Boom!
Chakra condensed on the samurai sword, and the blade churned in the sea like a dragon. Water splashed everywhere. One by one, the sharks were stained with blood on the sea, and even Hoshigaki Kisame was slashed until he coughed up blood, rapidly swimming among the sharks.
Then, in an instant, one figure after another shot out, killing their way towards him. The one-eyed stout man suddenly brandished his blade. A phantom sword appeared in their eyes. The next moment, with a swift horizontal slash, the figures turned into splashes of water. All of them were water clones.
Below, Hoshigaki Kisame dived with a ninjutsu, leaving no trace.
"Hmph, you run fast!"
He held his blade and, with a body flicker, was on the ship in front, one foot propped on the bow. "This old man said it. Today, you either leave the goods, or you and the goods stay together!"
Behind the ship, figures chased after the Kirigakure ninjas. At this moment, how could the people of the merchant fleet not know—these were not some wandering ninjas! What wandering ninjas were this strong?
It was just that they had no proof, and in the current situation, the other party didn't need proof either. Because… as far as they knew, the north of the Land of Water had long been controlled by the Land of Water and the Land of Lightning. Among the passing ships, those of other countries were very likely to be attacked. They had also just made up a name, claiming to be pirates. The other party was just following their example.
"We are willing to hand over the goods!"
***
"What?"
Genji was extremely astonished. He looked at the young man before him, stunned for a moment. Then, he sat down with a "plop."
"How could this be? Konoha actually initiated a war. What are they trying to do?"
He was incredulous.
Konoha had always advocated for peace, not taking the initiative to start or expand a war. This time, they had actually started the prelude to war.
"Elder, this matter, actually, you can't blame Konoha."
Hozuki Mangetsu looked around, then leaned closer, gritting his teeth as he revealed the truth.
"The current Anbu is managed by my cousin. He has been at sea, engaged in the business of robbing merchant fleets from the Land of Fire and the Land of Wind."
"What?"
A look of astonishment appeared on Genji's face.
Recently, he had been dealing with matters with the capital. These matters of the Anbu and combat units, he really didn't know! After being astonished for a long time, he swallowed.
"So, we were the ones who started it?"
"Yes. According to my investigation, we have now united with the Cloud Village and the Stone Village, blockading the northern sea route," Hozuki Mangetsu said in a low voice. "A few months ago, Konoha captured Killer Bee at sea precisely because the Cloud Village had attacked a fleet protected by Konoha."
"So that's how it is!"
Genji's face was wooden.
He had thought it was Konoha's problem. He hadn't expected that in the end, it was still their problem, and Konoha was just counterattacking. In fact, similar things might not have been the first time, and it might not only be Konoha. Sunagakure…
In the past, Sunagakure and Kirigakure had always been at odds over the issue of the southern sea area. The two sides had fought countless times back and forth. Later, Sunagakure suffered a crushing defeat in the war with Konoha, and even the Third Kazekage died in the Land of Rivers. From then on, they compromised with Kirigakure. Now, Sunagakure had completely sided with Konoha. Since Konoha had made a move, how could Sunagakure not?
He had already realized that the target of Konoha and Sunagakure was not just the southern sea area and shipping routes, but also the Land of the Sea. Once the two villages controlled the Land of the Sea, then… their Land of Water would be in for a hard time!
Genji's hand tightened on his cane, but after a few seconds, he helplessly released it, his face silent.
"Mangetsu, you go to the south and deal with those pirates yourself."
"What?"
Hozuki Mangetsu was taken aback.
This, are we still going to help them fight?
Genji looked at him, his tone earnest.
"The overall situation is most important. We can only rely on ourselves for Kirigakure. We can't let the village be truly destroyed!"
"But…"
Hozuki Mangetsu was a little unwilling.
He had accompanied the Three-Tails Jinchuriki before. If not for his powerful secret technique, he might have died there. Now, seeing Kirigakure sinking into a quagmire bit by bit, he had the intention to save the village, but was repeatedly thwarted by Genji. He was truly puzzled.
Genji leaned on his cane and walked to his side.
"You represent me to go and talk to them. Is there some misunderstanding?"
"What misunderstanding could there be?"
Hozuki Mangetsu was completely bewildered and was about to refute, but he suddenly paused.
He understood! Hozuki Mangetsu only paused slightly before quickly saying.
"It must be that Konoha wants to retaliate against us. No matter what, we have to clear out this group of people before we can talk!"
"Mm."
Genji sat down, his tone heavy.
***
Elsewhere in Kirigakure.
"Obito, how is the village? Has everything been fine recently?"
"There are things, and there are no things."
A trace of indifference appeared on Obito's face. "Someone seems to want to do something. I'd like to see what exactly they are going to do!"
During this period, the one watching over Kirigakure and in charge of the mobilization affairs here was actually Obito, not Madara—of course, in the version that Obito knew, the situation was not quite the same. Because Madara and Zetsu had put on a play with Karatachi Yagura, making Obito think that it was he himself who had controlled Yagura. But in fact, it was just a matter of the left hand passing to the right.
Obito used Kirigakure without any politeness. Anyway, it was the Kiri ninjas who were dying. What did it have to do with him? Use them first! If these people died, who knows, it might even speed up the process of peace in the shinobi world.
Zetsu looked at the distant village.
"Occasionally, you still have to act like a Mizukage."
"What do you mean?"
Hearing this, Obito knew that his idea of messing with Kirigakure could not continue—Madara's side probably had new instructions.
"Kurosuki Raiga is dead."
"Hmm?"
A trace of surprise appeared on Obito's face.
Then, he pondered for a moment.
"Did Kyohiko make a move?"
"Mm."
Zetsu nodded lightly.
Obito was silent for a few seconds.
"Alright. What needs to be done?"
"War is necessary for peace. Only by starting a war can we get what we need!"
Zetsu reminded.
Obito opened his mouth, then said with some reluctance.
"Many people will die."
"Sacrifice is for the realization of eternal peace! Or are you backing out?"
Zetsu's gaze was cold.
Obito shook his head, a look of determination on his face.
"Of course not. I have sacrificed so much just to reach that step!"
He took a deep breath.
"I'll go and do it now."
Zetsu nodded and disappeared from the spot—he was very busy and still had to go and see the Third Raikage, to observe what they were doing on their visit to Konoha.
***
In Konoha Village, inside the Anbu's prison.
Gyuki stood outside the bars, looking at Killer Bee inside, who was in a strange posture. It couldn't help but sigh softly. Killer Bee was practicing that sword technique, wanting to become stronger to defeat the enemy. But Gyuki knew very well that the gap between the current Killer Bee and Ryoho Kyohiko was no longer just a small one.
"Hey, you're quite loyal to this brat. Have you gotten addicted to being a dog?"
"Kurama!!"
Gyuki's gaze was unfriendly.
Even if the other was just a clone, its mouth was as foul as ever, making one just want to beat it up.
"What? Did I say something wrong? The old man asked us to maintain the peace of the shinobi world back then. Now you're all helping others fight wars!"
The Nine-Tails held its head high, a look of disdain and contempt on its face.
It indeed had the right to be contemptuous. Because, apart from being captured, controlled, or fighting against Uchiha Madara and his subordinates, the Nine-Tails had not participated in any wars. Even as a Jinchuriki, it basically had not participated directly.
Gyuki's face was cold.
"Heh, you were sealed by an old woman for a lifetime, and then by a little girl until now. What's there to be proud of?"
"What did you say? Want to fight?!"
The Nine-Tails' anger flared.
What angered it the most was being sealed by Uzumaki Mito for a lifetime. To this day, its main body had not yet escaped its cage. Even it… had only obtained a certain degree of freedom after compromising. And not all of it.
But soon, it grinned.
"You and him were not sealed and could use your strength perfectly. But weren't you still captured in the end?"
Gyuki's eyes were also filled with anger. The two Tailed Beasts, their greatest pleasure now was to poke at each other's sore spots. After all, neither had the ability to really fight. If the seal were undone, the two Tailed Beasts would have started fighting long ago! Killer Bee inside didn't know. Otherwise, he would have definitely started rapping by now.
"Tch, why am I arguing with you? Anyway, he'll be gone in a while. In the future, you'll be no different from me!"
After the Nine-Tails finished speaking, it directly left.
Upon hearing this, Gyuki looked at Killer Bee. Although it was hard to believe, the Nine-Tails' experience and speculation did make it feel a trace of horror. If that were the case, Uchiha Madara's ability was probably even more powerful than it had imagined. Now, Madara's side already had six Tailed Beasts. Only Konoha's three were left.
Once they were all gathered, what Madara would do specifically was unpredictable. What if it was really as the Nine-Tails and Konoha had guessed—then they would become sinners! It sighed, and then followed the Nine-Tails and left.
***
At Konoha's Hokage office, the Third Raikage walked out, his expression complicated. To ransom Killer Bee, the Cloud Village had paid a huge sum.
"When can I see Bee?"
"Soon. You can see him after you leave the Land of Fire. But even for you, I have to give a final warning."
A trace of seriousness appeared on Ryoho Kyohiko's face. "You may not believe it, but compared to our Konoha, what Uchiha Madara is planning to do is even more terrifying."
"I will be cautious."
***
At the border, the Raikage and A stood shoulder to shoulder.
"Chichi-ue, will Konoha…"
"We've already paid the money. They won't go back on their word, and they don't dare to. Otherwise, Konoha's credibility will be gone."
The Third Raikage shook his head.
The ninja village system was, after all, centered around "trust" and "commissions." Konoha couldn't possibly go back on its promise directly.
As he was speaking, in the forest in front of them, a figure quietly appeared.
"Raikage-sama, we certainly won't go back on our promise. It's just that for the sake of secrecy, we had to take a longer route."
An Anbu ninja with a mask was carrying Killer Bee on his back. He put Killer Bee down in the forest.
"Raikage-sama, until we meet again."
After speaking, the person disappeared from the spot.
A was silent for a long time.
"The Flying Thunder God Technique?"
"No, it's just invisibility. It should be the Kekkei Genkai of the Gekko clan."
The Third Raikage instantly arrived beside Killer Bee.
He picked up Killer Bee and rushed towards the ship. A delay might cause changes! If Konoha were to make a move at this moment, all three of them would be wiped out. At that time, the Cloud Village would really be finished. The Third Raikage walked in a hurry.
But until they had almost run out of the Land of Rice Fields, he faintly sensed something was wrong and immediately stopped.
"Chichi-ue, what's wrong?"
A look of confusion appeared on A's face.
"It's not right!"
The Third Raikage's brows were tightly knitted. "Bee is recovering a bit slowly. Who knows if he's been hit by some kind of jutsu."
With the help of a Tailed Beast, logically speaking, Killer Bee's recovery ability was stronger than an ordinary person's, and Killer Bee didn't look injured. He quickly slapped Killer Bee's face and tried various techniques to break a genjutsu.
But Killer Bee was not under any jutsu. He had just fallen asleep. A few seconds later, he slowly woke up. Seeing the Raikage and A, he was first excited, then ashamed and sad.
"Sir, the Tailed Beast is gone!"
"What?"
The Third Raikage's expression changed abruptly. "How did you survive?"
"Inside me, there's still a part. But most of it was taken away by Konoha!"
Killer Bee lowered his head, his face full of shame.
He was the one who was captured. Otherwise, Konoha would not have had the chance to take the Tailed Beast.
The Third Raikage was instantly silent. Gyuki… he had felt something was wrong before. Konoha was too easy to talk to! This condition was not like ransoming a Jinchuriki. He had thought Konoha was foolish, but as it turned out—it was a case of you get what you pay for.
A was burning with anger.
"I'm going to reason with Konoha!"
"Stop! Reason with what?"
The Third Raikage roared angrily.
His face was cold.
"Back then, we also did the thing of kidnapping the Nine-Tails. If you want to bring up old scores, Konoha can also bring up old scores."
"But…"
"Let's go."
The Third Raikage took a deep breath, then walked towards the bay.
Ryoho Kyohiko's words echoed in his mind. Madara has the ability to control Tailed Beasts. Is it true or not? If it was true, leaving half of it with Konoha might not be a bad thing. In the future, everyone would still have room to maneuver.
Of course, the main thing was—they couldn't do anything to Konoha now. Konoha was too strong. Against the current Konoha Village, they could only fight with numbers, three villages united, suffering a thousand losses to inflict eight hundred on the enemy. Otherwise, a single village was by no means Konoha's match.
He walked a few steps. Suddenly, the Third Raikage stopped.
"Who's there?"
"Raikage-sama, it seems your situation is not very good."
"It's you!"
The Third Raikage frowned.
He looked at A and Killer Bee.
"You two go on the ship first."
"Yes!"
A didn't know the other's identity, but the Third Raikage's posture clearly did not allow him to question.
He had no choice but to agree and led the listless and self-reproaching Killer Bee towards the distant pier, but he did not go too far. If the Third Raikage fought with this Venus flytrap, they could provide support at the first moment.
"You have a son who cares about you."
Zetsu chuckled.
Then, he said in a low voice.
"Raikage-sama, your trip to Konoha doesn't seem to have gone smoothly!"
The Third Raikage lowered his voice.
"Konoha took away most of the Tailed Beast's chakra and only returned an empty shell to me!"
"Konoha has always been like this. So, we must unite even more to take back what belongs to us!"
Zetsu was not surprised.
Or rather—he would have been surprised if Konoha hadn't done so.
He said in a low voice.
"My lord has already made up his mind, to use a hundred thousand ninjas to cooperate with you against Konoha."
"What? A hundred thousand?"