This sudden news immediately disrupted Akatsuki's plans.
Now, Obito understood everything clearly.
No wonder Konoha Village had been so confident.
Even if you saw through the trickery...
The temptation of Ryumyaku still forced your hand, dragging you straight into it.
Unless you were willing to hand over the Ryumyaku willingly!
You dared to gamble that this Ryumyaku wasn't real.
But could Obito afford to gamble?
Would Black Zetsu take that risk?
Certainly not...
Therefore, they had no choice but to act ahead of schedule!
Even at the risk of walking directly into a trap, they had to strike early!
Compared to Konoha, compared to the great Hidden Villages...
Akatsuki simply could not afford failure...
"First, send some White Zetsu disguised as ninja from Iwagakure and Sunagakure to infiltrate their forces and gather intelligence."
"The rest of us will head toward [Loulan City Ruins]."
"Once we confirm the information and the Tailed Beasts arrive,"
"Attack directly!"
Obito issued the ruthless order.
With Madara absent, he was now the highest authority within Akatsuki.
He had complete authority over all strategic decisions.
Hearing this, the others hesitated no further.
They set off one by one, rushing toward the direction of [Loulan City Ruins].
...
After returning to Homura Hidden Village, Shimoku immediately began preparations.
Since this upcoming battle might escalate into a clash of ultimate power,
For safety's sake, Shimoku didn't bring many people along this time.
Only Konan and Yueji Uchiha accompanied him.
The former possessed Paper Ninjutsu, excelling in espionage and escaping danger—perfect for this mission;
The latter was their village's own [pseudo-jinchūriki], equipped with a newly awakened Mangekyō Sharingan—she was already undeniably the fourth strongest warrior in Homura Hidden Village!
This was her moment to prove herself.
That's right. During these past month or so,
Because of the progress made through the Tsukuyomi Card Bug Plan, their village had finally unlocked a brand-new Mangekyō Sharingan!
Namely, Yueji Uchiha, who originally bore the Three Tomoe Sharingan, had finally awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan through the stimulation of the Tsukuyomi illusionary technique...
Of course, this cultivation process was far from easy.
Shimoku had spent weeks carefully crafting the Tsukuyomi illusionary scenario before barely completing it.
It included some adult-rated content, so we'll leave the details out.
Nevertheless, the results turned out perfect.
Yueji successfully awakened her Mangekyō Sharingan, and her strength skyrocketed significantly.
And just like Shimoku's Mangekyō, Yueji Uchiha's Mangekyō also belonged to the 'straight bar' type—specializing in physical strength and amplification.
Unlike Shisui Uchiha and Itachi Uchiha's 'curved bar' variants which favored genjutsu techniques.
To cut straight to the chase,
Combining the power of the pseudo-tailed beast with the might of the Mangekyō Sharingan,
Yueji's strength had surpassed all others, reaching near the peak Kage level.
Unless facing monsters like Hashirama or Lord Madara,
She was practically invincible within the ninja world.
The three set off together. Before half a day had passed, they had already crossed through several small nations.
Before long, they arrived at the borders of the Land of Stone.
Sure enough, it wasn't long before Shimoku and the others picked up rumors circulating among refugees,
and learned about the Kingdom of Louran and [Ryumyaku Chakra Control].
Clearly,
this information had been deliberately leaked by Sunagakure.
It was part of Konoha's plan.
"So that's it. This was the real bait Tobirama prepared?"
"No wonder he's so confident Akatsuki will take the bait."
"The lure of [Ryumyaku Chakra Control], the danger of time being turned back—how could anyone ignore something like that?"
"Even a kid like Obito…"
Of course, let alone Obito and the others.
When Konan heard that [Ryumyaku Chakra Control] might have the ability to alter the past,
she couldn't help but feel tempted.
"Don't even think about it."
"[Ryumyaku Chakra Control] truly does allow one to travel back in time."
"But unfortunately, it's just an illusion."
"Time is uncontrollable—you have absolutely no way of choosing exactly when you'll return."
"And even if you do go back, you can't change anything."
"No matter what you do, you yourself will simply become part of history—unable to change its course..."
Shimoku already fully understood the effects of [Ryumyaku Chakra Control].
To overturn the past and reshape the future
wasn't something achievable with just a bit of Ryumyaku energy.
Perhaps only after pouring the entire planet's worth of energy into it might there be the slightest possibility...
If such power truly resided within a single Ryumyaku,
Shimoku would've long since drained it completely without leaving a drop behind.
There was no way he'd leave it untouched until now.
"I understand..."
Konan murmured dejectedly, biting her lip.
Though she also knew it was just wishful thinking,
still, having that hope shattered directly left her feeling reluctant.
That little punk Shimoku really should've known how to put it more gently.
"Don't dwell on it."
"This time, that ugly bastard Black Zetsu should show up too."
"Seize the chance—we take him out!"
Shimoku said quietly.
Hearing that, Konan immediately tensed, her expression turning sharp.
She had sacrificed far too much for this very goal.
No other goal will ever change this one!
Soon, the three sped up,
heading toward the Ruins of Loulan City.
...
The next day, at the Ruins of Loulan City.
Storming sands and roaring winds swept across vast ruins,
where six figures moved swiftly through the wreckage.
Before long, Tobirama led five Konoha ninja along the marked route on the map,
arriving beneath the ancient city ruins—
inside the 'Tower of the Lost,' once belonging to the ancient kingdom of Loulan.
At the base of this underground tower lay the seal placed upon the so-called [Ryumyaku Chakra Control].
It was none other than Minato Namikaze—the Fourth Hokage—who sealed it.
In fact, this discovery came while Hashirama frantically searched through Konoha archives, seeking clues about Madara's goals—
he unexpectedly found it in notes left behind by the Fourth.
After reading this part of the record, Tobirama immediately included Ryumyaku Chakra Control into his plan without hesitation.
The power of Ryumyaku Chakra Control and the rumors surrounding its ability to distort time-space—
Were also information he secretly ordered Sunagakure Village to spread.
It was all meant to lure Akatsuki here,
So he could trap and eliminate them all at once!
"So this is the Ryumyaku Chakra Control Seal?"
"A Space-Time Ninjutsu combined with Nine-Signet Sealing Method?"
"What an exquisite and ingenious sealing technique. Without knowing the exact method, removing it would be next to impossible."
"If someone attempts to destroy this seal by force, it will only trigger the explosive power of the Ryumyaku Chakra Control beneath it!"
"Truly impressive, Fourth Hokage!"
"He was the only one who ever mastered my Flying Thunder God Technique."
Tobirama murmured as he inspected the seal, clearly impressed.
What an extraordinary ninja.
If only he hadn't died so young.
His accomplishments might've even rivaled mine—or Elder Brother's!
"Tsk! That fool, Hashirama, and Danzo..."
"How many promising young ninjas have they ruined?"
Tobirama inwardly cursed again, nearly itching to beat Danzo senseless.
However, bigger things were at stake.
He quickly composed himself and turned back to the task at hand.
"You four, go set up secret barriers around the perimeter."
"And you, the remaining one—guard the entrance. Don't let anyone inside!"
Tobirama swiftly issued his orders.
"Yes sir!"
Five Konoha ninja received their orders and immediately sprang into action.
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