"Kage-level!"
Being able to perform this level of Ice Release ninjutsu meant that the Ice Release kekkei genkai of the second spore clone had reached the Kage-level almost matching the strength of the original bloodline within him.
And since the second spore clone could perform such high-level Ice Release ninjutsu, its overall strength must also have risen. It had jumped from elite jōnin to Kage-level.
In other words, Uchiha Fugaku had successfully created a Kage-level spore clone.
Unlike the first spore clone, who reached Kage-level by transplanting a Mangekyō Sharingan, the second one possessed that strength naturally.
"With the second Kage-level spore clone, my left arm and right arm are now complete."
Uchiha Fugaku was pleased.
If the first, loyal spore clone was his left arm, then this second one was the right. Together, they formed a complete and formidable support.
...
In a dim underground chamber, a massive creature stretched out ten fingers. Upon each finger stood a figure made of light.
These were the true members of the Akatsuki organization.
The weaker ones were elite jōnin level, while the strongest had reached or even surpassed Kage-level.
"Iwagakure is offering a 500 million ryō bounty for the assassination of the Fifth Hokage, Uchiha Fugaku. I plan to claim it," said a figure with concentric-ringed eyes Nagato, bearer of the Rinnegan.
"Assassinate Uchiha Fugaku? His strength is no joke. Even if two Kage-level shinobi team up, they might not succeed," said a figure with magatama earrings.
This man had joined Akatsuki with the intent of taking Nagato's Rinnegan for himself. He had once been captured by Fugaku and knew firsthand how terrifying the Hokage was especially given how the Sharingan targeted his weak soul.
"To be praised by Orochimaru himself... Uchiha Fugaku must be something else," said a shark-faced man with a massive sword strapped to his back—Hoshigaki Kisame, Akatsuki's newest member.
"His Mangekyō Sharingan counters me strongly. I won't accept any mission involving him," Orochimaru stated, a trace of fear in his tone.
Fugaku had given him a sense of mortal danger. In their last fight, Orochimaru had the distinct impression that Fugaku hadn't even gone all out.
"You've been defeated once and now lack the courage to try again. So much for the famous Orochimaru," sneered a hunched figure with a puppet-like face Sasori of the Red Sand.
Orochimaru's gaze grew cold, but then he smirked.
"If you're so confident, why don't you take the mission?"
"I planned to regardless. I'm currently crafting the perfect puppet, and Uchiha Fugaku's body would be ideal," Sasori said coldly.
"No. I'll handle it myself. I'll bring back his corpse for you afterward," Nagato said with a shake of his head.
He knew just how powerful Fugaku was and how even "Uchiha Madara" had suffered a loss at his hands.
To be sure of success, Nagato would strike personally.
"Pain?" asked a woman with a blue-purple flower in her hair Konan. Her tone was a mix of surprise and worry.
She, too, had heard of "Madara's" defeat and was naturally concerned.
"Konan, don't worry. I am invincible," Nagato replied confidently.
With the Rinnegan eyes said to belong only to the Sage of Six Paths he saw himself as a god.
Days later, at an Akatsuki base within the Land of Fire...
Konan pushed Nagato in his wheelchair through a corridor.
Konan had blue-purple hair, a flower in her hair, and a lip piercing. Nagato, code-named Zero, had red hair, the Rinnegan, and black chakra rods embedded in his body.
Behind them walked six figures, each with the Rinnegan and black rods the Six Paths of Pain, Nagato's remote-controlled puppets.
They had traveled here because the Six Paths' control range had limitations. If Nagato remained in Amegakure, he could not remotely direct his Six Paths to attack Konoha.
"Begin the operation," Nagato said coldly.
The six figures vanished, darting from the hideout toward Konoha.
The best option would have been to ambush Fugaku outside the village, but the Hokage rarely left Konoha. And Nagato was confident—he would strike directly.
...
Inside the Hokage's office at the Konoha Administration Building.
"Any unusual movements from Iwagakure recently?" asked Uchiha Fugaku, seated behind his desk.
Since returning, he had kept Intelligence on high alert regarding Iwagakure.
After all, they had lost their Jinchūriki, and their border outpost was decimated. He doubted they would let such provocations go unanswered.
"No, there's been no unusual movement," the Intelligence ninja replied.
"No movement?" Fugaku frowned, puzzled.
Logically, Iwagakure shouldn't be silent after such humiliation. Yet here they were, unnervingly quiet.
"You may leave."
The ninja bowed and exited.
But the door opened again moments later—not the Intelligence ninja, but Spore Clone No. 1, disguised as Uchiha Shisui and serving as Anbu Captain.
"Six of Nagato's bodies were just spotted in the Land of Fire, heading toward Konoha!" the clone reported urgently.
"They're in the Land of Fire and coming here?"
Fugaku sat up, expression grim.
Very few people knew the full extent of Nagato's strength. Fugaku did.
He had reached super-Kage level.
Sending six Paths of Pain into the Land of Fire spelled crisis.
"Are they after the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki?"
He quickly dismissed that thought.
"Naruto isn't even in Konoha. Akatsuki's intel should confirm that."
So why attack now?
Then it struck him—the link between Akatsuki and Iwagakure.
Iwagakure was their biggest client.
Could this be retaliation, contracted out to Akatsuki?
Yes. It all made sense.
"I didn't expect this day to come so soon," he muttered solemnly.
A confrontation with Nagato had always felt inevitable. Now, it was here.
"Luckily, I now possess the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan."
Nagato's Rinnegan was powerful, yes—but not his by birth. He could not draw out its full potential.
Fugaku's Eternal Mangekyō, while inferior in tier, was his own—and he could harness its full power.
Their strength was evenly matched.
"We can't let this battle take place in Konoha."
A clash between the two would devastate the village far worse than any Tailed Beast attack.
"We must intercept them en route."
Fugaku rose and summoned an Anbu member.
"Effective immediately, the village is under Level 1 Alert. Evacuate civilians to underground shelters. All shinobi must prepare for combat."
"Huh?" the Anbu was stunned.
Fugaku didn't waste time.
"According to intel, a powerful enemy is approaching. Send word to every clan."
The Anbu nodded and quickly rushed off to spread the message.
(End of Chapter)
***
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