Chapter 116: Akatsuki Starts a Team Fight
"It didn't explode?"
Upon a rocky mountain overlooking the Rain Village stood a dense assembly of figures, all clad in vests, a mix of black and white individuals.
At the foot of this rocky prominence stood two colossal beasts, none other than the fully Tailed Beast Transformed Two-Tails Jinchuriki, Yugito Nii, and the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki, Killer B.
Perched atop the Eight-Tails Gyuki's head were the Fourth Raikage and his secretary, Mabui, a bead of sweat trickling down her temple.
Gazing at the Rain Village, where no mushroom cloud billowed, the Fourth Raikage rumbled, "No barrier rose either. Could that ultra-wide range repulsive attack also control direction?"
Mabui, a slight sheen of perspiration on her brow, spoke, "Raikage-sama, in my current state, I can transmit a maximum of three more blasts."
The Heavenly Transfer Technique allowed for the instantaneous teleportation of matter to designated locations, provided the user could see or sense the target area.
Furthermore, the larger the object being transmitted, the greater the chakra expenditure for the user.
Teleporting two small mountain-sized Tailed Beast Balls at once had already taken a significant toll on Mabui, despite her being a Jonin.
"You've done well, Mabui. Go and rest," the Fourth Raikage nodded, then continued issuing commands. "Since aerial assault is ineffective, we'll use another method. B, Yugito."
"Yo!"
Without the Fourth Raikage needing to elaborate, Killer B and Yugito Nii understood the implication.
Both Tailed Beasts once again raised their heads and opened their massive maws. Blue chakra and purplish-black chakra materialized from thin air, rapidly condensing into Tailed Beast Balls that, for the beasts themselves, were smaller than their fists.
Then, these orbs of energy began to swell rapidly, like water-filled balloons.
In short order, two super-dense energy spheres, their volumes akin to small mountains, formed above the Two-Tails and Eight-Tails, each containing an ocean of compressed chakra.
The colors of the two Tailed Beast Balls differed.
The Two-Tails' orb was purplish-black, while the Eight-Tails' was pure black.
Yet, regardless of their hue, each Tailed Beast Ball held the potential to instantly obliterate several small hills, to reduce the urban district of a major ninja village to rubble.
These were the Tailed Beast Balls of perfect Jinchuriki, the true Tailed Beast Balls, S-rank ultimate techniques possessing strategic-level deterrence.
Swoosh! A piercing sound of air being torn apart echoed.
The Two-Tails launched its Tailed Beast Ball, which shot towards the distant Rain Village like a cannonball fired from its chamber.
The Eight-Tails deliberately lagged behind by a beat, simultaneously charging its own Tailed Beast Ball and then unleashing it in a violent burst towards the preceding one.
The two differently colored Tailed Beast Balls followed identical parabolic trajectories, one chasing the other.
As the Two-Tails' Tailed Beast Ball was about to reach the Rain Village, the Eight-Tails' orb suddenly accelerated, catching up like a cue ball. It slammed heavily into the first one.
However, the leading Tailed Beast Ball did not ricochet away like a billiard ball. Instead, both spheres suddenly erupted in a blinding light, blossoming like fireworks.
BOOM————
Two earth-shattering explosions, overlapping each other, reached even the Eighth Team, stationed over twenty kilometers away.
For the spies from various nations, hidden around the outskirts of the Rain Village and also there to gather intelligence, the sound was deafening, as if their very hearing had been stripped away.
The two Tailed Beast Balls detonated, forming a massive burst of incandescent light that rapidly expanded, spreading in all directions.
The Rain Village was directly in one of those directions.
Clearly, the Fourth Raikage's other method was a proximity detonation.
Since they didn't know how the enemy had neutralized the aerial Tailed Beast Ball attacks, they would simply detonate the Tailed Beast Balls prematurely.
However, as the incandescent light was about to engulf the Rain Village...
Four crimson, transparent barriers materialized from thin air, forming a gigantic red, translucent box that enveloped the Rain Village.
The incandescent light, capable of instantly pulverizing even large mountains, merely collided with the red, transparent barrier, like pebbles striking the door of a fully metallic safe. It was directly repelled.
The red, transparent barrier didn't even tremble in the slightest.
"Four Red Yang Formation..."
Seeing this scene, the Fourth Raikage's face instantly contorted in extreme displeasure. He gritted his teeth and spat out, "What mysterious third party? The culprit is clearly only Akatsuki!"
The Four Red Yang Formation, though only an A-rank ninjutsu, was the strongest barrier technique in the ninja world.
This was because the conditions for its execution required the combined effort of four top-tier powerhouses whose chakra levels reached that of the Five Kage. The barrier's defensive capabilities were dozens of times greater than the Four Violet Flames Formation, which could trap a Kage-level opponent.
Such a barrier ninjutsu had previously been exclusive to Konoha and Uzushiogakure.
After the Uzumaki clan was annihilated by the allied forces of various nations, the Cloud Village had seized scrolls related to barrier techniques.
Apart from the Cloud Village and Konoha, other ninja villages likely did not possess such a barrier technique.
Even if they did, they might not be able to execute it.
And now, the Fourth Raikage had witnessed Akatsuki using this ultimate barrier technique.
Combined with Tsunade's statement about the Scroll of Seals being stolen, this barrier technique must have been obtained by Akatsuki from Konoha.
Only Izayoi knew that this had been provided to Nagato by Uchiha Obito.
In the original story, after becoming the Ten-Tails' Jinchuriki, Uchiha Obito had single-handedly cast the Six Red Yang Formation.
"They even have such a barrier technique..."
Not only the Fourth Raikage, but even Kakuzu cast a suspicious glance towards Pain. "Leader, the Konoha Crush... it really wasn't you and Orochimaru who did it?"
Pain ignored Kakuzu and looked at Black and White Zetsu. "How is the situation?"
"We've already placed the pawns. We can cause a disturbance at any time," White Zetsu replied with a grin.
Pain nodded slightly, then addressed the Akatsuki members indifferently, "Our opponent is the Cloud Village, one of the five great ninja villages, and there's a possibility of a third-party force intervening at any moment. Therefore, I will not forcibly demand your participation in the battle. You can remain in the Rain Village to help maintain the barrier, or you can join the war, or leave this place."
"Stop the nonsense and open the barrier already."
Sasori's true form had emerged from Hiruko at some point. He held a scroll in his hand, his eyes filled with anticipation. "I can't wait to know the true difference between my art and that guy's art."
"Me too, me too..."
Deidara echoed, then crossed his arms, a look of intoxication on his face. "Meteor rain, and the jutsu that turned the Cloud Village into a meteor crater... I can't even imagine how artistic such a scene would be! Right now, that guy might be watching us from somewhere. How can I miss such a stage? Hmm!"
Seeing his two fellow 'patients' so excited, Hidan swung his scythe, a bloodthirsty grin spreading across his face. He yelled, "Lord Jashin loves war the most! I can't wait to taste their blood!"
"As expected of the seniors, so much spirit."
Whether it was his true nature revealing itself or Obito relinquishing control of his body to Tobi, the masked figure's tone was comical, his movements exaggerated as he saluted. "Although I'm just an intern, I will work hard to learn from you seniors! I'm joining this war too!"
"Hmph, this old man only likes money," Kakuzu stated coldly. "The Cloud Village used to be the strongest ninja village overall. There are quite a few heads there that are worth a lot of money. I hope they didn't die in the previous incident."
"Since everyone has chosen to participate, then naturally I won't be absent either," Kisame Hoshigaki grinned, revealing his shark-like teeth. "Those two Tailed Beast Balls just now have already made Samehada restless. Today, Samehada should be able to eat its fill."
"I'll join the battle too."
Compared to Sasori and the others, Itachi Uchiha's words were concise.
Seeing that they had all chosen to participate, a rare smile flickered across Pain's zombie-like face before returning to its usual impassive state. "Although the organization's premature exposure was not part of the original plan, Akatsuki's goal is to achieve peace, to allow everyone's dreams to be realized. Sooner or later, we would have clashed with the five great ninja villages."
"Since war is unavoidable, then let this war announce Akatsuki's existence to the ninja world!"
After speaking, Pain floated into the air, leading the way towards the Cloud Ninja forces.
The members of Akatsuki followed closely behind.
Deidara created a large white bird, carrying Sasori on its back.
Konan spread her wings, flanking Pain on either side, keeping pace with the white bird.
Kakuzu, Hidan, Kisame, and Itachi Uchiha dashed and leaped through the terrain below.
Only Black and White Zetsu used the Mayfly Technique to submerge into the earth.
As for Obito, he ran with exaggerated, awkward steps, appearing to be trying his best to catch up with his seniors.
When they reached the edge of the barrier, the Four Red Yang Formation vanished.
Moments later, five more figures appeared within the group, swiftly bursting out of the Rain Village and heading towards the Cloud Ninja forces.
With the exception of the strongest Outer Path remaining within the village, Akatsuki was mobilizing for the first time as a complete unit.
This scene was immediately witnessed by the Cloud Ninja forces and the spies from various nations hidden in the shadows.
Before the Fourth Raikage could issue any commands, the Cloud Ninja forces suddenly erupted in chaos.
"Bakayaro! What are you doing?!"
"Aaaah—bastard! Why did you attack me?!"
"Quickly capture him! This guy's gone mad!"
"Did he fall under a genjutsu? Or is it a Transformation Technique? Have enemies infiltrated us?"
"No, his chakra is normal. There's no sign of genjutsu, and it's not a Transformation Technique!"
"..."
Sounds of shock, anger, disbelief, and confusion echoed incessantly within the ranks of the Cloud Ninja forces.
Hearing the commotion behind him, the Fourth Raikage couldn't help but turn his head, frowning as he asked, "What's going on over there?"
Mabui, who had appeared beside him in a flash, quickly replied, "Raikage-sama, suddenly people are attacking their own comrades, but there's no sign of them being under genjutsu. Their chakra signatures are also completely normal, so it doesn't seem like a Transformation Technique. Everyone is currently subduing them and will then interrogate them. The disturbance will be quelled soon."
"Since they're not being manipulated by genjutsu, execute them on the spot," the Fourth Raikage stated coldly. "Whether they are our own people or enemies, anyone who attacks their comrades at a time like this deserves to die."
"Understood."
Mabui immediately gave the order.
Soon, the ninjas who had backstabbed their comrades were executed on the spot, their corpses turning into White Zetsu clones at a visible speed.
"What are these monsters?!"
The Cloud Ninjas, who had just painfully executed their comrades, were instantly stunned.
Meanwhile, Mabui and the sensory unit were drenched in cold sweat.
"It was a Transformation Technique after all!"
"N-no way... Akatsuki even has a Transformation Technique that can disguise chakra signatures?"
"It must be this monster's secret technique! Then, besides these few guys, how many others have been transformed by that monster?"
As these words fell, the Cloud Ninjas instantly became wary of their surrounding comrades.
Before the battle had even truly begun, their morale had suffered a severe blow.
At this moment, a seasoned Jonin stepped forward and shouted loudly, "Don't panic! Find someone you recognize, use code hand signs to ask things only you would know. That's how you can test if they're real or fake."
Hearing this, the Cloud Ninja forces immediately broke their original formations, forming small teams and beginning to gesture with their hands like deaf-mutes. Before long, the killing resumed.
The remaining White Zetsu clones were all ferreted out.
While they were quelling the disturbance and identifying the enemy, the Fourth Raikage said to Killer B, "B, try probing again. See how they're actually neutralizing the Tailed Beast Balls."
"Got it, you old fool!"
Killer B responded, and then the Eight-Tails Gyuki once again opened its massive maw, rapidly condensing a black Tailed Beast Ball. It was then violently launched towards Akatsuki, who were already very close; if the Tailed Beast Ball exploded, they might be caught in the blast.
Gazing at the Tailed Beast Ball, which would instantly kill them even if it only grazed them, the Akatsuki members remained unfazed, their speed undiminished.
However, the Preta Path, who was following behind, flickered and appeared at the front of the group, rushing towards the incoming Tailed Beast Ball.
In the eyes of others, this guy was actively crashing into the Tailed Beast Ball, seeking his own death.
When the Preta Path collided with the Tailed Beast Ball, there was no explosion. Instead, the Tailed Beast Ball stopped in mid-air. Its small mountain-like volume visibly shrunk, finally liquefying like water and flowing into the Preta Path's palm.
"Ninjutsu Absorption!"
Seeing this scene, countless people's expressions changed drastically.
"He can even absorb a Tailed Beast Ball... is this the power of the Sage's Eyes?" the Fourth Raikage said grimly. "A face full of black spikes, and his eyes are also in the shape of the Rinnegan, exactly like the Rinnegan puppet that Tsunade-hime mentioned. Could there really be a mysterious third party? Is this the puppet's ability, or the Rinnegan's?"
"Damn old brother, we have to take that guy down first," Killer B said.
"Scatter!"
The Fourth Raikage didn't answer but raised his hand and shouted, issuing the command.
Because he saw the floating Deva Path Pain ascend to a higher position.
This scene felt like a replay of late December last year.
Not only the Fourth Raikage but also the Cloud Ninja forces noticed it.
Many who had experienced that night had a hint of fear flash across their eyes.
Without the slightest hesitation, they instantly transformed into streaks of black and blue-white afterimages, scattering in all directions.
As it turned out, their instincts were correct.
Absorbing the chakra transmitted from the Preta Path, Deva Path Pain now resembled a balloon about to burst. He rapidly ascended to a higher altitude, raised both hands towards the direction of the Cloud Ninja forces, and uttered softly,
"Almighty Push!"
An invisible storm roared forth.
It was fortunate that it wasn't raining at the moment; otherwise, a rain screen of astonishing size would have vanished instantly.
Even so, the repulsive force storm, distorting the air currents, swept through the area where the Cloud Ninja forces had been, like a passing hurricane.
BOOM—
With an earth-shattering explosion, the rocky mountain shattered, the ground caved in, and thick dust and mist billowed upwards.
At the same time, it signaled the opening salvo of this war.
A dense mass of figures burst forth from the dust and mist, forming a crescent shape to surround Akatsuki.
Facing more than two thousand Cloud Ninjas, all wearing vests, unless Deva Path Pain himself intervened, anyone would be under immense pressure, even the Akatsuki, despite being composed entirely of Kage-level powerhouses.
Then, the upper half of Black and White Zetsu emerged from the ground. White Zetsu raised a sword finger with one hand and grinned. "Come forth, White Zetsu Army!"
In an instant, white sprouts rapidly grew from the ground, transforming into White Zetsu clones.
Their numbers were exactly double that of the Cloud Ninja forces.
The Spore Technique certainly couldn't cultivate so many White Zetsu clones.
Clearly, Black and White Zetsu had secretly mobilized the Ten Thousand White Zetsu.
As soon as the approximately five thousand White Zetsu clones appeared, their numbers immediately overwhelmed the Cloud Ninja forces. They formed a peculiar 'yin and yang' symbol, one white and one black, one in front and one behind, one to the left and one to the right.
"Yaho—"
A ghostly cry rang out as Hidan randomly selected a lightning-clad Cloud Ninja and swung his Bloodscythe towards him, preparing for a taijutsu duel.
The Cloud Ninja, who blocked Hidan's attack with his sword, was about to engage him when his eyes suddenly widened in shock.
Behind Hidan, a large expanse of incandescent light suddenly appeared.
The next second, a wave of intensely hot flames directly engulfed Hidan and the Cloud Ninja.
"Aaaah..."
Both of them, engulfed in the sea of fire, let out miserable screams.
In less than a moment, the Cloud Ninja was reduced to charcoal, while Hidan, as the flames dissipated, was still rolling on the ground.
However, the flames on his body were slowly disappearing, and the burn marks were healing at a leisurely pace.
"Kakuzu, what the hell are you doing? I haven't even started the ritual yet!" Hidan cursed loudly. Since he wasn't in his Immortality state, he felt no pleasure, only intense pain and annoyance.
"At a time like this, there's no time to wait for your dawdling," Kakuzu said coldly. "You just play the role of a shield."
"What did you say? Do you believe I'll curse you to death!"
Before Hidan could finish speaking, his body was severed from his head by a lightning-fast slash.
"Kakuzu, save me!"
In the sky, Deidara looked at the lightning-clad Cloud Ninjas one by one, as if pouring cold water on them, and complained, "How can there be such a disgusting ninjutsu like Lightning Release in this world?"
"Sasori-bro, let's have a long-awaited collaboration."
"Descend."
The white bird carrying the two rapidly descended. Sasori raised both hands, ignoring friend or foe, and spat out two enormous fire snakes towards the Cloud Ninjas fighting the White Zetsu clones.
"Feel the联动 of art!"
Deidara laughed and threw out two small white clay birds. They circled the fire snakes a few times before suddenly crashing into them, transforming into two massive bursts of flame that engulfed the surrounding White Zetsu clones and Cloud Ninjas.
When the flames dissipated, a puppet army of three hundred, connected by chakra threads, materialized out of thin air.
Seeing this scene, the Cloud Ninjas who had originally been filled with hatred for Sasori and were already surrounding him, all had their expressions drastically change.
On the other side, Kisame Hoshigaki and Itachi Uchiha were playing it low-key.
The former didn't use his wide-range Water Release ninjutsu, and the latter didn't use his powerful Fire Release ninjutsu. Instead, one was using Samehada to fight a Cloud Ninja skilled in ninjutsu-taijutsu, while the other was using genjutsu to toy with his attackers.
Like Itachi, Tobi, the 'intern', was also toying with the enemy.
Neither using Kamui nor Wood Release, he was constantly playing hide-and-seek with Cloud Ninjas skilled in high-speed movement, guiding their attacks towards their own teammates.
On the other hand, Pain's Six Paths and Konan had entered a heated stage of battle right from the start.
Swish swish swish...
The sound of air being torn apart constantly rang out as Konan hovered in the air, her wings shooting out a large number of paper cranes downwards, forming a barrage.
Each paper crane was inscribed with the formula for an explosive tag.
"Nezumi-Oi Kyuudan!" (Mouse Tail Ball Bullet!)
Before Konan's flock of paper cranes could bombard the ground, a blue barrage flew up from below, colliding with the white barrage.
Rumble rumble...
A series of explosions erupted, bringing with them countless blossoming fireworks.
When the flames and smoke dissipated, a massive feline creature covered in blue chakra flames and black markings leaped from the ground into the air, crashing into Konan.
Konan blocked with her wings but was sent flying higher into the sky by the impact.
Just as the Two-Tails Matatabi opened its massive maw, preparing to spew a giant fireball at Konan,
A winged, multi-headed dog also leaped into the air, its several mouths biting down on the Two-Tails, dragging it back to the ground.
Swish swish swish...
The sound of air being torn apart rang out again as more than a dozen projectiles with trailing flames bombarded the multi-headed dog and the Two-Tails indiscriminately, creating bursts of fire and causing both beasts to roar in anger.
"Raiton: Zetsugyuu Rai Rariat!" (Lightning Release: Absolute Ox Lightning Lariat!)
A flash of red and blue light, as if teleporting, appeared on both sides of the Preta Path, his elbows covered in Tailed Beast chakra and blue-white electricity, slamming towards his neck.
In response, the Preta Path's expression remained unchanged as he reached out to grab Killer B, who had deactivated his full Tailed Beast Transformation and entered his Tailed Beast Cloak state.
Just as the Fourth Raikage behind him was about to strike the Preta Path's nape, a cold voice descended from the sky.
"Bansho Ten'in!" (All Creation Pull!)
An invisible hand of God instantly yanked the Fourth Raikage off the ground.
The Preta Path, meanwhile, grabbed Killer B's arm, allowing the powerful force to lift his feet off the ground.
The next second, the Tailed Beast Cloak on Killer B rapidly dissipated.
To be precise, it flowed into the Preta Path's body.
Not only that, but the chakra within Killer B's body was also rapidly draining away.
Seeing this, Killer B's expression slightly changed. He quickly entered Tailed Beast Transformation, turning his arm into an octopus tentacle, binding the Preta Path, and then immediately severing that arm.
At the same time, he grew another massive octopus tentacle, grabbing the Fourth Raikage who had been sucked into the sky and pulling him back down.
"Almighty Push!"
An invisible repulsive force storm slammed into the octopus tentacle and the Fourth Raikage, heavily smashing them into the ground.
However, when the dust and mist cleared, the Fourth Raikage appeared unharmed beside Killer B.
"Foolish old brother, did you notice?" Killer B asked.
"Ah..."
The Fourth Raikage gazed at Deva Path Pain, who was slowly floating down to the ground, then glanced at the other side of the battlefield, watching Sasori manipulate his puppet army with chakra threads against the Cloud Ninjas, yet failing to gain much of an advantage. His face darkened. "The mysterious third party... perhaps they truly exist!"
"Could it be a performance? If not, should we continue fighting?" Killer B continued to ask.
"I don't know. Let's try again," the Fourth Raikage said with a fierce glint in his eyes. "There's no turning back once the arrow is loosed. Since the battle has already begun, there's no possibility of us resolving this hatred. If he's not the culprit, then we'll just seize his Sage's Eyes."
"Understood. Let that guy taste the power of the AB combo!"
(End of this chapter)
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