One hundred thousand ninja.
What kind of concept was that?
The five great ninja villages combined didn't have one hundred thousand ninja. Even Konoha didn't have that many.
The Third Raikage was first shocked.
Then, his gaze turned suspicious and scrutinizing.
"Where did you get one hundred thousand ninja?"
One hundred thousand.
People need to eat and consume resources.
Even the wealthiest Land of Fire couldn't easily support one hundred thousand ninja.
Could it be that Madara's subordinates didn't eat or drink?
Zetsu smiled and said, "You don't need to worry about that. In short, we do have this many ninja."
The Third Raikage's eyes flickered.
If there really were one hundred thousand, this battle could be fought!
"Then, when do we make our move?"
"Wait a little longer."
Zetsu's tone was calm and composed. "We first need to confirm the attitude of the Village Hidden in the Rain. Additionally, we need to send people to the Village Hidden in the Mist to inquire and integrate."
"Alright, what is the attitude of the Village Hidden in the Rain?"
"They have already sided with Konoha."
After Zetsu finished speaking, his figure slowly submerged into the ground. "Raikage-sama, when the time is right, I will come to inform you again."
...
Konoha, village gate.
"A safe journey to you all!"
"I hope our cooperation can continue."
Elder Naito was all smiles.
During this time, the three parties had completed their cooperation discussions and formed an alliance, and had respectively sent envoys to reach a consensus with the Land of Rivers.
They would jointly create a ninja village in the northern part of the Land of Rivers.
The daimyo of the Land of Rivers readily agreed.
In fact.
The geographical location of the Land of Rivers was quite good. If not for its location, it could have developed very well.
At least...
It was definitely much stronger than the northern part of the Land of Wind.
It was precisely because it was situated between the Land of Wind and the Land of Fire, with the number one small ninja village, the Village Hidden in the Rain, above it.
Therefore.
For so many years, although the Land of Rivers was wealthy, it had remained in a state of having no ninja village.
Now, the three-party cooperation was achieved.
The northern part of the Land of Rivers would become a common area for the three ninja villages, and clients from the Land of Rivers and surrounding areas could submit their requests there.
However.
Yahiko was very clear.
Even with such an area, there would still be more merchants commissioning Konoha.
Konoha was too strong!
Not to mention their Village Hidden in the Rain and the Village Hidden in the Sand, even if their two villages merged, they were still inferior to Konoha in terms of combat power.
However.
For the Village Hidden in the Rain, even a little bit leaking from the cracks was not a loss.
What's more.
The establishment of a core area, and the trade routes and commerce it brought, would definitely be of great benefit to the Land of Rain.
Therefore.
The Village Hidden in the Rain was naturally happy to facilitate it.
As for the Village Hidden in the Sand, their considerations were similar, but they had some other thoughts compared to the Village Hidden in the Rain.
In the Land of Rivers, they made significant concessions in exchange for the transformation of the environment and trade routes.
In short.
In the end, all three parties got what they wanted.
...
At the same time.
[Under your leadership, the Land of Fire, Land of Wind, Land of Rain, and Land of Rivers have reached a cooperation.]
[The three great ninja villages have achieved regional cooperation!]
[The Village Hidden in the Leaf will gain most of the benefits.]
[Reward: Kekkei Genkai - Magnet Release (Grandmaster)]
Kyohiko watched the people from the two ninja villages leave, but his gaze swept towards the mission panel.
Magnet Release.
Although it wasn't a particularly powerful Kekkei Genkai, it had to be said that it was unique in the field of mining.
However.
His Magnet Release was slightly different from that of the Third Kazekage and Rasa.
The Magnet Release of the Third Kazekage and Rasa was more focused on a certain substance, while his Magnet Release was an extension of electromagnetic ninjutsu—
It could create a magnetic force to attract surrounding metal substances.
This type of Magnet Release was the same as the Kekkei Genkai of Toroi from the Village Hidden in the Cloud.
Kyohiko pondered for a moment, then looked into the distance.
Not bad!
After all.
He had once used this technique to bury the Third Kazekage in that place, and now it could be considered karmic retribution.
He thought to himself.
"Kyohiko, this cooperation has succeeded, but in the future, if the relationship between our three ninja villages is not like it is now..."
"At that time, the Land of Rivers will face an even greater disaster."
Tsunade sighed softly.
This policy was good for the present, convenient for the clients, and also brought considerable benefits to the three ninja villages.
But.
Where in the world are there eternal allies?
Even the Village Hidden in the Waterfall was an enemy of Konoha long ago, and only slowly came together later.
Peace is too difficult to achieve!
Kyohiko chuckled softly, "Big Sis, you're right. That's why we must work harder!"
"Unification?"
"Yes, it doesn't have to be the unification of countries, it can also be the unification of ideologies, such as—the Will of Fire."
Kyohiko said in a low voice.
The Will of Fire.
To him, the Will of Fire was a useful ideological tool, and Konoha's strength was enough to attract many ninja villages to learn from it.
For example—
After hearing about Suna's "study abroad" operation, the Village Hidden in the Rain also developed a strong interest in it.
After all, Yahiko did not have the authority to directly decide on cooperation.
But.
It was believed that it wouldn't be long before Hanzo agreed to this cooperation.
This was Konoha's opportunity to spread its ideology!
However.
Tsunade said, "Yahiko and Konan, aren't you going to escort them? I'm worried something will happen to them on the way."
Currently, Nagato was on Mount Myoboku, and even Zetsu would have a hard time finding that area. For Madara, the best way was to use Yahiko and Konan to force him out.
Therefore.
During this time, they had to maintain a high level of vigilance.
Kyohiko smiled, "I've already had a toad follow them. If something happens to them, the toad will notify me immediately."
"What about Obito?"
"We've already given them the intelligence on Obito. With Yahiko and Konan's abilities, even if they can't win, they can stall for a while."
What's more.
If he followed them, how could Zetsu and the others possibly make a move?
...
"Yahiko, based on the current situation, I'm afraid the war will start soon. Shouldn't the Land of Birds also prepare?"
"The Land of Birds just needs to handle its internal commissions and not go too far, and there should be no problem."
Yahiko wasn't too worried about the Land of Birds.
He was more worried about Nagato.
Although Nagato was very safe on Mount Myoboku at the moment, Mount Myoboku was still in the ninja world and would be discovered sooner or later.
Furthermore.
Their existence could also implicate Nagato.
Yahiko thought of this and said, "After we go back, let's work hard in the Village Hidden in the Rain and help it become stronger, so as not to betray Hanzo-sama's trust."
"Okay."
Konan nodded gently.
Then, she sighed softly, "I wonder how Nagato is doing now."
"There won't be any problem. You have to believe in Nagato's talent and ability."
How could the owner of those eyes be weak?
Yahiko body-flickered forward.
Suddenly.
Below, a series of explosions sounded.
Following that, a water mist filled the air, and Yahiko body-flickered out.
"Who is it?!"
Yahiko's gaze was cold.
Konan flicked her finger, and sheets of origami scattered like raindrops, hiding throughout the forest.
This was both for concealment, preparing traps, and to ascertain the enemy's position.
But.
The next second, a huge fireball instantly shot over from a distance.
Yahiko's hands quickly formed seals, and a huge water wall appeared.
Water Style: Water Formation Wall!
The defense of the water wall blocked the fire attack, but in the next second, a figure passed through the water wall—
Uchiha Obito!
Yahiko's whole body tensed up. He instantly turned around, using the Body Flicker Technique while quickly forming seals. Then, the moment Obito approached...
He turned back with a slash of his blade.
Swish!
The blade passed through Obito's abdomen.
The next second.
Boom!
Obito escaped into his dimension.
A series of explosions sounded.
Fortunately, Yahiko emerged from another patch of earth and returned to Konan's side.
"It's Uchiha Obito."
"There are others."
Konan's gaze was indifferent as she used her origami to search for the surrounding enemies.
This ability to phase into a dimension was indeed Uchiha Obito's.
However.
This strange explosion did not come from Obito, but...
A demolition ninja from the Village Hidden in the Stone!
Suddenly, her gaze sharpened.
"Found him!"
"Kill him first."
Yahiko followed the origami.
But.
At this moment, a sword suddenly shot out from the dimension.
"It's not that easy to get past!"
Obito's blade blocked Yahiko, his chakra erupted, and sharp spikes suddenly burst out from his body.
The next second, his body spun rapidly, approaching Yahiko.
This Wood Style was not very powerful.
But in close combat, its effect was very significant.
Yahiko's pupils shrank.
Instantly, he was unable to dodge and his arm was cut by a wooden spike.
What a sharp wooden spike!
He took a deep breath, his speed suddenly increasing, not wanting to get entangled with Obito.
However.
Obito, after awakening the Mangekyo Sharingan and fusing with the cells, had excellent physical fitness. Yahiko couldn't shake him off for a while.
The two were one after the other, and just as Yahiko was about to sustain more injuries—
Sheets of origami flew back.
But.
At this time, Obito disappeared again.
Yahiko saw it this time!
The moment Obito disappeared, tiny white insects fell from his body.
These insects slid to the surroundings...
In an instant.
Boom!
A series of explosions covered the area around Yahiko.
...
Mount Myoboku, Nagato was burning with anxiety. He continuously body-flickered to the top of Mount Myoboku to find Fukasaku and Shima.
"Elders, I must go support Yahiko!"
"Nagato, the toad has already returned. Even if we wanted to send you over, we can't. What's more..."
Fukasaku said, "The fact that they were attacked proves that the enemy wants to lure you out. You must remain rational!"
"So I'm not going?"
Nagato's dissatisfaction reached its peak.
Even if he died, he had to protect Yahiko and Konan!
Shima saw that Fukasaku was about to persuade him, and she immediately interrupted, "Nagato, since Kyohiko had a toad follow Yahiko, he must have been sure that an enemy would make a move."
"Trust Kyohiko!"
She persuaded him softly.
Obviously.
Her persuasion was more effective than Fukasaku's "rationality."
Hair covered Nagato's eyes.
He took a deep breath.
Finally.
"I'm going to continue training in Sage Mode!"
I still need to get stronger!
Although he could now enter Sage Mode, just as Kyohiko said, this Sage Mode could not be maintained for long, and the speed of entry was too slow.
To solve these two points...
Practice and comprehend more.
Second, master the "Yin Seal" that Kyohiko mentioned!
...
Damn it!
Konan was anxious.
Even though she believed in Yahiko's ability, she couldn't be completely at ease in this situation.
Fortunately.
Obito's technique required some time to recover.
During this time, they could go and hunt down that ninja from the Village Hidden in the Stone.
Konan's body quickly split into two.
One was an origami clone.
And the other...
Dance of the Shikigami!
Origami wings grew from her back, and she quickly flew forward.
Below, Yahiko ran wildly.
"Damn it!"
"Even though I know this guy's ability, it's still very difficult to find that one opportunity!"
Yahiko's blade danced rapidly.
However.
Just as Konan split, Obito suddenly appeared in the distance.
The next second, Yahiko felt a huge suction force from his surroundings, as if his chest and heart were about to be sucked into another dimension.
Not good!
He realized the danger and quickly changed his position.
But.
That suction force always followed his body's movement.
Dojutsu?
His speed suddenly increased, and in the blink of an eye, he had entered a forest, and then—
Boom!
The trees were absorbed.
At this moment.
Boom!
A series of explosions sounded in front.
Yahiko's eyes widened, his mind a blank.
"Yahiko!"
From above, came Konan's horrified cry.
Sheets of origami flew in front of Yahiko, seemingly trying to block the explosions, but her paper clone couldn't block all of them.
No!
Konan was furious.
Origami rained down towards the distance.
But.
The next second, a figure appeared there, absorbing all the origami into another dimension.
"It seems... huh?"
Obito was just about to say "success" when suddenly, he saw several trees appear in front, blocking Yahiko in the middle.
Wood Style?!
He took a deep breath, realizing something was wrong.
Ryoho Kyohiko!
This guy is here again.
Obito quickly retreated, immediately falling back to the side of a Stone ninja behind him.
"We..."
Boom!
Behind them, a terrifying stream of chakra directly burst out from the trees.
The next moment, Obito turned his head and only saw a darkness enveloping him.
Genjutsu: Bringer-of-Darkness Technique!
Obito had heard Madara describe this genjutsu. It was very effective against their clan, especially his Kamui ability.
He originally wanted to save the Stone ninja who came with him, but in this situation, it was obviously impossible.
He quickly retreated, his body phasing into another dimension.
But.
At this moment, he felt—
His own sword was being pulled by a huge suction force, cutting towards himself.
Not good!
Obito was horrified and quickly threw away his sword.
But in the moment he was distracted.
Boom!
A powerful stream of chakra bloomed in the surroundings.
Although he had already run extremely fast, a part of his body still failed to dodge in time and was directly blown to pieces by the exploding chakra stream.
Entering the Kamui dimension, Obito screamed and his body writhed.
"Aaargh!"
His foot was blown off!
White Zetsu cells quickly covered and spread over his body, regenerating his foot, but the process was extremely painful.
Obito lay on the ground, motionless.
He was just glad he ran fast!
If he had been a little slower, the other party would have probably killed him with one punch.
"Kyohiko!"
He gritted his teeth, but there wasn't much hatred.
"This path is destined to be difficult!"
"I must persevere!"
He kept encouraging himself to counteract the external pain.
As for that Stone ninja, who could care about that now?