"I'm entering the Land of Rice Fields now. Let's begin."
With a Katsuyu clone resting on his shoulder, Nagato stood at the border between the Land of Iron and the Land of Rice.
"Roger that."
"I've waited so long, the flowers have withered."
Balancing a Katsuyu clone in his palm, Yahiko's smile gradually turned cruel.
"I'll go prepare."
"We've tolerated them long enough."
Konan said, then transformed into shreds of paper and darted off — she could hardly contain her eagerness.
"I'll gather the team too."
Kakuzu rose as well; his patience had worn thin over the past few days.
"One after another — so impatient to get started."
Yahiko complained, though his tone lacked any real criticism.
"Don't pretend you're not holding back either."
"Go ahead."
Nagato knew Yahiko better than anyone. If he hadn't been stuck on this video call, he'd have taken off faster than Konan did.
"Me? Holding back?"
"My mindset is perfectly calm."
Yahiko put on an aloof expression, but secretly wished Nagato would end the call already.
"Oh really?"
"Then why don't we chat a little longer?"
A teasing grin spread across Nagato's face. Nice try pretending with me?
"It's not like I don't want to talk."
"You know, you don't have anything else important going on."
"How about~we catch up once you arrive?"
Faced with Nagato's apparent desire for small talk, Yahiko caved immediately.
He was barely holding back either — lately, hearing the words "Mist ninja spy" alone sent his anger spiking.
"Someone wasn't just bragging about how calm they were a second ago?"
Nagato gave a teasingly sarcastic reply, lips curling upward.
"Aww, what does that have to do with it?"
"I'm just worried Konan might be overwhelmed."
"Alright, no more talking."
"Bye."
Yahiko abruptly cut the connection and rushed out as if fleeing.
Typical stubbornness — like a dead duck still trying to quack tough.
Looking at the normal view before him, Nagato finally burst into laughter.
"What's so funny?"
Nonou sounded slightly sour — must've been a jealous vinegar jar spirit in a past life.
"You're even jealous of Yahiko?"
Nagato's smile instantly vanished without a trace, replaced by a mix of helplessness and amusement as he looked at Nonou.
"Hmph~ What do you care?"
Nonou turned her head sideways, mimicking Konan's tsundere attitude perfectly.
"Really, I can't do anything with you."
"I apologize, okay? From now on, I'll only smile like that for you."
Nagato leaned closer, his voice warm and affectionate as he whispered beside her ear.
"Now that sounds better."
"I forgive you."
She tried hard to keep a straight face, hiding her smile, though her heart fluttered with sweetness.
While they teased each other, Yahiko was already preparing to tear through the enemy.
"Is everyone assembled?"
When Yahiko walked out, a sea of Akatsuki members had gathered.
"Most of it is done."
Konan didn't bother to count — there were enough hands already.
"Good. Get ready to depart."
"Don't let a single Mist ninja spy escape our sight."
With a sweep of Yahiko's arm, the team surged into action.
Not only did they feel frustrated, but many Akatsuki members also felt a simmering resentment.
Now freed from restraint, the Akatsuki were filled with renewed determination.
"You follow me."
Kakuzu casually picked a squad and broke away from the main group.
"You've got that flank," Yahiko told Konan.
"No problem."
With a powerful beat of her wings, Konan soared into the sky, followed by a group of Akatsuki ninja flying behind her.
Yahiko, Konan, and Kakuzu each moved in separate directions. This time, they were resolved to wipe out every last Mist ninja Yagura Karatachi had dispatched into the Land of Rice.
"Where have these Akatsuki disappeared to?"
"Not a single trail or sign—how is that possible?"
Deep within an unnamed forest in the Land of Rice, two Mist ninja spies were advancing cautiously.
One of them looked visibly frustrated—no progress day after day had really stressed him out.
"Who knows?"
"Maybe they've already fled."
"And why does Mizukage act so carefully anyway?"
"If you ask me, we should've just invaded with full force."
Another Mist ninja chimed in, clearly dissatisfied with Yagura's orders.
"Shh! Don't say such things recklessly."
"Mizukage's decisions aren't something we can casually discuss."
The way Frustrated Guy glanced around revealed just how much he feared Yagura.
"What's there to be afraid of? Mizukage isn't even here."
"Even if he's strong, could he possibly kill me while I'm in the Land of Hot Water?"
Disgruntled Guy didn't hold back—he grew even more arrogant.
"A slip of the tongue may invite disaster."
"It's better to be careful."
Frustrated Guy meant well—if those words reached Mizukage's ears, it'd definitely cost them dearly.
Just as Disgruntled Guy was about to speak again, a strange voice suddenly interrupted.
"You make a valid point."
"Words bring calamity—and yours has arrived."
Yahiko abruptly appeared before the two, a flash of his blade sending both heads soaring into the air.
"I'll educate you on behalf of your Mizukage."
"In your next life, remember to watch your tongue."
He flicked the blood from his blade and smoothly returned it to its sheath.
"Lord Akatsuki Shadow, three targets have been eliminated."
An Akatsuki ninja approached Yahiko, reporting his successful mission.
"Keep searching."
After saying that, Yahiko continued forward.
Similar scenes unfolded across every corner of the Land of Rice; both Kakuzu and Konan had also scored victories.
Oh—
If you enjoy Naruto: Starting from Pursuing Tsunade, be sure to bookmark us: (m.
As night fell, nearly all Mist ninjas within the Land of Rice had been wiped out.
Only a few fortunate survivors managed to escape.
"Finally got some relief today."
Meeting Nagato at the new campsite, Yahiko gave his shoulder a heavy pat.
"We couldn't even find space to settle in—you must've found one hell of a hidden spot."
Nagato couldn't help but chuckle—turns out he needed to find another place to set up camp even after arriving.
"Don't mention it."
"Do you think we'd end up like this without those Mist ninjas?"
Konan still hadn't let go of her anger—just hearing about it reignited her fury.
"All right, all right."
"No more hiding now!"
"Yahiko, I'm still mad," Konan pouted. Her temper was truly boundless.
No wonder any Mist ninja who crossed her met a gruesome fate.
"Where's Nonou?" Yahiko didn't know how to reply, but Kakuzu suddenly noticed someone was missing from the conversation.
"Right! Where's Sister Nonou?" Konan glanced around before turning to Nagato.
"She's mixing some medicine. You can find her that way." Nagato pointed in a direction and Konan quickly disappeared.
She figured another girl would understand better — Nonou would surely empathize with her feelings.
"I heard you lost two hearts. Did you replace them?"
Nagato's sudden concern caught Kakuzu off guard.
"Just today, actually." Kakuzu answered truthfully. This was his first battle since he withdrew from the Land of Hot Water.
Although these Mist ninja weren't particularly strong, having backup was better than nothing.
"Good."
"That 'favor' you owe Yagura Karatachi... I'll help you repay it."
Nagato smiled as he spoke, but his voice carried an unmistakable edge of killing intent.