Outside Windrest City in the Land of Water.
The Akatsuki members landed on the ground slightly behind Pain.
Twin Eyes, Twin Blades, and Kakuzu—five people in total.
"Flutter, flutter, flutter..."
Accompanied by the sound of beating wings, Konan flew over from afar as well.
Including Pain, Akatsuki had seven people in total.
Although Hidden Cloud only had Yugito with any fighting power.
They were still in a far better position than Hidden Mist Village.
After all, aside from Kaito, Hidden Mist Village did not have a single person capable of fighting.
Artillery mages like Ao and Mei Terumī, who had not yet fully matured, were completely useless here.
The other four surviving Hidden Mist ninjas were only marginally better than cannon fodder.
At this point, Hidden Mist Village was clearly at an absolute disadvantage.
Or rather, it was a hopeless situation with no chance of survival.
Seeing Karatachi Yagura in such a miserable state, Jūzō Biwa was rather pleased by his misfortune.
He rested the Kubikiribōchō on his shoulder, his face full of malice.
"Hehehe, Mizukage, so you have a day like this too."
Karatachi Yagura coughed up blood. With every breath, copious bloody foam seeped from the corner of his mouth and slowly dripped down.
His gaze passed over the Kubikiribōchō in Jūzō Biwa's hand before turning to Kisame Hoshigaki beside him.
"Traitors!"
Seeing Karatachi Yagura still forcing himself to endure despite his injuries, Jūzō Biwa's expression became complicated, filled with both regret and hatred.
"Isn't this all thanks to you, for turning Hidden Mist Village into what it is today?"
Karatachi Yagura's face went pale. Guilt and pain flashed through his eyes, but he said nothing.
Jūzō Biwa had struck precisely at his deepest pain.
Because Hidden Mist Village had indeed become like this after he was controlled.