Capital of Birds.
The former capital of the Land of Birds. Although it was conquered by the Yellow Turban Army, it burst forth with new vitality after the removal of the Daimyo and the nobles, becoming the most prosperous place in the Land of Birds.
Most importantly, it is only twenty kilometers away from the headquarters of the Evil God Cult. Everyone going to pay their respects or worship stays here.
At this moment, Aoki Yoru was wandering the streets holding an ice cream, showing no sign of the tension preceding a major battle.
"Not bad; at least the people here have light in their eyes."
The last time he came here, he saw a scene of deathly stillness, just like the capitals of other small nations. The eyes of the common people weren't like they were now; there was no luster at all, only numbness and fear, as if they lived only to draw their last breaths.
Now, their eyes no longer held only numbness and fear; instead, they were filled with anticipation for tomorrow. Some laughed while greeting neighbors, others carefully selected goods at stalls, and even the air was filled with the relaxed atmosphere of daily life.
"I hope it won't be destroyed by the flames of war."
He didn't know what arrangements his clone had made. If they retreated directly, everything would return to its original state.
The current hope would then become a mere illusion.
At that moment, Aoki Yoru, who had been looking relaxed, narrowed his eyes. He hadn't expected to encounter them here.
He saw the Hidden Cloud Village's Eight-Tails Jinchuriki, Killer Bee, and the Storm Release user Darui leading over a dozen Hidden Cloud Ninjas walking toward him from the opposite side.
Moreover, Darui's arm appeared perfectly intact.
However, with Aoki Yoru's spiritual power, he could tell at a glance that it was a mechanical arm. Its internal structure was extremely complex; the technology in this arm was quite advanced.
Of course, Aoki Yoru didn't think the Hidden Cloud Village was incapable of making it; in the original story, that Chakra Cannon could destroy meteors.
Even if Uchiha Madara came over, he would have to take a couple of hits.
At this time, Killer Bee was holding a pen and paper, writing lyrics while keeping a beat, humming an improvised rap under his breath.
Suddenly, he froze upon receiving a warning from the Eight-Tails within him. He put away his pen and paper, his expression instantly turning serious as he looked up at the smiling Aoki Yoru across from him.
"Hey, Lord Killer Bee, why did you stop..."
Darui, who had asked out of curiosity, followed Killer Bee's gaze, and his face immediately darkened.
He subconsciously touched his right arm, killing intent erupting in his eyes.
Killer Bee beside him was the same; the aura on his body grew more intense, and his singing, dancing, and rapping demeanor completely vanished.
Omoi and Karui were the disciples he was most proud of, yet they had died at Aoki Yoru's hands.
He had gone to seek revenge for them, but he hadn't expected to fail as well.
He had allowed a brat like Aoki Yoru to step over him to gain immense fame and earn the title—thunder prison kirin.
And he, the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki Killer Bee, became the laughingstock of the entire Ninja World for being defeated by a kid.
Even that old fellow Ōnoki had sent a letter saying the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki could come to Iwagakure for further study and that he, Ōnoki, would personally teach him. This angered his Big Brother so much that he tore the letter to shreds, and even the Phoebe zhennan wood table was smashed to pieces.
At this moment, Darui already had his hand on the hilt of the sword at his waist. As long as Lord Bee gave the order, they would strike together. This time they had to take revenge, regardless of whether it was an 'un-martial' group attack.
Killer Bee suddenly took a deep breath and placed a hand on Darui's shoulder. "Now is not the time. Big Brother said not to let this mission be sidetracked by unnecessary trouble."
Seeing Killer Bee's decision, Darui could only helplessly release the sword hilt. Since it was Lord Bee's decision, he would obey unconditionally.
Aoki Yoru didn't stop his pace, continuing to walk forward along the street.
Killer Bee's group didn't stop either, walking head-on toward Aoki Yoru's direction.
The two groups drew closer and closer, step by step, in the middle of the street.
"Consider yourself lucky this time. Next time we meet, your head won't be staying on your shoulders."
As he brushed past Aoki Yoru, Darui threw out a harsh threat.
Aoki Yoru looked at him with a half-smile. "I hope that the next time we fight, you'll be a bit stronger."
He then ignored them and continued forward.
"That bastard, I will definitely kill him."
Killer Bee said with a serious face, "Darui, until Big Brother gives the order, do not engage him."
"Can you give me a reason?"
Darui didn't shout; he knew Killer Bee must have a reason for saying that.
Killer Bee said with a face full of wariness, "This guy's strength is not simple. You might be killed in an instant."
Just now he had wanted to strike regardless of the consequences, but Gyūki stopped him.
When facing Aoki Yoru just now, the Eight-Tails got goosebumps all over. The last time he had this feeling was when he was being thrashed by Senju Hashirama.
"Is that so? Has the gap become that large?" Darui said in a low tone.
He wouldn't doubt Killer Bee's judgment. He hadn't expected that after two years of desperately pushing himself, the gap between him and the opponent had actually widened.
"Don't worry, our Hidden Cloud Village will settle this score sooner or later. That bastard won't have it easy."
On the other side.
The Hidden Sand Village and Hidden Mist Village also entered the Capital of Birds one after another, all collecting intelligence to prepare for the upcoming battle.
In the evening, Aoki Yoru returned to the inn.
At this time, the youngsters who had gone out to collect intelligence were also returning one by one.
"Based on the summarized intelligence, the Evil God Cult hasn't mounted any fierce resistance in other areas. Instead, they've concentrated all their forces inside Jashin City."
He then looked toward the reconnaissance team. "How did the investigation of the Evil God Cult headquarters go?"
Shino adjusted his glasses and said slowly, "According to the scouting of the Parasitic Insects, there is a figure inside with very strong Chakra. It should be their leader, Zhang Jiao."
"Most of the other thousand or so people have no Chakra. Only about eighty possess Chakra, but their Chakra levels are likely inferior even to a Konoha Genin."
Neji, standing to the side, also nodded and said, "That's right. The Chakra of the person in the lead is indeed massive, even surpassing that of Asuma-sensei and Kurenai-sensei."
Everyone's eyes narrowed upon hearing this. In the Ninja World, massive Chakra meant massive power in Ninjutsu. The opponent was very likely a Kage-level powerhouse.
Then, Neji said doubtfully, "However, there is a strange Chakra in that leader's mind. According to my understanding, he should be under someone's control via Genjutsu."
As soon as Neji said this, everyone was stunned.
"What? Controlled by Genjutsu?"
Even Shikamaru felt shocked by this intelligence.
During this time, all they had heard was how powerful the Evil God Cult leader Zhang Jiao was and how he had saved the entire Land of Birds.
But now, with one sentence from Neji, all the rumors were overturned—this savior, who was praised as if he were a god, was actually just a puppet controlled by Genjutsu from start to finish?
"Phew—"
Shikamaru took a deep breath to calm his mind.
"In that case, the previous plans must be changed. There is a mastermind hidden in the shadows, and we don't know if it's a single person or an organization."
"But regardless, the mastermind's strength is even greater. If we show even the slightest slack, the entire force might be wiped out."
Then, Shikamaru spread out the map. "Now, we will reformulate our battle plan."