Three days later, in the Land of Wind.
A year later, Naoki Senju once again set foot on the land of Land of Wind, but both his purpose and circumstances had undergone earth-shattering changes.
A year ago, Naoki Senju had to evade the Akatsuki and Root organizations, and he mainly retreated when facing Sunagakure, one of the Five Great Shinobi Villages. He was barely surviving, weak and pitiful.
But in just one year, the Akatsuki's financial pillar, Kakuzu, was killed, the Dark Ninja, Danzo, died, Root was Danzo by the Anbu, and the Fifth Mizukage of Kirigakure was captured.
The Fourth Raikage of Kumogakure was captured, Killer Bee, the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki Killer B, died, and half of the Shinobi World underwent earth-shattering changes because of Naoki Senju!
The reason he was able to do all this was because of Naoki Senju's unparalleled personal strength in the Shinobi World.
Temari was well aware that Naoki Senju's visit was ill-intentioned, but faced with the powerful Naoki Senju, Sunagakure's only option was to suffer heavy losses, and all they could do was pray that Konoha wouldn't be too greedy.
However, for their own safety, Temari and Kankuro had no choice but to move closer to Naoki Senju to avoid being killed by the two old men with darkened faces in a fit of rage.
Naoki Senju would take Temari and Kankuro with him and would definitely not let them be killed. Although the Fourth Kazekage is dead, Sunagakure is severely lacking in ninjas who can lead the village. The only decent Elite Jonin, Maki, was left in Konoha forever because of the failure of the Konoha Crush Plan.
Temari and Kankuro are simply the most suitable candidates for puppets. They have no strength, no background, and no loyal subordinates. Using the Kazekage to command Sunagakure is Naoki Senju's plan to manage Sunagakure.
However, the primary target this time is not Sunagakure, one of the Five Great Shinobi Villages. It seems that a behemoth that has been hiding in the shadows is about to be unable to contain itself any longer...
The Akatsuki on the border of the Land of Fire.
"Traces of Naoki Senju have been discovered in the Land of Wind, accompanied by the children of the Fourth Kazekage. Their destination is likely Sunagakure."
Pain, who had been resting with his eyes closed, opened them, glanced at the White Zetsu reporting the intelligence, and gave the order:
"Activate the White Zetsu remaining in the Land of Wind, and dispatch the nearest Shapeshifting Body to the Land of Wind. Do everything you can to stop Naoki Senju from entering Sunagakure."
Akatsuki's goal in hunting Naoki Senju was merely to Tailed Beast, not to start a war with the Five Great Nations right now. Before the second phase of the Tailed Beast Weapon Plan is completed, relations with the Five Great Nations still need to be maintained.
At the same time, one should not reveal too much power, lest one arouse fear within the body.
White Zetsu disappeared back underground, quickly traversing the earth to relay the Akatsuki leader's orders.
To ensure a 100% success rate in killing Naoki Senju, Obito and Black Zetsu went to great lengths, even entrusting the command of White Zetsu to Pain. This also made Nagato even more suspicious of Madara Uchiha's identity.
At the border of the Land of Wind, spores distributed underground began to germinate rapidly, growing into the shape of White Zetsu. They covered a dense area, with at least a hundred White Zetsu visible at a rough estimate.
Moreover, further away, ninjas wearing Akatsuki wore expressions of extreme pain and regret. However, the process of the Shapeshifting Technique was irreversible, and these Akatsuki peripheral members had completely changed their appearance.
"Is this the Shapeshifting Technique the leader spoke of? It doesn't seem that impressive, and I'm really not used to this body."
Deidara curiously observed his own condition. This Ninjutsu, which allowed him to possess someone else's body and use their abilities, sounded amazing, but it wasn't very effective in practice. His Chakra reserves were pitiful, and he could only unleash about 30% of his full strength.
"Forget about all that, where is that Naoki Senju? Let's go kill him and offer him to the Lord Jashin!"
Hidan excitedly searched for traces of Naoki Senju, but with just a little thought, he knew that Naoki Senju couldn't possibly be here, which only proved that Hidan was brainless.
Ignoring Hidan's usual Hidan, Deidara searched the vicinity and quickly found the Explosive Clay he had prepared beforehand.
The Shapeshifting Technique only allows them to use a portion of their original abilities; some essential ninja tools still need to be prepared in advance, such as Deidara's Explosive Clay and Hidan's Bloody Triple-Bladed Scythe, which are merely for show.
"Explosions are art, and art can't be rushed, hmm!"
Deidara tore off a large piece of clay and threw it into his mouth, chewing it vigorously. The Chakra and the Explosive Clay mixed evenly, and Deidara spat out a lifelike Clay Bird the size of a palm.
" Explosive Clay - Giant Bird, drink!"
The tiny Clay Bird rapidly grew larger until it was big enough to support two adults.
Deidara jumped directly onto the Clay Bird and said:
"Come on up, it'll only take an hour at most to catch up with our target."
Hidan was naturally exceptionally bold, and relying on his immortality, he showed no fear whatsoever. He wasn't worried about whether Deidara's Ninjutsu would cause any accidents, and casually straddled the Clay Bird's buttocks, even twisting his body to adjust his posture.
Feeling the Clay Bird leave the ground and slowly rise into the sky, the first-time Hidan shouted excitedly.
At another border of the Land of Wind, Sasori of the Red Sands leisurely entered the Land of Wind from the Land of Earth. The most likely destination for Naoki Senju was Sunagakure in the Land of Wind, but it was also possible that he would go to Iwagakure. Therefore, Sasori of the Red Sands's mission was to intercept Naoki Senju if he appeared.
But there's definitely no need to perform this task now.
After receiving news that Naoki Senju had appeared in the Land of Wind, Sasori of the Red Sands also made his way Land of Wind at a leisurely pace. The White Zetsu beside him wanted to urge him on, but when he thought of the several White Zetsu that had died because of his urging, he wisely kept quiet.
" Sunagakure..." Sasori of the Red Sands, hiding in Hiruko, closed his eyes to rest. Although Sunagakure had stirred up many memories for him, those were all in the past. Now, his only goal was eternal art!
The Akatsuki on the border of the Land of Fire.
After relaying all the orders, Pain needed to get to the interception point as soon as possible. Otherwise, with just a few missing-nin and a group of White Zetsu, they would have no chance of completing this mission and would likely just be throwing their lives away.
Chakra Nagato Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, struggled to raise his head and said:
" Konan, take me to the Land of Wind's base. If it's too far, Six Paths of Pain's Chakra is too weak."
Looking at Nagato, who was almost completely exhausted, Konan couldn't help but recall the timid, red-haired brat she once knew, and choked up as she said:
" Nagato, please don't go this time, your body can't take it anymore!"
Nagato forced a smile. He knew his own body best; the strain on Six Paths of Pain was indeed beyond his capacity to withstand. But if he missed this opportunity, there would truly be no more.
" Konan, Yahiko once said that he wanted to create a world without war, strife, or hunger. And I want to fulfill Yahiko's dream, so stop trying to persuade me and take me to the base in the Land of Wind."
This was Nagato's last stand, and it was also the shared dream of the three of them. Even though it seemed unattainable, Nagato wanted to achieve it!