"Naruto: The Ōtsutsuki Bloodline"Chapter 293: A New Mission, Countdown to the Thawing of Three Ōtsutsuki (Please Subscribe)
Time passed quickly, and before anyone realized it, a week had slipped by. With the war machines of the four major shinobi villages mobilized, the entire shinobi world was boiling with activity. Troops from all the major villages were assembling at an unprecedented pace. No one harbored any illusions about the seriousness of this war.
Moreover, Deidara, Mei Terumī, and even the recently resurrected Gaara had all arrived at Konohagakure. On one hand, there were matters that needed to be finalized. On the other hand, it was naturally more convenient to adjust strategies and tactics together.
"Finally, it's about to begin, hmm," Deidara said.
In the underground conference room of Konohagakure, Deidara stretched lazily before turning to Gaara with a smirk.
"But this time, you didn't choose the wrong side, Kazekage!"
"You've said that many times already, Tsuchikage," Gaara replied calmly, completely unconcerned with Deidara's attitude. His focus was entirely on Kitagawa Minamoto.
To be blunt, Gaara had only come this far thanks to Kitagawa Minamoto's encouragement back then. If it weren't for his words, Gaara might never have taken up the mantle of Kazekage. And in the previous Akatsuki attack, it was Konohagakure that had saved him!
"We should get started soon; the situation is quite urgent this time."
"Indeed, I didn't expect their preparations to run so deep," Mei Terumī nodded, her expression serious. Only Deidara shook his head dismissively.
"Tch, I can't believe they've managed to amass a force of around 100,000 troops and already entrenched themselves in so many key locations."
Over the past week, they had been investigating Akatsuki's movements. When the truth was revealed, they finally understood that Akatsuki had long been prepared!
"Yes, it's indeed quite troubling," Kitagawa Minamoto nodded, rubbing his chin as he spoke. "In the regions of the Land of Wind and the Land of Rivers, the Land of Grass and the Land of Waterfalls, and the Land of Iron and the Land of Hot Water, there are approximately 30,000 troops stationed in each area."
"The most problematic, however, are the Land of Whirlpools and the Land of Waves, where around 10,000 troops have been deployed," Mei Terumī shook her head in frustration.
Clearly, these deployments were aimed at countering Kirigakure. These two locations were the most critical "bridges" connecting the Land of Water to the shinobi continent. If these areas were blocked, it would be extremely disadvantageous for Kirigakure—and even for the entire shinobi world.
"Moreover, Kirigakure's forces need to land for amphibious operations, and defenders always hold the advantage in such scenarios."
"The key issue is that we've only managed to assemble around 60,000 troops this time," Gaara couldn't help but speak up, his expression far from optimistic.
The deployment of such a large force in the Land of Wind alone was enough to make any shinobi uneasy, even if Kitagawa Minamoto had explained that these troops were humanoid creatures. Highly concealed, with average combat capabilities, but their sheer numbers posed a daunting challenge. Especially since each village had to allocate forces to defend their own towns, strongholds, and key locations.
"Our manpower is indeed stretched thin."
"And speaking of the Land of Hot Water, there's a significant force stationed there as well. Yet Kumogakure hasn't joined the fight?" Deidara didn't think these troops were much of a problem, since he could simply fly over them. But considering the broader situation, he couldn't help but ask, "What's their stance? Will they participate in the war?"
"Who knows? For now, there's been no word from them," Kitagawa Minamoto shook his head. He truly didn't know Kumogakure's intentions. Of course, he wasn't too concerned—after all, he was no longer the same as before!
"Perhaps they're holding out for a better deal, but I'll focus on my own preparations."
"Hokage, what's your plan?" Mei Terumī asked curiously, drawing the attention of the others. Kitagawa Minamoto simply smiled and shook his head.
"My idea is simple. The battlefield has been divided into eastern and western fronts. Let's concentrate our efforts on eliminating the enemies in the west first. As for the east..."
"Relying on the sea and your own land-based defenses, right?" Mei Terumī immediately understood. Deidara, though slower to react, soon caught on as well.
"The forces stationed in the Land of Wind, the Land of Rivers, and the Land of Grass threaten Konohagakure, Iwagakure, and Sunagakure alike. It's crucial to eliminate them quickly, hmm."
"Moreover, as our main forces advance eastward, they'll inevitably collide with these enemies. Dealing with them first is the logical step."
Gaara quickly grasped the strategy, adding his own thoughts. "Even if they retreat, they'll have no choice but to flee to the coast, making it easier for us to wipe them out."
"That's the general strategic idea. As for the specifics, more specialized personnel will handle the details shortly," Kitagawa Minamoto smiled.
Strictly speaking, he preferred to resolve the final battle on land. But considering the inevitable confrontation with the three Ōtsutsuki, fighting on land could lead to unimaginable destruction. However, if the battle took place near the sea, the ocean could absorb much of the energy unleashed during the fight. This would significantly reduce the overall damage.
Especially since by then, I'll likely have obtained the Ten-Tails, and the Divine Tree's fruit should be ready for harvest. So caution is absolutely necessary...
Kitagawa Minamoto thought to himself, adding silently: Otherwise, I might end up destroying my own planet!
At that moment, Kitagawa Minamoto suddenly felt his brow twitch. The next instant, a message appeared before his eyes:
[New Shinobi World Exclusive Mission Acquired] ["You alien scum, coming to the shinobi world to beg for scraps?"] [End the Fourth Shinobi World War and eliminate all enemies.] [Accept?]
"..."
Meanwhile, in a hidden Akatsuki base, Konan looked at Nagato and spoke softly.
"Nagato, the war is about to begin."
For them, war was nothing new. Having endured the Second and Third Shinobi Wars and the constant turmoil in the Land of Rain, they had a deeper understanding of war than anyone else. Yet the prospect of another war left Konan feeling uneasy.
"Yes, the war is starting again," After a long pause, Nagato nodded silently. "But don't worry. This war is different from the past. Perhaps this time, we'll truly see a different future!"
"Different?"
Konan's heart was filled with unease, but Nagato's eyes shone with determination. After a week of waiting, he felt as though he had grown stronger—his energy seemed boundless, an indescribable sensation of immense power. This feeling was hard to put into words, but it left him convinced that he was no longer the same person.
Moreover, a voice in his mind constantly urged him to fight, to use his power relentlessly. Only through combat could he grow stronger and ultimately achieve his dream!
"Indeed, I now understand why Kitagawa Minamoto and I were so different. He reached 'evolution' before I did."
"'Evolution'? Nagato, this..."
"I can feel my transformation. I can sense my power growing. This is the strength granted by 'evolution'—this is the power of the Sage of Six Paths!"
"The Sage of Six Paths?"
Konan's face remained skeptical, but Nagato smiled for the first time in a while. Though the voice in his mind was strange, he "understood" that he needed to follow its guidance. And he believed that by doing so, he would complete his transformation, retracing the path of the Sage of Six Paths to create a new world!
"Yes, Konan, I swear to you," Nagato's smile faded, replaced by a solemn expression as he inhaled deeply. "I will create a world of peace, a world free from the Ōtsutsuki threat, a world without war!"
"A world that embodies our shared ideals, one that would make Yahiko proud!"
"This time, Konan, I will make it happen!"
Looking at the resolute Nagato before her, Konan finally nodded earnestly.
"I believe in you, Nagato. I've always believed in you..."
Konan's trust in Nagato was unwavering. After all the storms they had weathered, only the two of them remained. No matter what, Konan would always stand firmly by Nagato's side!
"Lord Orochimaru, why won't you use my body?"
Another person with unwavering trust was Kimimaro, though his expression was currently troubled.
"Have I done something wrong, Lord Orochimaru?"
"No, you've done excellently, always have," Orochimaru looked at Kimimaro's expression and shook his head with amusement. "It's just that you haven't yet developed your body to its fullest potential. Now isn't the right time for me to use it."
"But..."
Kimimaro frowned. This upcoming war would be exceptionally brutal, and he wasn't certain he would survive. He longed to offer his body to Orochimaru—his lifelong wish. If only...
"You're worried you'll die in this war and be unable to give me your body?"
Orochimaru knew exactly what Kimimaro was thinking. He licked his lips and smiled. "Then fight well and survive. This is your best opportunity to prove yourself."
"Prove myself..."
"Exactly. Continue to fight, develop your body further, and survive this brutal conflict. That will be your proof."
"I see..."
"I want your body in its perfect state, not as it is now. Do you understand, Kimimaro?"
Orochimaru nodded silently as Kimimaro fell into contemplation. Kimimaro was too special, especially after receiving the Byakugan—his growth had been extraordinary.
Initially, Orochimaru thought it was the "All-Encompassing Power" manifesting in Kimimaro. But later, when he learned about "evolution," he immediately identified Kimimaro as an "evolver"!
An "evolver," what an interesting existence. I'm curious to see what makes these "evolvers" so different, and moreover...
He also wondered what it would be like to experience being an "evolver" himself!
"Is it finally time?" Meanwhile, atop the Akatsuki tower, Obito stood silently in the rain, gazing into the distance.
After waiting a week, the White Zetsu army had completed its deployment, and the Impure World Reincarnation forces had begun to move. Even without word from Madara Uchiha or a clear response from Kumogakure, Obito was no longer willing to wait.
"Rin, can you see it?" Obito placed a hand over his left chest, whispering softly.
"From this moment on, I will create a world for us both."
"A world without war, where our tragedy won't be repeated, and where you'll never be controlled again!"
"You've guided me, helped me stay strong until today. I won't disappoint you!"
Obito murmured, and in the next instant, the space around him began to distort. He needed to prepare for action.
However, within the consciousness space shared by the three of them, the three Ōtsutsuki were watching their hosts' behavior with contempt.
"Lower life forms..." Momoshiki shook his head disdainfully, though he also rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Who is this 'Sage of Six Paths' they keep mentioning?"
"An Ōtsutsuki..." Isshiki responded instinctively, but quickly became alert when he noticed the peculiar looks from Momoshiki and Urashiki.
He didn't bother denying his involvement, as he was already planning to make his move!
"Never mind that. How is the thawing of your hosts progressing?"
"This fool I'm in has thawed nearly fifty percent," Urashiki snorted derisively, then shook his head. "Though this idiot keeps thinking about sacrificing himself to become a vessel for another lower life form. Utterly ridiculous."
"Fifty percent? Impressive," Momoshiki nodded slightly, then assessed his own situation. "I'm at about thirty to forty percent, thanks to you two. Otherwise, it wouldn't be progressing so quickly."
"Appropriate combat accelerates the process," Isshiki remarked coldly, though his face betrayed some frustration. Obito, with his mental issues, relied entirely on Kamui for combat, which had significantly slowed Isshiki's thawing rate!
"Mine isn't particularly fast either, close to sixty percent."
"Sixty percent? That's rather slow," Momoshiki raised an eyebrow, and Urashiki's gaze shifted toward him as well.
Neither said much more, and Momoshiki simply mused, "It seems that with this upcoming battle, if the intensity is sufficient, we can all thaw ahead of schedule. How exciting."
"Indeed, quite exciting," Urashiki nodded, and the two exchanged glances before both turned to Isshiki.
The looks they gave each other and Isshiki were decidedly strange.
"Well then, this planet shall be our hunting ground," Isshiki, not to be outdone, returned their peculiar gaze with a smile of his own. "Let's enjoy the hunt!"
With that, all three burst into laughter. As for what—or who—they were hunting, not a word was spoken.
Behind their smiles, each clenched their fists tightly.
"Mine, all mine. Not one will escape!" Momoshiki silently vowed, his smile growing even brighter.
"Let me personally verify the wonders of the 'Divine
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