"Everything's assembled?"
Inside a dimly lit cave, Uchiha Obito lounged casually in his seat, legs crossed atop the table.
Before him stood Ōnoki, gloomy-faced, and the visibly irritable Raikage A.
Half a month had passed since their alliance.
Their forces had been reorganized, and their nations stabilized—
At least no longer as chaotic as before.
That had been Black Zetsu's advice.
Secure internal stability before external war.
With centuries of experience, Black Zetsu knew—
Without internal order, any war effort would collapse.
"All preparations are complete."
Ōnoki and A answered in unison.
They had repeatedly tried to probe the masked man's strength.
But Obito's Kamui made all attempts futile.
Even now—
They had no clear understanding of his true power.
An alliance without knowing your ally's strength…
Both remained wary.
"However, since this is a coalition army," Obito said calmly,
"We'll need a supreme commander."
"Supreme commander?"
Ōnoki chuckled.
"What, you want the position?"
A narrowed his eyes at the shadowy figure.
Obito's expression shifted slightly beneath the mask.
"That… will be decided by strength."
"The strongest will lead."
Ōnoki and A exchanged glances—
Then nodded.
…
"Report to Lord Amekage! Kumogakure and Iwagakure have been increasingly provoking our borders! It's already escalated to direct clashes!"
Just as Ning Feng finished reviewing a mission report, a subordinate rushed in.
"What's going on…?"
He frowned.
"Why are Kumogakure and Iwagakure suddenly becoming active again?"
Had they formed an alliance?
But Amegakure was allied with Konoha.
If those two dared move—
They'd face not just Ning Feng, but Konoha as well.
And Sunagakure was effectively under his command too.
Three of the Five Great Nations—
Already within his sphere of influence.
If anything—
He hadn't even gone after them yet.
And now they dared provoke him?
"Pain. Yahiko."
Ning Feng called out.
Two figures appeared instantly, kneeling.
"Lord Feng!"
"Mobilize three thousand elite shinobi. Head to the border."
"If Kumogakure and Iwagakure continue provoking…"
"Engage them directly."
Both men were startled.
Was this… war?
Amegakure had only just begun to rise—
And now they were already confronting two major nations?
"We were provoked first."
Ning Feng stood, pacing slowly, a cold smile on his lips.
"If not for our established border outposts…"
"I would've gone personally to deal with Ōnoki and A's forces."
A chill ran down their spines.
They knew his power.
Ning Feng was widely regarded as a walking artillery unit—
Capable of reshaping landscapes with ease.
"Understood!"
They bowed and vanished.
…
"Will I really… get unlimited experimental materials?"
Inside Orochimaru's underground lab—
Kabuto stared at Black Zetsu with burning excitement.
"Of course."
Black Zetsu nodded, pointing at the scroll in Kabuto's hands.
"Isn't that proof enough?"
The scroll contained secrets—
Of the Sharingan, the Rinnegan, and fragments of the Sage of Six Paths' stone tablet.
Even incomplete—
It had already captivated Kabuto.
"Besides…"
Black Zetsu leaned closer, voice low and tempting.
"To them, you're just a nobody."
"Orochimaru and Uchiha Feng don't value you."
"Your talent is being wasted."
"I can give you everything you want."
"Materials. Equipment. Forbidden jutsu."
"Yin-Yang Release. Immortality techniques."
Kabuto's hands trembled with excitement.
He had always been ambitious.
Chosen by Orochimaru for his talent—
Used as a capable tool.
Orochimaru never cared about his ambition.
Even taught him forbidden techniques.
Now—
Kabuto had mastered many of them.
But recently—
He had been sidelined.
Orochimaru worked only with Ning Feng.
Kabuto was left on the margins.
And for the first time—
He realized how dependent he was.
Without Orochimaru—
He couldn't advance further.
And Orochimaru had told him plainly—
"You're not ready."
That angered him.
Was Orochimaru afraid he'd surpass him?
Afraid Ning Feng would choose him instead?
"We should leave now."
Kabuto made his decision.
He would prove himself.
The knowledge Black Zetsu provided—
The Sage of Six Paths, Rinnegan, Yin-Yang Release—
It all sounded impossible.
Yet it connected.
And Kabuto—
With his experience—
Knew it was real.
Even if it sounded absurd.
He would create something unprecedented.
A technique.
Or a being.
Something that would shock both Orochimaru and Ning Feng.
"Good… let's go."
Black Zetsu let out a chilling laugh.
From the shadows behind him—
A cloaked figure stepped forward.
And opened—
A pair of crimson eyes.
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