Thump... Thump... Thump...
"Enter."
The voice of Yagura Karatachi echoed from within the tent.
"Mizukage-sama, we have intelligence regarding the Akatsuki."
A Mist ninja lifted the tent flap and stepped inside. Following behind was a battered young man.
"Speak."
Yagura turned his gaze to the youth. If he wasn't mistaken, this was the spy they had sent to the Land of Rice.
"We searched the Land of Rice for days but found no sign of the Akatsuki."
"I assumed they had already withdrawn."
"Then today, without warning, a group of Akatsuki launched an attack."
"They executed our people on sight."
At this point, fear filled the young Mist ninja's eyes, and his entire body shook.
"And then?"
Yagura frowned. The air in the room grew thick with tension.
"T-t-then I ran for my life..."
"On the way, I saw so many corpses."
"Most of our people... are likely already dead."
"Mizukage-sama, please avenge them!"
Tears streamed down the young ninja's face as he knelt, pounding his head to the ground in despair.
"If what you're saying is true..."
"The Akatsuki have wiped out everyone we sent to the Land of Rice, haven't they?"
Yagura did not respond to the young ninja's plea for revenge. In his mind, war always came with sacrifice.
"Yes."
Still kneeling, the young man nodded.
"I understand. You may leave now."
Yagura knew he wouldn't extract any more useful intelligence from him, so he dismissed the man.
"The Akatsuki remained hidden in the Land of Rice for so many days before suddenly striking..."
"Something feels off about this."
Yagura spoke softly, almost asking himself aloud.
"They stayed quiet before because they felt they couldn't beat us."
"Now that they've made their move, they must have received reinforcements."
Although the remaining Mist ninja didn't fully understand the situation, he dared not remain silent.
Risking his life, he offered a theory—one that revealed his sharp mind.
"Is that so?"
Yagura frowned even deeper.
"It's just my assumption, sir."
Sweat dripped from the ninja's brow, fearing he'd said too much.
"Hmph, not bad."
"That seems likely."
"Gather all the higher-ups for a meeting here."
Yagura's frown eased slightly as he gave the order.
"Yes, Mizukage-sama."
The Mist ninja turned sharply and left, finally exhaling once outside.
Soon after, the Mist leaders arrived and gathered inside Yagura's tent.
"What do you all make of the Akatsuki's actions?"
Once the report was delivered, Yagura began his interrogation.
His piercing gaze swept the room, the oppressive silence forcing everyone to hold their breath.
"If nothing else, it means the Akatsuki have received strong reinforcements."
"They must believe they can defeat us now."
"This is also a declaration of war against us."
These leaders weren't fools—they arrived at the same conclusion with minimal effort.
"Could this mean Nagato of Akatsuki has returned?"
"Isn't he still operating in the Land of Earth?"
An older man scratched his head, wondering whether the Akatsuki retreating from the Land of Earth feared provoking the Cloud ninja.
"If they take down the Land of Earth, do you think the Akatsuki would really gain much?"
"When it comes to gains, it's not surprising at all that they'd risk breaking ties with the Cloud ninja."
The man scoffed, finding the older man's naivety somewhat amusing.
"It doesn't matter whether Nagato leads them or not on the Akatsuki side."
"But one thing is certain: this individual is extremely powerful."
"Otherwise, the Akatsuki wouldn't have suddenly appeared openly after staying hidden all this time."
"They're probably just waiting for us to make the first move."
"This only tells us one thing—they're about to strike back."
A high-ranking Mist ninja succinctly summarized the crux of the issue.
"Well said."
"They're going to counterattack."
"Even if we don't strike first, they'll come after us anyway."
"Everyone should prepare. The coming battle will be brutal."
"If we win, everyone will be happy."
"If we lose… None of us may return."
Yagura Karatachi's expression began turning serious, though his voice betrayed a hint of excitement.
What a war to look forward to!
"Yes, sir."
All the Mist elites responded in unison.
"Follow me into battle tomorrow morning."
With that, he waved his hand slightly. Soon enough, the room was left empty except for him alone.
At this point, there was no other choice but to fight.
Early the next morning, as the sky just began showing a faint light of dawn, the Mist ninjas were already assembled and armed.
"Departure!"
Upon Yagura Karatachi's order, the Mist forces swiftly marched toward the Land of Rice.
"They've arrived."
Not far from the border of the Land of Rice, Nagato spoke calmly.
Standing beside him were Yahiko and others, with the Akatsuki forces behind them, fully prepared.
"Tsk tsk ~ This invincible sensing ability."
Yahiko's tone was tinged with admiration, yet he seemed unfazed by the news.
To him, the war's outcome was already sealed beforehand.
What chance did the Mist have against them?
"Not bad, I suppose—probably top three in the Ninja World."
Nagato played along proudly, flipping his red bangs aside dramatically.
However, he wasn't exaggerating either. In the original plot, it was Nagato who located Kabuto and informed Itachi.
This chapter isn't over yet—more action ahead!
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Otherwise, dealing with the reanimated army wouldn't have been so easy.
This kind of sensing ability truly was terrifying.
"You're getting too cocky."
Only Nonou would give him a hard time like that. Konan remained utterly unfazed.
After all, what was such long-range sensing capability compared to Nagato?
"It really is amazing," Kakuzu remarked emotionally. Back then, if it hadn't been for fear of Nagato's sensing ability, he'd have fled long ago.
Facing the impending battle, none of them showed even a trace of nervousness.
Their calm confidence boosted the morale of the Akatsuki warriors behind them.
Thoughts?
"Should we wait for them to come, or charge straight in?"
Yahiko asked his companions, though his tone came out gruff and bold.
"Let's meet them head-on."
"I'd like to see how tough the so-called 'Great Turtle' really is," Yahiko added with a sneer.
Nagato gave a quiet chuckle, his eyes filled with contempt. Who in this day and age would dare challenge someone wielding the power of Tailed Beast Chakra?
"Engage them!"
At Nagato's command, Yahiko shouted loudly and raised his hand high.
All units, move out!!!
As the Akatsuki ninja marched toward the Land of Hot Water, the distance between them and the Mist ninja steadily closed.
The moment both sides spotted each other, battle erupted like wildfire.
It could have been a coincidence—or a deliberate act.
Both sides launched their charge across the border line simultaneously.
"Nagato?"
That shock of red hair was impossible to miss; Yagura Karatachi quickly locked onto his powerful foe.
True to expectation, Nagato of the Akatsuki left his Cloud Ninja allies behind and rushed back for reinforcements.
"It's an honor that the Mizukage himself remembers me."
Nagato slowly lifted into the air, making Yagura Karatachi—who was already short—seem even smaller below him.
"Hmph... traitorous scoundrel."
A flicker of displeasure flashed across Yagura's face.
Looking up at Nagato, he began to coat his body in Tailed Beast Chakra.
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