War Breaks Out

April 23, Year 58 of Konoha

While Uchiha Sasuke and Uzumaki Naruto were still training at the Ninja Academy, war broke out once more.

Iwagakure and Sunagakure launched a surprise attack on Konoha, which had long been prepared for it.

On the Iwagakure battlefield, Shimura Danzō personally commanded the forces as they fought fiercely against the Iwagakure troops led by Kitsuchi. At this moment, Danzo had no mind left for scheming, because Konoha was facing an unprecedented crisis.

The Sunagakure battlefield was entrusted to the returning Jiraiya, who faced the Sunagakure forces led by the Kazekage.

In the second month of the war, Kumogakure entered the battlefield. As Konoha's friendly ally, it personally dispatched forces to Konoha's borders to support the Iwagakure battlefield, easing much of Konoha's pressure.

Iwagakure and Kumogakure had a blood feud. The current Fourth Raikage's father, the Third Raikage, had died in an Iwagakure ambush. This could be considered vengeance for his father.

Just as the four countries were locked in bitter combat, Kirigakure, controlled in secret by Obito, was also waiting for its chance to launch a surprise attack on Konoha's rear.

In just one month, the war across the shinobi world had become confusing once again. Based on the current rankings of shinobi village strength, it was the two strongest countries fighting the weaker three.

Konoha ranked first. Even a dying camel was bigger than a horse; backed by the vast, resource-rich Land of Fire, it still had strength to spare.

Kumogakure ranked second. The Fourth Raikage was in his prime, with two perfect Jinchuriki at his side, and showed every sign of surpassing Konoha.

Iwagakure ranked third. Ōnoki's Dust Release was renowned throughout the shinobi world, while his son Kitsuchi, Kari of Explosion Release, and other shinobi served as his right-hand men. Though Deidara's recent defection had cost Iwagakure a major combat force.

Sunagakure ranked fourth, and its situation was rather miserable. Resources were scarce in the desert to begin with, and among the younger generation, it only had Kazekage Rasa. During political struggles, it had even killed Yōsō of Scorch Release, a major fighting force. Now only the aging Chiyo remained to hold things together.

Kirigakure ranked fifth. Although its elite shinobi policy of the Bloody Mist Village had caused severe internal strife, its high-end combat strength still slightly surpassed Sunagakure's. Under Obito's control, it had the perfect Jinchuriki Shishō, the dual bloodline shinobi Mei Terumi, the prodigy of the ninja blades Hozuki Mangetsu, Rinji Yūri of the Lightning Blades, and others.

Now, the two strongest shinobi villages were facing off against the weaker three.

The Land of Rain lay at the intersection of the Land of Wind, the Land of Fire, and the Land of Earth. Even if it had not yet become a battlefield, the flames of war would eventually spread here if things continued this way.

Early that morning, Hyuga Kei received a message from Pain. Since several members were away on missions, they would use the Phantasmal Body Technique for this meeting to discuss the war and related matters.

Hyuga Kei evenly applied black nail polish to his fingers, then rapidly formed hand seals and activated the Phantasmal Body Technique. In an instant, his figure appeared like a phantom atop one of the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path's fingers. Soon after, the other members of the Akatsuki Organization appeared one after another as well.

The ten of them stood upon the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path's ten fingers.

Deidara had not seen Hyuga Kei for several days and asked, "How is it? Have you mastered Explosion Release yet? Were you amazed by my art again?"

Hyuga Kei nodded. "I'm almost there. Explosion Release is truly powerful. I have to thank you for your guidance."

"Hahaha, did you see that, Brother Sasori? Kei has been won over by my art. Hurry up and join my art troupe too."

Sasori's voice was low. "Heh heh, I'll consider turning you into a puppet. Hyuga Kei, how is your Puppet Technique training going? Have you felt that eternal beauty?"

Hyuga Kei replied, "I've already started making puppets. Senior's Puppet Technique is truly exquisite."

"Mm, not bad."

The other Akatsuki members were all astonished. He had only spent the duration of a single mission with those two, yet he had already gotten their greatest secret techniques from them. What, was he some kind of succubus?

And were those two idiots? They just handed their best secret techniques to someone else.

If Hyuga Kei knew what they were thinking, he would definitely step forward to argue. What did any of you know? Art had no boundaries!

Pain interrupted their reunion.

"The Five Great Nations have gone to war. Konoha and Kumogakure have joined forces against the other three countries. We are situated at the center of those three countries, so we must make a move. Otherwise, we will become a battlefield for the great nations."

"Whether we join the Ninja Wars or endure in silence, we must make a choice this time. Speak your minds."

Hidan immediately shouted, "Of course we kill them all and sacrifice them to Jashin! War is the best sacrifice!"

Kakuzu still saw everything in terms of money. "We can act as mercenaries for the Five Countries and earn commissions from employment."

Deidara strongly approved upon hearing this. "I agree. I want to show the Five Great Nations my art."

Just as the tide of opinion was turning entirely in one direction, Sasori and Hyuga Kei, the two with greater strategic vision, spoke up.

Sasori's low voice rang out. "I don't recommend joining the war between the Five Great Nations. If we do, we'll attract their attention before we even begin collecting the Tailed Beasts. Our greatest advantage is striking from the shadows."

Hyuga Kei said, "I agree with Sasori. We cannot reveal our information in advance, or our plan will become very difficult to carry out."

As the leader, Pain raised a question. "What if the flames of war reach the Land of Rain? Do we still not act?"

Hyuga Kei continued, "Of course we act, but not in the name of 'Akatsuki.' We act in Hanzo's name."

"We can spread word that anyone who dares make the Land of Rain into a battlefield will become an enemy of the demigod."

"Even if a shinobi village believes Hanzo is old and no longer a threat and trespasses here, we only need to suppress them with thunderous measures."

"When everyone fears the demigod's name, naturally no one will dare lay a hand on the Land of Rain."

Everyone knew Hanzo was dead, but the outside world did not. Ever since Pain took over the Land of Rain, he had maintained a policy of sealing off the village and country, cutting off all contact. With the disguise in place, no one outside could have imagined that the demigod renowned throughout the shinobi world was already dead.

Hyuga Kei looked at everyone. "This way, the Fourth Great Ninja War will become internal strife among the Five Great Shinobi Villages, which will greatly benefit our plan."

Everyone nodded and looked toward Pain. He was the leader, so the final decision still rested with him.

"Hyuga Kei's idea is sound. If shinobi from other countries enter the Land of Rain, kill them without mercy. Hyuga Kei, you will be responsible for this matter. What assistance do you need?"

Hyuga Kei answered, "I need Senior Sasori and Kisame Hoshigaki's assistance. One is an expert in poison, and the other is a Water Release specialist."

"I also need Ibuse's Summoning Scroll and command authority over the Rain Ninja."

"Very well. I appoint you wartime commander-in-chief of Amegakure, with full authority over all external warfare. Ibuse's Summoning Scroll will be delivered shortly."

"Sasori of the Red Sands and Kisame Hoshigaki, you will be responsible for assisting Hyuga Kei's operations."

"Understood." Sasori had become Hyuga Kei's old partner, so naturally he had no objections.

Kisame, meanwhile, was a faithful executor of orders and had even less reason to object.

Hyuga Kei smiled. "I will not disappoint you."

"All Akatsuki Organization members currently carrying out missions outside are to return to Amegakure immediately after completing their missions."

"Understood."

"Zetsu, you will monitor the movements of the Five Great Nations and report to Hyuga Kei and me at any time."

"Yes."

"This meeting is concluded. Proceed according to this deployment."

The moment Pain finished speaking, several people had already vanished. Kakuzu was eager to profit from the war, Hidan wanted to find lone shinobi to sacrifice, while Uchiha Itachi was perhaps worried about Sasuke and Konoha's safety.

Hyuga Kei also bid everyone farewell. "Goodbye, everyone."

"Don't forget to practice my art when you get back."

"I won't." Hyuga Kei's figure vanished from atop the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path as well.

The rest vanished one after another, leaving only Pain and Konan in the end.

Konan voiced her concern. "Pain, aren't you afraid Hyuga Kei is a Konoha spy? You entrusted him with command authority so easily."

Pain replied, "No. According to the intelligence we possess, he has already completely broken with Konoha. Moreover, his ideas and strategy align perfectly with mine."

"I'm still uneasy about those Konoha shinobi."

"In that case, Konan, serve as captain of the Rain Ninja and monitor him."

"Alright."