Amegakure.
"Should we send a few people to Otogakure? To see if we can capture his wife and daughter, to use when we fight him..." Black Zetsu suddenly suggested to Obito and the Deva Path.
"Since we have already delivered our challenge, we should fight honorably. Our goal is to subdue Uchiha Ryun, not to become mortal enemies, locked in an endless feud. Do not mention such underhanded suggestions again in the future..."
The Deva Path coldly glanced at Black Zetsu, his words very blunt.
"It is not that easy..." The masked Obito shook his head.
Uchiha Madara had previously tried underhanded tactics against Ryun's mother. For Obito to attempt such methods now would likely not succeed.
Rather than splitting their forces on a mission with little chance of success, it was better to gather all their strength for a decisive, all out battle.
The winner would hold absolute power.
The Deva Path's arrogance greatly displeased Black Zetsu. Even though he was called underhanded, he only dared to be angry, not to speak out...
'Just you wait, you pawn meant for Madara's revival... you will soon lose your value!' Black Zetsu thought venomously in his heart.
The power of the Rinnegan's Outer Path was almost fully awakened. Nagato's death was approaching.
One hour later, the members of the Akatsuki gradually exited the tower and assembled in an open area. Behind them, three thousand shinobi stood in orderly ranks.
This was Amegakure's final military force. Nagato was betting everything this time. He aimed to defeat Uchiha Ryun head on, and also to simultaneously crush Orochimaru's Otogakure forces, securing final victory in the war between the Land of Rice and Amegakure.
"Win this battle, and Amegakure will become the center of the world. The Akatsuki's conquest will face no further obstacles."
The Deva Path stood at the forefront of the crowd. All Akatsuki members stood shoulder to shoulder with him. The rising sun's light happened to shine upon them. To Nagato, this 'Dawn of the Akatsuki' scene was an excellent omen. It reminded him of the moment when Yahiko first named the organization 'Akatsuki'.
"Move out!"
The Deva Path shouted. The three thousand Rain ninja shouted back in unison the next moment, their momentum quite impressive.
Half a day later.
The three thousand shinobi were positioned on the outskirts of Sunset Valley, ready for battle at any moment. All members of the Akatsuki stepped into the central area of Sunset Valley first.
"What is going on? Why is it so quiet on Otogakure's side? Have they not arrived yet?" The youngest, Deidara, unable to contain himself, could not help but ask.
"They are here..." Black Zetsu spoke with a grave expression.
As his words fell, the Akatsuki members all stopped their advance and looked towards the two figures on the horizon.
"Uchiha Ryun and Orochimaru..." The Deva Path's face showed unprecedented gravity.
Among all the Akatsuki members, only he fully understood how terrifying Ryun's power was.
"No. It seems it is only Uchiha Ryun..." Uchiha Itachi's serious voice quietly sounded.
Orochimaru ultimately stopped in the distance and did not approach. Only Uchiha Ryun's footsteps continued unabated.
"Such composed footsteps, such calm demeanor, and... a terrifying, oppressive force so powerful it makes one's heart tremble!" Kisame Hoshigaki had layers of cold sweat on his forehead, yet wore a strange smile.
Ryun's figure had not yet drawn close, but a heart palpitating, dreadful aura, carried by a fierce wind, swept over them, causing the robes of all the Akatsuki members to flap violently.
"Heh... Is Kisame scared? And you, Deidara, why is your body shaking so much? Don't tell me you've wet your pants..." Kakuzu took the opportunity to mock his juniors.
"Haha..."
Deidara, hearing this, was not angry but instead laughed, his laughter carrying a hint of madness. "This body is excited! I am about to slay a god! Can you understand this excitement, old man Kakuzu?"
"Don't charge too fast later. You look like you will die early..." Sasori of the Red Sand glanced at him and spoke coldly.
"Don't look down on me, Master Sasori! I will show you what true art is later! Hmm!" Deidara's gaze fixed firmly on the figure ahead.
"In another hundred paces, we will enter the attack range of his Sharingan ocular jutsu. At that time, do not look into his eyes. Otherwise... you will bear the consequences yourself."
Uchiha Itachi, based on the intelligence he possessed, gave a solemn warning.
Kisame Hoshigaki and Deidara both involuntarily swallowed upon hearing this.
'This guy Uchiha Itachi, despite being so powerful himself, is actually this wary of that guy...' Deidara thought with inner shock, suddenly feeling the muscles in his body tremble even more violently.
"Huh? Where did that guy Tobi go? He was clearly with us before. How did he disappear in the blink of an eye?"
Hidan suddenly noticed one person was missing from the group and looked around, searching for the masked Tobi.
"Could he have deserted..."
When Hidan mentioned the word 'deserted', Uchiha Itachi subconsciously clenched his fist. The word reminded him of his brother Shisui. Everyone in Konoha called him a coward who deserted.
Although everything was ultimately Uchiha Shisui's own fault, in Uchiha Itachi's heart, it was also inextricably linked to the man opposite them.
'Everyone says you possess the power to pacify the chaotic world, yet you watched coldly as your own nation and village were besieged by four countries. You saw the Third Great Shinobi War nearing its end, yet at the final moment, you launched a war against Amegakure, reigniting the flames of the Third War. Do you truly turn a blind eye to peace? Why are you so cold blooded and ruthless...'
Uchiha Itachi asked these questions incessantly in his heart, his gaze towards Ryun inevitably carrying resentment.
"Do not worry about him. He would not desert..." The Deva Path explained calmly.
Looking at that figure whose mere presence commanded authority, Kakuzu unconsciously compared the two strongest individuals who bore the title of 'God'. "Setting aside allegiances, this guy's demeanor and imposing aura far surpass that of the former God of Shinobi."
One day ago, he had asked Ryun if he wanted them to temporarily 'turn traitor' during the decisive battle, to heavily injure Akatsuki members or the leader. But Ryun's reply to them was.
There is no need to deliberately hold back or betray them during the fight. I will shatter the Akatsuki's pride openly and honorably. Your role will be after the battle ends.
When they received this reply, Kakuzu and the other two were surprised, but they had to admire Ryun's courage and magnanimity.
But thinking about it carefully, it was understandable. After all, he was the renowned Illusory Sun Dragon God of the shinobi world. Naturally, he would disdain such underhanded dealings.
Even though Kakuzu's words were 'boosting the enemy's morale', the others had no time to refute his statement. Because Uchiha Ryun was now standing right in front of them.
At this moment, apart from the Deva Path and Uchiha Itachi, who dared to look directly into Ryun's eyes, everyone else instinctively lowered their gaze, afraid they might accidentally fall victim to his Sharingan ocular jutsu.
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