Akatsuki Organization's Crisis

Although Yichen practiced Sage Mode along the way, he didn't waste any time. The group quickly returned to Iwagakure.

After entering the village, Yichen told the Little Rhino Dog to go back to their lodgings on their own, while he left the others behind and went straight to the Tsuchikage's Office Building.

High-Level Meeting soon began, and Yichen on the current situation.

"We don't know how long Konoha and Sunagakure have been in contact, or what kind of agreement they reached. Recently, Konoha secretly mobilized a lot of ninjas to hide near the border of the Land of Rivers, the Land of Rain, and the Land of Fire. It was only when one of our Jonin escorting a caravan Jonin discovered them that we realized something was wrong."

"I've already dispatched Anbu to gather detailed intelligence, but we still can't determine Konoha and Sunagakure's objectives. However, we suspect they might be targeting the Akatsuki Organization."

Yichen thought for a moment and said, "What about Konoha's troop strength? They'll definitely be sending Kage Level fighters to deal with Akatsuki Organization. Who's Konoha's commander? What about the Sunagakure? Where are their troops? And who's leading them?"

Saka said helplessly, "We have no idea. The ninja who sent back the intelligence from Konoha didn't approach the Konoha Camp; he only discovered traces of the Ninja Army. We don't even know how many Konoha Army there are, but judging from the traces, there are at least a thousand."

"Hiruzen Sarutobi, Shimura Danzō, Tsunade have all made public appearances in Konoha these past few days, but it's possible they're using Transformation Jutsu, so we can't be sure who the commander is..."

"As for the Sunagakure, we still don't know whether they participated in the attack. Our people discovered the Konoha ninja and the Sunagakure meeting in secret, which led us to track down the Konoha Army."

"Therefore, whether the Sunagakure will send troops is still speculation. The Anbu has already begun entering the Land of Wind and is searching the border between the Land of Wind and the countries of Rain and River."

"Some of the ninjas sent out have signed Summoning Contract with the Shark Swarm. Once they discover anything, they will send the information back as quickly as possible."

Yichen nodded without saying a word, feeling relieved.

Although we know that Konoha would definitely not dare to provoke Iwagakure at this time, what if...?

With Konoha and Sunagakure Iwagakure. And this is only what has been discovered; what if Konoha also brought in other ninja villages? Like those big, clumsy guys from Cloud ninja.

Forget about hatred. The hatred between Konoha and Sunagakure isn't small, yet they still cooperate, don't they?

Although Iwa ninja has developed rapidly in recent years, it is still far from reaching the level of Konoha, where one can fight against many.

Since it wasn't directed at him personally, Yichen's thoughts changed. He was now considering whether to inform Yahiko and the others.

It wasn't that Yichen cared too much about his friendship with the three members of Akatsuki Organization. Rather, it was because if Akatsuki Organization had been prepared, they could have inflicted even greater losses on Konoha.

It would be even better if we could severely damage both Konoha and Sunagakure at the same time.

Ideally, we should be able to take down one or two Kage Level ninja from Konoha and Sunagakure.

Only...

Yichen looked at Saka and asked, "How many intelligence ninjas have we planted in the Akatsuki Organization?"

Ban said, "There are quite a few. Although the Akatsuki Organization has been established for a relatively short time, it is very easy for them to plant intelligence ninjas. They have almost no awareness of counter-espionage."

Yichen sighed. This was exactly what Yichen was worried about. What if he had tipped off the Akatsuki Organization, and Konoha had also received the news and canceled the operation?

After thinking it over, Yichen decided to wait until the intelligence ninja confirmed the information before making a decision.

The next day, intelligence came from the Land of Fire: there were approximately two thousand Konoha ninja, and judging from their exact location, they were indeed heading towards the Akatsuki Organization. However, judging from their posture, Konoha's target seemed to be the Akatsuki Organization's base in the Land of Rain, rather than the River Ninja Village in the Land of Rivers.

Looking at the latest intelligence transmitted back by the shark, Yichen analyzed the situation in his mind.

Is it that Konoha doesn't intend to take action against River Ninja Village, or is it that Konoha and Sunagakure have different roles, with Sunagakure responsible for River Ninja Village?

Both scenarios are possible. Attacking only the Land of Rain is understandable, as the Seven-Tails resides Land of Rain. However, it's also plausible that Konoha would target the Seven-Tails.

If they divided the work with the Sunagakure, it was possible that they could use a feint to attack the other side, waiting for the Akatsuki Organization to come to the aid of the Land of Rain while the Sunagakure Village raided the Akatsuki Organization's headquarters. In that case, even if the three Akatsuki Organization leaders didn't die, they would just be three missing-nin.

"Any news from the Land of Wind?" Yichen asked.

Saka shook his head and said, "No. If the Sunagakure really did make a move, then without a doubt, they must have used the desert of the Land of Wind to hide. Only the Fourth Kazekage Rasa, could have done that."

Yichen slammed his hand on the table and said, "Prepare for battle. Ikura, you stay in the village and keep a close eye on the movements of the Cloud ninja. Have the sharks set up a warning line at sea."

"Kitsuchi, you and Han will take three thousand troops to the border. Position the army directly at the border with the Land of Fire."

"Saka, isn't there someone in the Anbu who's protecting Roshi this time who knows the Shark Summoning Jutsu? Have him tell the Third Hokage to keep an eye on the Ninja World War and be ready to attack Konoha ninja at any time."

"Ming, go to the capital and tell the daimyo about the situation. Try to get some military funding, bring more men, and make sure the daimyo is safe."

Then Yichen looked around and said, "But remember, if Konoha doesn't suffer any losses, we won't make a move. If Konoha suffers significant losses, we'll use force to threaten Konoha and gain some advantage. If Konoha suffers huge losses, that's our time to expand."

"Yes." In the office, Ikura and the others responded in unison.

Then Saka asked, "Yichen, where are you going?"

Upon hearing this, everyone turned their gazes to Yichen once more, staring intently at him. With a great battle imminent, where are you, Tsuchikage, trying to go? Trying to disappear?

Yichen stiffened and said, "I'll go check out the Land of Rain and the Land of Rivers. I'll inform the Akatsuki Organization first. If there's a chance to gain something, I'll go to Konoha and meet with the Radical Faction of the Uchiha Clan."

Saka and others stared at Yichen expressionlessly, without saying a word.

"Don't worry, I'll bring Ishinose Kiyoshi with me and keep in touch with the village at all times," Yichen quickly assured him.

"Moreover, by going to the front lines, I can keep abreast of the enemy's movements and respond promptly."

Seeing that no one reacted, Yichen continued, "I promise, I won't leave the sky unless I'm absolutely certain."

"I can now enter Sage Mode independently without the Natural Energy Seal, and I'll also be able to bring three Tailed Beasts with me."

"I can instantly enter Tailed Beast Chakra Mode, so self-defense is not a problem."

Saka sighed and said, "Go, go."

Yichen felt as if he had been granted a pardon and hurriedly ended the meeting.

After everyone left, Yichen breathed a sigh of relief and then channeled his Chakra into the Big Dipper Ring on his hand.

Before long, Nagato pulled Yichen's mind over.

To Yichen's surprise, Yahiko and his two companions were not in River Ninja Village; judging from their location, they were probably in a small village.

Yahiko was delighted to see Yichen and said, "Yichen, you've come to see us? I have good news for you. We've already done what you said. We've supported several factories, and they're producing our Land of Rivers's specialties."

"Last month, many caravans purchased large quantities of products and sold them to your Land of Earth."

Yichen wasn't as happy as Yahiko; he simply remained silent.

Seeing that something was wrong, Konan interrupted Yahiko and cautiously asked Yichen, "Yichen, has something happened?"

Yichen took a deep breath and said, "Konoha and Sunagakure are going to attack you."

"Our Anbu has confirmed that Konoha has amassed two thousand ninja, and their target is likely the Land of Rain. The movements of the Sunagakure are unknown, but my men have witnessed secret contact between the Sunagakure and Konoha."

"Furthermore, my people have likely been discovered, and it's possible that Konoha will take immediate action."

Yahiko and the other two were stunned; their good mood vanished instantly.

Seeing this, Yichen sighed and said, "Hurry up and prepare to fight. I can't mobilize the Iwa ninja to support you, but I will send troops to guard the border and put pressure on Konoha. In addition, I myself will set off for the border immediately. As long as I confirm that Konoha and Sunagakure's target is not the Land of Earth, I will come to assist you immediately."

As the leader, Yahiko immediately understood Yichen's words and said, "Yichen, thank you. We'll head back to the village to prepare for the war."

Yichen said, "Hurry up, Konoha has done a great job keeping this secret. If it weren't for the ninjas escorting the caravan accidentally discovering the situation, I'd still be completely in the dark."

"No one knows how long they've been preparing for this operation, and I suspect they have ninjas planted among your men. Be Mind's Eye, or someone might stab you in the back."

Phantasm Body Technique, Nagato and his two companions abandoned the factory and immediately set off towards River Ninja Village.

On the way, Konan asked Yahiko, "Yahiko, what do we do?"

Konan is panicking, not because she's afraid of dying, but because her hard-earned home is about to be destroyed—it's an instinctive reaction.

As Yahiko ran, he pondered for a moment, then said, "Yichen said that we haven't discovered the Sunagakure's movements yet, but we must prepare for both possibilities: we must prepare for Konoha's attack, and we must also guard against Sunagakure sneak attack."

"Looks like we need to split up."

Konan panicked, remembering the time Hanzo had Hanzo. She quickly asked, "Do we really have to split our forces?"

Nagato interjected, "Let my Six Paths of Pain go one way, and the three of us go the other. If the situation is manageable, I will do my best to control the Six Paths of Pain; if the situation turns bad, I will abandon Six Paths of Pain."

"The Land of Rivers is the foundation of our Akatsuki Organization. The Land of Rain is merely the base of the Dark Akatsuki. The Dark Akatsuki did not establish any ninja villages, so the so-called base doesn't have much of value. Losing it is no big deal."

In crucial moments, Nagato is more decisive.

"Yes," Yahiko replied after struggling for a moment.