Kawasaki retrieved a prepared scroll from his storage and tossed it over.
Ohnoki caught it, pulling it open. His expression grew somewhat complicated. "You were already prepared for this?"
Kawasaki offered a subtle smile. "As a show of my sincerity, I made preparations in advance, awaiting only your agreement, Lord Tsuchikage."
This Kawasaki, his mind runs deep! If Ohnoki had been impressed by the Uchiha's magnanimity moments ago, he was now utterly in awe of Kawasaki's intellect. Clearly, even his own reaction had been part of the man's calculations.
Suppressing the turmoil in his heart, Ohnoki began to carefully read the scroll's contents. Though advanced in age, his wisdom had not faded. A man who had mastered Dust Release was certainly no fool. Despite the lengthy text, Ohnoki finished reading it in just a few minutes.
Meanwhile, Kawasaki soared freely through the air, enjoying himself immensely. For someone who had once only been able to tread the earth, the desire to fly was something people of this world couldn't possibly understand.
"Kawasaki, will this really make Deidara listen?" Ohnoki asked, still harboring doubts. It wasn't because Kawasaki's plan was complex. On the contrary, it was far too simple. Could a mere adjustment in wording and communication style truly rein in Deidara? To the stubborn Ohnoki, it seemed nearly impossible.
Kawasaki shrugged nonchalantly. "Lord Tsuchikage, even if this fails, what do you stand to lose?"
Ohnoki considered it. It seemed he really had nothing to lose.
As soon as the thought crossed his mind, Kawasaki interjected, "Since there's no loss, there's no harm in trying, right? It's just that having someone from my side assist would make it more effective. After all, I did just teach him a lesson not long ago."
"I even made him stumble quite a few times. He probably hates my guts right now."
Ohnoki looked up at the dark night sky. "Then we'll proceed according to your plan. But you'd better be careful I don't 'accidentally' injure you."
Kawasaki laughed heartily. "I'll be inside a fifty-meter-tall Susanoo. If you can still miss that and hit my two-meter-tall body, I'd say that's more than just a simple mistake."
On Tsunozawa Island.
After unleashing their tsunami strategy, the Hidden Mist had recalled a large number of their elite forces to defend their foremost outpost. The Hidden Cloud, uncertain if the Mist could replicate the tsunami, had dispersed their fleet and sent out smaller boats to scout the surrounding waters. Though the tsunami hadn't achieved its intended effect, it had significantly slowed the Cloud's advance.
At the same time, shinobi from Konoha, Suna, Iwa, and other villages close to the Land of Water used their various skills to reach the nation as quickly as possible. Their objective was to gather firsthand intelligence to report back to their respective villages.
Outside the Cloud's stronghold, spies from both the Cloud and the Mist were engaged in fierce skirmishes. The Mist sought to probe the Cloud's defenses, while the Cloud had laid numerous traps around their perimeter.
After leaving the stronghold, Itachi and Shisui found Samui, the captain of the reconnaissance team.
"Iwa plans to cross through the Land of Fire to attack your village. Our clan head has already taken people to intercept them, so we may be recalled at any moment," Shisui explained. "Keep these Shinobi Talismans to set up traps. Stall the Mist for as long as you can to buy time for your two jinchuriki."
With that, Shisui produced several thick stacks of talismans from a storage scroll and handed them to Samui.
"So many Shinobi Talismans!?"
Samui's eyes widened. These talismans ranged in price, but every single one Shisui offered was worth no less than four thousand ryo. The stacks contained at least five hundred of them! Are you Uchiha really that rich?
Shisui waved his hand dismissively. "Our clan head prepared these specifically for this mission. Take them and set up traps around the stronghold. Itachi and I will go scout the Mist forces now. If we're spotted, we'll draw some of their forces away to relieve the pressure on you."
After speaking, the two of them vanished into the vast darkness of the night.
Omoi poked his head out from nearby. Seeing the pile of talismans, he began to mutter his usual worries. "That's so many talismans... what if they all explode at once?"
Samui's temper flared just looking at Omoi. Karui was still in the stronghold recovering from her injuries, which meant there was no one around to beat some sense into him. Without her, Omoi had completely let himself go, chattering nonstop. And as his captain, she couldn't even get rid of him.
Samui let out a sharp whistle, and several Cloud scouts appeared from the vicinity. She distributed the Shinobi Talismans, reminding them to be vigilant while setting the traps, as the Mist could attack at any moment.
Watching Shisui and Itachi's retreating figures, Samui couldn't help but feel that the Uchiha were certainly dutiful allies. Even as they departed, they left behind supplies and offered to divert enemy forces.
...
Having left the Cloud shinobi, Itachi and Shisui took out the rings they had confiscated from Kakuzu and began contacting Nagato. After a wave of heightened mental energy, Itachi attempted to use the Magic Lantern Body Technique. A moment later, his consciousness drifted far away.
When Itachi opened his eyes, he found himself inside a cave, facing one of the Six Paths of Pain controlled by Nagato. Seeing the Rinnegan, Itachi greeted him respectfully. "Greetings, Senior. I am Itachi."
Kawasaki had already briefed Pain, so he simply nodded without any unnecessary formalities. "Kawasaki has already explained the situation to me. What new intelligence do you have?"
Itachi got straight to the point, relaying the information to Nagato. Iwa had planned to cross four national borders, taking a route through the Land of Fire to attack the Hidden Cloud, but they had been intercepted by Kawasaki. Next, the Hidden Mist was likely to launch a full-scale assault on the Cloud's front line, but the Raikage had already departed to provide reinforcements himself. During this period, it was unlikely the Mist could capture the Cloud's outpost.
To that end, Shisui had given all their Shinobi Talismans to the Cloud to set traps. This would slow the Mist's advance, at least until the Raikage arrived. If the jinchuriki were to fall here, the Raikage would likely storm the Mist Village regardless of the losses.
Before Itachi had connected, Nagato had already contacted Kisame, who now held the Void Ring. However, Kisame only just appeared.
His form gradually materialized as he spoke. "My apologies for the delay. I am Kisame Hoshigaki, currently gathering intelligence within the Hidden Mist. For the time being, I will be in your service, my esteemed leader."
"Hn..." Nagato sized Kisame up. He was discovering that all of Kawasaki's people were exceptionally capable. This Kisame's strength was not to be underestimated.
Seeing Itachi's projection, Kisame grinned. "It's been a while, Itachi."
Itachi, Shisui, and Kisame were old acquaintances who had often sparred and worked together, developing a deep rapport. But after their return to Konoha, Kisame had been away on a mission, and they hadn't seen each other for some time.
"Kisame." Itachi's expression softened at the sight of him.
"Regarding Kawasaki's end..." Itachi repeated what he had told Nagato. "Shisui and I will head over to his location. Kisame, you are to relay the intel about the Cloud's traps to the Mist. Delay their assault to give the two jinchuriki time to recover. All that matters is that they survive until the Raikage arrives. If the Mist asks, you will say..."
Fearing Kisame might be unclear, Itachi carefully instructed him on every step.
"Understood, Itachi. Don't worry, I will handle things here in the Mist."
Itachi acknowledged him with a quiet sound of confirmation before disconnecting.
"Then, Leader, I shall await your arrival." Kisame's image also faded from the cave.
In the past, when the Akatsuki gathered using the Magic Lantern Body Technique, each member harbored their own agenda. But Itachi and Kisame brought Nagato a sense of trust and stability.
Pain let out a faint sigh before vanishing from the cave as well.
...
At the Hidden Mist's camp on Tsunoren Island.
Following the tsunami strategy, not only Ao but also the Fifth Mizukage, Mei Terumi, had arrived at the front. Just as Kawasaki had predicted, Mei planned to launch a fierce assault on the Cloud's stronghold before their main army arrived, hoping to capture the Two-Tails and Eight-Tails jinchuriki in one fell swoop. Battle preparations had already begun tonight.
Kisame was currently playing the role of an Akatsuki liaison. After using the Magic Lantern Body Technique, he quickly found Ao.
"I have a message from Itachi Uchiha. Konoha intends to allow Iwa shinobi to pass through their territory to launch a surprise attack on the Cloud's home base."
Ao was overjoyed. "Isn't that excellent news?"
Kisame shook his head. "There's other intelligence suggesting that Konoha may be collaborating with Iwa to eradicate the Uchiha clan."
Ao's expression tensed. "That seems unlikely, doesn't it?"
"The Uchiha clan cannot afford to take the risk. Therefore, they are ordering Itachi and Shisui to return and stop Iwa from crossing the border."
Ao's face soured. Kisame, recalling Itachi's instructions, quickly added, "Konoha won't let too many Iwa shinobi through. It won't have a major impact on the overall war."
Ao's expression relaxed slightly.
"Once our Akatsuki leader arrives, this battle will be as good as won."
"So when will your leader get here?"
"Within a week," Kisame replied without a second thought. "Itachi and Shisui used that as their reason to withdraw from the Cloud's base. They even sent me a map of the Cloud's defenses."
Ao took the defense map from Kisame. "So many traps?"
"Yes, and they're all powerful talisman traps. We'll have to be extremely careful during our assault."
Looking at the map, Ao was quite satisfied with the Uchiha's arrangements. As they had said, Konoha allowing only a small number of Iwa shinobi through wouldn't significantly affect the bigger picture. This defense map, however, was a genuine treasure. With it, the Mist's attack would suffer far fewer unnecessary losses.
"Express our gratitude to them on behalf of the Mist Village." Ao felt a little awkward saying this. After all, Kisame Hoshigaki had once been a Mist ninja, but no longer. Ao was aware of the circumstances surrounding Kisame's defection. He could only sigh, knowing it was all Tobito's fault. Although he wanted to recruit Kisame back, now was clearly not the time.
After a brief exchange, Ao left with the defense map. The Mist's preparations for the attack were complete, and this map had to be delivered to the Mizukage immediately.
Kisame allowed a small grin to spread across his face, remembering Itachi's orders not to tell the Mist about the Raikage's early arrival. For this battle, all that mattered was that the Cloud's jinchuriki survived. And on the Mist's side, Mei just had to remain unharmed.
...
On the Fourth Highway at the border of the Land of Fire.
Ohnoki and Kawasaki had been floating in the sky for quite some time. The shinobi below could see two small dots hanging in the air. Since neither of them had made a move, the forces on the ground remained restrained, avoiding any conflict. But after staring up for so long that their necks began to ache, the two still hadn't descended. Spies from other factions were equally puzzled, wondering what they could possibly be discussing for so long.
Finally, the two figures descended from the sky.
Ohnoki summoned the Iwa commander, while Kawasaki called for the Third Elder, Takuya. The spies from all sides watched with intense curiosity, eager to know what was said.
They soon found out.
The Iwa forces were tasked with clearing the left flank, while the Uchiha handled the right. Together, they drove out every spy from every faction in the area. The entire region around the Fourth Highway was sanitized. All the spies could do was retreat again and again until the scene was completely out of sight. Iwa and the Uchiha were making it clear that no one was to witness what was about to happen.
...
Deidara had a long dream.
He dreamed that his explosions were blocked by a Susanoo, preventing him from displaying his most beautiful art. He dreamed that his explosive clay was effortlessly countered by a master of Lightning Release, who didn't even need a Susanoo to deal with his creations.
A tremendous roar echoed in his ears.
Deidara slowly opened his eyes to see a shimmering golden Susanoo standing beneath the moonlight. Across from it was an old man floating in the air... Wasn't that...?
Deidara jolted fully awake. Wasn't that the old man!? What was he doing here? He looked around and found himself bound tightly, unable to move. He was surrounded by Uchiha.
"What are you doing!? Why is the old man here!?"
Yatsuki stepped forward and punched Deidara in the stomach. "Behave yourself. Your master is here to pick you up. If he wins, he gets to take you home."
Deidara turned his head away and snorted. "Who wants to go back with that old geezer who scoffs at my art! Hmph!"
"Uchiha Kawasaki! I'll show you the power of the ultimate art!!" Ohnoki's roar boomed, capturing Deidara's full attention.
"Dust Release: Detachment of the Primitive World Technique!"
A brilliant white light blossomed in Ohnoki's hands in the dead of night. As he spread his palms, a massive pillar of light erupted, shooting toward the Susanoo. The Susanoo raised its weapon to block, but the weapon itself was instantly disintegrated. Under Ohnoki's control, the Dust Release destroyed the weapon upon impact before the pillar of light vanished, sending a brilliant beam shooting up into the sky. The dazzling white light illuminated the surroundings as if it were day.
A large crater appeared where Kawasaki's Susanoo had been hit. His Susanoo constantly regenerated, launching attacks at Ohnoki. White light flashed repeatedly from Ohnoki's hands, forming various projectiles that struck the Susanoo. Each collision triggered a massive explosion, and amid the brilliant flashes, the Susanoo was pierced through completely.
The scintillating display of light made Deidara's eyes widen from his position on the ground. It's so beautiful!
Boom! Another Dust Release blast. The immense sound wave spread in all directions, this time accompanied by a deafening roar that caused the entire Susanoo to shatter and collapse.
The crimson in Kawasaki's eyes deepened as his Mangekyo Sharingan spun rapidly. "Truly worthy of being called the ultimate art, but it's still useless before my Susanoo!"
Immediately after, a Susanoo even larger than before burst from the ground, standing fifty meters tall. Flesh grew over its form, its feet planted firmly on the earth as it donned Tengu armor. The fifty-meter golden giant was terrifying just by standing there. Every step it took made the earth tremble, and the pressure it radiated caused Deidara to shiver.
This is the form! My bombs can't even scratch it!
Kawasaki was now inside the Susanoo's head, suspended high in the air. The giant charged toward Ohnoki with a deafening roar.
Ohnoki descended to the ground and slapped his palms on the earth. "Earth Release: Golem Technique!"
Rumble... With a tremor, a stone golem over ten meters tall rose to block the Susanoo's assault.
"A jutsu like that stands no chance against my Susanoo," a boastful voice echoed from within the golden giant. Each of its attacks sent chunks of rock flying from the golem's body. But Ohnoki was merely using it to stall for time.
Ohnoki flew back into the air, meeting Kawasaki's gaze. "True art is indestructible! It is the flow of all things!"
"Dust Release: Boundary Detachment Technique!"
Ohnoki thrust his hands forward, light gathering in his palms. A white, rotating cube flew out. Upon striking the Susanoo, it expanded violently into a massive white cube, which instantly erupted in a blinding flash!
White light scattered everywhere, turning the entire Fourth Highway as bright as day.
Watching from the ground, Deidara was stunned by the light that was almost too bright to look at. He had seen Ohnoki's Dust Release before, but in the past, the old man had always solved problems with small, simple beams of light. To Deidara, that wasn't art at all. But today, the various forms of Dust Release Ohnoki displayed were a true eye-opener. He never imagined Dust Release could be used like this.
With a thunderous boom, the white light dissipated, and the body of the Susanoo vanished without a trace.
"Truly worthy of the Dust Release, hailed as the ultimate art!" Kawasaki said aloud, though he was inwardly thinking, This is way too dramatic! But to fool Deidara, he had to play the part. And it was working—just look at the way Deidara's eyes were lighting up!
Kawasaki descended from the sky, landing somewhat ungracefully. Panting for breath, he said, "So what if I give you Deidara? It's a pity... your ultimate art is about to be lost to time!"
Ohnoki scoffed. "That's none of your concern, Kawasaki. Hand over Deidara, and our Iwagakure forces will withdraw."
Just as Ohnoki and Kawasaki were speaking, the Uchiha named Yatsuki whispered something nearby, causing Ohnoki's expression to change drastically.