"It's a bit of a shame. I was actually planning to take you to the Hot Springs Country for a relaxing bath, but he had to take this opportunity to appear and start The Fourth Great Ninja War. It looks like this will have to wait for another time."
Terumi Mei's expression turned serious. "You know him? He claims to be Madara Uchiha and told us about the Moon's Eye Plan—his goal to merge the entire world into one. Such a madman."
"Just a pitiful person," Anya sighed inwardly. It seemed like everyone from the Uchiha Clan had tragic fates—Shisui died young, Itachi passed away early, Miss Mikoto lost her sons, and Sasuke became a rogue ninja, with no one even knowing where he is now.
Mei couldn't help but smile. "Only you would describe him that way—an individual capable of triggering The Fourth Great Ninja War, yet still just 'pitiful' in your eyes?"
Anya offered no further explanation. Instead, she pulled out a scroll and handed it to her. "This is the manual for operating the massive vessel. It can transform and hover midair, though not nearly as fast as an airship. There are also many boats on its deck—they're bonuses, all yours."
"Really?" Mei felt astonished and delighted. "With this, Kirigakure's development could easily advance by five years."
Anya knew exactly what Kiri needed most—ships.
Anya shook her head, however. "Not quite yet. Once we return to the village, gather the ninja and form the Allied Forces. We must prepare for the next round of The Fourth Great Ninja War."
Mei's heart sank as she sighed softly. "So war begins again. I hope this truly becomes our final conflict."
"It will be. Back then, my power wasn't enough. This time things are different—I will settle everything in this war once and for all, bringing lasting peace."
"I believe in you."
Mei gently embraced Anya, and the two shared a farewell kiss.
After meeting his parents, Sasori tracked down Gaara and Fuu.
"You two plan to go somewhere after leaving the village?"
Gaara gently calmed Fuu, who looked frightened, before replying. "I remember someone once said they'd grant us freedom."
Sasori said flatly, "You two may leave, but he cannot. Where did he go?"
Fuu summoned her courage. "Why not? Let me tell you—we're going to deal with the Deadly Poison Valley that has plagued the Ninja World for so many years."
"Hmph, bold words. You actually think you can do it alone?" A killing intent flickered across Sasori's eyes.
Meanwhile, sand had begun slowly flowing from Gaara's gourd—conflict appeared imminent.
"Let them go," Anya's voice intervened just in time. "Now that the Five Great Countries have already prepared to unite against The Fourth Great Ninja War, the existence of the Deadly Poison Valley really isn't necessary anymore."
Hearing this, Sasori reluctantly retracted his killer aura. "Big Brother Kurotsuchi, are we really giving up this backup plan just like that?"
"There's no need for it anymore. Its continued existence truly is too cruel." Anya smiled at Fuu. "The Deadly Poison Valley has existed for many years. Complete eradication won't happen overnight. Since you genuinely wish to go, prepare yourself for long-term hardship—even the risk of death."
Fuu declared firmly, "We aren't afraid."
"Alright then," Anya said, patting Fuu on the head. "Come back alive."
"Mm, thank you, brother."
Fuu left the village together with Gaara.
"Sasori, organize all the ninja in the village. It's time to prepare for the Fourth Great Ninja War."
Sasori's eyes gleamed with excitement. "It's finally begun. I've been waiting for this day for a long time."
"What? The Fourth Great Ninja War? How come I didn't know about it?" Deidara suddenly ran over from somewhere.
Anya joked, "Yeah, little Dee, your new companion Tobi declared war to the Five Kages' faces. The Fourth Great Ninja War is about to begin."
Deidara was first stunned, then said solemnly with deep emotion, "Oh, I didn't expect that my death would affect him so much that he'd actually launch the Fourth Great Ninja War just for me."
Sasori: "..."
Anya: "???"
In the end, Sasori lost his patience and smacked Deidara so hard he flew across the room.
Shizune had been following Minato all along. Even now, she still couldn't believe that the Fourth Hokage was actually alive. There were just too many legends about him—the Yellow Flash of Konoha, whom enemy ninja would abandon their missions to avoid during The Third Battle, who faced off against both the Tsuchikage and Raikage alone, the youngest Hokage in history, and the one who single-handedly sealed the Nine-Tails—and these were only some of them. With him around, Konoha's strength could be described as having received an epic enhancement. At that moment, Shizune practically turned into a little fangirl—what? Tsunade-sama? Oh, take a break for a sec.
"Sunagakure has really changed. In the future, Konoha can also follow this blueprint for reconstruction," Minato admired and praised as he walked.
"It indeed looks beautiful, but Konoha is beautiful too. Rebuilding isn't necessary, right?"
Shizune didn't yet know what had happened to Konoha.
Minato felt reluctant to explain further, so he simply smiled.
At this moment, Anya approached and said, "Minato, since you've recovered and gained stronger power, I'm planning to appoint you commander-in-chief for the Allied Shinobi Forces in this battle."
"Me? Then what about you?"
"I have other matters to attend to."
Minato asked in surprise, "What matter could be more important than the Great Ninja War?"
Anya sighed, "Looking for my daughter. She's missing—has been gone for some time now."
Shizune worriedly asked, "I heard Pain is dead. Is Hakuto not in Sanshouo Hanzo's area?"
"No need to worry. She's free now. I think she probably doesn't even know where she is, but I've got my ways of finding her."
Shizune let out a sigh of relief. "That's good."
Hearing Of Anya mention his daughter, Minato couldn't help but think about Naruto himself. With slight excitement, he said, "Then I'll return to Konoha right away. Finally, I'll get to see my son."
"Go ahead."
Four villages had been settled; only one remained—the Kumogakure Village.
Among the gathered Kages, Samiu clearly stood out awkwardly. Not to mention, the struggle inside her heart was something nobody could understand. Her close friend Mabui had already made up her mind. Though she herself had made the decision too, there remained an internal barrier she couldn't overcome.
When she saw Anya approaching, Samiu stepped forward actively and asked, "You are from the Uchiha Clan, right? Your genjutsu should be very strong."
"Not bad, I suppose."
Anya, curious, said: "What's wrong? You've already fully mastered the Lightning Blade Art. Are you asking me to teach you Genjutsu next? I actually have a sword technique combined with Genjutsu that I can teach you."
"No," Samiu seemed to sigh in relief: "Then why don't you use Genjutsu on me?"
"Why?"
Since when do masochists ask for more?
Samiu said solemnly: "That way, it won't be voluntary. Everything I do will be under your Genjutsu, controlled by you."
Anya's expression turned strange: "Are you sure about this?"
"Yes, come on." Samiu looked unusually calm.
"Fine." Anya's eyes changed suddenly, the [Three Tomoe] swirling briefly before he smiled faintly: "Done."
"That fast? I didn't feel anything at all." Samiu tried to think random thoughts, everything seemed normal.
Anya replied confidently: "Of course. I used my Sharingan's strongest illusion, [Kotoamatsukami], which controls others silently and imperceptibly."
"Oh, then that's good. I feel relieved now." Samiu gave her bosom a dramatic pat, as if releasing all her worries at once.
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