New Skill! Intermediate Armament Haki

"Kirigakure, the Three-Tails jinchuriki!"

Facing Uchiha Ye's question, Pain answered aloud.

"?!!"

As soon as this answer left his lips, Biwa Juzo and Zabuza, both hailing from Kirigakure, couldn't help but stare at Pain Deva Path in utter shock, their expressions clearly saying, "Are you joking?"

Yet, everyone present understood why the two of them had lost their composure.

"Capture the Fourth Mizukage? Leader, are you serious?"

Even Kakuzu, usually so steady, felt his pupils constrict as he spoke in a tone of disbelief.

At this moment!

Even Hidan, typically unruly and defiant, straightened his face and looked at Pain Deva Path: "Leader, are you sure? This is no different from declaring war directly on Kirigakure."

Uchiha Itachi also spoke up, his expression uncharacteristically grave: "To execute a mission of this magnitude, we would need to deploy at least two teams!"

"But if we do that, it will be easy for our movements to be exposed!"

Uchiha Ye nodded upon hearing this, his own exaggerated expression fading away.

Though he understood it in his heart, Pain's words confirmed his suspicions were correct.

The target was indeed the Three-Tails residing within the Fourth Mizukage.

Yet, hearing this information directly from Pain's lips still brought an inexplicable sense of shock.

After all, the target of their mission this time was the Kage of a hidden village, along with the entire village of Kirigakure backing him!

The reputation of the Five Great Shinobi Villages was not just empty talk!

A monster like the Third Raikage, who could fight the Eight-Tails in hand-to-hand combat, could still be exhausted to death by an army of ten thousand Iwagakure ninja.

Not to mention that they were currently far from reaching the level of the Third Raikage.

If they were to fall into an encirclement, it would be the end.

Only Deidara, acting like a newborn calf unafraid of a tiger, said: "Heh, how interesting, this mission is too fun. Leader, why not let me go and finish it!"

Only Sasori of the Red Sand remained calm, as if he had realized something, and said: "So, is this mission going to fall to me and Ye again?"

He looked at Pain and asked: "Pain, what happened in Kirigakure? What made you suddenly decide to strike there?"

This question also voiced the doubts in the hearts of the other members.

Even Uchiha Ye was no exception.

Indeed!

Choosing the isolated land of Kirigakure as a target was fitting.

They could obtain a Tailed Beast without worrying about attracting massive attention or putting the organization in a passive position.

Thinking further ahead!

They had already made an enemy of the Cloud Village.

If they could seize a Tailed Beast before the Cloud Village could react, that would certainly be ideal.

Otherwise!

Once the Cloud Village paid enough attention to them and contacted the other four great villages to form a consensus and unify their hostile stance against the Akatsuki, capturing Tailed Beasts would become much more difficult!

But even if Kirigakure was isolated, the sheer scale of the Five Great Shinobi Villages remained.

Without a suitable opportunity, invading like this was no different from seeking death.

He was curious about what had happened in Kirigakure that would cause Nagato, behind Pain, to suddenly decide to take a knife to Kirigakure instead of choosing the relatively weaker Takigakure, which also possessed a Tailed Beast!

"There is only one reason!"

Pain's voice was indifferent: "According to reliable information from Zetsu, a civil disturbance broke out in Kirigakure yesterday!"

"The Kaguya Clan's rebellion caused a massive commotion. Although it was forcefully suppressed by the Fourth Mizukage, this act has directly opened the curtain on Kirigakure's persecution of ninja with bloodline limits."

"Now, the hearts of the people in Kirigakure are already filled with panic!"

"Beyond the Mizukage's faction, another power bloc has emerged to vie for control."

"It can be said that the situation in Kirigakure has never been this chaotic or vulnerable."

"How could we waste such a perfect opportunity?!"

Pain's answer left the members present looking somewhat astonished.

Even Uchiha Ye was no exception!

Because in the original timeline, the Kaguya Clan's rebellion wouldn't have broken out for several more months.

Without a doubt, it had been brought forward!

"Azure Dragon, Virgin!"

"Vermilion Bird, Nanto!"

Pain Deva Path spoke up: "I am entrusting this capture mission to your two teams!"

Hearing this, Uchiha Ye, Sasori of the Red Sand, Uchiha Itachi, and Biwa Juzo all nodded in agreement.

"Kuchin, Genbu!"

Pain Deva Path continued: "You two will provide rear guard for Azure Dragon and the others, and take charge of transporting the jinchuriki!"

Upon hearing this, Deidara immediately grew excited and shouted: "This is absolutely fantastic! Leader, this is truly a brilliant decision!"

As for Zabuza, no particular expression could be discerned.

"Santai, Hokuto!"

Pain Deva Path spoke once more: "You two will continue to carry out bounty missions and accumulate as much money as possible!"

Kakuzu nodded: "Understood!"

Hidan also clamored excitedly: "Looks like I can spread the Jashin Cult's teachings again and offer sacrifices to Lord Jashin!"

It could be said that apart from Pain Deva Path and Konan, every member of the Akatsuki organization had been mobilized.

This was a rare sight compared to the past.

Usually, there would always be two or three teams resting.

The plot is collapsing more and more!

After the meeting ended and he returned to his quarters, Uchiha Ye felt a sense of trepidation in his heart.

So be it, I must strengthen myself as quickly as possible!

Taking a deep breath, a system panel immediately appeared before his eyes.

[Ding! Froggy has returned from his travels, bringing back local specialties for you to claim.]

"Claim!"

As he spoke, familiar memories were injected into his mind.

They fused instantly and synchronized with his body.

However, this time, it happened twice!

[Specialty 1: Six Powers - 'Life Return']

[Source: One Piece World]

[Description: By focusing consciousness into the body, one can freely manipulate any part of their anatomy.]

He had no use for other applications.

But by utilizing this skill, Uchiha Ye could effectively enhance his own recovery capabilities.

The effect should be quite similar to 'Yin Healing Wound Destruction'.

[Specialty 2: Intermediate Armament Haki: Primary, Intermediate, Advanced]

[Source: One Piece World]

[Description: An ability latent within the human body that can increase defensive and offensive power; it can also be coated onto weapons to boost combat effectiveness.]

"So, Armament Haki has finally arrived, has it?"

He was not too surprised by the arrival of Armament Haki.

Since Observation Haki had already arrived, wasn't Armament Haki just a matter of time?

"Armament! Hardening!"

He opened his hand, and as his mind willed it, a sensation of condensed restraint washed over him.

A layer of pitch-black substance wrapped around his palm.

Without using chakra, he unleashed pure physical strength and struck the blade beside him heavily.

"Clang!"

Accompanied by a splash of dazzling sparks, a white mark appeared on his fist, while the blade had already cracked open a large gap.

"Is this... Intermediate Armament Haki?"

Dispelling the Armament Haki, Uchiha Ye nodded with satisfaction.

This blade certainly couldn't be considered a famous sword.

But since it had been forged using Zabuza's broken blade, its hardness and sharpness were naturally superior to ordinary tools.

Yet, even a blade of this caliber.

Faced with his hardened fist, it still suffered a jagged notch, and he himself hadn't felt a shred of pain.

The formidable power of Intermediate Armament Haki was evident.