Time passed quickly. In the blink of an eye, a week had quietly gone by.
Driven by the war machines of the Four Great Ninja Villages, the entire ninja world had become incomparably stirred up.
The forces of the major ninja villages were gathering at high speed. No one would harbor a lucky mentality about this war.
Moreover, Deidara, Terumī Mei, and even Gaara—who had just been revived and recovered—had all come to Konohagakure together.
On the one hand, there were quite a few things they needed to confirm. On the other hand, it was naturally also so that adjustments to strategy and tactics would be more convenient.
"Welp, it's finally about to begin, hmm."
In Konohagakure's underground conference room, Deidara stretched lazily, but soon he looked at Gaara and smiled.
"But this time you guys actually didn't pick the wrong side, Kazekage!"
"You've said it many times, Tsuchikage."
Gaara replied flatly. He didn't care about Deidara's attitude at all; what he cared about most was Kitagawa Gen.
To be blunt, the fact that he could come this far really did rely on Kitagawa Gen's encouragement back then.
If not for Kitagawa Gen's encouragement, he probably wouldn't necessarily have gone to become the Kazekage.
And besides, the last time the Akatsuki attacked, it was Konohagakure that saved him!
"Let's start as soon as possible. After all, this situation is somewhat critical."
"That's right. I really didn't expect their layout to be that deep."
Terumī Mei nodded as well. Her expression was also somewhat grave. Only Deidara shook his head.
"Tch, I really didn't expect them to be able to put together an army of around a hundred thousand, and they've already dug in at so many key places."
For a week, they had been investigating Akatsuki intelligence, and only when they discovered it did they understand that Akatsuki had already completed its deployment!
"Yeah, it really is a bit of a headache."
Kitagawa Gen nodded. He touched his chin and spoke.
"In the Land of Wind and Land of Rivers region, the Land of Grass and Land of Waterfall region, and the Land of Iron and Land of Hot Water region, there are all forces close to thirty thousand."
"The most troublesome are still the Land of Whirlpools and the Land of Waves. They also have around ten thousand deployed there."
Terumī Mei shook her head and said irritably. In that area, it was clearly to deal with Kirigakure.
These two locations are the most important "springboards" linking the Land of Water and the ninja world continent! If they are blocked here, it would be extremely disadvantageous for Kirigakure and, indeed, for the entire ninja world.
"Moreover, the landing at Kirigakure requires a landing operation, and landing battles always favor the defense."
"The most critical thing is that this time we've only gathered about sixty thousand."
Gaara couldn't help but speak up. His expression was far from pleasant.
Unknowingly, so many people had been stationed in the Land of Wind. Even though Kitagawa Gen had explained that those individuals were all humanoid creatures, their extreme stealthiness and average strength still made them troublesome for the ninja forces.
Especially since each village is large and prosperous—apart from their own ninja village, they must station troops in major towns, strongholds, and other key locations.
"Our personnel will be somewhat stretched thin."
"Moreover, speaking of the Land of Hot Water, there are so many people there, but it seems like Kumogakure hasn't joined the fight?"
Deidara didn't really see the problem with those forces. After all, he could just fly over. However, considering the others' concerns, he couldn't help but ask.
"What's their attitude? Will they join the fight?"
"Who knows what they're thinking? As of now, there's no news."
Kitagawa Gen shook his head. He really had no idea whether Kumogakure was planning to act.
Of course, he didn't let it bother him. After all, he was completely different now!
"Maybe they're just waiting for the right price. But for now, I'll prepare as I see fit."
"Lord Hokage, do you have any plans?" Terumī Mei asked curiously, and the others turned to look at Kitagawa Gen. He smiled and shook his head.
"My plan is simple. The situation has now split into two fronts. Since that's the case, we'll first focus all our efforts on dealing with the enemies on the western front, while for the eastern front..."
"Rely on the sea and your own land defenses?" Terumī Mei instantly understood, and Deidara, though slower to respond, also grasped the idea.
"Enemies stationed in the Land of Wind, Land of Rivers, and Land of Grass are simultaneously threatening Konoha, Iwagakure, and Sunagakure. They indeed need to be eradicated as soon as possible, hmm."
"And if our main force advances eastward, we will inevitably collide with them. Dealing with them first is therefore unavoidable."
Gaara quickly understood as well. After thinking for a moment, he spoke.
"Even if they retreat, they can only withdraw all the way to the coast. That will make our cleanup much more secure."
"That is the general strategic direction. As for the specific details, more specialized personnel will come later to make the arrangements."
Kitagawa Gen smiled. Strictly speaking, he actually preferred for the final battle to be resolved on land.
However, considering that the final confrontation would inevitably be against three Ōtsutsuki, if they truly fought without restraint on land, who knew what the battlefield would end up like.
If it took place by the sea, though, the situation would be much better. The ocean could absorb the energy released by their eruptions.
The resulting destruction would be far smaller by any measure.
'Especially by that time, I'll probably already have obtained the Ten-Tails, and the God Tree's fruit should also be fully cultivated, so being cautious is absolutely necessary.'
'So as not to directly shatter my planet.'
That was what Kitagawa Gen was thinking when he suddenly felt his brow twitch.
In the next instant, a line of information appeared in his vision.
[New Ninja World–Exclusive Quest Acquired]
[You filthy aliens—did you come to the ninja world to beg for food?]
[End the Fourth Ninja World War and eliminate all enemies]
[Accept?]
"..."
...
"Nagato, the war is about to begin."
Inside one of Akatsuki's hidden bases, Konan looked at Nagato before her and spoke softly.
War was truly nothing unfamiliar to them. Having been tempered by the Second and Third Ninja World Wars, and with the Land of Rain itself never truly stable, they possessed a far deeper understanding and awareness of war than most others. The renewed outbreak of war also made Konan feel deeply distressed.
"Yes. The war is starting again."
After a long while, Nagato slowly nodded.
"But don't worry. This war is different from the past. Perhaps this time, we really might see a different future."
"Different?"
Unease filled Konan's heart, yet there was a gleam of light in Nagato's eyes.
After a week of waiting, he felt that he had grown stronger once more. His power seemed to be becoming nearly inexhaustible.
That feeling was hard to put into words. That kind of unbelievable power made him feel as if he were a completely different person.
Moreover, in his mind, there always seemed to be a voice reminding him to keep fighting, to keep using his own power.
Only in this way could he become stronger and ultimately fulfill the dream in his heart.
"It really is different now. And now I finally understand why the gap between Kitagawa Gen and me is so large—he took a step ahead of me toward 'evolution.'"
"'Evolution'? Nagato, this—"
"I can feel my transformation. I can feel my power growing. This is the power granted to me by 'evolution.' This is the power of the Sage of Six Paths!"
"The Sage of Six Paths?"
There was always doubt on Konan's face, yet Nagato rarely smiled.
Although the voice in his heart was strange, he "understood" that he needed to follow it.
And he believed that by following his heart, he would surely complete his transformation. He would certainly walk the path of the Six Paths once more and create an entirely new world!
"That's right, Konan. I swear it to you."
Nagato restrained his smile. He took a deep breath and looked at Konan with utmost seriousness.
"I will definitely create a peaceful world—a world no longer threatened by the Ōtsutsuki, a world without war!"
"A world that contains our shared will, a world that Yahiko would be satisfied with!"
"Just this once, Konan—I will definitely do it!"
Looking at the utterly earnest Nagato before her, Konan finally nodded with equal seriousness.
"I believe in you, Nagato. I have always believed in you."
Konan's trust in Nagato was boundless. After all the trials and hardships along the way, only the two of them remained.
No matter what, Konan would always stand firmly by Nagato's side.
...
"Lord Orochimaru, why don't you use my body?"
The one who also possessed boundless trust was Kimimaro, though his expression now looked somewhat unwell.
"Is there something I did wrong, Lord Orochimaru?"
"No. You've done very well—always extremely well."
Orochimaru looked at Kimimaro and couldn't help but shake his head with a faint smile.
"It's just that you haven't yet developed your body to its utmost potential. At this moment, it isn't quite suitable for me to use."
"But—"
Kimimaro frowned. This war was exceptionally brutal, and even he himself was unsure whether he would survive it.
He longed to offer his body to Orochimaru. It was a long-held wish of his—if—
"Are you worried that you'll die in this war and won't be able to give your body to me?"
How could Orochimaru not know what Kimimaro was thinking? He licked his lips and smiled as he spoke.
"Then fight well, and survive. This is your best chance to prove yourself."
"Prove myself…"
"That's right. Keep fighting, keep developing your body, and survive amid this brutal combat. That is your proof."
"Is that so…"
"What I want is your perfect body, not what you have now. Do you understand, Kimimaro?"
Orochimaru looked at the silent Kimimaro and nodded slightly to himself.
Kimimaro was far too special. Especially after acquiring the Byakugan, his growth had become almost unimaginable.
At first, Orochimaru had also thought it was the 'power of all things' erupting within Kimimaro.
But later, when he learned of this thing called 'evolution,' he almost immediately concluded that Kimimaro was also an 'evolver.'
'An 'evolver,' huh? What an interesting existence. I really want to see what makes an 'evolver' different—and—'
And he also wanted to see what it felt like to be an 'evolver' himself.
...
"Is it finally time?"
At the same time, atop Akatsuki's tower, Obito stood quietly in the rain, gazing into the distance.
After a week of waiting, White Zetsu's army had completed its deployment, and the forces of Impure World Reincarnation had also begun to move.
Even though there was still no news from Uchiha Madara's side, and even though Kumogakure had not given a clear response, Obito no longer wanted to wait.
"Rin, do you see it?"
Obito pressed one hand to his left chest and murmured softly.
"From now on, I will build the world that belongs to us."
"A world without war, a world that will never repeat our tragedy, and a world where you will never be controlled again!"
"It was you who guided me and gave me the strength to reach this day. I will never let you down!"
Obito whispered these words. In the next instant, the space around him began to twist—he had to prepare to act.
Yet within the consciousness space of the three of them, the three Ōtsutsuki were looking on with disdain at their display.
"A bunch of lowly life-forms."
Momoshiki shook his head contemptuously, then rubbed his chin.
"And who is this so-called Sage of Six Paths that this lowly creature keeps talking about?"
"An Ōtsutsuki."
Isshiki spoke instinctively, but almost immediately, he became alert.
Because the looks that Momoshiki and Urashiki cast at him were clearly off.
He couldn't even be bothered to deny whether he had actually "done it" or not. After all, he already had the intention to make a big move!
"Enough of that. How is the unfreezing of your hosts going?"
"The idiot on my side is already close to fifty percent unfrozen."
Urashiki let out a disdainful snort, then shook his head.
"It's just that this idiot keeps thinking about sacrificing himself to become another lowly creature's vessel. Truly stupidity taken to the extreme."
"Fifty percent, huh? That's pretty good."
Momoshiki shook his head lightly. After sensing things for a moment, he spoke again.
"I'm only at thirty to forty percent here. I really have the two of you to thank—otherwise it wouldn't have been this fast."
"As long as the battles are suitable, the unfreezing can be accelerated."
Isshiki spoke indifferently from the side, though there was clear displeasure on his face.
That idiot Obito relied entirely on Kamui in battle, which caused his unfreezing progress to fall far short of expectations!
"My progress isn't that fast either—close to sixty percent."
"Sixty percent? That's a bit slow."
Momoshiki raised an eyebrow, and Urashiki's gaze also shifted over.
In the end, however, neither of them said much. Momoshiki let out a low, reflective sigh.
"It seems that as long as the intensity of this battle is appropriate, all of us can unfreeze ahead of time. That really is something to look forward to."
"Yeah, it really is something to look forward to."
Urashiki nodded as well. The two of them glanced at each other, then both turned their eyes toward Isshiki.
Yet whether they were looking at each other or at Isshiki, their gazes appeared especially strange.
"Then this planet will be our hunting ground."
Isshiki was not to be outdone. He also spoke with an unusual look and a smile on his face.
"Let us enjoy the hunt here!"
At that, all three burst into laughter.
As for what the prey would be, none of them mentioned a single word.
And behind their smiles, they each quietly clenched their fists.
'Mine. All of it is mine. Not a single one of you is getting away!'
Momoshiki muttered inwardly, his smile growing even brighter.
'Let me personally verify just how wonderful this 'Divine Ascension Stairway' really is.'
Isshiki also thought silently to himself. After struggling for so long, it was finally his turn.
'Since all of you have done it…'
Urashiki couldn't help but mutter inwardly as well, his gaze becoming exceptionally firm.
'If I don't do it too, I won't be able to leave this place!'
Thinking this far, the three of them reached a tacit consensus in their hearts.
'I will leave this place alive. I will forge my own Divine Ascension Stairway!'
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