In the Hokage meeting room, Minato and Onoki were currently the only ones present—the others had already led the Ninja Coalition Forces out.
Upon learning the news that all Daimyo had died, Minato immediately ordered the intelligence unit: "Contact Anya and find out exactly what happened!"
The simultaneous deaths of five Daimyo seemed to have no impact on the battlefield at first glance but actually dealt a heavy blow to the Allied Forces' morale—a very ominous sign. Moreover, if something went wrong even under Aniy's protection, unless they clarified the cause, the future war would be difficult and everyone would live in fear.
"Got a response," called out a ninja wearing a communicator. "The Daimyo died one after another under mysterious circumstances—their hearts pierced, life gone, beyond saving. It appears Akatsuki previously obtained their blood, and Hidan used [Death Underway with Blood] from a distance to strike our forces, damage morale, and create chaos."
"Damn it again!" Onoki was furious. Having served as Tsuchikage for so many years, he had grown quite close to the Earth Daimyo.
He probably never expected his name alone could become known throughout the Ninja Coalition Forces and inspire both awareness and fear.
After a moment's thought, Minato issued orders: "Notify all units—if they encounter Hidan from Akatsuki, deploy Taijutsu or sword art elites to deal with him first. Then use [Sealing Jutsu] to seal each part of his body separately, preventing his revival."
"Yes sir."
Orders flew frequently from the command center. Various units had already encountered the enemy White Zetsu army. Thus, the Fourth Great Ninja War officially began.
Kakuzu and Hidan wandered around aimlessly. In the past, Hidan probably would've grown impatient by now and started questioning Kakuzu endlessly, but thanks to Kotoamatsukami, just one sentence kept him quiet.
Even Kakuzu couldn't help but admire how powerful Anya's Genjutsu was—it lasted unusually long, truly terrifying.
"According to the kid's negotiated price, using Hidan once costs forty million. Five killed means five times four—two hundred million. Hidan, I never expected you could make me this much money." Kakuzu gave Hidan a backhanded compliment.
Hidan looked confused: "What?"
"Nothing. Keep walking."
Without further explanation, Kakuzu arrived at a Kinto Exchange and submitted completed bounty missions. After receiving payment, he suddenly asked, "How much could I get for killing a Daimyo of the Five Great Countries?"
Startled, the service staff hesitated—no Bounty Hunter had dared to accept such a mission before. After thinking a while, he replied, "According to underground market prices, each Daimyo wouldn't be worth less than 500 million."
Kakuzu's expression darkened instantly: "Loss… massive loss."
Just outside the Kinto Exchange, a familiar telepathic wave reached them.
"This is... Rinnegan's ability, [Projection Technique]. Could it be..."
His face changing, Kakuzu said to Hidan, "Stay here guarding my body—don't go anywhere."
Meanwhile, deep within a cave, all core members of the Zero Organization gathered—Konan, who always followed Haku, appeared among them too. The group formed a rainbow-colored circle.
Konan spoke first, "Master, I didn't expect you can also wield Rinnegan powers."
"Master?"
The others, unfamiliar with Konan's identity, felt puzzled by the way she was addressed.
Anya gave a faint smile and said, "Actually, all dojutsu share certain similarities. By my current level, after some research, the power hidden within has already revealed most of its secrets to me. Besides, this technique is merely a basic application of the Rinnegan."
After explaining to Konan, Anya officially began speaking: "This is the first official meeting since the establishment of the Zero Organization. Many of us are meeting for the first time. Now, please introduce yourselves briefly. I will go first as the leader of this organization, codename Megatron."
"Sasori, codename Red Spider."
"Kakuzu, codename Hercules."
"Haku, codename Queen of Megatron."
"Neji, codename... Caged Bird Seal."
Neji hesitated for a moment before making up a nickname on the spot. Honestly, he hadn't expected the Zero Organization to have so many members, all seemingly extraordinary.
"Deidara, hey Brother Sasori, do I need to change my codename?" Deidara glanced over. Back when they were part of the Akatsuki Organization, Deidara's codename had been Azure Dragon, while Sasori's had been Jade Beauty. Now Sasori had changed his codename, and Kakuzu had done the same.
"No need, if you like, feel free to keep your old one," Anya responded to Konan. "That applies to you as well."
Konan remained silent for a moment before replying, "Fine. My name is Konan, and my codename is White Tiger."
"Yugao, codename Sailor Moon."
The fact that Anya had created the concept of the Sailor Moon series for himself was well known, with the protagonist modeled after him. Yugao never considered herself as the main character. Particularly after discovering the protagonist's true identity—that her past life was a princess—she felt even more distant from that role. Throughout her life, she had been an orphan without much significance or presence. This was the first time she realized she actually belonged to an organization, and that the Captain had never forgotten her. After thinking about it for quite some time, Yugao decided to adopt the main character's name from the Sailor Moon series as her codename.
After saying that, Yugao cautiously looked toward Anya, feeling relieved upon noticing nothing unusual, yet experiencing a strange sense of disappointment at the same time.
Finally, only one person was left, but she had not spoken yet, glaring at Anya intensely ever since arriving.
Anya found this somewhat odd but didn't dwell on it, taking the initiative to introduce her instead: "Perhaps meeting such a large group for the first time has made her shy. Her name is Mabui, codename Secretary."
Once introductions concluded, Anya proceeded to address serious matters: "The reason I've gathered everyone today is to discuss our goals since the formation of the Zero Organization: changing the chaotic ninja world order. This opportunity is finally within reach, and now I'll begin assigning tasks to each of you."
Neji spoke first, saying, "But currently, I'm participating in the Fourth Great Ninja War alongside the Allied Forces, so I really can't spare any time."
Sasori replied calmly, "No problem. I've already made preparations. Shortly, there will be a Puppet taking your position at your location."
"Great."
Kakuzu appeared rather unhappy and asked gruffly, "Kid, just tell us what the mission is already."
"It's simple," Anya said with a faint smile, uttering two words: "Raid and loot."
"The locations of the Treasuries in the Five Great Countries, as well as all sorts of secrets, are now within our grasp. Right now is the perfect window period—the daimyos are dead, and no country can spare the ninja to provide protection. Gathering wealth will be a piece of cake.
Original accumulation has always come from conquest.
Kakuzu's eyes lit up and he said, "Good, I can handle this mission alone."
Anya shook her head, "One person would be too slow. The daimyo has just died—perhaps a new one will emerge any moment. We must act fast and not give them time to react. I'll give you only one day. Hit all Five Great Countries simultaneously."
Sasori volunteered, "Deidara and I will handle the Land of Wind."
Haku followed, "Konan and I are on our way back to Konoha—we can take care of the Land of Fire."
Yugao quickly added, "I once carried out a mission in the Land of Fire. I'm quite familiar with it and can assist."
"Good. Who'll take the remaining three countries?"
Mabui, who hadn't spoken until now, raised her hand, "I can handle the Land of Lightning alone."
Anya nodded at that. No matter how much money was stored in the treasury, once the location was known, the Heavenly Transfer Technique would be more than enough.
Neji thought for a moment before saying, "Then I'll go to the Land of Water. The rain and mist there provide ideal conditions for the Byakugan."
That left only the Land of Earth, which naturally fell to Kakuzu.
Anya nodded, "Since the missions are settled, then let's move out."
As each of them vanished in a swirl of illusionary mist, Anya called Kakuzu back, "Uncle, after wandering outside for so long, have you chosen the bank's location yet?"
"The daimyo's mansion in the Land of Fire."
Kakuzu had already picked a spot sooner than anyone expected. He continued, "Since the bank will be the economic center of the world in the future, its location must be convenient for people from all nations to visit. This location is perfect."
"Uncle, as always, your vision is superb," Anya praised before saying, "I've already had the bank's blueprints designed and arranged the architects. We can start construction at the location you specified anytime. All the loot from this mission will go straight into the bank as start-up funds."
Kakuzu felt uneasy, "Keep the blueprints. But you can send the architects over."
Anya naturally understood the situation but didn't insist. She reminded him, "Uncle, those architects are high-level professionals—each of them is precious. In the future, they'll stay at the bank as staff. How does that sound?"
Kakuzu naturally understood Anya's underlying meaning. He snorted coldly, "As long as they don't try anything sneaky, I won't kill them."
With that sentence, Kakuzu's illusionary form completely vanished.
Before the eye could blink, among the Zero Organization members, only one person remained behind.
Anya asked curiously, "You've been acting strange since you arrived. Did I offend you recently, little secretary?"
Mabui asked sternly, "Did you cast a genjutsu on Samiu? I never expected you to be this kind of person. If you don't trust her, you could simply find another puppet instead. She's my good friend—I won't allow it..."
"Wait a second."
Anya cut in, "She said that herself, didn't she? Do you really think I used genjutsu on her? If I had, how could she possibly have known? You must think me rather inept."
Mabui hesitated for a moment, then asked suspiciously, "Then why would you send such things to Kumogakure? Don't try to hide it from me. After all these years, I know you too well to not tell when you're lying."
"Hmph..." Anya gave a bitter chuckle. "Since you claim to understand me so well, why don't you take a guess?"
"Unless... there's someone special in Kumogakure... Don't tell me it's you and Samui..."
At this point, Mabui's eyes suddenly widened in disbelief as she pointed at Anya and asked, "Could it be... you two are together?!"
Seeing that Mabui had guessed the truth, Anya didn't bother hiding it either. He sighed and said, "She was the one who started it. Honestly, I never even thought about things like that."
Mabui became furious and started yelling, "How could you do something like that!"
"If that's what you want to believe, there's nothing I can do about it. Initially, I just considered her a friend."
Mabui sneered, "Hmph! Obviously you ended up sleeping with her."
"I didn't want to hurt her. Under those circumstances, if I hadn't been there, maybe..."
Mabui couldn't bear to listen any further, "Stop! This is between the two of you—I don't care and I don't want to hear it. As long as you didn't control my good friend with your genjutsu, that's fine. I'm leaving."
As Mabui's apparition vanished before his eyes, Anya felt a whirlwind of emotions inside him, momentarily unsure of what to do next. Sighing alone, his apparition also disappeared.
In the Land of Water, ship after ship was docked along the coastline. Standing at the bow, Anya remained completely unconcerned about the situation regarding the Fourth Great Ninja War. Although the White Zetsus appeared numerous now, they were practically like minor monsters in a game—nearly helpless against elite ninja. The real challenge actually lay within Kabuto's reanimated army.
By this time, those two were likely already united.
However, the Allied Forces still had Minato. Once he entered the battle, with his current strength, even Madara Uchiha himself might have difficulty prevailing.
Extending his sensory perception outward, Anya chuckled softly, "You're moving pretty fast. No wonder I chose you."
After Neji defeated the final guard standing in his way, he reached out and pushed open the Treasury door.
What greeted his eyes was gold that cast a golden glow onto his face. Seeing such an immense amount of gold for the first time, he froze in awe for a few seconds, then quickly regained his senses, summoning the Buffalo Puppet given earlier by Sasori and began swiftly transporting the treasure.
Just then, Anya's voice echoed within Neji's mind: "Carry the puppet containing the gold to the shore—I will wait for you here."
"Got it."
Anya didn't need to worry about the remaining targets. Sasori, experienced from having robbed the world's largest treasury before, handled his own areas well. Mabui had the [Heavenly Transfer Technique], Konan's ninja arts were perfect for transportation missions in the Land of Fire, and Kakuzu, who had long dealt with gold, naturally had plenty of his own methods.
Within less than a day, the treasuries of all Five Great Countries were silently looted. When all that wealth gathered together, forming a mountain of riches, even those indifferent to money felt an indescribable shock.
A feeling of accomplishment swelled in Anya. She was back to what she did best in her past life—pulling off world-class heists.
"The money's secured. It's time to enter the next phase."
Anya pulled out a world map and pointed at it while addressing everyone, "Here—these marked Small Hidden Village and Great Countries. Go there, subdue their leadership, and have them sign the world unification treaty. As for those who resist and refuse to obey? Kill them."
Now wasn't the time for hesitation anymore. Even the five great ninja villages were already under her control; how much easier would it be with these smaller villages and nations?
Except for Mabui, everyone exchanged glances and departed together.
"Wait," Konan deliberately stayed behind, approaching Anya and asking, "Master, could you accompany me to Sanshouo Hanzo's area? Ever since you accepted me as your student, we've never carried out a mission together."
Anya already felt guilty about Konan. Hearing this request, she couldn't bear to refuse and nodded in agreement, "Okay."
Konan gave a bright smile: "Master, then let's go."
Both of them spread their wings at the same time and flew toward Sanshouo Hanzo's area. Behind them, one person gazed with complex eyes filled with conflicting emotions of love and hate. In the end, he chased after their retreating figures.
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