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Land of Lightning, a remote coastal town.
Several merchants and guards, their figures and faces obscured, arrived from all directions and, under the cover of a crowd, quietly entered the small town. They then dispersed into various hidden locations according to a series of pre-arranged signals, entering underground passages.
It wasn't until she had descended dozens of meters, passed several rounds of inspection, and saw the central hall that Karura finally removed the thick layers of scarf around her neck, revealing her face.
As Karura approached, the voices inside first fell silent. Once her appearance was clear, the people inside finally lowered their guard slightly.
"Everyone is here."
"In that case, let's officially begin the meeting."
The speaker was none other than the current acting Raikage of the Land of Lightning, Yugito Nii, who was currently a highly controversial figure throughout the Kumogakure.
His face looked noticeably paler than when they last met, his cheeks slightly sunken, and his eyes deeply shadowed.
However, his voice remained steady and clear.
Karura, who had just taken her seat, glanced around and saw that the people present were indeed as described in the letter she had received—Ay, Dodai, Ōnoki, Kitsuchi, and so on.
Now, with her side added, the high-level officials of the Land of Wind, Land of Lightning, and Earth Country were almost all present.
All had come for the 'Land of Fire Blockade' that Yugito Nii had written about.
Of course, even the young Karura knew very well that this title was just for show.
The Land of Wind and Land of Lightning, which had directly engaged in deep conflict with the Land of Fire, had suffered crushing defeats. After signing various post-war treaties, they had practically become military vassals of the Land of Fire, their economic lifelines firmly controlled, and post-war disarmament actions were happening one after another.
It was only because the Land of Lightning's economic conditions and sea routes were much better than the Land of Wind's, and the Daimyo of the Land of Lightning's support for the Kumogakure system was still significant, that their situation was slightly better than the Land of Wind's.
But in reality, they were also greatly weakened.
To talk about a 'blockade' under such circumstances was just laughable.
However, while cooperation against them might not be feasible, Karura and others were very interested in the joint research and mutual exchange of resources mentioned in the letter.
After the opening remarks, Yugito Nii calmly got straight to the point:
"Our current situation is well-known. After the Second Shinobi World War fully ended, Konoha's various industries began to fully suppress our respective nations, constantly expanding and acquiring large sums of money, which then flowed back into Konoha Village, forming a positive cycle."
"At the same time, Konoha Village also opened up secret techniques and established advanced schools for mass training of Jonin and Chunin."
"Given the current situation, in just twenty more years, Konoha will accumulate enough power to swallow the entire Ninja World."
"But precisely, most of what they are doing now, we are unable to do."
Listening to his words, everyone present looked solemn.
This was indeed the case. Without complete control over all factions within the Village and the ability to subdue the entire Village by oneself, even the most prestigious Ōnoki couldn't emulate Konoha by establishing an advanced Ninja Academy—the former Third Raikage had the opportunity to do so, but he was already dead.
The short-tempered Ōnoki had only listened halfway before he became impatient. He slammed the table, and a booming voice, completely contrary to his small stature, burst forth:
"Speak your mind, and quickly! I didn't travel all this way to listen to your nonsense."
Almost as soon as he finished speaking, Ay, behind Yugito Nii, immediately sparked with electricity, his hair standing on end, emitting crackling sounds.
"Ay."
However, Yugito Nii slightly raised a hand, signaling him to stop.
He clearly did not take Ōnoki's words to heart.
He continued, "We all know that Konoha's ability to suppress everyone and achieve such results is entirely due to that monstrous young man, Sawara Kiri."
"He is only sixteen years old now and already possesses such strength. If another twenty years pass, I fear even the combined might of Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara from back then would be defeated by him."
"Therefore, joint research and mutual exchange of resources have become our only path to survival."
Karura's expression was cold: "Lord Yugito, if our nations could truly achieve what you propose, then perhaps we wouldn't have had such troubles before, and the Land of Fire should have been divided up long ago, back in the eras of Sarutobi Hiruzen and Senju Tobirama."
"Just like last year, when our Land of Wind Ninja were desperately fighting Konoha at Kikyo Castle, the Land of Lightning and Earth Country fronts remained inactive, watching us exhaust ourselves until our Village was breached by Konoha."
"How can you expect us to believe in your sincerity?"
Upon hearing this, everyone present fell into a moment of silence, even casting hostile glances at each other, a tense atmosphere hanging in the air.
This was indeed the case.
Before Sawara Kiri appeared, the Five Great Nations were inherently hostile and engaged in chaotic warfare—even on the eve of the Second Shinobi World War, the Land of Wind and Earth Country had fought a fierce battle in the Land of Rain, only failing to divide that country due to Konoha's meddling and the existence of Hanzo the Salamander.
Was it truly realistic for Ninja who were recently enemies to suddenly shake hands and make peace?
"This is precisely the significance of our meeting this time."
Yugito Nii, however, remained calm, completely disregarding the complex gazes of those around him, looking directly at Ōnoki and Karura.
"Overall peace between Villages is not something to hope for—even if we could achieve it, Konoha would not wish to see such a scene."
"I believe both of you understand this point."
"However, limited cooperation in certain specialized fields can be attempted."
"Especially in the development of weapons against Sawara Kiri, this is where all our common interests lie."
"Surely, neither of you would object, would you?"
Ōnoki was silent for a moment, then spoke: "Up until now, the Iwagakure has not directly engaged with Sawara Kiri. Relatively speaking, you two youngsters should understand him better... Is he really as terrifying as you say?"
"..."
Yugito Nii and Karura fell silent.
This question was truly difficult to describe to him.
Seeing their reaction, Ōnoki continued to speak to himself: "If even my Dust Release cannot break through that legendary invincible defense, then Iwagakure would not be reluctant to cooperate with you. Of course, this depends on what price you are willing to pay."
His boastful manner clearly treated the two defeated nations as subordinates, completely disregarding the content of the cooperation.
However, both Yugito Nii and Karura could tell that the old man was merely bargaining for leverage in the upcoming cooperation.
Ōnoki's shrewdness was well-known in the Ninja World.
After witnessing Sawara Kiri's achievements, built upon countless lives, he wouldn't say such foolish things for no reason.
Karura's temper was also not good; she sneered, "If Senior Ōnoki is willing to confront Sawara Kiri directly, we would be happy to see it. We just hope you don't lose your life for nothing and gain nothing."
"You brat."
Ōnoki's eye twitched.
However, he showed no intention of continuing the topic of 'confronting Sawara Kiri'.
Clearly, he was just testing the waters.
Relatively speaking, Yugito Nii's words were much more grounded: "Regarding the research projects targeting Sawara Kiri, our Land of Lightning's research department has temporarily listed these few items."
"They are: small-scale spatial interference Ninja tools, targeted control seals, large-scale genjutsu, sure-kill Jashin curses, composite poisons, and several other specialized research groups."
"However, these contents are currently only in their initial stages and require support from talents from various nations."
He looked at everyone present and calmly said, "To show our sincerity, these various project groups can be arranged in different countries according to the needs of our respective talents, and periodic research reports will be held—at least, in these few projects targeting Sawara Kiri, our interests are completely aligned."
"Do either of you have any additional comments?"
Ōnoki and Karura exchanged glances, then nodded slightly.
Next was the issue of project allocation.
It wasn't until this discussion concluded that Yugito Nii finally let out a long sigh of relief.
Neither side had any intention of obstructing this operation, and the reason was clear—Sawara Kiri's existence had brought a huge survival crisis to the other Villages.
Yugito Nii was not the only one who could see this.
After confirming this matter, Yugito Nii finally stood up and said to both parties, "Since we have reached a corresponding result on this matter, then, as the initiator of this meeting, I should naturally show our Kumogakure Ninja's sincerity to everyone."
"Please, both of you, follow me."
Although Karura and Ōnoki were curious, they didn't think too much and followed Yugito Nii deeper into the underground base.
It wasn't until they had walked an unknown distance that they saw a huge door.
After three strong Cloud Ninja struggled to push open the large door together, everyone present was startled.
Behind that door was an extremely deep and dark mountain cliff, enclosed on all sides, without a trace of sunlight.
Only a hundred-meter-tall giant tree, completely abnormally pale, with roots, branches, and rough bark coiled around its trunk seemingly wriggling, stood silently there.
She wasn't sure if it was an illusion.
Faintly, Karura seemed to hear the subtle sound of blood flowing through its roots.
"What is this thing?"
Ōnoki frowned deeply, staring at the large tree that seemed to be formed from countless pale flesh and blood, his voice cold.
Ay stepped out from the crowd, his tone calm: "This is a giant tree cultivated from an arm segment that my father cut from Shimura Danzo's body after defeating him years ago."
"Originally, we intended to cultivate Wood Release abilities from it, but we discovered its characteristic of absorbing natural energy to grow, which is why we took a section and began cultivating it."
"In just two months, it has already grown into this appearance."
"According to the Academy's research, this material possesses extremely unique Chakra conduction and storage properties—in the specialized research and development that follows, Kumogakure will provide the corresponding materials to all nations for the development of various weapons and sealing vessels."
"This is the sincerity of us Kumogakure."
Hearing this, Ōnoki and Karura's gazes towards the pale giant tree immediately changed.
Chakra conduction and storage properties.
This was a material scarce throughout the entire Ninja World.
Now, they could grow so much in one go?
This sincerity was indeed substantial enough.
Karura took a deep breath, looking at the shadows in the distance—the next decade would likely be their last chance.
Just as she was thinking this.
"Bang—"
Suddenly, a door behind her was pushed open.
A Cloud Ninja rushed into the hall, whispering something into Yugito Nii's ear, causing his brows to furrow tightly.
Soon, his expression became more serious, and he spoke:
"Gentlemen, please take another route and leave by sea."
"Kumogakure's Perception Unit has detected a large-scale Chakra reaction fluctuation near the Land of Fields... possibly above a Tailed Beast."
Upon hearing this notification, both sides' expressions immediately darkened.
Could it be that Sawara Kiri had discovered them?
Thinking this, the group didn't even have time to say goodbye and immediately dispersed according to Council of the Second Division's arrangements, taking various routes.
At the same time.
After walking out of the mountain cave, Uchiha Madara's originally decayed and hunched body was completely covered by a White Zetsu clone, forming a layer of pale armor on the outside, with even his face distorted into a spiral shape, only his scarlet Sharingan exposed.
A familiar large-scale influx of Yang Release Chakra into his body made his dilapidated body feel as if it had returned to its long-lost peak, gradually regaining strength.
He slowly took a step forward.
His figure was now straight.
To be honest, before Uchiha Hikari appeared, even he himself hadn't expected to find such an excellent executor.
Originally, according to his plan, he should have personally nurtured a young Uchiha filled with love, guiding him to awaken the Mangekyo and completely despair of this world.
But Uchiha Hikari's background naturally fulfilled this point.
Awakening the Mangekyo from a young age, being used as a weapon by the entire clan, being ostracized by everyone around her until she was sealed, and then sleeping for a century in a sunless environment...
Who else could have a more perfect background than this?
The only thing that gave Uchiha Madara a headache was that even after experiencing so much darkness, this child still held a strange hope for this world, refusing to accept a world made of illusions and wanting to live in the real world.
As a result, he had to completely crush the girl's tiny hope to make her execute the Eye of the Moon Plan.
And Uchiha Hikari's hope was centered on Sawara Kiri.
—The young man who personally released her from the seal.
Now, even he, this old man, had to enter the game himself.
Uchiha Madara felt the weakness in his body and the decaying muscles that needed a continuous supply of energy to remain active, sighing inwardly.
Even an invincible Ninja would have such a day?
He needed to act faster.
Before fighting Sawara Kiri, he first needed to arrange for his resurrection.
Uchiha Madara knew very well that whether he won or lost this battle, this body would not last much longer.
And that child, Uchiha Hikari, clearly had no intention of resurrecting him.
For this, he naturally made other plans.
Slowly, Uchiha Madara looked up at the sky.
At the top of the clear blue sky, there was an extremely inconspicuous tiny black dot.
Ancor Vantian.
Yamato quietly looked at the weak Ninja, whose bodies seemed to be melting, confined in the very center of the fortress, his expression cold.
Shinno stood beside him with a smile, like a most loyal old butler.
Ever since the two left Konoha, Shinno had tentatively confessed everything to Yamato and led him back to this original lair to temporarily evade Konoha's pursuit.
"How much longer can these guys' Chakra power the fortress?"
After observing for a while, Yamato asked Shinno beside him.
"It should be able to last another eleven days, Lord Yamato."
"Then we need to act faster."
Yamato, with a solemn expression, looked at these underground Ninja—these were all various rogue Ninja they had captured from the wild, as well as some Ninja from small Ninja Villages.
Ancor Vantian, also known as Ankor Fortress, was originally the Sky Ninja Village's aerial base, and also a super-large mobile castle.
In the early stages of the Second Shinobi World War, this small Ninja Village was easily wiped out by Konoha. Yamato hadn't expected Shinno, the leader of this Ninja Village, to infiltrate Konoha and become Danzo's subordinate.
However, Yamato himself didn't care much about that.
All he wanted now was to gather all available help to return to the pinnacle of Konoha.
As for whether the people helping him were from the Sky Ninja Village or the Earth Ninja Village, he simply didn't care.
"What about your artificial Tailed Beast? How much longer do we have to wait?"
Yamato frowned: "This body is too far from the First Hokage in Danzo's memory; the Chakra is simply not enough."
"Lord Yamato, the Zero-Tails is a special Tailed Beast formed from the darkness within human hearts."
"This process alone will probably take several years."
Shinno's expression was also clearly somewhat helpless: "For this reason, we, the remnants of the Sky Ninja Village, haven't moved this fortress for a very long time."
"Damn it."
Yamato cursed in a low voice.
His plan was not something that could be accomplished with just a mere fortress and this Wood Release.
According to the intelligence Danzo had acquired, that Sawara Kiri was clearly a monster who completely surpassed the First Hokage.
If he wanted to defeat him, even if he unearthed all the secret items from Danzo's memories and combined them, he didn't know if it would be enough.
Wood Release, Zero-Tails, Mangekyo Sharingan, the legendary immortal body of the Land of Hot Water.
"Wait a minute, darkness within human hearts?"
As he was thinking, he suddenly seemed to remember something, pressing his hands to his temples.
If he remembered correctly, didn't the priestess of the Land of Demons also seal a monster that acted by utilizing the darkness of human hearts?
What was that guy's name again?
He thought to himself as he slowly walked from the central control room onto the deck, facing the fierce winds of high altitude, looking straight into the distance.
It wasn't until after much thought that he suddenly recalled the name.
"Moryo!"
However, almost at the same moment his words left his mouth.
A figure like a meteor, at extreme speed, broke through the clouds, tracing an arc at the edge of Shinno and Yamato's vision, and crashed onto the sky fortress with a dull thud.
The entire sky fortress was like a scale being pressed down, suddenly tilting to one side, emitting a series of faint creaking sounds as if it could not bear the weight.
A large amount of debris on the deck rumbled towards one spot due to the inertia of the tilt, and even the Sky Ninja on the deck swayed with it.
"Who's there?!"
Yamato's eyes widened suddenly, and he turned his head towards the direction of the sound.
Almost at the same moment the sound fell, he had already completed a hand seal.
"Wood Release: Exploding Spear Wood!"
Continuous branches, like dense long spears, struggled out from beneath the deck in an endless stream, rapidly stabbing towards the direction where the figure landed from all directions, bursting into continuous hollow sounds in the air.
However, the figure seemed to completely ignore the tree trunks that pierced through his surrounding clothing. His crouched figure suddenly leaped, and in just a flash, he had already shot in front of Yamato.
"Wood Release: Great Forest Jutsu!"
When Yamato saw his agile movements as he dodged the branches, he realized this was an extremely difficult opponent to deal with. He suddenly extended his arm forward, and countless winding trees immediately grew from his entire arm, enveloping the dark figure, as if about to completely swallow him whole in an instant.
But even in mid-air, the dark figure's agility was still far beyond ordinary imagination. With a slight exertion of his abdomen, he rolled, and his entire body spun several times in mid-air.
At the same time, his body was suddenly surrounded by circles of dark blue bones, and a giant-like arm swung a blade-sharp gust of wind towards Yamato.
"Bang—"
In an instant, countless tree trunks that had grown from Yamato's arm were cut off.
Almost instinctively, Yamato rolled and pressed himself to the ground, retreating several steps, and immediately formed another hand seal.
Only this time, before he could complete the hand seal, the figure from earlier shot out like an arrow from a bow, his outstretched palm suddenly twisting around Yamato's neck, lifting him into the air, immediately interrupting his hand seal.
Yamato's expression couldn't help but be astonished.
He never expected that despite inheriting all of Danzo's knowledge and mastering the Wood Release power of this body, he would be so easily defeated by some inexplicable guy.
What level of power was this?
Sawara Kiri?
No, his moves aren't like that.
That skeleton just now was...
"...Susanoo?"
Yamato uttered a word with difficulty.
"Oh, your knowledge is not bad."
Under the pale spiral mask, a hoarse, aged voice indifferently sounded: "As a reward, you shall bear the responsibility of helping this old man resurrect."
"What do you mean?"
Before Yamato could understand the meaning of his words.
Suddenly, Uchiha Madara plunged a finger into his heart.
"Pfft!"
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