Land of Fire, Kikyō Mountain.
"The Five Kage Summit has already begun. We need to make our own preparations."
"Kabuto, how are things progressing on your side?"
Inside the mountain, the last three members of Akatsuki were discussing their strategy. Behind them stood the controlled Jinchūriki of the Six-Tails and Eight-Tails.
Both had fallen under genjutsu—a Mangekyō Sharingan illusion that controlled them along with their Tailed Beasts.
Not even the Nine-Tails could completely resist such ocular power, let alone the Six-Tails and Eight-Tails.
With the Three-Tails added to the mix, Akatsuki now had three Tailed Beasts in their possession.
"Preparations are complete. Puppet division control is finished."
"I'll fuse the puppet cores into White Zetsu bodies, allowing them to control the puppets."
"And, since I've slaughtered quite a few people recently, the number of human puppets we have is around ten thousand."
"Fifty giant puppets as well—enough to form a full assault unit."
Over the years, Uchiha Muren earned money, and Kabuto spent it—he spent everything he could, without restraint.
But their harvest was just as impressive. Ten thousand puppets was an absolutely terrifying force.
"Good. Our soldier count has also passed one thousand."
"With these two forces combined, we don't need to fear the Five Great Shinobi Villages, even in a direct confrontation."
"However, the two of you have additional tasks."
Black Zetsu was the strategist now; Kabuto and Uchiha Muren only needed to follow his arrangements.
But with war about to erupt, they still had questions. If they weren't present on the main battlefield, who would keep the enemy's strongest occupied?
Unexpectedly, Black Zetsu's next words brought smiles to both their faces.
"Chiyo's technique will be used."
"We'll use her to resurrect that person. Once he's revived, why should we fear the Allied Shinobi Forces?"
"And the two of you must quickly locate the remaining Tailed Beasts. Even the Nine-Tails hidden in Konoha must be taken as soon as possible."
Upon hearing about resurrecting that person, Kabuto remained calm, but Uchiha Muren showed clear shock.
Revive him directly?
"Kabuto, go prepare the puppets. The enemy will definitely use large-scale sensory ninjutsu to locate us. Instead of being found, we'll strike first."
"The ninety thousand White Zetsu are ready. When the time comes, we'll break out from Kikyō Mountain and directly attack the daimyō residences of every country."
"Once the daimyō residences are under attack, the Five Great Shinobi Villages will have no choice but to defend them. The Allied Forces will be forced into a passive position."
Kabuto nodded and headed toward his puppet storeroom.
After he left, Black Zetsu turned to Uchiha Muren.
"Those eyes… it's time you transplanted them. The success rate may be low."
"But the two of you were like brothers. He died protecting you. In a sense, his eyes shouldn't reject you."
Uchiha Muren nodded, then retrieved a jar containing a pair of Sharingan from inside his robe.
"Sei… I've carried his eyes with me all these years."
"With the war coming, it's time I transplanted them."
"Zetsu, help me."
Black Zetsu took the Sharingan from Muren and nodded. The two walked toward another chamber.
They were preparing for the transplant that would awaken the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan.
...
The Allied Shinobi Forces had now assembled. Each nation sent their sensor ninja to the Land of Waterfalls first, and other elite ninja were gathering there as well.
The Sensor Division's headquarters had already been established.
The Allied Forces' command center was also set here.
"The Land of Waterfalls truly is beautiful."
"If only our Land of Wind had scenery like this."
The Five Kage had arrived earlier. As the leaders of the alliance, they naturally came ahead of the others.
Rasa looked out over the Land of Waterfalls and sighed in admiration.
In return, he received a sharp glare from Kazuyama Gekkō.
"Your Land of Wind is great too. The yellow sand is… impressive."
"Damn it, Kazuyama Gekkō! If you can't speak properly, then shut up!"
No matter how Rasa looked at him, Kazuyama always rubbed him the wrong way. What choice did he have? The bastard was always nagging him.
"That's enough from both of you. Rasa, how are the troops headed for the daimyō residences arranged?"
As soon as the alliance was formed, Minato Namikaze ordered the five villages to immediately deploy forces to protect their respective daimyō residences.
This war was critical—if the enemy struck at the daimyō directly, mass panic would follow.
Unfortunately… they were too late.
"Commander! Emergency report!"
"A large number of pale-skinned creatures have burst out from the direction of Kikyō Mountain in the Land of Fire. The Fire Daimyō's residence is under attack!"
"The daimyō is trapped inside the castle!"
"And these pale-skinned creatures are spreading toward other nations!"
If this wasn't pressure, nothing was.
They hadn't even finished organizing their forces, and the attack had already begun. Efficiency at its finest.
Minato and Rasa's faces immediately darkened.
"How are they so fast?"
"Isn't it obvious? Their intelligence gathering is no worse than ours. With such an important event as the Five Kage Summit, of course they'd prepare."
Kazuyama's annoyed voice came from beside Minato—but he voiced the truth.
Even he was startled. Their speed was far beyond expectation.
The initiative had been completely lost.
"Notify all nations—protect the daimyō first!"
"Kazuyama!"
Before Minato even finished, Kazuyama already knew what he wanted. But there weren't many good options right now.
"I know. I'll return to Konoha first and send forces to the daimyō residence."
"No, I meant—"
"Relax, I know what you mean. I'll make everyone speed up!"
Before Minato could finish, Kazuyama vanished with the Flying Thunder God Technique.
Left mid-sentence, Minato froze for a moment, then roared:
"You bastard! I meant you should go to the daimyō residence!!!"
"Damn it!"
Hearing Minato's furious shout, Rasa couldn't hold back a laugh.
Watching someone suffer a setback was surprisingly satisfying.
...
Inside the Fire Daimyō's castle, the daimyō was panicking.
"The ninja from Konoha still aren't here?!"
"Damn it! What are these monsters?!"
A servant rushed forward. "Daimyō, messages have already been sent out. Reinforcements should arrive soon to resolve the situation."
"Ugh! Those bastards! How dare they attack the daimyō residence!"
"I'll have them all killed!"
"And Konoha! How dare they be so slow!"
As he roared in fury, several figures suddenly appeared outside the daimyō's castle.