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After Mangetsu concluded the meeting, the rebels began to move.
The Hōzuki brothers, Zabuza, and Ayamaru infiltrated Kirigakure first. The remaining forces were divided into four squads. Three of these were assault squads, each with one hundred and twenty members.
Many people in Kirigakure were skilled fishermen; swimming was second nature to them. One squad planned to enter the water, taking advantage of the night to approach Kirigakure's docks and launch their attack from there.
The other two squads would attack Kirigakure using different tactical approaches.
Then there was the fourth, largest squad—the one with the weakest overall combat strength, but also the highest number of personnel. While the other squads launched their assaults, this squad would provide follow-up support, including, but not limited to, rescuing wounded rebels and receiving surrendering ninja.
At critical moments, these people would also take up arms and charge to the front lines.
After a day of preparation, as evening approached, the rebels began leaving the Land of Water in scattered groups. They gathered at pre-arranged locations, then split up to act according to the plan.
The three assault squads, having fewer members, could move more nimbly and at greater speed.
Kawakita Makoto was the leader of one of these squads and was responsible for the main assault. Consequently, her squad consisted almost entirely of the rebels' elite. Even if they encountered a squad of thirty Jōnin, Makoto was confident they could hold their own.
The previous meeting had finalized the operation's plan.
The Hōzuki brothers, Zabuza, Haku, along with other allies inside Kirigakure, would launch an attack from within the village. The squad arriving by water would coordinate with them, striving to breach Kirigakure's main gates from the front.
At that moment, another squad would charge forward, completely breaking through Kirigakure's defenses. Makoto's squad would then take advantage of the chaos to storm into the village and locate Takekawa Takeshi—once he was killed, the battle could be declared over.
By noon, two squads arrived at a location roughly ten kilometers from Kirigakure and chose to rest briefly.
Moving any closer risked entering Kirigakure's actual sphere of control. Therefore, the two squads rested here, conserving their strength for the evening's charge.
Makoto felt uneasy.
In the past, she could indeed handle things on her own. She also dreamed of killing the mastermind behind everything. But this time, she was directly confronting Kirigakure itself. It was only natural to feel some trepidation.
After all, this was her first time leading so many people against a foe much stronger than themselves.
If it were just herself, dying was one thing. But now, she carried the lives of over a thousand people on her shoulders.
That was a burden she couldn't bear.
Nervousness stole her appetite, but she forced herself to swallow the dry rations anyway.
Without eating, she would have no strength. Without strength, she would die here.
Makoto was in the best condition within her squad. Others tried to put on brave faces, but the hands holding their rations trembled slightly.
This was unavoidable. For these people, challenging a behemoth like Kirigakure naturally brought tension and fear.
Kirigakure earned the nickname "Village Hidden in the Bloody Mist" not only due to the Fourth Mizukage's brutal rule in recent times but also because of its exceptionally dense fog.
Even during the day, the village was enveloped in mist. At night, the fog grew even thicker.
Makoto ordered both squads to advance cautiously in small increments. Simultaneously, each squad dispatched an agile scout ahead. At the slightest sign of trouble, they were to report back immediately.
Makoto believed the two squads' movements were undetectable. She didn't realize Zetsu was watching their every move.
When they were only five kilometers from Kirigakure, the two squads paused again. Seizing the opportunity, Zetsu returned to Obito and reported everything he had seen.
"What about Kirigakure's defenses?" Obito was more concerned about that.
"Not few in number, but overall, rather lax," Zetsu said.
"Rather lax? That's not enough... They need to be very lax. How about... you find an opportunity to open the main gates?" Obito asked Zetsu.
"Alright then... Seems you're truly intent on delivering those rebels right to the doorstep," Zetsu remarked.
"Whether those people live or die has nothing to do with us. Besides, my hope has always been for Kirigakure to be completely finished. That hasn't changed," Obito said with a cold sneer.
"Well then... I'll lend a hand?"
"By the way," Obito turned to look at Zetsu, who was about to leave. "There's something else I want to ask you."
"Hmm?"
"Where are Hidan and Kakuzu?" Obito asked.
"Ah, you've stumped me there," Zetsu spread his hands. "The island isn't exactly small, and the fog is very thick. Once lost, it's hard to get here on time."
"Say it plainly," Obito interrupted.
"I haven't found them yet. But judging by the time, they should be arriving soon."
After Zetsu left, Obito glanced at the Fourth Mizukage.
Soon, a grand spectacle would unfold in Kirigakure. And the main character, without a doubt, would be the Fourth Mizukage.
Watching himself destroy Kirigakure with his own hands—would that jolt Yagura's consciousness?
However, Obito had no intention of releasing Yagura from the genjutsu. After such a shock, whether the Fourth Mizukage could control the Three-Tails was anyone's guess.
He had to find a way to balance the strength of both sides. That way, the casualties inflicted by both parties would be maximized.
Thinking about the balance of power, Obito suddenly remembered Igawa Bu.
'That old geezer, always sneaking around... did he really think I didn't know?' Obito jumped from the window, swiftly moving across the rooftops.
In any other ninja village, Obito wouldn't dare be so brazen. But Kirigakure's thick fog truly provided "cover," allowing him to move recklessly across the rooftops.
Before long, he arrived on a rooftop where Kisame sat on the eaves, watching a five-story building across the way.
"How is Igawa?"
"Still trying," Kisame said, yawning widely.
"Will he die?"
"A 50% chance, maybe? He's no genius in ninjutsu, and he's old. Whether his body can withstand the Six-Tails is questionable. You're that concerned about his well-being?" Kisame chuckled.
"Of course not..." Obito shook his head. "I'm afraid the rebels won't be effective enough. If they fail to kill Igawa, we'll have to do it ourselves."
Kisame rubbed his chin. "Have those two arrived yet?"
"No, why?"
"I was thinking the rebels are probably about to act soon. Judging by the timeline, Hidan and Kakuzu should have found Kirigakure by now. You think they might run into each other?" Kisame asked in return.
"Huh?" Obito was taken aback, then fell into thought.
"Should we send Zetsu to meet them?"
"No need." Obito shook his head. "Can't we just open the gates now and let the rebels walk right in?"