For Hiruzen Sarutobi, what Konoha needed now was stability, not unstable factors.
Unfortunately, the existence of Anbu was necessary, and Hiruzen Sarutobi did not have the resolve to completely eliminate it.
Soon, in response to the Mist Ninja Village's interrogation, Konoha Village retaliated, not only denying that Kinoshita Yoshiro was killed by Konoha but also questioning why the Mist Ninja Village's Ninja attacked Konoha's Ninja.
It must be said that Homura Mitokado and Utatane Koharu were completely adept at handling this matter, turning the unfavorable factors around in an instant.
For some reason, the Mist Ninja Village showed a very strong attitude this time, and for a time, the two great Ninja Villages started a war of words.
Any movement by the Five Great Shinobi Countries would attract the attention of the entire Ninja World, and the confrontation between Kirigakure and Konoha naturally drew the attention of most forces in the Ninja World.
Although the specific details were unclear to many forces and Ninja Villages, judging from the bounties issued by the Mist Ninja Village some time ago and its current strong attitude, it seemed that Konoha was the beneficiary in this matter.
What made many Ninja Villages and forces curious was what kind of intelligence Konoha had obtained from Kinoshita Yoshiro.
Konoha naturally could not defend against the speculations of other Ninja Villages; admitting or denying this matter would not benefit Konoha at all, so they could only swallow this loss.
At the same time, a large number of Anbu members began to investigate whether other Ninja Villages, besides Kirigakure, had shown any recent activity. Who dared to scheme against Konoha!
However, if the direction of the investigation was wrong from the beginning, then no matter how much time was spent, nothing important would be found.
— — — —
In the boundless desert, sand and dust danced. Compared to Konoha's fertile land, this place could be described as harsh.
Located in a hidden spot on a sand dune.
Surging golden sand fell from the sky, covering everything.
A large amount of fresh blood dripped, staining the sand below a bloody red.
Fourth Kazekage Rasa lowered his head, looking at the kusanagi sword that had pierced through his back. His eyes showed disbelief and unwillingness as he completely collapsed to the ground.
"Cough…"
Orochimaru couldn't help but cough, blood gushing from his mouth as if it were worthless, splattering his grey-white robe with countless plum-blossom-sized bloodstains.
Licking the blood from his mouth with his crimson tongue, Orochimaru casually pulled the kusanagi sword out of Rasa's body, not even sparing a glance at Rasa's corpse.
Dead people did not need attention.
"Is my body reaching its limit again?"
Orochimaru muttered to himself, unconcerned by his injuries.
Reaching out and taking the Kazekage hat from Rasa's head, Orochimaru placed it on his own head and turned to leave.
"Kirigakure's movements are truly fast. As expected of Ninja from the old era, they haven't shown the slightest sign of a slip-up even now."
A faint, indistinct voice came from Orochimaru's mouth, lost in the wind and sand.
— — — —
In a slightly dark cave.
A giant humanoid Demonic Statue of the Outer Path sat on the ground. Although it was only sitting, it was still dozens of meters tall.
The giant statue had nine eyes on its head, but they were all tightly closed now.
Behind the statue, there were dozens of pillar-like structures, as if broken.
Its entire body appeared like withered wood, but anyone could feel the powerful life force contained within it.
"So far, the plan is proceeding smoothly. The first phase has been completed."
"The second phase of the plan can now begin."
A cold, emotionless voice echoed throughout the empty cave.
Pain stood on top of the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, his gaze expressionlessly fixed on the various Akatsuki members standing on the statue's fingertips.
Except for Zetsu and Konan, who stood near Pain, all other Akatsuki members appeared as ethereal projections on the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path's fingers.
Clearly, this was a special secret technique.
"This boring life is finally coming to an end. Lord Jashin is already impatient, waiting for my sacrifice!"
"Ah! Kakuzu, aren't you also impatient?!"
A man with slicked-back grey hair and light blue pupils spoke excitedly.
"Shut up!"
Kakuzu said coldly without looking up.
Although the other Akatsuki members appeared as projections, aside from Hidan's excitement, everyone else had an indifferent expression.
Finding that no one but Kakuzu paid him any mind, Hidan showed a bored expression.
"Uchiha Itachi, Kisame Hoshigaki, during this time, both of you pay attention to the matters between the Mist Ninja Village and Konoha Village. If necessary, you can intervene."
Pain turned his head indifferently, looking towards Uchiha Itachi and Kisame Hoshigaki.
Pain was very interested in anything that could weaken the Five Great Shinobi Countries.
Uchiha Itachi nodded coldly, not speaking.
On the other side, Kisame Hoshigaki's projection made a gesture of raising his hand, clearly indicating that his real body was holding the Great Sword Samehada.
— — — —
An island located some distance from the Mist Ninja Village.
Yūto walked leisurely on this island, casually surveying his surroundings.
This place belonged to the Land of Water, naturally under the jurisdiction of the Mist Ninja Village.
Before long, Yūto had reached the center of the island.
This was a large lake, and the water was quite clear. Looking up, one could see fish and shrimp swimming on the surface.
This was definitely a good place for a vacation, but unfortunately, Yūto was not here for a vacation.
"I finally found you."
Looking at the calm lake surface, Yūto showed a faint smile on his face.
Extending his palm towards the largest lake in front of him, the Six-Tails Chakra within Yūto rapidly mobilized and began to gather towards his palm.
Red-purple Chakra appeared in the center of Yūto's palm, and in the blink of an eye, a football-sized Tailed Beast Ball formed in Yūto's hand.
With a flick of his finger towards the lake surface, the football-sized Tailed Beast Ball directly transformed into a red light and plunged into the entire lake.
Boom!
A huge roar exploded in the entire lake, raising giant waves dozens of meters high. For a moment, half of the small island seemed to be experiencing a heavy rain.
Underneath the lake.
A giant turtle covered in spikes and with three tails suddenly opened its eyes.
Six-Tails Saiken?
Feeling the Six-Tails Chakra, Three-Tails Isobu's eyes flashed with a hint of confusion, but more so with anger. Anyone whose sleep was disturbed would probably get angry.
Roar!
Three-Tails Isobu let out a loud roar, its massive body suddenly flung, and accompanied by towering waves, Three-Tails Isobu directly burst out of the lake.