Konan spread her paper wings, poised like a cold-eyed predator surveying the battlefield from above. Her expression was calm and unreadable, and only her icy blue eyes glimmered in the dim candlelight.
She slowly surveyed every member of the Akatsuki present. Her voice was low yet clear, like a blade lightly skimming the surface of water:
"I just received an urgent report."
As the words fell, the air seemed to freeze.
She paused, her gaze darkening as a shadowy current flickered across her brow, then returned to normal. Her tone remained unchanged, calm but tinged with an unmistakable weight:
"The border supply line overseen by Kakuzu and Sasori's spy network in the Land of Wind confirm it: Iwagakure, Sunagakure, and Kirigakure have secretly formed an alliance."
She slowly looked around at everyone. Her paper wings spread slightly, and the chakra in the air seemed to ripple with them. The tense atmosphere was almost suffocating. Her voice sounded as if it came from the depths of the sea, cold and unquestionable:
"The combined forces of Sunagakure and Iwagakure will reach our southern border in three days. Their target is clear—the Konoha encampment."
Konan paused briefly, her icy tone growing even more oppressive:
"According to the intelligence, they've brought their village's Jinchūriki."
At her words, everyone's expression stiffened.
Though they were all battle-hardened, their gazes sharpened, as if the killing intent within them were slowly awakening.
She took a deep breath and continued:
"Kirigakure will provide support from the waterway flank." She paused, then added, "Before he died, the Fourth Mizukage broke free from the genjutsu controlling him, sealed the Tailed Beast, and personally entrusted it to Mei Terumi."
"Mei Terumi has officially taken office as the Fifth Mizukage and responded to the alliance at once."
When she finished, the room fell