That night, every time Obito wiped out a logistics base, he left behind a symbol, a North Star carved into the ground outside.
It wasn't something that existed in this world.
The moon had been created by the Sage of Six Paths, and the stars above bore no resemblance to the constellations of his past life.
Still, this was the emblem he chose, one commonly used in the navigation charts of Europe and America back then.
Now, it was his mark.
Leaving the sign wasn't just for show. If the Cloud shinobi didn't even know who struck them, how could they make an example of it? How could they stop others from daring the same?
As for the military supplies he plundered from the Cloud… would they still have the nerve to fight Konoha after that?
Obito didn't care.
Originally, his plan was simple: fan the flames, sit back, and watch the two villages tear each other apart. But then Cloud made the mistake of robbing him.
As a reincarnator with a flexible bottom line and a proud master of double standards, there was only one rule he lived by:
He robbed others.
Others did not rob him.
The very thought made his blood boil.
Whether Cloud and Konoha fought now or later didn't matter.
There would be plenty of chances to weaken them both in the future. For now, Cloud would pay for daring to touch what was his.
By the time the fifth logistics base went up in flames, Obito stood before the raging fire, his voice calm but carrying a cold edge.
"The next target is Cloud Village itself. Are you afraid?"
That was right. His next destination was none other than Kumogakure, the Cloud's stronghold.
Destroying a few supply points wasn't enough. They had robbed him, killed his people. For that, he'd strip their treasures bare, starting with their ninjutsu library.
And there was something else that piqued his curiosity, the Chakra Cannon. Had the Cloud already begun developing it? He intended to find out.
At his words, the two women behind him exchanged calm looks before shaking their heads.
"Afraid? Why would we be afraid?" Terumi Mei smiled faintly. "I trust you won't let us walk blindly into danger, won't you, Madara-sama?"
"As long as we don't end up surrounded by the Raikage and the Jinchūriki, everything else is manageable," Pakura added, her tone steady.
Obito studied their composed expressions and nodded with satisfaction.
"Good. Don't worry... Raikage and the Jinchūriki are mine to deal with."
"Then there's nothing left to fear." Pakura's lips curved into a small, confident smile.
"In that case, rest for a day. Tomorrow, we head straight for Cloud Village." Obito turned, his Sharingan glowing with menace.
By dawn, when the sky had fully brightened, the Cloud's transport team finally arrived at the logistics base only to freeze at the sight of smoking ruins.
Confusion flickered across their faces, quickly replaced by shock. The leader's expression darkened as he rushed to make his report.
A few hours later, the truth spread through Kumogakure.
Their logistics bases had been annihilated.
"Damn it!"
Bang!
Another desk in the Raikage's office met its end beneath a furious fist.
"The Polaris Chamber of Commerce… how dare they attack our bases?!"
Veins bulged across the Fourth Raikage's forehead as his roar shook the room. He slammed his fist down again and barked:
"Gather my men! I'll march into the Land of Snow myself if I have to!"
His blazing eyes landed on the North Star insignia painted on a recovered scroll, the mark left at every destroyed site.
"Lord Raikage, please wait!"
Dodai quickly stepped forward, his tone firm but cautious.
"According to reports, while the bases were heavily burned, our people recovered certain traces. Outside one site, we discovered numerous dried corpses."
"This suggests one of the attackers used Scorch Release—the kekkei genkai of the Sand."
Raikage's eyes narrowed.
Dodai continued:
"But according to our information, Pakura of Sunagakure, the Scorch Release kunoichi was killed a long time ago."
He raised a finger, frowning deeply.
"That means one of two things: either a new Scorch Release user has appeared, or… Pakura faked her death and has now allied with the Land of Snow."
Raikage clenched his teeth, his temper flaring hotter, but Dodai pressed on:
"Furthermore, we detected traces of highly corrosive acid at the scene. Combined with the information we've gathered, this points toward the Terumi clan of Kirigakure. Rumor has it that the clan defected, vanishing from Mist years ago."
Dodai adjusted his glasses, voice steady but grave.
"That person is likely Terumi Mei, once regarded as a rising genius of the Mist. If both she and Pakura have been recruited... even the Terumi clan itself."
"Then the Polaris Chamber of Commerce must have direct ties to the Snow's leadership or perhaps the Chamber itself was founded by them."
He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in.
"Even more troubling...Kirigakure hasn't made a single move to hunt down the Terumi clan. This alone shows that the Land of Snow is far from ordinary."
"Hmph!" Raikage snorted, dismissing Dodai's analysis with a wave of his massive arm.
"What of it? Terumi Mei, Pakura of the Scorch Release, they are nothing before my power! Kumogakure does not cower before two wayward kunoichi!"
He leaned forward, his voice like thunder.
"The Land of Snow is a minor nation. If they dare attack us, and we let it go unpunished, then where is the pride of the Cloud?!"
Dodai, unfazed, sighed quietly before pressing again.
"Lord Raikage, until recently the Land of Snow was insignificant, yes. But in the past two years, they've risen sharply, controlling trade, shipping, and commerce. Their wealth and influence have grown faster than expected."
He lowered his voice, cautious but insistent.
"Right now, we lack proper information on their true strength. Moving recklessly could expose us to a trap. It would be unwise to act impulsively."
Just as Raikage's fury threatened to boil over again, Dodai shifted the topic with steady composure.
"Lord Raikage, our top priority is still the frontline."
He spoke with deliberate weight, forcing the Raikage to focus.
"Now that our supplies have been looted, the troops at the front can't continue fighting. And we still have an ongoing mission in Konoha. For the moment, we must put the Land of Snow aside."
He bowed slightly.
"Please, make a decision quickly."
Dodai had served since the reign of the Third Raikage. A strategist with a sharp mind, he understood priorities better than most and never let emotions cloud judgment.
"Damn it!"
Raikage Ai's roar shook the office again, but after a long silence he forced his breathing steady. Slowly, his massive shoulders relaxed.
"…Dodai. What do you propose we do now?"
Dodai closed his eyes briefly, thinking, then spoke firmly.
"First, block the information. The news of our destroyed supply lines must not spread otherwise panic will erupt.
"Second, dispatch search teams across the Land of Lightning to trace the attackers. We cannot allow them to rampage freely."
"Third, recall the frontline troops. Continuing the war in this state will only lead to further defeat. After so many years of conflict, and after the losses we suffered just last night, we cannot sustain this any longer."
"Lastly Konoha. We can't delay. Before they have time to adjust, order our envoys to abandon the mission and recognize a peace agreement. The sooner we withdraw, the more we preserve our strength."
Every word was designed to preserve the Cloud's foundation and ensure its survival.
Raikage Ai clenched his fists until his knuckles cracked, unwillingness burning in his eyes. But in the end, he ground out the words:
"…Do as you say."
"Yes, Lord Raikage!"
Dodai let out a subtle breath of relief. For all his hot blood, the Raikage could still listen to reason. That alone was enough to keep the village from ruin.
But Ai wasn't finished. His voice rumbled like distant thunder:
"In addition, send agents to infiltrate the Land of Snow. I want to know everything about that country. When matters with Konoha are settled..."
He slammed his fist into his palm, eyes flashing with rage.
"I'll personally show them what it means to anger the Cloud!"
The room trembled with his vow. For Raikage Ai, it wasn't just about strategy anymore...it was about pride.
"…This… Yes!"
Dodai bowed his head in acceptance.
It wasn't something that needed to be decided immediately. For now, gathering info on the Land of Snow would suffice.
Raikage returned to his desk, his anger still simmering beneath the surface. One after another, new orders were relayed from his office, spreading through the village like ripples in a storm.
Meanwhile, far away in the Land of Lightning, inside a shadowed cave
Obito stood with arms folded as White Zetsu's voice echoed against the stone walls.
A faint smile tugged at Obito's lips as he listened.
Orochimaru had defected.
And not only that before leaving Konoha, the snake had infiltrated Root and abducted a certain boy.
A boy with the Mokuton.
Konoha had just lost one of its rarest assets.
Obito's Sharingan gleamed faintly in the dim light.
So… Yamato, is it?
The corners of his mouth curved upward in amusement.
To follow Orochimaru… I wonder what kind of monster you'll become.
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