For the past few days, Yun had kept his sensory perception active, yet he hadn't sensed Jue's presence at all.
"He must have gone straight to Yūren Village…"
The aftermath wasn't hard to piece together. Whether Jue used genjutsu, manipulation, or coercion, Hanzo's erratic behavior could almost certainly be traced back to his interference.
But what was Jue's motive in inciting such direct conflict?
"Rain's offensive is progressing quickly," Konan reported during the meeting. "Most of our external bases have already been seized, and their forces are converging on our headquarters."
With Akatsuki no longer a covert group, and its core members gaining recognition across the ninja world, the location of their headquarters had been revealed—mainly to facilitate recruitment. While it opened the doors to aspiring rogue ninja, it also left them vulnerable to an organized assault.
Konan's analysis snapped Yun from his thoughts.
"It's happening fast…"
"Too fast," Yun muttered. "Something doesn't feel right…"
A chill crept through his heart as he recalled a name he'd hoped to avoid:
Madara.
Could it be…?
Was this his move?
Madara, despite his legendary status, hadn't yet shown his hand in this era—but Yun couldn't dismiss the possibility any longer. If Madara had orchestrated this, then everything—from Hanzo's betrayal to Jue's influence—was part of a deeper, more dangerous game.
And if Madara had finally decided to intervene, then survival became the most immediate concern.
Yun doubted Madara would let Akatsuki's current leadership persist. In fact, the more casualties Akatsuki suffered, the easier it would be for Madara to reshape the organization in his image.
Konan might be spared—her connection to Nagato possibly her only protection.
But the others…?
Slaughtered.
In the original timeline, Akatsuki's later roster was filled with rogue ninja from different backgrounds—dangerous but replaceable mercenaries. There was no mention of most of the original members like Blackwater, and no recognition of their existence in any future chronicles.
It was as though they had been erased.
While Yun was silently analyzing these implications, the others were busy strategizing counterattacks against Yūren's forces.
"The heavy pupil's power should be nearing its next evolution. The mold quota has already been consumed, so the next phase must involve instant-cast jutsu," someone said.
'Molds'—etched sequences of mastered techniques stored within the eyes—allowed instant execution of powerful ninjutsu. Unlike the Sharingan's copied techniques, molds were personal records—perfect reproductions of jutsu performed by the user themselves.
This granted several advantages: full power output, instant activation, and no need for hand signs. In contrast, Sharingan-copied jutsu lacked spontaneity and often required seals, losing their edge in high-speed battles.
There was a key distinction between Muji casting (casting without seals) and instant casting. While many shinobi could perform Muji-style ninjutsu, true instant casting was a rare talent.
The drawback of molds lay in their limits. Since they took up space in the eye's structure, only a handful of techniques could be stored.
"My visual prowess is currently equivalent to the three-tomoe Sharingan. While not at the level of a Mangekyō, it should surpass standard tomoe performance," Yun thought.
"My arsenal leans heavily on Fire Release and body flicker techniques. If I combine the Shunshin no Jutsu with my visual prowess and momentum techniques, I may be able to push the limits."
"As for Fire Release, my most potent technique—Buddha's Wrath: Fire Lotus—has likely peaked in terms of raw power. All I can do now is refine its deployment."
"In the end, it all comes back to the heavy pupil…"
If he was going to fully consume the remaining mold slot, then there was no room for hesitation.
—
The war between Rain Ninja and Akatsuki barely rippled across the ninja world. Conflict was the new normal, and skirmishes between rogue states were expected.
None of the Five Great Nations lifted a finger.
In fact, Hanzo attacking Akatsuki was seen as a positive—one less threat to deal with.
Their only concern was if Hanzo were to intervene in their own conflicts, as he had once supported Konoha in the past.
—
Village Hidden in the Mist – Kirigakure, Land of Water
"Konoha has already mobilized. The element of surprise is gone. Damn it!" the head of the Kaguya clan shouted at the Jōnin council. "How did they find out about the mission so early? What were our scouts doing?"
The silence that followed was heavy. No one dared respond.
They had all shared the same sentiment: their operation had been compromised before it even began. The failed raid on Konoha was a blow to both morale and credibility. Several Jōnin shared the blame, though no one openly admitted fault.
Most were relieved someone else had voiced their frustration.
The Third Mizukage finally spoke, cutting through the tension. "We will proceed with war preparations. Kirigakure will engage Konoha directly. The Kaguya and Suizuki clans will take point, with specific focus on countering the Uchiha and Hyūga clans."
He paused before continuing. "Begin preparations immediately. We must be ready to mobilize at a moment's notice."
Though war had not yet erupted, the ninja world simmered with anticipation. Every village stood on the edge—ready to leap the moment one domino fell.
There was an unspoken understanding between the major nations: if they were to strike, they would do so together. The Fire Nation's vast resources and Konoha's growing dominance made them the common enemy.
Despite past rivalries, even Iwagakure and Kirigakure shared a momentary alliance.
Though the Second Tsuchikage and Second Mizukage had killed each other in a past battle, the two villages now coordinated indirectly.
Kirigakure's exposure had drawn Konoha's attention away from other fronts, allowing Iwagakure the opportunity to strike from the shadows. If executed correctly, the plan would divide Konoha's forces, maximizing the damage.
"And the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, including Zabuza and Chōjūrō—you must all be battle-ready. You won't be spared from the front lines."
One of the council members, Hōzuki Mangetsu, sat silently, observing.
His gaze wandered until it landed on a familiar figure—Ao.
He stiffened.
That man… he still possessed the Byakugan he had stolen from the Hyūga clan during the Third Shinobi World War.
He'd taken the eye from the Hyūga Main House—and lived to tell the tale.
"Interesting," Mangetsu thought, brushing his hair back. "Maybe it's time to reclaim that eye for the Leaf…"
Twilight had fallen over the world—but it was far from quiet.