"The barrier can be lifted now."
Before the smoke had even cleared, Nagato's voice reached the others' ears.
At those words, Yahiko and the rest didn't hesitate in the slightest—they immediately dispelled the barrier.
As everything came into focus, the Two-Tails lay unconscious on the ground, pierced all over by thick black rods.
"Is that all?"
Yahiko looked at the Two-Tails and couldn't resist giving it a playful kick.
It hadn't been easy picking on something alive before, so now that it was out cold, he could at least indulge a little.
He wasn't the only one thinking this. Konan got in on the act too.
Compared to them, Nonou remained the calmest among them.
"I guess that's taken care of," Nagato said, his tone as if he himself wasn't entirely sure, yet mischief flickered in his eyes again.
Suddenly, the Two-Tails, which hadn't even been able to open its eyes moments ago, jolted upright, startling Yahiko and Konan into a panic.
"Hahaha~"
Nonou burst into laughter, having clearly seen Nagato's mischievous look.
"Oh, you! Always trying to scare us like that!"
"You two are hopeless!" Konan and Yahiko both loudly complained, while Kawaki and Tsunade laughed so hard they couldn't stop.
After some playful teasing, no one noticed Kakuzu acting somewhat strangely.
"I'll head back first then," Kakuzu said his goodbye and turned to leave, and Nagato and the others still felt nothing was off.
Hmph... Even someone like me can form bonds?
Walking back home, Kakuzu shook his head with self-deprecating humor.
It seemed like he hardly recognized himself anymore.
"Teacher's wife, won't just leaving the Two-Tails here cause it to die?" Nagato asked Tsunade. Since Tailed Beasts weren't normal creatures, he wasn't sure whether it needed treatment.
"Don't worry, it won't die."
"Just dump it somewhere suitable."
Tsunade waved her hand dismissively. Wild Tailed Beasts weren't that easy to kill.
"Okay."
Nagato nodded, planning to toss the Two-Tails into some distant forest. He could summon it back whenever needed.
"Now that the issue with the Tailed Beast is settled," Kawaki continued, "then next, if there's any news from the Cloud Ninja Village, we'll stay updated."
"I think it won't be long before the Third Raikage makes their move." Kawaki issued instructions. So far, events hadn't strayed from his predictions.
Based on how quickly the Cloud Ninja Village had handed over the Two-Tails, they probably wouldn't wait long before starting their next action.
"Got it, teacher." Yahiko responded solemnly, with Konan nodding enthusiastically beside him.
"Teacher, will we be attacking together with the Cloud Ninja Village?"
Nagato wanted to know the extent of cooperation expected between the Akatsuki Village and the Cloud Ninja Village.
They couldn't support the Cloud Ninja Village every time they went after someone.
"Hmm..." Kawaki gathered his thoughts before speaking calmly.
"We've already discussed this in a meeting. Everyone's opinions aligned closely."
"The Cloud Ninja Village formed an alliance with you not out of weakness, but rather to add an extra layer of assurance for themselves."
"If they lacked the strength to invade another village on their own, forming an alliance with you would be meaningless."
"We predict the Cloud Ninja Village's first target will be the Land of Wind."
"But once they move against the Land of Wind, that old tyrant Ōnoki won't just sit idle."
"This is where you all come in."
"You won't be needed for the initial assault, but you'll definitely be asked to help repel Iwagakure's forces."
"Whether you will join us in an outright assault on Iwagakure remains undecided."
Kawaki laid out every detail clearly, and Nagato and the others nodded along in agreement.
They were all convinced that the Sand Village under Rasa stood no chance against the Cloud Ninja Village led by the Third Raikage.
"I see. So at most, we'll only end up clashing with Iwagakure."
"After all, it's not really his concern, so Ōnoki probably won't go all out either."
Nonou had long infiltrated Iwagakure, so she understood Ōnoki's tactics.
"That's right. That old geezer? He's got a dark soul."
"Give him no quarter when you fight."
Tsunade still burned with anger thinking about how Ōnoki had struck Konoha first during the Second Shinobi World War.
"Got it."
...
They talked a while longer before reluctantly cutting off the Visual Sharing.
Kawaki and Tsunade continued lying there basking in the sunlight, chatting lazily.
Nagato and the other three escorted the Two-Tailed Beast safely back to the village, marching swiftly but laughing together along the way.
A day passed quickly, and for the following days, Akatsuki Village remained calm and quiet.
But then, half a month later, someone's arrival shattered that calm completely.
This time, the Fourth Raikage A arrived alone, heavily armed, emanating a deadly, murderous aura.
"It's been a while."
"Do you have something urgent to discuss this time?"
Sitting at the head of the reception room, Yahiko smiled warmly.
Seeing A's outfit, he already knew what was coming.
"Time is tight, so I'll make this short."
"In two days, I hope you can send troops to launch an attack on the Land of Earth."
"My father will also begin his assault simultaneously."
A didn't bother with pleasantries and left everyone speechless with just three sentences.
"So soon?"
It was Nagato who snapped back to reality first—this wasn't what their teacher had described.
"Speed is our greatest strength."
"My father has already led his team to lurk near the shores of the Land of Earth. There's going to be heavy mist in two days."
While they couldn't risk creating thick mist through ninjutsu, that would be too obvious.
The Third Raikage believed it was better to rely on nature itself.
"Wait—they're already there?"
Yahiko's mouth, which had just closed, fell open again in shock.
This wasn't even a request anymore—it was a demand.
"It's definitely unexpected."
"But it's also necessary to prevent our plans from leaking. Please understand."
A offered a slight bow as he spoke.
"Iwagakure won't be easy to deal with though."
"Why not strike the Land of Wind first instead?"
Nonou feigned concern, putting on a show of supportiveness.
"Hah!"
"I asked my father the same question."
Instead of answering directly, A laughed out loud.
"Our Cloud Ninja Village has boosted our military strength heavily in recent years. Everyone in the ninja world knows that."
"Anyone with half a brain could've seen this war coming."
"And since the Land of Wind was nearly destroyed by Konoha in the last war, it still hasn't fully recovered even now."
"So no matter how you slice it, the Land of Wind should be our top priority."
"But precisely for that reason, do you really think the Land of Wind hasn't already prepared?"
"Father said we need to strike when they least expect it. Old man Ōnoki would never see it coming—we'd strike the Land of Earth first."
"Once we take the Land of Earth, the Land of Wind won't go anywhere—we can crush them anytime."
Fourth Raikage A's eyes gleamed with admiration as he laid out the Third Raikage's strategy.
His contempt for the Land of Wind was unmistakable in his tone.
"This guy's just brawn, but he's actually got a sharp mind."
Nonou muttered inwardly, unable to deny that this plan was actually brilliant.
"Third Raikage's insight is truly profound."
Though he flattered him outwardly, Yahiko secretly marveled at how bold the Third Raikage truly was, unsure how to respond.
"Time's running short. I'll step out and check what's going on."
Noticing Yahiko's discomfort, Nagato gave him a knowing look before rising quickly and hurrying out.
"You should've arrived sooner. We're not fully ready yet."
Yahiko caught on instantly and began talking to buy some time.
...
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