The border of the Rain Country.
Uchiha Fugaku stood at the front, his expression grim as he stared into the misty distance. His voice was low, steady, but filled with solemn authority.
"Rain Shinobi Village lies ahead. Everyone, prepare yourselves."
Turning around, his dark eyes swept over the Konoha shinobi assembled behind him.
"The Akatsuki organization is immensely powerful. Do not take them lightly!"
Upon hearing Fugaku's warning, the Konoha shinobi straightened their backs as one.
"Yes, Hokage-sama!" they responded with determination.
They all understood—this battle wasn't just another mission. It was a life-and-death confrontation. The smallest misstep could cost them everything.
The other three Kage present, observing Fugaku's tone, turned to address their own forces with equal seriousness.
Third Tsuchikage Ōnoki floated into the air with his usual scowl and said, "This operation is of critical importance. Every single Akatsuki member is extraordinarily powerful. I expect full commitment—no exceptions!"
Fourth Kazekage Rasa raised his voice, the golden sand floating ominously around him.
"Survive this battle. That's an order!"
Fourth Mizukage, calm and poised, addressed the Mist shinobi gently but firmly.
"Look after yourselves—and each other. We fight as one."
Their words pressed down like a heavy weight on everyone's hearts, but also ignited a powerful resolve. The ninjas gathered here were not ordinary soldiers—they were the elite from every hidden village. This was no longer about personal glory. They carried the hopes of their people and the responsibility of preserving peace in the ninja world.
The Kage knew too well: if too many of their elites died, their villages' combat strength would be severely impacted. The future of the shinobi world could be shaken.
That's why they didn't want their best warriors dying from carelessness.
Unity. Discipline. Strength.
That was the only way to confront an enemy like the Akatsuki—a group that had already overturned the balance of the entire shinobi world.
Amidst the tense atmosphere, a voice cut through the silence—brazen and bold.
"Tch, what's with all this fear?"
The Fourth Raikage, Ay, looked around with a disdainful sneer on his face. His burly figure radiated raw power and confidence.
"Only the weak worry about this and that," he said. "Real men charge into battle!"
Turning to the Cloud shinobi behind him, he shouted,
"When you see Akatsuki—don't hesitate. Rush in and kill every last one of them!"
"Kill! Kill! Kill!"
The Cloud shinobi roared back in unison, raising their weapons into the sky. Their blood boiled with eagerness, and their chants echoed like thunder across the land.
The other Kage watched this scene with complex expressions.
"…A reckless man is a reckless man," Rasa muttered under his breath. He had witnessed firsthand the terrifying might of the Akatsuki. Raikage Ay, clearly, hadn't grasped the gravity of the situation.
Fugaku silently nodded in agreement. His mind involuntarily drifted to the memory of Pain's devastating Shinra Tensei.
That day, if he hadn't activated the complete form of Susanoo at the last moment, he would've been reduced to dust.
He glanced at the overconfident Cloud shinobi.
Let's see if they can maintain that same confidence… when Pain himself stands before them.
Then, he raised his hand and gave the final order:
"Enough rest. We move! Target: Rain Shinobi Village!"
The Allied Shinobi Forces surged forward like a tidal wave. Every step they took was heavy with purpose. Their eyes burned with the will to fight.
From a distance, the outline of Rain Shinobi Village could be seen, cloaked in its eternal rainfall. That was where their fate would be decided.
Rasa's fists clenched tightly.
Obito… I'm coming for you!
If they could defeat the Akatsuki and rescue Obito, it would change everything.
The legendary "four gold miners" would be reunited—and return to the arena together!
Just imagine the profits! Rasa's mind wandered. If I follow Obito's lead again, I'll be swimming in money until my hands cramp from counting it. And finally, the Sand Village will shed its reputation as the poorest village in the ninja world!
He whispered to himself, a tinge of anxiety laced with greed:
"Obito… you better survive this."
Because if Obito died here, his golden dreams would go up in smoke.
Then—
BOOM!
A deafening explosion shattered the silence. The ground shook violently.
"AHHHHH!"
Screams tore through the air as smoke and flame erupted in the distance.
The alliance members turned in shock, only to see a squad of Rock shinobi hurled backwards, their bodies flying like broken dolls before crashing to the ground.
Groans of pain echoed across the battlefield. Blood dyed the earth crimson.
Ōnoki's expression turned terrifyingly grim.
"A detonating tag?! Damn it!" he roared.
"Medical squad! Get over here immediately!"
He knew what this meant.
That single trap had just crippled a chunk of Iwagakure's elite.
Rock medical ninja rushed to the injured, quickly applying healing jutsu. But the reality was harsh—many were too gravely wounded. Limbs were missing. Organs were shredded. Some had already stopped breathing.
The other Kage stood in silence, their faces pale as they watched.
They hadn't even seen a single Akatsuki member… and already lives were being lost.
Ōnoki shouted again, this time across the entire battlefield.
"Everyone be cautious! Watch your step—more traps may be hidden!"
The remaining Rock shinobi adjusted their formation. They now advanced slowly, every footfall deliberate, every eye scanning the ground for danger.
As for the wounded, they were carried away under heavy guard. Even if they survived… none of them would be able to fight in the battle to come.
---
Far away...
Inside a dark, rain-soaked tower deep within the Rain Village, Nagato sat with his eyes closed, silently meditating.
The explosion's echo reached him.
Slowly, he opened his eyes, revealing the Rinnegan's rippling pattern.
"They've triggered the first trap," he said calmly.
Konan, standing beside him, spoke in a low voice.
"Shall we move out?"
Nagato shook his head. "No need. There are still four more traps awaiting them. Let them wear themselves down."
With that, he closed his eyes once more.
---
Time passed.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
The ground shook again—this time a series of coordinated detonations.
The sky lit up with fire. Screams once again rang out across the land.
Nagato opened his eyes again, his voice solemn.
"It's time."
He rose from his chair.
The entire Akatsuki organization stood as one.
Biwa Juzo gripped his blade tightly, a bloodthirsty grin on his face.
"Let's show this so-called 'alliance' what true strength looks like!"
Sasori, the Red Sand Scorpion, chuckled, his cold eyes gleaming.
"To face the combined forces of five great villages… exhilarating, isn't it?"
Orochimaru licked his lips, eyes twinkling with excitement.
"Tsk… this will be fun."
Nagato took a deep breath and raised his hand.
"Move out!"
He led the charge, his long cloak fluttering behind him. The rest of Akatsuki followed without hesitation.
A cataclysmic war was about to begin...
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