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Third day since the Land of Fire declared war.
The entire shinobi world was filled with fear.
Within the Land of Lightning, the Land of Fire and Land of Water's stationed troops began to gather.
The Land of Wind's stationed troops had already forcibly broken through the Land of Earth's blockade and were coming together with their allies in the Land of Lightning.
In the northwest of the continent, along the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Earth, massive military fortresses rose from the ground.
Konoha's shinobi forces, with amazing efficiency, built an unbreakable defensive line in just three days.
Jiraiya, one of the legendary Sannin, stood on the highest lookout tower, holding binoculars, staring hard at the movements in the distant Land of Earth.
"Teacher, how is the situation?" Minato Namikaze, standing beside him, asked.
"It's too quiet," Jiraiya lowered his binoculars, his brows wrinkled. "The Iwagakure fortress opposite us hasn't made a single move these past few days, like a dead city."
"This isn't like Onoki."
Minato Namikaze, hearing this, also walked forward and picked up another pair of binoculars.
At the end of his sight, among the mountains of the Land of Earth, stone fortresses also stood.
Silence, choking.
Minato said in a deep voice. "They are waiting."
"Yes, waiting for us to attack first," Jiraiya nodded. "That's right. The Land of Earth has dangerous terrain, easy to defend and difficult to attack."
"That old man wants to use the terrain to wear us down to death."
Minato Namikaze said. "Then we absolutely cannot let him succeed."
Jiraiya said. "I've already sent the surprise attack plan to the Land of Fire daimyo's contact person using the reverse summoning jutsu."
Minato Namikaze said. "Don't worry, as long as they find the target, I can teleport there using the Flying Thunder God!"
The Flying Thunder God!
A great weapon in war!
"Hmm," Jiraiya nodded seriously, patted his student's shoulder, his expression serious. "It will be hard on you!"
"Minato, you must remember!"
"Our opponent this time is Onoki. We cannot look down on him."
"That old man's strength is not to be looked down on, and he's a living fossil who crawled out of three great shinobi wars."
"His combat experience and schemes are far beyond what a brute like the Fourth Raikage can compare to."
"Your plan is perfect, but you must be careful not to fall into his trap."
"I understand, Teacher." Minato Namikaze nodded heavily.
At the same time.
On the western and eastern fronts of the continent, the Land of Wind and Land of Water's forces had also finished gathering.
Western front.
Land of Wind border, temporary military camp.
Fourth Kazekage Rasa was giving a pre-battle speech.
"The Land of Earth's betrayal has stepped the face of our Land of Wind into the dirt!"
His voice, made louder by chakra, echoed throughout the camp.
"Now, the chance to regain our face has come!"
"A chance to wash away the shame and reclaim everything that belongs to us!"
He suddenly waved his hand, and golden sand shot into the sky behind him, forming a giant fist in mid-air.
"This battle is for Sunagakure's glory!"
"For the Land of Wind!"
"Roar!"
Below, the Sunagakure shinobi roared together, their killing intent rising high.
The 2.5 billion entry fee had left the entire Land of Wind burning with rage.
This rage must be cooled with the blood of the Land of Earth!
...Eastern front.
On the endless sea, dozens of warships bearing Kirigakure's insignia rode the wind and waves, speeding towards the Land of Lightning.
On the deck stood the elites of Kirigakure.
Each person gave off a cold and cruel killing intent.
Leading them was the elder of Kirigakure, Genshi.
He looked at the distant, blurred outline of the continent, his aged face showing a complex expression.
He knew that this battle, for Kirigakure, which had suffered heavy losses to its life force, was a huge gamble.
If they won, they could tear off a piece of fat from the Land of Earth, enough for them to recover.
If they lost... Kirigakure would completely fall to a third-rate status, with no chance of recovery.
Even with the presence of a tailed beast, they would only be able to protect themselves.
"Elder Genshi."
A Kirigakure jonin walked up to him and whispered. "Are we really going to stand with the Land of Fire?"
"What else?" Genshi didn't turn around, his voice rough. "Do you want to watch the Land of Earth swallow the Land of Lightning, then turn around and swallow our Land of Water?"
"In this world, there is no place for us to remain aloof."
"Either choose a strong one and cling to his thigh."
"Or be eaten alive by other strong ones."
A hint of sadness flashed in Genshi's eyes.
"The Land of Fire daimyo, though young, his methods and strength, you have all seen."
"Following him, at least... we will still have meat to eat."
The jonin fell silent.
Yes.
This world has changed.
It is no longer the old era where the five great nations balanced each other.
A ruler with absolute power has stepped onto the stage of history.
They, the survivors of the old era, had no choice but to go with the flow.
Fire capital, military camp outside the city.
Mei Terumi stood on the reviewing stand, overlooking the two dozen members of the special operations team, all in new equipment, below.
A specially made Anbu mask hid all her expressions.
Keisuke stood beside her.
This once young man, after going through the hardships of losing his family and narrowly escaping death, no longer had confusion in his eyes, only the sharpness of a blade.
"Are you all ready?" Mei Terumi asked.
"Yes! Madam!"
Keisuke and all the team members responded together, completely naturally.
They knew that their hope could only be given by this woman before them.
"Good!" Mei Terumi nodded, taking out a battle plan from her clothes.
"This is the first mission the Land of Fire daimyo has given us," her voice was empty of emotion. "Our target is not the Land of Earth."
"But... our homeland."
"The Land of Water."
As soon as her voice fell, Keisuke and all the team members were shocked.
Return... to the Land of Water?
Having just escaped... going back, wasn't that seeking death?
"What you need to do is not to confront Yagura Karatachi head-on," Mei Terumi ignored their shock and continued.
"Instead, you must use every means possible to stir up betrayals, incite, and create chaos!"
"Turn the Land of Water into a sea of fire!"
"Then, upon these ruins, establish a new order that belongs to us!"
Her voice became high-pitched and passionate. "The Land of Fire daimyo has already promised."
"As long as we can complete this mission."
"He will support us in rebuilding Kirigakure!"
"A Kirigakure without blood mist, without tyranny, truly belonging to us!"
These words made everyone present breathe heavily.
In their eyes, flames of hope and ambition burned.
"I will serve as the overall commander for this operation and go with you."
Mei Terumi looked at them and spoke the last sentence.
"Now, depart!"
"Yes!"
Two dozen figures instantly vanished from their original positions.
A conspiracy, personally lit by the Land of Fire daimyo, aimed at overthrowing the entire Land of Water, thus began.
Mei Terumi stood still, unmoving.
She raised her hand and gently touched her still flat stomach.
There, a tiny life was being grown.
Right, or wrong?
She didn't know.
She only knew that she had no turning back.
For those who followed her.
And also for... her child.
She raised her head, looking in the direction of the Land of Water.
Yagura Karatachi.
I'm back.