The next day, before dawn had even broken.
The main force of Akatsuki had already fully assembled.
History's course had shifted slightly due to Kawaki, yet some things remained unchanged.
Yahiko wore a black high-collared robe—there were no red clouds adorning it.
Before him stood a sea of dark figures. Just their appearance radiated overwhelming pressure.
This was the original Akatsuki uniform—how or when they'd recreated it, no one could say.
"Move out."
There was no pre-battle rallying speech.
With just this order from Yahiko, the main force marched forward in perfect formation.
They all knew what this battle would decide.
After today, only one voice will remain in the Land of Rain!!!
The wind howled in their ears as Yahiko and Konan strode through the center of the formation.
Kakuzu moved with the vanguard while Nonou and Nagato followed at the rear.
Everyone was clear on their responsibilities.
"Kakuzu-sama, we're almost there."
Nagashima Yuki gathered his courage to approach Kakuzu, though unease still lingered in his heart.
That sensation of facing Death itself—he would never forget for the rest of his life.
"Prepare for attack."
Kakuzu didn't even turn around. He could already make out the defensive works ahead—the ones built by the wandering ninja.
"Yes, Kakuzu-sama."
A group of ninja responded quietly. Nagashima Yuki dared not delay either—he unsheathed his blade and swiftly followed right behind Kakuzu.
Kakuzu's authority had been bought entirely in blood!
Several minutes later, the main force drew closer to the wandering ninja's defenses.
At this distance, discovery was only a matter of a few breaths.
"Begin the attack."
At Kakuzu's command, he launched himself forward first.
Black threads coiled into blades along both his arms, rapidly extending forward, piercing through two enemy scouts before they could react.
Their eyes widened in shock. They died before the warning cry could leave their lips.
As their corpses fell from the trees, already signal flares lit up the night sky above the enemy's camp.
"Kill!"
By the time Nagashima Yuki shouted, Kakuzu had already vanished from where he once stood.
"The front lines are engaged."
While running, Yahiko leaped high into the air, landing atop a tall tree to observe.
"These defenses are actually quite solid."
Konan hovered beside Yahiko, her wings fluttering steadily.
Both could clearly see enemies spilling out from within the fortifications, greatly slowing their advancement.
"Decent enough. Watch this."
Yahiko smiled mysteriously, clearly brimming with confidence.
Konan said nothing, simply watching Yahiko show off.
[Water Release: Water Severing Slash]
Yahiko moved through the hand seals quickly—complex forms completed in under two seconds.
As soon as the final seal was made, massive surges of chakra gathered in his mouth.
He puffed his cheeks, then unleashed a high-pressure blade-shaped jet of water.
The stream lanced straight toward the enemy defenses, effortlessly piercing through a thick earthen wall.
Midstream, Yahiko turned his head, sweeping the water column sideways.
Against the Water Severing Slash, the wandering ninja's defenses were like cheap knockoffs—completely torn apart and obliterated.
"Not bad, kid!!!"
Konan patted Yahiko's shoulder, wearing a look of deep satisfaction.
She knew that Yahiko and Nawaki were learning Water Release jutsu, but she hadn't expected them to have reached this level of proficiency.
She felt shocked—and touched with heartache inside.
How much effort must Yahiko have put in without her knowing?
"It's all thanks to Lady Konan leading us so well."
Yahiko looked proudly at the results of his efforts, smiling widely as he teased back playfully with Konan.
"Well of course! Without me, where would you be today?"
Konan struck a proud pose, her nose practically in the clouds.
"You really don't hold back, hahaha~"
Seeing Konan like this, Yahiko nearly collapsed from laughing.
"Alright, we still need to provide support."
Blushing slightly, Konan quickly regained her composure.
"Yeah yeah, you're absolutely right."
Yahiko stopped laughing and once again turned toward the battlefield.
"Ahh—!"
"What kind of jutsu was that?!"
"Get down!"
"Hurry, save people!"
...
The wandering ninjas had been thrown into chaos by Yahiko's [Water Severing Wave].
Behind the shattered defenses, bloodcurdling screams pierced the air, limbs and body parts scattered everywhere.
Blood was slowly staining the ground red.
"That's Lord Yahiko's doing."
"Everyone, follow me forward!"
Nakamura Daiki glanced back, admiration shining in his eyes.
That Water Release move was just too terrifying. As for what exactly it was, he hadn't the slightest idea.
Not that he could be blamed—it wasn't like many people in Konoha even recognized Tobirama's forbidden jutsu.
"Charge!"
Like they'd all taken a massive dose of adrenaline, the remaining Rain ninjas surged forward, ready to settle old scores and new grievances all in one day.
With no fortifications left, Akatsuki swiftly breached the territory of the wandering ninjas, with Kakuzu leading the charge.
The two sides dove headfirst into ferocious melee combat.
"Take away the injured. And remember to finish off the enemies."
There would always be casualties in battle. Nonou sprang into action, mobilizing the rescue squad.
"Remember to stop the bleeding first with bandages."
Nagato followed behind, adding instructions carefully—he didn't want any injured survivors bleeding out before they could be brought back.
This hastily assembled rescue squad was still lacking in professionalism.
"Yes, Lord Nagato."
The rescue squad moved fast in pairs, each carrying a stretcher.
Whoever from their side was found on the ground still breathing—they picked them up and ran.
And if they encountered enemy ninjas who hadn't quite died yet, making sure they were finished off wasn't hard either.
"Not bad work at all."
Nonou approached Nagato with a smile playing on her lips.
Organizing a rescue squad wasn't something she had ever imagined doing.
"Don't flatter yourself. They were trained far too briefly."
Looking at the bustling rescue squad members coming and going, Nagato occasionally furrowed his brow.
But considering how brief the training had truly been, he couldn't bring himself to fault them.
"Don't worry, I'll help you in the future. Everything will get better."
"Stop frowning. It doesn't suit you."
Nonou gently brushed her fingers against Nagato's forehead.
"Okay."
Nagato raised his eyes toward Nonou, thinking about what else to say—when suddenly he was interrupted.
"Lord Nagato, this one's almost gone."
Two rescue squad members shouted from afar as they approached.
"What happened? Let me check."
Nagato rushed head-on, with Nonou right behind him.
"No heartbeat, shallow breathing—he's in critical condition."
Nonou made a quick assessment.
"We'll do it together."
Nagato placed one hand on the injured man's chest and used the other to stop the bleeding from his severed limb.
"Right."
As Nonou responded, green glowing light appeared from her hands as she pressed them onto the wound.
"Tch—"
The wounded man let out a pained sound, opened his eyes briefly, then passed out again from the agony.
"All right, get him back. I'll be there shortly."
Nagato withdrew his hands, finally pulling the man back from death's grasp.
"Pity we couldn't use Katsuyu."
Only once the rescue team was gone did Nonou finally speak up, softly.
"We can manage without it. It's fine."
Nagato gave a bitter smile. They had no choice but to operate this way in order to avoid exposing themselves.
He knew that in major battles, the Katsuyu Sage could provide far more support than the two of them combined.
"This place is their responsibility now. Let's go back."
Though Nonou pitied these injured soldiers, they had more pressing missions to handle.
Right now, they've done more than enough.
"Let's go."
Nagato gave one last, lingering look at the battlefield before walking away without glancing back.
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