After learning the truth behind the myths passed down in the shinobi world, Orochimaru reported to Uchiha Hikaru everything that had happened over the past three years.
Although Hikaru had picked up fragments of information during his time in Rōran, it was, after all, just a small and isolated place. It wasn't until this conversation that Hikaru realized how drastically the entire ninja world had changed in just three short years.
The strange chakra disturbance caused by Uchiha Hikaru's absorption of the Dragon Vein had startled Ōnoki, the elderly Tsuchikage of Iwagakure. Citing the disappearance of his personal disciple, Deidara, as justification, Ōnoki promptly launched an assault on Sunagakure in the Land of Wind.
In response, the Fourth Raikage, A, suspected that the mysterious events in the Land of Wind might be tied to the Six Paths' Treasures once carried away by Kinkaku and Ginkaku during their defection. Though he didn't officially declare war, he dispatched several covert squads into the Land of Wind to gather intelligence.
Even the Akatsuki seemed to have made moves during this chaotic time, though no concrete evidence surfaced. Still, based on Orochimaru's intel, it appeared the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, had hired Akatsuki mercenaries from the Land of Rain in exchange for Gold Dust.
However, Hanzō the Salamander, once hailed as the mighty demigod of Amegakure, did not appear on the battlefield. Orochimaru speculated boldly—Hanzō might have become a prisoner of Akatsuki's leader, Pain, or perhaps he had already perished.
The only great nation to stay out of the conflict was Kirigakure, thanks to its geographical isolation.
As for Konoha, it had recently issued a stern demand for all nations to cease hostilities.
After all, neither Ōnoki nor A had uncovered any of the divine artifacts they had hoped to find in the Land of Wind. Moreover, following the Third Great Ninja War, Sunagakure had signed an alliance treaty with Konoha.
Naturally, Iwagakure and Kumogakure had no desire to provoke Konoha—still the dominant power—so they agreed to the ceasefire, using the situation as a convenient excuse.
Yet Ōnoki, aware of Uchiha Hikaru's departure from the village, took the opportunity to propose that the next Chūnin Exams be held jointly—suggesting it during the recent Five Kage Summit.
But today's Konoha was no longer ruled by Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzō Shimura. Even without Hikaru, Tsunade was more than confident enough to accept the challenge.
After absorbing all this information, Uchiha Hikaru left Orochimaru's research facility and returned to the Senju Clan estate.
At the same time...
In the perpetually rainy skies of the Hidden Rain Village, a towering steel structure stood silent amidst the downpour. Inside the fortress, a tall, slender figure with snow-white skin and hair stepped from the shadows.
"Obito, are you really planning to attack Konoha during the Chūnin Exams?"
In the dim light, a man with a single eye behind an orange swirling mask stepped forward. His long hair was gone, cropped short in his usual style.
"Black Zetsu, the facts have confirmed my suspicions."
"Uchiha Hikaru... he has no blood relatives. He used his ocular power recklessly, without restraint. It's only natural that he went blind."
"If not, we wouldn't have been able to steal the Scroll of Seals from Konoha so easily, right?"
He glanced at Black Zetsu. "How's your progress with the Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu?"
The voice that emerged from the pale man with long white hair sounded strange—an unnatural mixture of glee and malice.
"I never expected Konoha to produce someone like Orochimaru," Black Zetsu murmured. "This new body I've obtained... it's quite the surprise."
He stepped into the light, revealing a pale, handsome face—half of it coated in a black, organic film.
"You wouldn't believe it, but this body contains traces of the Gedo Statue's power."
Black Zetsu could feel the dark chakra circulating through his new form. For the first time in thousands of years, he experienced a surge of satisfaction.
He, the ever-loyal son, who had toiled for millennia to free Kaguya Ōtsutsuki, had never even dreamed of possessing his own body.
And yet, in a recent operation, one accidental moment had handed him a gift beyond measure.
"Humph."
"I don't care about your body," Obito snapped. "I asked you about the Impure World Reincarnation technique."
"You're nothing but a remnant of Madara's will. I'm his successor. Your job is to assist me. Nothing more."
"Remember your place. Don't start thinking for yourself."
Black Zetsu stared at Obito's arrogant posture. Though fury welled up inside him, he swallowed it down.
"Don't worry. I've already mastered the technique," he said coldly. "Give me a little more time, and I'll optimize it even further."
"I can summon a force strong enough to destroy Konoha. Even if Hikaru were still there, he wouldn't stand a chance against these resurrected monsters."
That finally eased Obito's tension.
"Hmph. Then we wait for Nagato to issue the command," Obito said. "He's still the public leader of Akatsuki, after all."
A dark smile curled under the mask.
"I can't wait to see the looks on their faces... once Uchiha Hikaru vanishes from their lives, they'll know despair."
A short while later, Obito and Black Zetsu descended into the depths of the tower.
Inside a room lined with chakra receivers, they approached a thin man seated in a high-tech wheelchair. His fragile body pulsed with unnatural chakra—terrifying and volatile.
"Nagato," Obito said, "Black Zetsu has finished mastering the Impure World Reincarnation."
"For Konoha's Chūnin Exams, it's time we bared Akatsuki's fangs."
"If you give the order, even Yahiko—"
He didn't finish.
Nagato's emaciated frame suddenly erupted with a violent surge of chakra, enough to fill the entire chamber with overwhelming pressure.
"Shut up," Nagato growled, eyes glowing. "Don't you dare taint Yahiko's soul."
The outburst ended in silence. Then he whispered:
"Those arrogant bastards from the Five Great Nations…"
"Fine. We'll do it your way. Send Sasori and Deidara with them."
"Let's show Konoha what real pain feels like."
At that moment, a dignified woman's voice rang out from behind.
Though she tried to suppress the seductive undertone in her voice, it still lingered beneath her words.
"Nagato, I want to go with them."
Konan's sudden interjection froze everyone in place.
Nagato blinked. Then worry flooded his voice as he tried to dissuade her.
"Konan... Yahiko is gone. I can't lose you too."
"Let the others handle this—"
"Enough!"
Konan cut him off sharply.
"I know you're worried. But I'm not some fragile flower."
"I'm going on this mission, no matter what. Don't try to stop me."
Before he could argue, Konan dissolved into a flurry of paper cranes and vanished through the window.
Nagato watched her fly into the rain-soaked sky, shaking his head helplessly.
He had always thought of her as his sister. And now, they were targeting Konoha—the strongest hidden village in the world.
He didn't care if others died.
But if something happened to Konan...
How would he ever face Yahiko again?
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Bonus Chapter at 150 Power Stone
Second Bonus Chapter - 300 Power Stones
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