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Kazuki's actions were tantamount to throwing Sunagakure and Rasa's face to the ground and stomping on it ruthlessly.
If it was really just about a minor conflict, he could've simply sat down with Rasa for negotiations.
Everyone cares about face, and even for the sake of his own dignity, Rasa would've reined in Sunagakure's ninjas.
But Kazuki didn't choose to negotiate—he went straight for the face-slapping, and a brutal one at that.
While trampling Sunagakure and Rasa, he was also sending a warning to other potential rivals and enemies.
Whether they were out in the open or lurking in the shadows.
"Yes, Raikage-sama."
Mabui, now promoted to the Raikage's secretary, held a stack of documents:
"Uchiha Kazuki didn't opt for talks but instead provoked and attacked directly. His main goal was deterrence. Combined with his earlier actions targeting Iwagakure, I think there's more to this than meets the eye. Or rather, from the very start—when he leaked Kirigakure's intelligence—he already had a plan."
"Young people these days are something else. Such a genius—it's a pity he wasn't born in our Kumogakure. Kazuki, the Uchiha… Konoha's luck is just too good."
Given the Raikage's age, calling Kazuki a young person wasn't out of place at all.
"…"
Mabui didn't know how to respond, as her mind drifted back to the incident years ago when she'd taken a kick to the rear.
"Recalculate the threat assessments for Uchiha Kazuki and Konoha. Issue an announcement—tell everyone below to steer clear of provoking Konoha or Uchiha Kazuki for the time being. That kid's a powder keg—light a spark, and he'll blow."
"Yes, Raikage-sama."
Compared to Iwagakure, Kumogakure was more in a spectator mindset about this affair.
After all, in recent years, Konoha and Kumogakure had collaborated on several matters without any major conflicts.
So their relationship had thawed just a smidge—at least better than Iwagakure's.
Kazuki and the Raikage could meet without trading barbs or sparking fireworks.
But Kazuki hadn't forgotten the things Kumogakure had done. He just hadn't found the right opportunity to act on it.
When the chance came, he wouldn't mind stomping on the Raikage a couple of times either.
When you're weak and get bullied, there's not much to say—who can blame you for being weak? You just take it.
The Raikage's got a temper? Well, I, Uchiha Kazuki, am no pushover either.
In the Land of Water, at an underground base on an uninhabited island some distance from Kirigakure, the Akatsuki had relocated their headquarters after Yagura came under their control.
"Some interesting things have been happening in the shinobi world lately, haven't they?"
Black Zetsu pulled out an intelligence scroll, detailing the information he'd recently gathered.
Upon opening it, one would find that most of it concerned Sunagakure—because the Akatsuki was preparing to make a move.
They couldn't sit idly by while the five great ninja villages continued to grow stronger. They needed to use the means of war to deplete their strength.
That way, the Akatsuki could strike, seize the tailed beasts, and complete the Infinite Tsukuyomi plan.
Pain glanced at the scroll without speaking. Konan furrowed her brow slightly, while the others remained silent. Only Obito, after reading the scroll, mused:
"There's something off about this Uchiha Kazuki. The Mangekyo Sharingan can hardly sustain a complete Susanoo state."
"That's what makes it interesting."
Black Zetsu spoke up:
"Uchiha Kazuki has no siblings or relatives with Mangekyo Sharingan, so how is his Mangekyo supporting a complete Susanoo?"
"Only the Eternal Mangekyo can handle the strain of a complete Susanoo, right?" Konan asked.
To show his sincerity and maintain their cooperation, Obito had shared plenty of intel about the Uchiha.
It strengthened the trust between him, Minato, and Konan.
"If one's strength and eye power are strong enough, the Mangekyo Sharingan can manage it too—but the toll on eye power is terrifying. A few uses, and the eyes could go blind."
Obito's face, hidden beneath his mask, was full of doubt.
Did Kazuki seem like the type to gamble with his eyes?
From what he knew, absolutely not. So where did Kazuki get the nerve to pull off something this outrageous?
Unless he had the Eternal Mangekyo.
But here's the problem—without a relative's Mangekyo to transplant, how could he have obtained the Eternal Mangekyo?
Something's off—very off.
Could it be possible that Uchiha Kazuki's bloodline is closer to his ancestors?
Black Zetsu pondered silently. There had been people who achieved the Eternal Mangekyo without transplanting eyes—the Sage of the Six Paths and Indra had done it.
The Sage of the Six Paths went straight from three-tomoe Sharingan to Mangekyo, then Eternal Mangekyo, and finally to the Rinnegan.
Indra, with the closest bloodline to him and inheriting the Sharingan's dojutsu, was just as absurd—three-tomoe straight to Eternal Mangekyo in one go.
Then he strutted around with a complete Susanoo, only to get thrashed by Asura in the end.
These were things only a schemer like Black Zetsu would know.
So he speculated—could Kazuki's bloodline be close to Indra's? Perhaps an atavistic trait? Otherwise, there was no explaining it.
Kazuki opening a complete Susanoo and stomping Rasa like a rat.
"He's sending us a message."
Pain's tone was flat:
"But it doesn't impact the organization much. Konoha isn't our primary target—Sunagakure is. Everyone, the time is almost ripe. Dragging this out any longer benefits no one. A new round of shinobi world war—it's time to start."
Control Yagura, use him as a springboard, and then ignite a war between Kirigakure and Sunagakure.
Once those two villages are locked in heated battle, see if the others will jump in.
If they don't, drag them into the quagmire of war.
Deplete the five great ninja villages' strength as much as possible—don't let them develop peacefully.
The Akatsuki's plans had been ruined by them—now they wanted peaceful growth?
Not a chance.
"In five days, the Land of Water's daimyo will visit the Land of Wind's daimyo mansion for a courtesy call and leisure."
Black Zetsu grinned:
"At that time, Sunagakure ninjas, dissatisfied with the daimyo's policies and bias toward Konoha, will launch an attack. Konoha won't be able to stay out of it either."
How do you start a war?
It's not hard. Use the right method, and Sunagakure and Kirigakure will be at each other's throats.
And so, the Akatsuki was using the daimyos of the Land of Water and the Land of Wind.
If the Land of Water's daimyo is attacked in the Land of Wind, and the cause is pinned on the Land of Wind's daimyo's inaction and favoritism toward Konoha, it'll be near impossible for Kirigakure and Sunagakure to avoid war.
There's even a decent chance it'll drag Konoha into the mess.
Because the daimyo's inaction and bias toward Konoha—handing all sorts of commissions to them—makes Konoha a beneficiary.
Now that these issues have sparked a war, can Konoha really stay out of it?
The Land of Water's daimyo attacked in Sunagakure—an incident this serious erupts, and Kirigakure can hardly opt for a peaceful resolution.
They'll have to give their daimyo an explanation.
And over in the Land of Wind, their daimyo will surely be furious too.