Chapter 293: A New Mission — The Countdown to the Ōtsutsuki's Revival
Time flowed swiftly.
In the blink of an eye, another week had passed.
Under the relentless mobilization of the Four Great Shinobi Villages, the entire ninja world had reached a fever pitch.
Every village had activated its war machine — armies marching, supply lines forming, alliances tightening.
No one dared harbor any illusions about what was coming.
Even Deidara, Mei Terumi, and the newly revived Gaara had arrived in Konoha.
On one hand, there were strategic matters that required in-person coordination; on the other, it was simply easier to plan tactics with all leaders gathered under one roof.
---
"Ha, so it's finally happening… hmm."
In Konoha's underground war room, Deidara stretched lazily before grinning at Gaara.
"Can't believe you actually picked the right side this time, Kazekage."
"You've said that several times already… Tsuchikage," Gaara replied flatly, not rising to the bait.
Truth be told, he didn't care about Deidara's tone.
His focus was entirely on Gen.
He knew better than anyone — if not for Gen's encouragement, he never would have had the resolve to become Kazekage.
And during the Akatsuki's last attack, it had been Konoha that saved his life.
---
"Let's start," Gaara said calmly. "The situation is urgent enough."
Mei Terumi nodded in agreement, her face tense. "I didn't expect their preparations to be this extensive."
Deidara snorted. "Tch. Who would've thought they could raise an army of nearly a hundred thousand — and station them in all the key locations?"
They'd spent the entire week gathering intel on the Akatsuki's movements, only to discover that the enemy's deployment was already complete.
Gen rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
"Wind and River Country — around thirty thousand troops. Grass and Taki — another thirty thousand. Iron and Hot Water Country — also about the same."
He paused, his expression darkening.
"The biggest problem is the Uzushio and Wave regions — roughly ten thousand stationed there. That's their naval gate toward the Land of Water."
Mei Terumi frowned, her tone sharp. "They're clearly planning to block our route to the mainland. If those regions are sealed off, it'll cripple Kirigakure's logistics — and frankly, destabilize the entire continent."
"Landing operations always favor the defenders," she continued bitterly. "And with our numbers—"
"Only about sixty thousand total," Gaara finished for her, his expression grim.
Even with Gen's assurance that many of Akatsuki's soldiers were artificial humanoids, their sheer numbers posed a logistical nightmare.
Each village had its own cities, trade posts, and bases to defend — they couldn't just send every shinobi to the front lines.
"Our forces are already stretched thin," Gaara said. "And by the way, the Land of Hot Water — that's near Cloud's territory. Kumogakure hasn't moved yet?"
Deidara frowned. "Yeah, what's their deal? You think they'll fight or sit it out?"
"No word so far," Gen replied, shaking his head. "The Raikage's intentions are unclear — but I doubt they'll stay uninvolved for long."
He smiled faintly, the glint in his eyes almost dangerous.
"Whatever they decide, we'll proceed as planned. Let them name their price — we'll be ready."
Mei looked at him curiously. "And what exactly is your plan, Hokage?"
Gen rose, hands clasped behind his back.
"The way I see it, the battlefield's divided into two major fronts — east and west. We'll focus all our strength on the western front first and crush the enemy there. The eastern line…"
"…will hold its ground along the coast," Mei finished for him, understanding dawning in her eyes.
Deidara blinked before nodding. "Makes sense. The armies in Wind, River, and Grass threaten Konoha, Iwa, and Suna simultaneously. If we hit them hard and fast, we'll relieve pressure across the board."
"Exactly," Gaara added. "And if they retreat, they'll have nowhere left to run but the shoreline — we can corner and finish them there."
Gen smiled faintly. "That's the general strategy. As for the finer details — our tactical divisions will handle those soon enough."
In truth, he preferred the final battle to take place on land.
But deep down, he knew the ultimate fight — against the three Ōtsutsuki — would be catastrophic.
If that happened on solid ground, the entire continent could be destroyed.
If near the sea, at least the ocean would absorb most of the unleashed power.
The collateral damage would be… manageable.
---
Especially once I obtain the Ten-Tails…
Once the God Tree's fruit ripens, I'll need to be careful.
Wouldn't want to accidentally destroy the planet I'm living on.
Gen smirked inwardly.
And then—his eyes flickered.
A translucent message appeared before him, visible only to him:
[New Exclusive Mission: Shinobi World Event Unlocked]
["You damned aliens… coming to my world to beg for scraps?"]
[Objective: End the Fourth Great Ninja War.
Defeat every enemy.]
[Accept Mission?]
Gen's smile deepened.
---
Meanwhile, in an underground Akatsuki base…
"Nagato," Konan whispered softly, her paper wings dimly glowing in the torchlight.
"It's starting, isn't it?"
War was nothing new to them.
They had lived through the Second and Third Shinobi Wars — in the endless rain and blood of Amegakure.
No one understood the weight of war like they did.
"Yes," Nagato murmured after a long silence.
"This war will be unlike the ones before it. Maybe this time… we'll see a different kind of future."
Konan frowned. "Different…?"
But Nagato's Rinnegan shimmered faintly — not with sorrow, but with resolve.
During this past week, something within him had changed.
He could feel his chakra expanding — deeper, vaster, almost infinite.
A voice whispered constantly in the back of his mind — urging him to fight, to push, to evolve.
Only through battle, it told him, could he ascend.
Only through evolution could he realize true peace.
"I understand now," Nagato said quietly.
"I finally see why Gen was always ahead of me. He evolved before I did."
"Evolved?" Konan asked, uncertain.
Nagato's eyes gleamed with power.
"I can feel it — my transformation, my growth. This is evolution… the gift of the Sage of Six Paths himself."
Konan's expression wavered.
"The Sage of Six Paths…"
But Nagato smiled — a rare, almost serene smile.
The whisper in his mind grew stronger.
He didn't fear it anymore.
He would follow it — wherever it led.
Nagato believed with absolute conviction that as long as he followed the voice within — his own will — he would complete his transformation.
He would walk the same path as the Sage of Six Paths… and reshape the world itself.
---
"Yes, Konan," he said at last, his voice low yet filled with unshakable resolve. "I swear to you—"
Nagato drew a deep breath, his Rinnegan glowing faintly in the dim light.
"I will create a peaceful world… a world free from the threat of the Ōtsutsuki, a world without war."
"A world that carries our shared will — one that even Yahiko would be proud of."
"This time, Konan… I will make it happen."
Konan looked at him silently. His expression was calm but utterly serious.
Finally, she nodded.
"I believe you, Nagato," she said softly. "I've always believed in you."
Through years of pain, betrayal, and bloodshed, she had never once wavered.
Now, with the world on the brink of chaos, she still stood by his side — as she always had.
---
Elsewhere, in a dimly lit laboratory—
"Orochimaru-sama," Kimimaro asked hesitantly, "why won't you use my body?"
His pale face looked almost fragile under the sterile light.
"Did I… do something wrong?"
Orochimaru chuckled, amused by the boy's sincerity.
"No, Kimimaro. You've done very well — exceptionally well."
He approached, eyes glinting with serpentine interest.
"But your body has not yet reached its full potential. It's not… ready for me."
Kimimaro frowned, a hint of despair flashing across his usually stoic face.
The coming war would be unlike any before it — he wasn't sure he'd even survive.
His greatest wish had always been to offer his perfect body to Orochimaru.
And now, he feared he would die before fulfilling it.
"You're afraid," Orochimaru said with a knowing smile, "that you'll die before you can keep your promise."
He licked his lips slowly.
"Then fight. Live. That's the best proof you can offer me."
"Proof…?"
"Yes," Orochimaru said. "Keep fighting. Push your body to its limits.
Survive the coming war — that will be your proof."
Kimimaro fell silent, but his gaze hardened.
"I want a perfect vessel, Kimimaro," Orochimaru murmured, eyes gleaming. "Not a broken one. Understand?"
Kimimaro gave a faint nod.
The boy was extraordinary — especially after awakening the Byakugan. His growth had become… monstrous.
At first, Orochimaru had assumed it was due to the power of the Shinra Tensei lineage, but after learning about the phenomenon called "Evolution," he was certain.
Kimimaro was one of them — an Evolver.
---
"Evolvers…" Orochimaru whispered, his grin widening.
"What fascinating creatures. I wonder — what does it feel like to be one?"
---
At the same time, atop Akatsuki's tower in Amegakure—
Obito stood beneath the falling rain, gazing into the horizon.
After a week of preparation, the White Zetsu army was fully mobilized.
The reanimated corpses were already in motion.
Still, there had been no word from Uchiha Madara.
No response from the Cloud Village either.
But Obito no longer intended to wait.
"Rin…" he murmured, pressing a hand against his chest.
"Do you see this?"
"From this moment on, I will create the world we dreamed of — one without war, without tragedy, where no one can ever control you again."
"You were the one who guided me here, Rin. And I swear… I won't let you down."
His voice faded into the rain.
The air around him began to twist and ripple — space itself warping as he vanished into action.
---
Deep within their shared mental plane, the three sealed Ōtsutsuki observed all of this with detached amusement.
"Pathetic lower beings," Momoshiki scoffed, folding his arms.
Still, a flicker of curiosity crossed his face.
"That one keeps mentioning a so-called Sage of Six Paths. Who was he?"
"A fellow Ōtsutsuki," Isshiki replied automatically—then paused, realizing both Momoshiki and Urashiki were staring at him with knowing smirks.
He didn't bother denying it.
They'd all been thinking the same thing: soon, they would have their chance.
---
"How far along is your host's thawing process?" Momoshiki asked.
Urashiki sneered. "Almost fifty percent. Though this fool of a host keeps wanting to 'sacrifice himself' to save another human. Pathetic."
Momoshiki smirked. "Fifty percent, not bad."
Isshiki closed his eyes briefly, gauging his own progress. "Thirty… maybe forty. Thanks to you two, it's accelerated."
"The stronger the battle, the faster the process," he added coldly.
"But my host is troublesome. All he does is teleport around with that accursed space-time jutsu — it's slowing me down."
"I'm nearing sixty percent," Momoshiki said calmly.
Urashiki clicked his tongue. "Sixty? Still too slow."
None of them pressed further.
Instead, Momoshiki's voice softened into something almost gleeful.
"It won't matter. The coming war will be more than enough. Once the fighting begins, the energy we need will flow freely. We'll awaken early."
Isshiki's lips curved. "Yes… I can feel it already."
The three exchanged knowing glances — a dangerous, electric understanding passing between them.
"Then," Momoshiki said, smiling faintly, "this planet shall become our hunting ground."
Isshiki's grin matched his own.
"Let the hunt begin."
Their laughter echoed through the void — sharp, otherworldly, and full of promise.
None of them said aloud what they were truly thinking.
They didn't need to.
Each one clenched his fist in secret resolve.
Everything… will be mine.
Momoshiki's smile widened.
Let me be the one to ascend the God stairway.
Isshiki's eyes gleamed with anticipation.
If I don't act, Urashiki thought fiercely, I'll never escape this cage.
And in that silent convergence of ambition — the three Ōtsutsuki reached an unspoken agreement.
They would all survive.
They would all ascend.
"I will carve my own path to godhood—"
"—and I'll live to see it realized."