At the same time—
on the border of the Land of Fire.
The allied forces of Iwagakure, Kumogakure, and Otogakure were stationed there.
After deciding to besiege Konoha, the three-village alliance had advanced toward the Land of Fire at astonishing speed.
Their march was fast.
In only two days, they had reached the border.
"So… this is the Land of Fire?"
"One more step, and we'll be facing Konoha in the final battle."
"There's no way back for Iwagakure, Kumogakure, or Otogakure now. Whether we win or die, we fight Konoha head-on."
Low discussions spread through the army.
Many shinobi from Iwagakure, Kumogakure, and Otogakure stared at the lush forests of the Land of Fire with grave expressions.
They were not fools.
Of course they knew how terrifying the Fifth Hokage, Uchiha Ren, was.
But their alliance had its own trump cards.
That was the source of their confidence.
"Relax."
Perhaps sensing the heavy mood, Kitsuchi of Iwagakure spoke coldly, his face filled with confidence.
"The former Tsuchikage of Iwagakure have already been revived through Edo Tensei."
"The First and Second Tsuchikage know Konoha's ambition to unify the shinobi world. They will strike with thunderous force."
"That's right. Everyone should conserve their strength for now."
An elite jōnin from Kumogakure sneered.
"Our First Raikage, Second Raikage, Third Raikage, Kinkaku, Ginkaku, Killer B, and other powerful shinobi have also been revived."
He suddenly threw his head back and laughed.
"This time, Konoha will repay its blood debt!"
"Blood for blood!"
"Blood for blood!"
"Blood for blood!"
With someone taking the lead, the alliance shinobi quickly became excited.
Their morale surged as though victory was already in their hands.
If someone who knew nothing saw them now, they might think Iwagakure, Kumogakure, and Otogakure had already defeated Konoha and were celebrating their triumph.
However—
while the main army was full of confidence, the atmosphere inside the central command tent was entirely different.
Orochimaru, the Fourth Raikage A, the Third Tsuchikage Ōnoki, the First and Second Tsuchikage, and the First, Second, and Third Raikage all sat with grim faces.
The air was heavy.
After arriving here, they had received the Hyūga Clan's latest announcement.
The Hyūga Clan, a famous dōjutsu clan of the shinobi world, had actually abolished its main and branch family system.
That alone was astonishing.
But even more shocking was the rest of the announcement.
The Fifth Hokage, Uchiha Ren, had evolved Hyūga Hinata's and Hyūga Hanabi's Byakugan into the Tenseigan.
He had also awakened their immortal bodies.
Two pairs of Tenseigan had appeared at once.
And immortal bodies had been awakened as if they cost nothing.
The higher-ups of the alliance felt as though they had swallowed something bitter.
Konoha was already powerful enough.
And yet Ren was still strengthening his subordinates.
Was he planning to leave no path for anyone else?
"Unbelievable…"
After a long silence, Orochimaru's eyes flickered with curiosity.
"Truly unbelievable."
"Uchiha Ren really is a terrifying opponent."
At this point, Orochimaru's curiosity toward Ren had reached its peak.
Many things science should have been able to explain seemed completely unreasonable when it came to Ren.
That was what frustrated him the most.
If the alliance had not already been prepared for war, Orochimaru might have considered changing sides and seeking the Fifth Hokage's favor instead.
"Two pairs of Tenseigan…"
A's face was extremely ugly.
"If Uchiha Ren can casually evolve the Hyūga Clan's Byakugan into Tenseigan, then this is more than dangerous."
Ōnoki's expression was no better.
"It's terrifying."
Even the resurrected First and Second Tsuchikage, along with the First, Second, and Third Raikage, fell into deep silence.
Things were far more serious than they had expected.
Bang!
Suddenly, the First Raikage slammed the table.
"Stop overthinking."
"No matter how powerful Uchiha Ren is, we have already chosen to attack Konoha."
The Second Raikage narrowed his eyes, greed flashing within them.
"The Hyūga Clan suddenly possessing two pairs of Tenseigan only gives us more reason to defeat Konoha."
"Once Konoha falls, the Hyūga Clan will belong to us."
"The Byakugan and Sharingan are both treasures," the Third Raikage added coldly.
"If we defeat Konoha, the Uchiha and Hyūga clans will be at our mercy."
"They will be ours to carve up."
He took a deep breath.
"The risk is enormous, yes."
"But so is the reward."
"Besides, we and Konoha have already reached the point of no return."
"There is only one path left."
"Gather our courage and fight them head-on."
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