Konan Wanted to Team Up

Konoha's two consecutive incidents could not be kept from those who were paying attention, especially since Konoha itself had no intention of completely concealing them.

Sunagakure Village.

After reading through the intelligence Baki had compiled, Gaara calmly said, "Kankuro, try developing some ninja tools that can let people fly, or powerful anti-air ninja tools."

"Fly or anti-air?" Kankuro froze. Why did they suddenly want to take to the skies?

"Yes. There are ninja in this world like the Sky Ninja who possess the ability to fly. Without corresponding countermeasures, the village will be at a disadvantage." Gaara was transforming into an excellent Kazekage, always keeping the village's safety in mind.

"I know." Kankuro tightened the three scrolls on his back. The metal Puppets had already been completed, so he could use the time to research his next project.

Temari thought of a relatively simple solution. "Actually, we could also try negotiating with Konoha about their Mechanical Wings."

"No. Even as allies, we cannot rely on Konoha too heavily." Baki opposed Temari's suggestion. "We are also one of the Five Great Shinobi Villages. We need the ability to deal with difficulties ourselves."

"Let's proceed with both plans at once. We need our own tools, but we must also guard against unexpected incidents before Kankuro's research succeeds."

Gaara believed they had to consider both the short and long term. With the Mechanical Wings as a sample, they could also provide Kankuro with a reference. "Temari, make preparations. Go to Konoha soon."

"Understood." *3

Kirigakure.

Yagura Karatachi stood beside the Mizukage's desk and said, "This old man has seen it with his own eyes, so I understand it even more deeply. Ninja capable of flying through the air would also be a huge problem for Kirigakure."

Zabuza stood on the other side of the desk and added, "But if we had the Lightning Blade, that would be another matter. So we need to hurry up and search for the ninja blades as well."

Yagura stroked his chin and glanced at Zabuza. "It's difficult. Other than the Dual Blades Hiramekarei, even the Executioner's Blade is only here intact because of Konoha."

Ao, wearing an eyepatch over one eye, stood across from the desk and said resentfully, "In the end, weren't the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist scattered by Konoha?"

"There's no need to bring up something so embarrassing again, is there?" Though he had not experienced it personally, Zabuza, now the wielder of the Executioner's Blade, suspected Ao was insulting the monk by calling the bald man bald.

The brown-haired Mature Woman, Mei Terumi, sat in the Mizukage's seat and complained, "I understand the reasoning, but why do all these Mizukage duties have to be handled by me?!"

Yagura said as though it were only natural, "You are the Fifth Mizukage chosen by this old man. Sooner or later, you will have to take responsibility for these matters."

Mei Terumi said unhappily, "Wasn't that just an emergency plan to fool those old men in case something happened to you? Aren't you doing perfectly well?!"

Yagura explained, "This old man has remained Mizukage only to atone for his sins. Once I settle certain necessary matters, I will step down and devote myself to assisting you."

A calculation swiftly ran through Mei Terumi's mind: stepping down => stepping back => calling off the engagement!

A vein bulged on her forehead. Kill him! No, he's the Mizukage. He's a senior...

Yagura Karatachi looked at Mei Terumi in confusion as she smiled one moment and frowned the next.

Iwagakure.

Earth Shadow-sama Ōnoki floated above the conference table and said disdainfully to everyone, "What Sky Ninja Village? They can only fly. It's nothing impressive."

When he gently floated down to the floor, crack! His whole body froze, his hands bracing his lower back as he trembled slightly. "M-my back!"

Leg Shadow Kurotsuchi was a filial granddaughter and thoughtfully said, "If your health is failing, don't force yourself. Isn't it about time you retired, old man? You can't keep hogging the position of Tsuchikage forever!"

The large Akatsuchi beside her smiled honestly and held out his hand. "How about I carry you, Earth Shadow-sama?"

"Don't meddle, Akatsuchi! I'm not so old that I can't walk!" Ōnoki stubbornly slapped Akatsuchi's hand away, followed by another crack! "Ah, my back..."

Kurotsuchi had probably long grown used to her grandfather's behavior and continued mocking him mercilessly. "You stubborn old man. If Brother Deidara were still here..."

"Shut up! Don't mention that traitor!" He was the dignified Third Tsuchikage, yet he had taught a rogue ninja. When Ōnoki received the news, he had been so furious that he only wanted to blast that brat into nothing with Dust Release.

Kurotsuchi complained, "What? Didn't Brother Deidara run away because you locked him up?"

Ōnoki roared, "If I hadn't locked him up and punished him, he would have blown the whole village flat!"

Cloud Village.

Fourth Raikage A slapped the intelligence he had just finished reading onto the table and asked, "How is the Chakra Cannon progressing?"

His secretary Mabui looked through the notebook in her hands and said, "We've encountered some difficulties. Research is being accelerated."

The Raikage said seriously, "Hurry up. We need sufficiently powerful ninja tools too."

"I know!" Mabui nodded.

"Bee! You're spacing out during a meeting again!" The Raikage leaped from his seat and punched Killer B in the face.

Killer B crashed through the window and flew outside, his distinctive rhythmic voice drifting through the air. "You fool, ya fool..."

Passerby A outside the Raikage's building remarked, "Lord Bee flew out through the window again today."

Passerby B said, "Yeah. Another peaceful day."

Passerby A took out a concert ticket and asked, "By the way, are you going to Lord Bee's concert?"

Passerby B pulled out one as well. "What, you got one too? It's boring anyway. Might as well go take a look."

"But Lord Bee's songs really are..."

"Who cares about that? Isn't everyone going for the usual act when the concert gets forcibly interrupted?"

"True enough, hahaha!"

Amegakure.

Konan looked at the emaciated Nagato and felt sorry for him. After composing herself, she said, "Konoha's strength is probably even greater than we estimated."

The time was drawing near, and they were paying close attention to intelligence from the other villages.

Nagato's tone barely fluctuated. "It's fine. I will personally handle the plan to capture the Nine Tails."

Konan felt it was not safe enough and advised, "Konoha has two Nine Tails Jinchuriki, and both can perfectly control the Nine Tails' power. This is too risky. How about everyone goes together..."

"God needs to display sufficient power." Nagato rejected Konan's request for a group battle. There were quite a few troublemakers in the organization, and as the leader, he had to show off his skills and produce results from time to time so his teammates would properly follow his commands.

"Why not try the Eight Tails, who is also a perfect Jinchuriki? It would also help us assess the Nine Tails' level." Konan settled for the next best thing, urging Nagato to first squeeze a softer-looking persimmon.

Nagato fell silent for a moment, then nodded. "That works too."

Although Nagato had confidence in his own strength, they had prepared this plan for so long. Being more cautious was better. He could not let an error arise because of his own momentary stubbornness.