~ Support & Read 10 Advanced Chapters on My Patreon!

  <><><><>

  A kunai, tipped with an explosive tag, pierced the air, detonating with a resounding boom. The battle for the three border towns of the Land of Lightning had begun.

  Though called a "battle," the initial exge sisted of a few desultory volleys of shuriken and explosive tags before falling into a teandoff.

  Following Gojo Kaigetsu's instrus, Hyuga Hiashi uood the objective—a war of attrition. There was no need for a direct frontation with Kumogakure.

  Under his and, the five hundred Konoha ninja deployed Shadow e Jutsu.

  They stood there, a silent, menag presence.

  Each ight only st a few moments before dissipating, but the visual impact was undeniable.

  ...

  ...

  Kumogakure's scouts, seeing this, immediately reyed the intel:

  "It's—bad! Thousands of Konoha ninja! At least—three thousand!"

  "We o—resider our strategy. Otherwise—we'll be annihited!"

  The news reached the Raikage Tower, sparking a heated debate.

  "Three thousand? Are they mad?! Doesn't Konoha fear retaliation from Iwagakure and Sunagakure?"

  These were Konoha's elite forces. Three thousand—If Kumogakure's intelligence wasn't pletely promised, their owimates pced Konoha's total elite force at around five thousand.

  To deploy three thousand against Kumogakure—it was a signifit itment.

  But it seemed Konoha didn't io escate. They'd simply occupied the three border towns, their forces a menag prese Kumogakure's doorstep.

  But this was Kumogakure's territory. They could simply—overwhelm them with sheer numbers. Or send Killer B to unleash a Tailed Beast Bomb. How could Konoha possibly defend against that?

  Of course, a Tailed Beast Bomb was a st resort. In the shinobi world, there was an unspoken rule: the vilge with the stroailed Beast wouldn't use it first.

  Between Konoha and Kumogakure, this meant, "They won't unleash the ails unless we unleash the Eight-Tails." A delicate bance of power, a mutual deterrent.

  "A! How long will you tolerate this?! Mobilize our forces! Attack!"

  "What was the point of sending all those supplies to the southerories?!" Elder Arai smmed his fist oable in frustration.

  It wasn't just about the vilge. His 's business depended on trade. With Konoha blog Kumogakure's access, their profits had been halved.

  This was—uable.

  A, uncharacteristically calm, replied, "As Raikage, I am responsible for our ninja's lives. We need a pn, a way to eliminate Konoha with minimal losses. We 't act rashly."

  "And—mobilizing our forces requires—funds. The Raikage Tower's coffers are—empty. We 't afford to—iivize our ninja."

  "..." The meeting room erupted in arguments.

  A's stance was clear. No a. He'd tio drain the s' resources. As long as Hiashi Hyuga's forces remai the border, the "wartime Raikage" buff remained active.

  And when the peace treaty was signed, he'd use this as a pretext to accuse Hyuga Hiashi of war crimes, f Konoha to hand over a pair of Byakugan.

  A win-win. For Kumogakure.

  The elders, though frustrated, were powerless. The younger members, however, were relieved. The Raikage clearly didn't want to risk their lives in a meaningless flict.

  The "war" tinued, a stalemate.

  ...

  ...

  Konoha's explosive tags had awakehe ninja world.

  News of their atta the Land of Lightning and the Kumogakure Co-Prosperity Sphere spread like wildfire.

  Even the Akatsuki was alerted.

  Kakuzu, his face grim, arrived at the underground exge in Kusagakure, holding an intel report.

  "The t who issued this bounty is dead. How do we proceed?"

  He was—displeased. He'd already chosen his hunting grounds in Kusagakure, targeting the Konoha ninja statiohere.

  The time, the pce, the targets—everything was in pce. He could easily elimihem and collect the billion ryō bounty.

  And now…

  Elder Advisor, the t, was dead, assassinated.

  Should he even bother? Kakuzu didn't do—charity work.

  "One moment, Kakuzu-sama. I'll tact Victor." The exge manager hurried to the back.

  He returned shortly. "The t had already deposited a partial payment, enough for one of the bounties. Due to his—untimely demise, the remaining funds are unavaible. His instrus were to prioritize the assassination of a high-ranking Konoha official. Therefore, the other bounty—the oargeting Konoha ninja on missions—is celled."

  Kakuzu clicked his tongue in annoyance, sending a tendril of bck chakra towards the manager. "ime—collect the full payment before issuing the bounty. If this happens again—I'll—redecorate this establishment."

  "Y-yes, Kakuzu-sama."

  Kakuzu retracted his chakra and turo leave, muttering, "So, only one bounty remains. 1.1 billiojo Kaigetsu, is it?"

  Sasori and Bck Zetsu were waiting. "Kakuzu, what did they say?"

  "Let's go. The Konoha-Suna Trade Route ceremony—it should be starting soon."

  "Two days."

  "We might enter Suna ninja. Sasori, you—hahat?"

  "I'll do what's necessary," Sasori's voice, filtered through Hiruko, echoed.

  Kakuzu g him but said nothing more.

  In a way, they were simir. Both had transformed themselves into—monsters in their pursuit of immortality.

  Sasori sought to create the perfect puppet, while Kakuzu—he believed only in money.

  "You promised new recruits. Where are they? Sasori and I 't do everything ourselves. It's—tiring," Kakuzu pio Bck Zetsu.

  "Disrupting an alliance ceremony, assassinating vilge leaders—we ha, but it's—risky."

  "Don't worry, Kakuzu. I'm w on it. The new recruits—they'll join after this mission."

  "Always 'after this mission.' What happened?"

  "It's—plicated. There have been—unforeseen circumstances."

  Orochimaru, Kisame Hoshigaki, Danzo Shimura—they'd all been potential recruits.

  And that idiot, Uchiha Obito. After tless warnings, he'd still goo Konoha alone, failed to kill his target, and gotten himself captured.

  "Have you—made arras in the Land of Wind?"

  "Of course. I've spoken to the elder in charge of their military. He'll—facilitate our operation. Ohe Fourth Kazekage is eliminated, he'll bee the Fifth. And to secure his position, he'll need our—services."

  "Excellent. So, how do we divide the targets?"

  "Sasori will hahe Fourth Kazekage and any Konoha ninja who interfere. Kakuzu, you'll take Gojo Kaigetsu and his guards. This time, we're ending this quickly," Bck Zetsu emphasized. "Konoha's defenses are at their weakest. Fugaku Uchiha and Hyuga Hiashi, along with a signifit portion of Konoha's forces, are currently in the Land of Lightning. Gojo Kaigetsu's escort won't be—substantial. And I'll be monit the situation."

  "This is the perfect opportunity. There's no ce of failure." Bck Zetsu's voice was filled with fidence.

  He'd learned from his past mistakes. To avoid further losses, he'd be personally the situation, dispatg es to track Minato, Fugaku, Tsunade, Jiraiya, and even the missing Orochimaru. If any of them appeared, the operation would be aborted.

  As for the "Avengers Initiative" mentioned by the Konoha Times—he dismissed them as another Anbu or Root unit.

  No matter how many came, they'd be no match for Sasori and Kakuzu.

  There was no way this mission could fail. No way.

  He envisiohe sariojo Kaigetsu, a crucial figure in Konoha, would be eliminated, f the Fourth Hokage to iigate. He'd then subtly point the fi Iwagakure.

  Uchiha Fugaku and Hyuga Hiashi, along with their forces, would csh with Kumogakure. Minato Namikaze, leading the Avengers, would target Iwagakure.

  He'd then manipute Baki into being the Fifth Kazekage. And Baki, a warmonger, wouldn't miss the ce to attack Konoha, creating a third front.

  And on that front—he'd pce Hiruzen Sarutobi.

  Three vilges against Konoha.

  As for Kirigakure—their Seven Ninja Swordsmen were goheir Tailed Beast missing, their bloodline limit s decimated. They were now Konoha's puppets.

  They wouldn't participate.

  Bck Zetsu, heartless as he was, didn't uand humaions.

  But he knew how he felt—exhirated.

  A mere pawn, maniputing the ninja world. A single death, a spark that would ighe p. And then—the Akatsuki's true mission would begin.

  He began to pn.

  With three vilges at war with Konoha—it would be the perfect opportunity to capture the Tailed Beasts.

  The Oail, Shukaku, the weakest, sealed within Bunpuku of Sunagakure. Easily captured.

  The Two-Tails, Matatabi, sealed within Yugito Nii, currently hidden by Konoha. He'd deal with her and the ails ter.

  The Three-Tails, Isobu, missing, its previous jinchuriki presumed dead. He'd locate and capture it.

  The Four-Tails, Son Gokū, sealed within Rōshi of Iwagakure. Easily captured.

  The Five-Tails, Kokuō, sealed within Han. Also easily captured.

  The Six-Tails, Saiken, sealed within Utakata, a missing-nin from Kirigakure. He'd track him down.

  The Seven-Tails, Chōmei, sealed within Fū, a—distant acquaintance of Kakuzu. Though powerful, she wouldn't be difficult to capture.

  'The Eight-Tails, Gyūki, and the ails, Kurama—those will be more challenging.'

  Only Nagato could hahem.

  The odds of success against Kurama were—abysmal.

  The more he thought about it, the more plicated it seemed. Gathering the Tailed Beasts was just the first step.

  To revive his mother, he needed:

  The Rinnegan (check).

  The Rinne Sharingan.

  The chakra of all ailed Beasts.

  Most of the ninja world's chakra.

  The Demonic Statue of the Outer Path (easily summoned).

  And Kaguya's will (that was him).

  The most challenging part was gathering the chakra, which required the Infisukuyomi and the God Tree's arrival.

  And Nagato wasn't cooperating.

  Only Madara or Obito could do it. But they were both dead. He'd have to use the Edo Teo summohen manipute Nagato into using the Samsara of Heavenly Life to revive them.

  And then, he'd retrieve Nagato's Rinnegaurning it to its rightful owner.

  The problem was—without Obito, Nagato was—uable. What if, after he was weakened or killed, the Allied Shinobi Forces seized the Rinnegan?

  Bck Zetsu had a pn.

  [During the three-vilge siege on Konoha, use Hiruko's imperfect Edo Teo summon powerful ninja. Then, with the Akatsuki's full force, capture the Tailed Beasts.]

  [When the Eight and ails are captured, the other vilges will realize the threat and unite against Nagato. Then, with Nagato weakened, I'll take trol and use him to revive Uchiha Madara.]

  [Madara will crush the Allied Shinobi Forces, and then—I'll strike, and Mother will be reborn.]

  The pn hinged on two things: Hiruko perfeg the Edo Tensei and Nagato's cooperation.

  As for how to ensure Hiruko's pliance—maniputing people wasn't difficult, even for a heartless entity like him. And as for bypassing Konan—he had the Mayfly Teique.

  If that failed, he'd use the Edo Teo summon Obito and use his Kamui against her.

  Perfect.

  Bck Zetsu's lips curled into a sinister smile as he sank into the earth.

  …

  …

  "I'm attending the Konoha-Suna Trade Route pletion ceremony tomorrow. Minato, I have a bad feeling about this," Gojo Kaigetsu said, his voice tinged with—mock .

  "It—shouldn't be a problem." Minato set down his paperwork. "Though Sunagakure is currently allied with Kumogakure, with the trade route's pletion, and rowing eic ties…"

  "They wouldn't risk jeopardizing that, would they?"

  "I'm not worried about Sunagakure. I'm worried about—those who killed Danzo."

  Gojo Kaigetsu stood up. "The Avengers Initiative—it's time for them to—make their debut."

  "So, you want them to—apany you to the ceremony and—wait for an ambush?"

  "No. The enemy has a powerful sensory ninja, perhaps even strohan the Byakugan. They'd be detected."

  Minato frowned, w how Gojo Kaigetsu khis. "Then—have them on standby, ready to provide support?"

  "Not quite."

  Gojo Kaigetsu tapped his covered eye. "It's—the eye."

  "The eye?" Minato's fusion deepened, but Gojo Kaigetsu, waving his hand dismissively, left without further expnation.

  Back at his residence, Gojo Kaigetsu retrieved the tainer holding the left Kamui Sharingan.

  He'd initially po return it to Kakashi.

  But this mission—it was too important. With Kakashi's current chakra reserves, he wouldn't be able to use Kamui effectively.

  He'd entrust it to someone more—suitable.

  "Tsunade! e here!"

  The sounds of pots and pans g echoed from the kit. Even Tsunade had been—inspired to try cooking.

  She emerged, her face flushed.

  "It's not even quitting time. Why are you back?" she asked, untying her apron.

  "I need you, Tsuhis—s our future—whether the vilgers of Konoha will live in a basin or on a pin…"

  "What are you talking about?"

  Tsuared at him, surprised. She'd never seen him so serious. And his words—what did they even mean?

  "It's time for you to return to active duty, my Captain Konoha."

  "Are there—enemies?"

  Tsunade's demeanor shifted, her expression turning serious.

  She'd promised to protect him. If ahreatened him, she'd fight.

  The world seemed to have fotten the Legendary Sannin. They didn't know her true power.

  She'd remind them.

  "Yes. They might attack during my trip to the ceremony, during the ceremony itself, or on my way back…"

  "But I 't bring you all with me. The enemy has exceptional sensory abilities. You'd be detected."

  "Then—what should we do?" Tsunade frowned. bat, she excelled at. But stealth? That wasn't her forte.

  "Tsunade, do you—love me?"

  "What?" She froze, her heart pounding.

  Gojo Kaigetsu produced a small, wooden box.

  Tsunade's gaze was fixed on it. Ninja ws when they married. Was he—proposing?

  Her legs felt weak, her body trembling.

  He opehe box.

  An eye.

  A single Sharingan, radiating a sinister energy.

  Tsuared at him, her expression shifting from anticipation to—something colder.

  "Will you—wear this for me, Tsunade?"

  Her face darkened. She punched him i.

  After a—moment of—intense—iation, they y on the sofa, side-by-side, staring at the Sharingan.

  "Expin yourself. Why do you have a Sharingan?" Tsunade's grip on his—future—tightened.

  If his answer was satisfactory, perhaps—she'd be gentle. If not…

  She was devoted to him, but only if he remained—a det human being.

  If he'd resorted to—stealing an Uchiha's eye for his own safety, she'd be deeply disappointed.

  She'd seen this before, with her grandfather and Madara Uchiha. To sacrifiother for one's own safety—that was unfivable.

  "It's—not just a Sharingan. It's a Mangekyō Sharingan," Gojo Kaigetsu said quickly.

  "A Mangekyō? Like Fugaku's?"

  "Yes—but not his. Fugaku knows about this. It's—the Uchiha 's st resort. He's lending it to us—for my prote."

  Tsunade's grip loosened, her expression softening.

  If it was a gift from the Uchiha—then perhaps—he still valued friendship and loyalty.

  "Will it allow me to use Susanoo? I doubt I'm weaker than that…" She flexed her fist, fident in her Monstrous Strength.

  If a normal punch couldn't break Susanoo, she'd use a serious punch. And if that failed, a—special punch.

  "It's not about Susanoo."

  "This eye's power is…"

  "A different dimension reflected in the eye; a dazzling space-time ocur jutsu."

  "Expin it clearly."

  "With enough chakra, it teleport ao a separate dimension, uable by any sensory jutsu. Even yourself."

  Tsunade sidered this. How many Avengers were there?

  Deadpool, an, The Deep, Bzing Fury, Professor Paradox, and Captain Konoha. Six in total.

  Kamui pced a heavy burden on the body. Even Kakashi, at his peak, could only use it a few times before colpsing. The chakra cost depended oarget's size and chakra reserves…

  Only Tsunade, with her Senju bloodline and Yin Seal's massive chakra reserves, could ha.

  "Are you sure this will work?"

  She picked up the Sharingan. As a mediin, she wasn't squeamish about eye transpnts.

  It would be over in a blink.

  And fojo Kaigetsu's safety, she'd do it.

  "Try it."

  Tsunade imphe eye. Thanks to her Senju stitution, she felt no disfort.

  The sickle-shaped Mangekyō Sharingan spun in her eye socket.

  She instinctively activated Kamui, targeting—a specific part of Gojo Kaigetsu's anatomy.

  "Wait! Stop! Not there! You 't teleport that! It'll—break!" Gojo Kaigetsu shrieked in terror.

  <><><><>

  Support & Read 10 Advanced Chapters. Ahead of the rest!

  https://p-atreon./dragonnx

  (Just remove the hyphen to access Patreon normally.)

  There is 8 Exg Fanfics already avaible on my Patreon!