To outsiders, Shimura Yami was Konoha's Shinigami. Even the village's shinobi rarely dared to negotiate or bargain with him.
Take Kakashi, for example. He was considered to have a good relationship with Yami in the village and had even served as Yami's superior for a time.
But even between them, they only dared to joke casually. When it came to major matters involving the village's future, Kakashi knew he could only follow orders.
However, when it came to his family, Yami was no different from any ordinary person. He could be soft-hearted and compromise.
"Thank you, Yami." Temari kissed him openly, and Kurotsuchi brushed her hand across Yami's palm—giving a silent signal of cooperation for war.
But Yami felt it was too soon to celebrate.
Even though saving Ōnoki and the others might be a good thing in Temari's eyes…
As the Kage of a village, his status was comparable to that of a daimyō. Letting such a person live to watch his own village be assimilated might be even crueler than simply killing him.
Land of Iron.
Time was tight. After a full day of meetings, the Four Kage—plus the masked man Obito representing Uchiha Madara—formed a new Big Five, discussed a comprehensive battle plan, and established the Ninja Alliance.
Now, only one role remained—the Supreme Commander of the Ninja Alliance.
A group of dragons couldn't be without a head. Even if it was a mob, they still needed someone tall to stand out.
Actually, Uchiha Madara wanted that role at first, but after a bit of playacting, he lost interest.
Madara found it demeaning to lead this kind of ragtag force.
Ironically, this battle brought the four great nations closer together. Terumi Mei and A both realized how far they still had to go compared to the older generation.
Whether it was willpower or battlefield experience, Ōnoki's performance exceeded theirs. They both proposed nominating him as commander-in-chief.
Unexpectedly, Ōnoki declined.
"Mizukage, Kazekage, Raikage,"
Ōnoki looked at them. Though he was exhausted from the long meetings, his eyes still gleamed with clarity.
"I'm old now. I'm no longer suitable to be the blade leading us into battle. I'm better off as the cornerstone that supports everything."
"Raikage, you have drive and strength. I think you are a fitting choice to lead the alliance."
"Tsuchikage, are you serious?"
A couldn't believe it. Ōnoki had recommended him for the commander-in-chief role?
The grievances between their nations had lasted for decades, and Ōnoki was the one who had killed his father. Even earlier that day, they had clashed upon entering the venue—they were like fire and oil.
Ōnoki spoke meaningfully, "Raikage, in this moment, what do past grudges matter? We face a powerful common enemy. If we still cling to the past, then there's no point in forming the Shinobi Alliance. We might as well fight alone."
"I see."
A took a deep breath and stood up.
"I recommend myself as the commander-in-chief of the Shinobi Alliance. Does anyone object?"
"I don't." Terumi Mei was the first to respond.
Gaara followed closely. "Neither do I."
"Raikage-dono is indeed worthy," Mifune said solemnly.
As for the smaller nations, no one cared about their opinions.
After that, A assigned other key positions and confirmed the rally point for the alliance.
There were five days left. In five days, they would launch a full-scale attack on Konoha!
That night.
The leaders of each country rushed home overnight to summon their shinobi. Raikage A and his team returned to Kumo within a day.
But before he could fully enjoy the excitement of becoming the commander-in-chief, he received devastating news.
Killer Bee had disappeared again. Tracking units located the battlefield and concluded that… Killer Bee had most likely been defeated.
Soon after, another ninja from the border delivered a report—members of the Akatsuki had been spotted. Based on their trajectory, their destination was clearly Konoha.
"Akatsuki! Konoha~!"
A slammed the desk with full force. He had still been wondering if it was Uchiha Madara or Konoha behind all this.
But now it was obvious—Madara hadn't lied. The Akatsuki had indeed become Konoha's lapdogs!
"Gather your troops and head to the rendezvous point immediately. Once the alliance is assembled, attack Konoha!"
Elsewhere, Black Zetsu brought news of Kisame's defection to Uchiha Madara and Tobi as they finalized preparations.
"This is the man you chose?"
Madara looked at Obito. Though his voice was calm, his eyes were sharper than a blade.
How could he have been so blind to entrust this guy?
The Akatsuki Organization was in shambles. Every supposed confidant turned out to be a spy for Konoha.
No… Obito… could he have been planted by Konoha too?
He had failed every mission entrusted to him!
Thinking this, a flicker of killing intent passed through Madara's eyes.
"How is that possible… How could Kisame betray me? I recruited him personally…"
"That shouldn't be… Even if he defected, wouldn't he come to me?"
At this moment, Obito's eyes were lifeless—he looked like he was questioning his entire existence.
The one Obito trusted most in the Akatsuki was Kisame. In fact, he only trusted Kisame. He always suspected Zetsu of being a spy planted by Madara—useful, but not trustworthy.
Even after his identity was revealed, he had stayed wary of Kisame.
Sure, he'd recruited Kisame while pretending to be Madara, but he believed Kisame was still under his control.
So even if he did defect… it should have been to join Madara's side. Where did Konoha come from!?
"Obito, this isn't the time to play dumb."
Madara's tone turned impatient.
"The Gedo Statue is still missing several Tailed Beasts. We only have half of the Nine-Tails. I've been dead for years, and this is all you've accomplished?"
"What's the rush?" Obito said stubbornly. "It's just a few Tailed Beasts. Yami thought he hid them well? I already found them."
"I've confirmed that the Two-Tails and Five-Tails are both within the summoning domain of the Dream Tapir Clan."
"As for the Six-Tails, I suspect it's in the Wet Bone Forest."
Obito's confidence seemed to grow as he spoke. He waved dismissively.
"As long as you can keep Yami busy and prevent him from interfering, I can take the Gedo Statue and capture the Tailed Beasts myself."
Hearing this, Madara's expression eased slightly.
That… actually sounded plausible.
"Fine. I'll leave it to you. But if you fail, hand over the Rinnegan to someone more competent."
Obito snorted, saying nothing.
He knew Madara still had a backup plan in place. Their relationship could never be fully severed.
"By the way… that guy Orochimaru hasn't returned yet?"
Sensing the area, Madara frowned. He didn't detect any chakra from Orochimaru or Kabuto.
"He's still collecting bodies. I'll contact him."
Land of Whirlpools.
Orochimaru had just unearthed a grave and performed a summoning technique.
The person being summoned was still disoriented and unaware of his situation when Orochimaru gave a sinister smile.
"Sir, do you know where your ancestors are buried?"
"I don't."
---
Back in Konoha, facing Tobirama's questioning, Yami shook his head lightly.
"I've got so many wives, and not one is pregnant yet. It's not like Tsunade is the only one."
"Tsunade is different."
Tobirama gave Yami a "you're useless" look.
"How old are your other women? If Tsunade doesn't give birth soon… it'll be too late!"
That hit a nerve. Yami's face turned red.
"You old bachelor, what do you know? Tsunade's physical condition is no different from an 18-year-old girl. If you want to talk age, go find Hikari. She could be your ancestor."
"You're more anxious than I am about having a child. If you're so capable, go have one yourself."
Tobirama's breathing grew heavy. Asking an Impure World Reincarnated corpse to bear children—wasn't that like sending a eunuch on a honeymoon?
But before the argument could heat up, an Anbu voice came from the door.
"Hokage-sama, the daimyō has arrived in Konoha and is waiting in your office."
"I've got work to do. We'll talk about making babies later."
Yami couldn't be bothered to keep bickering and took the excuse to leave.
Just then, his chakra surged, and he sensed he was being summoned.
---
As a soft hum rang out, black lines like spiderwebs spread from Ajisai's palm.
Unlike other summons that responded instantly, the technique circle lingered for several seconds before a puff of smoke erupted.
He appeared in Yugito Nii's body and immediately asked.
"What's the situation?"
He didn't need anyone to answer—he saw it for himself.
Konan and several of the Yami Six Paths were battling a group of stone puppets shaped like samurai. The puppets weren't strong. Whether it was Konan's Divine Origami or Sasori and the others' signature jutsu, they could destroy large swaths with every move.
But strangely, even when blown to pieces, the puppets regenerated in seconds.
Yami frowned.
Why did this seem familiar?
"Are you in the Land of Demons or the Land of Swamps?"
Ajisai who was about to explain paused. "Yami-sama, this is the Land of Demons, fifteen kilometers from the capital."
"No wonder."
He nodded in understanding.
"Hey! If you don't help soon, we'll die of exhaustion!"
Deidara tossed a clay centipede into the crowd, triggering a massive explosion. But even the shattered puppets reformed within three seconds. He was so angry he nearly screamed.
This was blasphemy to his art!
"Aren't you also draining my chakra right now?"
Yami said, causing Deidara to look embarrassed. "Well, we're your puppets, right? So it's only natural I use your chakra."
Yami ignored the clown and raised his hands.
"Shinra Tensei!"
A terrifying repulsive force cleared out the entire battlefield in a vortex of wind.
"Come here, everyone."
Sasori, Deidara, and the others gathered around him quickly. The broken puppets regenerated again and charged.
Bang!
"Planetary Devastation!"
Boom!
The earth cracked, and under the pull of the high-density chakra core, stones and puppets alike flew skyward.
A massive sphere, over 100 meters in diameter, formed in the air and hung still.
Konan stared blankly.
When Nagato used this jutsu, it cost him his life. But for Yami, it was effortless.
"So, why are you acting as mercenaries for the Land of Demons?"
Leaving the Planetary Devastation hanging, Yami turned around and asked.
The Yami Six Paths were granted autonomy. Unless necessary, Yami rarely micromanaged his chakra clones, which mostly served as energy reserves.
So he had no idea what they'd been doing lately.
As Deidara was about to speak, Yami used his will to shut him up.
"Ajisai, you explain."
"Yes, Yami-sama."
Ajisai obediently explained everything.
Under Konan's leadership, they had swiftly conquered the minor nations Yami had mentioned. Just as they reached the Land of Swamps, an official from the Land of Demons arrived and offered a proposal.
The Miko, the highest authority in the Land of Ghosts, was willing to surrender. Her only request was that they eliminate a monster called "Mōryō."
They could have refused. But curiosity about the monster—and a 50 million ryō reward—convinced even Kakuzu to agree.
So, after eliminating the daimyō of the Land of Swamps, they arrived in the Land of Demons.
Unexpectedly, Mōryō had recovered significantly and summoned these immortal puppets, forcing them to ask for Yami's help.
Yami calmly nodded after hearing the whole story.
He asked Konan to escort him to the capital of the Land of Demons to meet the nation's ruler—the Miko, Shion.
At that moment, Shion was overjoyed at Mōryō's defeat.
But her joy faded when she noticed a blonde beauty among the group—staring at her strangely.
The gaze… didn't feel like a woman's. It was more like a man's gaze… and a somewhat lecherous one at that.
Yugito Nii circled Shion and sighed.
"As expected, you really do look a lot like Hinata. In that case, I suppose I'll have to make you my wife too."
Shion: "...." Huh?
Do all Konoha ninjas flirt this boldly?
But… you're a woman!
(To be continued.)
***
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