Nagato glanced back, then headed east once more.
His goal was clear: tear open a path on the eastern side of Hidden Mist Village and give the Kaguya the best chance to escape.
"Stop!"
"Kill them!"
"Lord Mizukage's orders: leave no one from the Kaguya alive!"
A cold voice rang out.
The mist churned, and the dense fog suddenly cleared.
The streets in every direction came into view.
Hidden Mist Ninja swarmed in, leaping along streets, branches, and rooftops. Like countless black ants, they converged into a single mass.
At a glance, there were too many to count.
Even the frenzied Kaguya froze at the sight. Their fury gave way to a chilling clarity.
There were too many enemies!
"Has every Ninja in the village come?"
"They mean to wipe out the Kaguya!"
"Hahahaha! This is the Hidden Mist we once gave everything for?"
"Kill them! Kill them all! If they choose to be our enemies, we'll show no mercy!"
"Let their blood stain the bones of our clan!"
Furious, icy voices rose from the Kaguya.
Their rage had been set ablaze.
Faced with the seemingly endless Hidden Mist Ninja, they felt their last shred of hope slipping away. Even with help from Hidden Rain Village, they saw little chance of survival.
This was the heart of the Hidden Mist. Its Ninja could gather here in moments.
"Nagato!"
Yahiko shouted.
The terrifying numbers ahead shook even him.
It reminded him of their assault on Konoha years ago. But the Hidden Mist had mustered an even greater force.
Many of Konoha's Ninja had not fought back then. Here, it seemed the entire village had mobilized.
"Whooooosh!"
A strong wind swept through, scattering the mist and bringing everything into sharp focus.
"The Kaguya have long intended to defect. I simply didn't expect