"Damn it, that guy really acts without any restraint."
When Nagato learned that the Land of Rain had formally declared war on them, this leader of the Akatsuki organization immediately became somewhat panicked.
"I told you that Madara's actions would only invite greater trouble. Moreover, the Lands of Lightning, Wind, and Water have all come to demand people from us, and they have already assembled troops on the border. These three nations claim that if we do not hand over the people within 24 hours, they will invade the Land of Rain." Konan said with a worried expression.
The combined forces of the three nations did not actually make Nagato apprehensive. He was not even concerned about adding Otogakure. What he truly feared had always been just Uchiha Ryun.
Not long after, Uchiha Obito, who was far away on the Water-Earth battlefield, received a communication from the Deva Path Pain.
When Uchiha Obito learned that Otogakure had attacked the Land of Rain, his face turned as unpleasant as Nagato's.
"That bastard. Is he trying to start a war with us ahead of schedule?"
"The top priority should be returning to the Land of Rain. The matter concerning Uchiha Itachi should be put on hold for now. Anyway, it is unlikely that guy will join us in the short term." Black Zetsu suggested.
"It can only be like this." Uchiha Obito nodded, then used his space-time eye technique, taking Black Zetsu with him.
Amegakure.
In the garden of the Shadow Residence.
"I only left Otogakure for a few months, and you managed to create such a big 'surprise' for me."
Orochimaru's face was full of helplessness. He suspected that this rebellious disciple might not be able to stand seeing him relaxed and comfortable outside, so he deliberately caused such a big commotion to force him back to the village.
"They were practically shitting on my head. If I did not fight back, others would think I am easy to bully." Ryun played with the specially made kunai in his hand and said casually.
"Ah. Daddy, who is so disgusting. They actually shit on your head." Nanaise looked at the top of Ryun's head with a disgusted expression.
"That is a metaphor. Adults are talking, children should not interrupt. Go play in the sand over there." Ryun scolded irritably.
"Oh, oh."
"That bunch from the Akatsuki organization. They are lawless and unprincipled. They really deserve to be taught a lesson. It is good to make them remember this." Orochimaru nodded and said.
He already knew the whole story of the incident, so he also supported Ryun's decision.
He did not mind Ryun starting a war without authorization. From the very beginning of Otogakure's establishment, the Sound Shadow and the Shadow had been granted the authority to start wars. Ryun's action was not an overstepping of his authority.
"Well, teacher, during this time, I will have to trouble you to act as the main commander of the ninja army. Anyway, when it comes to fighting wars, few people are more capable than you." Ryun did not stint on praise.
"Hmph, you guy, are you trying to be lazy again?" Orochimaru snorted coldly, pretending to be displeased.
"Not at all. I have this. I can rush into the battlefield at any time. If I want, I alone can break into Amegakure." Ryun raised the Flying Thunder God Kunai in his hand and said with a smile.
"Do not. Otogakure rarely encounters a decent opponent. I do not want this war to end too quickly." Orochimaru said with a serious expression.
"Hehe. Teacher, it seems we think alike." Ryun said with a smile.
For Otogakure and Amegakure to go to war, both Ryun and Orochimaru actually had the intention of using the enemy to train their troops.
Since its establishment, their village had not experienced a proper war. Relying solely on the reputation of the two Shadows was clearly not enough.
Moreover, having too many freeloaders in the village is not good, and having too many useless people is also not good. A suitable war will help Otogakure grow. The battlefield, where the fittest survive, will screen out the highest quality subordinates for them.
Winning a war can also greatly increase the sense of honor and belonging of all the ninja in Otogakure. Relying solely on long-term brainwashing to control a person's thoughts is not easy. Otogakure needs a credible record of achievements and history. The glory of the Illusory Sun Dragon God is ultimately personal. He can represent the collective, but he does not belong to the collective.
Orochimaru wants to build Otogakure into the sixth great ninja village, on par with the 'Five Great Nations'. To achieve this goal quickly, the best option is to start a controllable war.
With Ryun backing him up, he never doubted whether they could win this war. With this worry gone, all that remained was to think about how to best train the troops.
"Teacher, since you already have an idea in mind, you cannot say I am being lazy. It is you who will not let me participate in the battle."
Ryun said with a laugh.
"Leave the small fry of Amegakure to you to deal with. If those guys in the Akatsuki organization dare to attack you, then I can fly over at any time to deal with them."
Hearing this, Orochimaru could not help but roll his eyes at him, then stood up and left directly for the Shadow building to arrange the subsequent war.
Compared to the Land of Rain battlefield, surrounded by enemies and with ninja armies pressing on the borders, the movements on the four main battlefields of the ninja world were obviously much smaller, especially the Lightning-Fire, Water-Fire, and Wind-Fire battlefields.
After a period of ceasefire negotiations, the Land of Lightning even actively signed a peace agreement with Konoha and formally announced this result to the ninja world. The war between the two countries was over.
Without the threat and pressure from the Land of Lightning direction, Konoha divided the ninja withdrawn from the Lightning-Fire battlefield into four groups and reassigned their tasks.
Minato led one part of the ninja to the most dangerous Fire-Earth battlefield. Two other parts were sent to support the Wind-Fire and Water-Fire battlefields respectively. The remaining part, consisting of younger ninja, returned to Konoha to alleviate the heavy mission pressure within the village.
Two months later, the Land of Water and the Land of Fire announced a comprehensive ceasefire. After three days of negotiations, the two countries formally signed a peace agreement.
The Fourth Mizukage was busy solving the increasingly severe internal crisis, and things were not entirely peaceful within Konoha either. Internal conflicts and crises also existed, but Konoha's situation was far less severe than Kirigakure's.
The Third Great Ninja War had been going on for so many years. Every ninja village had internal conflicts. No matter who was in power, it was impossible to prevent such things from happening.
In Konoha, the Uchiha clan could be said to be the most difficult among the major ninja clans to handle. They had a large population, and the inherent unruly and arrogant nature of this clan destined them to be viewed with caution and dislike by every ruler.
"Itachi. The Uchiha clan has significant problems. The ambitions of those people have even begun to affect the safety of the village. I am considering whether to carry out a purge against them."
After learning some information from Uchiha Itachi, who acted as a spy within his own clan, Sakumo Hatake spoke to him seriously, revealing this thought.
Wiping out the entire Uchiha clan was certainly not the goal, and Sakumo Hatake would not do such an exterminating thing. However, some stubborn troublemakers had to be dealt with in advance, lest they incite more clansmen in the future, bringing greater trouble and threat to Konoha.
Uchiha Itachi was an inheritor of the 'Will of Fire'. Sakumo Hatake did not doubt his loyalty and was willing to be frank with him about his thoughts.
"The Uchiha clan has a large population. It is inevitable that there will be some scum and traitors. Please give me more time, Hokage-sama, to investigate clearly. When the time comes, I will personally eliminate those troublemakers for Konoha."
As Uchiha Itachi spoke, his three tomoe Sharingan suddenly transformed into the Mangekyō Sharingan. He was demonstrating to the Hokage that he possessed the power to suppress the rebellious elements.
"Itachi, you. You actually awakened the same eyes as Ryun!" Sakumo Hatake could not help but exclaim in surprise.
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