The Battle Plan to Capture the One-Tail!

A light drizzle was falling from the misty sky. Tōka, holding an Oil-Paper Umbrella, stepped through the wet puddles and slowly walked towards the Tower in the Land of Rain.

Tōka, who made no attempt to conceal his presence, was detected by Nagato's Rain Tiger at Will Technique the moment he set foot in the Land of Rain.

"Although Nagato has already received the intelligence, isn't it inappropriate to enter the Land of Rain so openly?" Black Zetsu followed behind Tōka, looking at his back with a hesitant expression.

Does this mean Tōka is already planning to eliminate Nagato and retrieve the Rinnegan?

"There are no eternal enemies in the world. Nagato and I are just using each other." Tōka knew perfectly well what Nagato wanted, and he also understood what he wanted.

"With enough leverage, we will become allies once again."

"It's good that you have confidence." Black Zetsu shrugged indifferently, then fell silent.

The rain pattered down on the puddles, splashing up murky sprays of water. Four feet, one after the other, waded through the puddles...

In the tallest tower of the Land of Rain, the Deva Path Dao, who was watching the rain falling outside the window, suddenly stood up.

"Nagato, what's wrong?" Konan was standing nearby, noticed the movement of the Deva Path and immediately asked.

"That guy really didn't die!" The news of the Child of the Devil shocked the Ninja World, and even Nagato, who lived a secluded life in the Land of Rain, received this information.

He was uncertain, but he trusted his own eyes more than the rumors.

When Tōka and Black Zetsu entered the Land of Rain together, Nagato sensed that familiar chakra from the Rain Tiger at Will Technique.

"What should we do?" Konan asked, slightly startled.

They weren't confident in preparing for battle...

The Deva Path remained silent, and Konan stood quietly to the side without disturbing him. After a while, the Deva Path's eyes darkened, and he had made up his mind.

"Let the Animal Path go to greet them."

Upon hearing this, Konan's expression hardened, her eyes filled with seriousness. Dealing with Tōka was not so easy.

Nagato's decision to deploy the Animal Path indicates that he is prepared for war.

"Should we notify the Water and Fire Group and the Art Group?" These are the only two remaining groups in the Akatsuki Organization, followed by the Kazuma Squad, which has lost its captain.

Kazuma, Budong, Fufeng, and Fuen were originally just Nagato, and they were no match for a strong opponent like Tōka.

Besides, both the Kazuma were already dead, and the combined fighting power of the three —the Budong, Fufeng, and Fuen— was even less than that of a single Summoning Beast from the Animal Path!

Konan's meaning was simple: since Nagato had decided to fight, then naturally they would gather all of Akatsuki Organization's fighting power.

But after a moment's thought, Deva Path shook his head slightly, "The Water and Fire Group is still in the Land of Earth, as for the Art Group... Sasori of the Red Sands cannot be trusted..."

Swish!

A dark figure darted out of the Tower, leaping across the thick drainage pipes, and in a few bounds headed towards the Land of Rain.

As Tōka strolled over, holding Oil-Paper Umbrella, a glint of shrewdness flashed in his eyes; he had already spotted the rapidly approaching Animal Path.

Nagato monitored the entire Land of Rain using the Rain Tiger at Will Technique, while Tōka possessed the Eternal Tenseigan, allowing him to clearly see an area within a ten-mile radius.

"They arrived quite quickly." Tōka stopped in his tracks and looked up at the Tower.

Black Zetsu was taken aback upon hearing this, but then realized what Tōka meant. It was normal for them to be discovered since they had entered the Land of Rain without any concealment.

Who did Nagato send? Was it Konan...?

Whom is sent to "welcome" Tōka makes a world of difference. If it is Konan, it means that Nagato does not have much hostility.

If it's the Animal Path, then...

"Who could it be?" Black Zetsu stared intently at the misty rain.

Bang!

A huge black shadow appeared in the white mist, its massive body landing heavily in the water, splashing water everywhere as it rushed towards Tōka.

Tōka's figure was like a small boat on a vast ocean in front of the giant beast, with waves rising and falling as if to capsize it.

"Nagato, is this your welcoming ceremony?" Tōka noticed that the Animal Path had appeared before him and understood what Nagato meant.

However, he wasn't in a hurry at all and still looked confident.

"What is your purpose in coming here?" The Animal Path stood on the giant Chameleon's tongue, looking down at the tiny black shadow on the ground.

"How indifferent! Just like a dead person!" Tōka sneered maliciously.

The Pain's Six Paths were merely Nagato created by Nagato using six corpses. They transmitted chakra through Black Rods and each inherited a branch of the Rinnegan's Ninjutsu.

Nagato can be freely controlled from a distance, which not only avoids danger but also overcomes the disadvantage of his Original Body leg disability.

"Can I take that as you've come to kill me?" The Animal Path stared at Tōka with an expressionless face, its stiff expression unmoved by any words.

"No, no, no... I'm here to deliver a gift." Tōka shook her head repeatedly, looking at the Animal Path with a sincere expression.

"A gift?" The Animal Path had already prepared to summon the other five Paths of Pain, but it didn't expect Tōka to say such a thing.

"That's right!" Tōka with a confident smile, looking at the Animal Path.

"The Three-Tails... I wonder if you'd be interested?"

Upon hearing this, Three-Tails, who was Nagato away in the Tower, was momentarily stunned.

The Art Group's Three-Tails Capture Plan failed.

Nagato originally intended to personally go to the Land of Water to capture the Three-Tails after some time, but he didn't expect Tōka to act so quickly and have already captured the Three-Tails.

Before the Animal Path could speak, Tōka threw out another bombshell, "Furthermore, I can also tell you information about the One-Tail Jinchuriki!"

"The One-Tail Jinchuriki? You know the whereabouts of the One-Tail?!" The Animal Path's voice remained cold and indifferent, but a subtle undercurrent of emotion flickered in its tone.

Tōka kept his eyes on the Animal Path, so he could naturally discern Nagato's changing state of mind from the Animal Path's tone.

For Nagato, the Three-Tails is not the most important thing at the moment, because even if he captures the Three-Tails, he cannot seal the Three-Tails, Four-Tails, and Six-Tails.

Because the difference in chakra between the Tailed Beast becomes increasingly significant as time progresses.

The Two-Tails and the Five-Tails have already been sealed away, so if the One-Tail isn't sealed, the remaining Tailed Beast simply cannot be sealed.

The Four-Tails Jinchuriki was defeated and trapped in a hidden stronghold in the Land of Earth, where Itachi and Kisame were responsible for guarding him.

The Six-Tails Jinchuriki was taken back to the Land of Rain Nagato and imprisoned under the tallest Iron Tower, where Nagato personally guarded him.

If we can't capture the One-Tail, not only will we be unable to seal the remaining Tailed Beast, but we will also tie down the Akatsuki Organization's fighting strength.

The Three-Tails was merely a gift given to Nagato incidentally; what truly tempted Nagato was the information about the One-Tail Jinchuriki!

"What? You want to cooperate with me?" Tōka's confident demeanor was truly irritating, Nagato knew that he had lost the initiative.

Most of the Akatsuki Organization's intelligence came from Black Zetsu, and Black Zetsu was clearly on Tōka's side.

"What do you want?" The Animal Path stared coldly at Tōka, his face still as cold and lifeless as a dead man, but his heart was no longer at peace.

"Just to witness your ideal world." Tōka lied through his teeth without batting an eye.

Nagato wasn't stupid; he knew that Tōka's motives weren't pure.

However, as long as that Ultimate Weapon can be created, Nagato is confident that he can defeat even Tōka!

Tōka helped him with ulterior motives, Nagato wisely chose to say "I don't know," only secretly increasing his vigilance against Tōka.

Their eyes met, sparks Hanabi, as if they both understood the meaning in each other's eyes.

Finally, Tōka suddenly added, "If possible, I hope you can help me resurrect someone!"

"Resurrect someone?" Nagato hearing this, Nagato's mind immediately flashed back to the rumors circulating in the Ninja World. "You want me to help you resurrect Otsutsuki Kaguya?"

Even with the power of Outer Path, it's impossible to resurrect someone who has been dead for a thousand years!

The Outer Path Reanimation Jutsu, a technique for reviving the dead.

The longer the person being resurrected has been dead, and the more people are resurrected, the more chakra is consumed, and it may even come at the cost of one's life.

If the resurrected object is a person Impure World Reincarnation technique, the Impure World Reincarnation status will be automatically lifted.

"Tsk tsk tsk..." Tōka laughed upon hearing this, then raised a finger and shook it, "No, no, no, it's someone else!"

"I'll think about it." The Animal Path snorted coldly, thinking to himself, "As expected, they came with conditions. Once we understand their purpose, things will be much easier."

Bang!

With a wave of his arm, the animal -Animal Path being dispelled the Summoning Technique.

Seeing this, Tōka didn't hesitate. He took out an intelligence Scroll from his sleeve and tossed it towards the Animal Path, which was thirty paces away.

"This is information about the One-Tail Jinchuriki. As for the Three-Tails... I'll take care of it for you for now!"

The words had barely left his mouth when, bang!

Tōka's figure transformed into a wisp of white mist and vanished from the spot.

Upon seeing this, the Animal Path's dead face finally changed color, and its black and white pupils suddenly contracted, revealing an expression of disbelief.

"It's Shadow Clone?!"

And what about Black Zetsu? Wasn't he with Tōka just now?

Animal Path's gaze remained fixed on Tōka. Only then did Nagato belatedly realize what was happening, and it seemed that Black Zetsu had left while he was talking to Tōka.

What on earth are these two doing?

Filled with questions, the Animal Path directly opened the intelligence Scroll in his hand, which contained only three simple Ink-Written Characters.

"Mount Myōboku?!"

Jiraiya's teacher...

In a tavern within the Land of Rain, a handsome young man carrying Oil-Paper Umbrella and a strange man with half-black and half-white hair pushed open the door and entered.

It wasn't yet time for drinking, and only a few true drunkards remained in the tavern.

Tōka chose a quiet corner by the window to sit down, and Black Zetsu sat across the table from her.

"Just a pot of wine and some snacks will do." After casually ordering a few dishes and dismissing the Waiter, Tōka propped his arm up and gazed out the window.

The raindrops pattered against the windowsill, shattering into tiny, glass-like droplets.

Black Zetsu looked at Tōka's profile with hesitation, opening his mouth several times but failing to utter the words in his heart.

"Just say what you want to say, why are you beating around the bush?" Tōka glanced at Black Zetsu and said calmly.

"You want Nagato to launch a full-scale attack on Mount Myōboku? There's no guarantee they'll be able to take it!" Black Zetsu calmed himself and asked in a low voice.

Even if they manage to defeat it, they might not be able to capture the One-Tail Jinchuriki.

"Do you know where Mount Myōboku is?" Tōka asked instead of answering.

"Uh..." Black Zetsu shook his head. The reason why the Three Great Mystical Lands of the Ninja World are mysterious is that no one knows where they are.

Although Black Zetsu's spies are spread throughout the entire Ninja World, he doesn't actually know the exact location of Mount Myōboku.

"That's more like it." Tōka rolled her eyes at Black Zetsu and said disdainfully.

Black Zetsu was momentarily unable to keep up with Tōka's leaps of thought; what was he even talking about? He didn't understand a word he was saying.

"If you don't even know how to get to Mount Myōboku, how could Nagato and Konan possibly know?"

Black Zetsu has existed for a thousand years, didn't know this, then Nagato and Konan certainly couldn't possibly know it.

The Waiter brought over the food and drinks, quickly set them down, smiled, said "Enjoy your meal," and then left promptly.

Tōka swirled the Wine Cup in his hand, then slowly brought it to his lips.

"Since we can't find Mount Myōboku, we'll just have to make him come out on his own!"

"Come out on your own? Is that even possible?" Black Zetsu finally realized what Tōka meant.

"Nine-Tails Jinchuriki is impossible, but One-Tail Jinchuriki is possible." Tōka's eyes flashed with a sharp light as he said with great certainty.

Naruto, the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, belongs to Konoha because of the legendary Legendary Sannin Jiraiya and the Contract Naruto signed with the Toad Clan of Mount Myōboku.

They could stay on Mount Myōboku until they died of old age without any problem.

However, Gaara, the One-Tail Jinchuriki Gaara, is different. Gaara belongs to Sunagakure, Sunagakure cannot allow its own Jinchūriki to stay in someone else's "territory."

"You want the people of Sunagakure..."

Black Zetsu could be considered the biggest schemer in the Ninja World; he only needed a few hints to understand Tōka's thoughts.

"They're not from Sunagakure, they're ours!" Tōka took a sip of sake; the taste of the Land of Rain was rather peculiar...

"You mean White Zetsu?" Black Zetsu understood Tōka's meaning almost instantly. He had used this trick countless times, and it still worked every time.

As long as the White Zetsu's abilities are not exposed, success is almost guaranteed!

Tōka's plan is already quite transparent: using White Zetsu Object Transformation technique, he will impersonate a high-ranking figure in Sunagakure.

On one hand, they sent an envoy to Konoha to demand that they hand over Gaara; on the other hand, they infiltrated Sunagakure and gained the support of the Sunagakure Shinobi.

In short, the goal was to make Konoha believe that it was Sunagakure who wanted them to hand over Gaara.

Black Zetsu snapped out of his Nagato and remembered the question he had asked at the beginning: these things could have been done entirely on their own, without Nagato's involvement.

"But what does this have to do with Nagato?" Black Zetsu asked again.

"Because I'm not sure Gaara is on Mount Myōboku!" Tōka shrugged helplessly.

In the Forest of Death, Tōka was suddenly entangled by Six Paths. Although he successfully broke the Pure Land Reversal, he also severely injured Six Paths.

However, the One-Tail Jinchuriki was taken away by the Six Paths beforehand.

The fact that Gaara could inexplicably disappear from the Four Violet Flames Formation is beyond any explanation other than being teleported to Mount Myōboku by Jiraiya's reverse summoning. Tōka can't figure out how Gaara disappeared.

Furthermore, none of the spies planted by Sunagakure have reported Gaara's return to the village.

"Telling the information to Nagato is naturally a way to let him try it out first!" Although it was just a guess, Tōka was 70% sure.

"You're really... insidious!" Black Zetsu curled his lip and uttered these words after a long while.

Upon hearing Black Zetsu's words, Tōka nearly choked.

Black Zetsu is called insidious? Has he got any shame?!

Furthermore, how can having Nagato deplete the vital forces of the Five Great Nations be considered insidious? It can only be described as strategic planning!