Battles where thousands or hundreds of ninja gather for a large-scale, head-on clash between hidden villages don't happen often.
Usually, ninja engage in smaller skirmishes and clashes as small teams.
The reason is simple: this is the best way to use a ninja's abilities.
In a big battle, top ninja can have too much of an impact.
Take Orochimaru, for example. When he transformed into the Yamata no Orochi, it didn't matter if the enemy was one Chunin team or ten. The Fourth Raikage, in his 'Lightning Release Chakra Mode', would have no trouble tearing apart one Chunin or ten or twenty.
In wartime, it's too wasteful to use ninja who took five or six years of resources to develop, and who should be more useful, as cannon fodder.
This kind of costly sacrifice is only made when the strategic goal is clear and a swift victory is sought.
In smaller clashes, the advantage of information becomes prominent.
Using White Zetsu clones as communication points will lift the fog of war over the ninja world, allowing Kusagakure Ninja to use their guerilla tactics to the fullest.
So what if Konoha has many powerful ninja? Kusagakure Ninja can simply avoid fighting and, using tactics like Tian Ji's horse racing, wear down Konoha's strength.
This pace of war benefits Kusagakure Ninja.
And if Konoha seeks a battle of high-level power, Nagato feels confident he can teach them a lesson.
Based on the leader of the Kusagakure Ninja's best guess, Konoha won't do that.
Why? The loss would be too great, and the Akatsuki organization isn't Konoha's only threat. As long as they don't push Konoha to the brink, they won't have the will to fight desperately.
Therefore, after the so-called declaration of war, the Akatsuki organization and the alliance of Kusagakure Ninja will not push Konoha too hard.
As long as the water is warm enough and the heat rises slowly, the frog won't struggle too quickly.
"..."
Obito frowned. This leader of the Kusagakure Ninja really had something. He couldn't find many flaws in his plans.
And during the execution of this strategy, the leader of the Kusagakure Ninja didn't seem to need much help from him, only requesting the use of White Zetsu's power.
So, should he send White Zetsu to fully support them?
Red light flashed in Obito's eyes, and he suddenly fell silent. He realized he couldn't easily refuse.
For years, he had dealt with Nagato and the Akatsuki organization by acting like a senior, using small favors and kindness to control Nagato's actions and have him collect the Tailed Beasts for him.
The process had gone relatively smoothly, except for being a bit slow.
That didn't matter much, as Obito also needed time to do things and confirm some matters.
But in the last year or two, things had gotten a bit out of hand. Plans he had once considered mere dreams now had a chance of being realized.
Did this pose any problem for him?
Obito's eyes flickered, his mind racing.
How strong would a war organization comprised of the entire ninja world's power be? Could the fully revived Ten-Tails, after all the Tailed Beasts were collected, suppress it alone?
The answer was yes, it had to be yes, otherwise how could the genjutsu covering the entire ninja world be performed?
Obito believed in the strength of the Ten-Tails, and he had to believe in it. Otherwise, his own purpose couldn't be confirmed, and everything he had done so far would be a joke.
But the current problem was, should he wait for the Akatsuki organization to achieve total unification?
Don't be ridiculous. How many years would that take? Obito didn't agree with this kind of peace in the first place.
If things continued like this, when would Nagato ever gather all the Tailed Beasts?
"Nagato, lately you seem too focused on strengthening the Kusagakure Ninja's power, forgetting that this isn't our ultimate goal..."
Obito looked into Nagato's eyes and said slowly, "When a force grows, there will be many different voices within it, even conflicts with each other. In other words, a powerful force cannot be your true reliance."
"Only absolute power can bring true peace to the ninja world."
"Your current strength isn't enough. You can only achieve it by truly possessing the nine Tailed Beasts."
"This is the only truly feasible path!!"
Obito's low yet persuasive words echoed in the basement. Nagato was silent for a moment before speaking, "It's not time yet."
He somewhat agreed with the masked man's plan, and collecting the Tailed Beasts was, in itself, a process of the Akatsuki organization growing stronger as other hidden villages weakened. Even without the masked man, he would have actively pursued it, but...
"It's not time yet."
Looking directly into the masked man's red eyes, Nagato emphasized again, "It's not convenient for either the Akatsuki organization or the Kusagakure Ninja to clash with other major hidden villages at this time."
"Besides, sealing the Tailed Beasts requires at least ten top ninja to provide Chakra, and the organization can't gather that yet."
In other words, they still needed time to grow. Even their declaration of war on Konoha was meant to buy time for the Akatsuki organization to develop, so they wouldn't be wiped out by a joint attack from surrounding major hidden villages.
"I understand that very well, but that's not an issue. With the Akatsuki organization's current reputation in the ninja world, this manpower problem can be solved."
Obito said slowly, "The plan to collect the Tailed Beasts must begin as soon as possible. Don't forget, this will also benefit you."
"If the Tailed Beasts are sealed inside the Gedo Statue, the burden on you won't be as heavy as it is now."
"Don't you trust me even now?"
"This is a lie that can be exposed with just a simple test. I would never say such a thing."
"..."
Nagato was silent for a moment, then said slowly, "I will consider what you've said."
"But before that, do not take actions against the Tailed Beasts of the major hidden villages on your own."
"You can rest assured about that. My current strength doesn't allow it either," Obito replied indifferently and left the basement directly.
"..."
Watching the masked man disappear into the air, Nagato closed his eyes and let out a long sigh.
"Nagato, do you think he's lying?" Konan stepped out from the shadows and came to the wooden bed, saying softly, "I don't trust the masked man, but I also don't think he needs to lie."
"It's not that I don't trust him..."
Nagato shook his head slightly. "It's just that the Gedo Statue I summoned happens to be a container for sealing Tailed Beasts. Isn't that too much of a coincidence?"
"This is not a coincidence, it is destiny."
Konan looked at Nagato on the wooden bed. "You have the Sage Eyes. You are destined to be the legendary person who will gather the power of these Tailed Beasts again and bring peace to the ninja world."
"Jiraiya-sensei may not understand our pain, but his judgment was not wrong. You are the 'Child of Destiny'."
"Destiny?" Nagato closed his eyes and sighed almost imperceptibly.
"In short, the masked man's plan is postponed. For now, we will not go after the Tailed Beasts."
Konan nodded gently.
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