[Abandoned temple · Late at night]
It was midnight, moonless and windy.
Jiraiya and Naruto hid in the grass outside the abandoned temple, watching for movement inside. The temple was in ruins, half its roof collapsed and its walls covered in vines. Yet light shone within, making it clear someone was inside.
"They're here," Jiraiya whispered.
A dozen or so figures in black emerged from the woods and filed into the temple. Leading them was a man in white robes-Shennong.
"That's Shennong?" Naruto asked.
"Should be." Jiraiya narrowed his eyes. "He doesn't look like he's up to any good."
They continued watching. After entering the temple, Shennong stopped before the statue of a deity and turned to face the figures in black.
"Everyone," Shennong began, his voice low and hoarse, "I've gathered you here today to announce something important."
The figures listened in silence.
"The cultivation of Zero-Tails is nearly complete," Shennong said. "But we still lack one final ingredient-vast amounts of negative emotion. We need to create a large-scale conflict and plunge the entire shinobi world into fear and chaos."
"Lord Shennong, how do you intend to do that?" one of them asked.
"Simple." Shennong smiled. "We turn the Five Great Nations against one another and let them slaughter each other. I've already sent people disguised as Konoha ninja to attack Kumogakure's border outposts. Once Kumogakure takes the bait, war will break out."
"But the Allied Forces were only just formed. Will they believe it?" another asked.
"The Allied Forces?" Shennong sneered. "That's merely a temporary alliance formed in response to the Ōtsutsuki threat. The moment internal conflicts arise, it will crumble. The grudges between the Five Great Nations aren't so easily resolved."
He paused, then continued, "And I've prepared another special gift-the Death God Mask. Once I obtain