The Land of Sky - Sky Fortress.
A giant steel monster floated high in the sky, hidden by clouds to avoid search by Konoha Ninjas on the ground.
"General Hojo, you've done a great job."
On the screen in the central control room, a gentle face appeared.
The man on the screen appeared to be in his sixties, with white hair and beard, wearing a brown hat. His smile was easygoing, making him look like an ordinary farmer.
But General Hojo, the highest commander of the Sky Fortress, bowed deeply to this "farmer" with a pious expression:
"It is Lord Shinno, your guidance has shown us the way."
Shinno, pleased by his subordinate's respect, narrowed his eyes and laughed heartily, asking:
"Are preparations complete for the attack on Konoha in two days?
This battle is the crucial first step towards the revival of the Land of Sky and our unification of the ninja world."
The group attacking the towns of the Land of Fire originated from a destroyed nation—the Land of Sky.
The Land of Sky was already renowned for its various flying tools and tactics, and had formed the "Sky Ninja Village" based on these. The leader at that time was Shinno.
However, Shinno wasn't an old man then, but a middle-aged man in his prime, not yet forty.
As the Second Great Ninja War broke out, Shinno saw the major powers warring and using conflict to gain benefits and technology.
Shinno also couldn't suppress his desire to conquer the world. He dispatched the first generation of Sky Ninja to attack Konoha.
And then...
They became the only village in the Second Great Ninja War that was almost wiped out. Countless Sky Ninja died, while the instigator of the war, Shinno, escaped death and survived.
As they say, fortune and misfortune are intertwined. Not long after the village's destruction, Shinno met Orochimaru. With Orochimaru's persuasion and help, he infiltrated Konoha and stole two forbidden jutsu:
The Eight Gates and the Zero-Tails formula.
Using these as a foundation, he reorganized the Sky Ninja Village and adopted a new slogan—
"Restore the Sky Ninja!"
After more than ten years of focused development, coupled with the recent turmoil in the ninja world, Shinno felt "the time was right."
Thus, the Sky Ninja army reappeared in the ninja world.
"But..."
General Hojo showed hesitation.
Shinno maintained his smile, but his eyes turned cold: "You're hesitating?"
"No."
General Hojo clenched his right fist and placed it over his heart, shouting: "The aspiration for national revival is never forgotten!"
After shouting, he turned his head towards Konoha village, his expression becoming serious again.
"I am just worried, Lord Shinno, you must have also heard that 'the man who cannot be named' is in Konoha village."
Researching Linto was almost a required course for the armed forces of every major nation.
It was no longer a secret that Linto possessed a "magical little vine."
Anyone who came into contact with Linto had a certain chance of being traced back and beaten to death with a single punch.
To avoid any connection with Linto, various useful and useless methods were spread on the market, one of which was—
"Do not say Linto's name directly."
Even Sky Ninja who threw surrender posters to the outside would disguise themselves as civilians and descend from the Sky Fortress after an operation.
They would wait for a while, and only return after confirming they were not being tracked by Linto.
"I understand your concerns."
Shinno said: "But this is the best opportunity, bar none. You should know, if you want to restore the Land of Sky, you could do it right now."
"Yes."
With their mastery of flying ninja tools and the Sky Fortress, they already had the capital to establish themselves in the ninja world.
"But if we want to do more, to obtain more, we must possess..."
Shinno raised his hand and pointed to the sky.
" 'Their' approval."
The Sky Ninja army soared through the sky, looking down upon the entire world from above.
But above the Sky Ninja army, there was another group of people.
Shinno did not know their identities or where they were, but Shinno knew that "they" were always casting their gaze down from the blue dome.
"As long as we can destroy Konoha, and cause injury to 'the man who cannot be named',"
Shinno smiled: "'They' will continuously send us free supplies, wealth, and weapons.
This is an era on the verge of chaos; whoever can seize the opportunity will rise with the wind and stand at the pinnacle of the world."
The appearance of Senju Hashirama led to the establishment of ninja villages in the major nations, and under the instruction of Daimyo and financial groups, the system of one nation, one ninja village, has been maintained to this day.
The emergence of Linto has gradually altered this structure.
If a ninja village cannot even protect its own country, and if, due to the village's independence, it is influenced by awakened thoughts, it might even turn against the Daimyo and financial groups that support it...
Then, is there still a need for ninja villages to exist?
This is also why Pain remains unfazed by the financial groups.
If the tailed beasts are removed from the villages, the legitimacy and authority of the villages will be shaken.
As long as the Akatsuki organization continues to make capturing tailed beasts its primary objective, money will flow into their accounts endlessly.
There's no need for them to intentionally maintain relationships with financial groups, as Kakuzu thought.
Kakuzu's considerations are still from the perspective of a mercenary.
Pain sees the bigger picture.
"...We cannot achieve the level of the Akatsuki organization."
Shinno said: "Nor do we need to become Akatsuki.
No matter how strong they are, with their limited numbers, they are ultimately just a mercenary organization.
Once the uniqueness of ninja villages collapses, new armed forces will need to take their place."
"In the coming period, various forces will emerge to 'steal the spotlight,' and we..."
"Must become the most outstanding one."
The current ninja world is like a chaotic financial market; established companies (various ninja villages) have increasingly outdated business models, and capital needs to consider new investment opportunities.
The Akatsuki organization was the first to secure funding.
Shinno aims to be the second.
To this end, he needs to present a "roadshow report" that can move people's hearts, which is—
"I'm counting on you, General Hojo. You will become the hero of the Sky Ninja army."
General Hojo nodded heavily.
He understood Shinno's meaning.
Go attack, go bomb, and then, go die.
Die a glorious death, die a conspicuous death, let the world witness his demise.
His flesh and bones, his ashes, will become the steps for the Sky Ninja army to reach the summit.
"I understand, Lord Shinno. I will have the resolve to fight to the last man!"
"Good! Spirited!"
Shinno, seeing the mobilization was complete, was about to make more detailed tactical arrangements when, suddenly, the radar alarm sounded.
A scout shouted: "Unidentified flying object detected approaching!"
"Is it a bird?"
"At this speed... it's not a bird."
Everyone looked in the direction of the radar.
The radar alarm grew more urgent, and as the "didi" sounds became as dense as raindrops, they saw—
A gap opened in the clouds, and a toy airplane flew out.
"Ha!"
Many people let out scoffing laughs.
"This thing? My pet mouse is bigger than this!"
The Sky Fortress and its surroundings were filled with a cheerful atmosphere.
Only Shinno and General Hojo's expressions changed drastically. A name that should not have been spoken, was uncontrollably forced out from between their teeth.
"Lin—to—"
The clouds parted again, and Linto floated before the Sky Fortress.
All laughter stopped.
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