On the eastern coastline of the Land of Fire—
The stationed ninja forces led the same dull routine as always.
Only a handful of ninja squads and a few Hyuga branch members stood guard at the shore.
The remaining forces, numbering in the thousands, were positioned several kilometers inland. After all, the harsh seaside conditions made it impossible to keep any ninja stationed there year-round.
Because of this, border defense along the coast operated on a rotating schedule. A few teams were assigned to patrol each coastal zone every week.
Suddenly, one Hyuga ninja activated his Byakugan and peered into the mist rolling in from the sea.
What he saw made his blood run cold—hundreds of enemy shinobi advancing across the waves.
He turned sharply to shout a warning.
But before he could make a sound, a grotesque black tendril lashed out, wrapping around his throat.
The arm—black, stitched, and lined with chakra threads—tightened violently, cutting off his air.
The Hyuga ninja's mouth opened, but no words came out. He struggled, fingers twitching toward his pouch.
From the mist stepped a man dressed in a black cloak with red clouds.
A bounty headband slashed through the insignia of the Hidden Steam Village rested on his forehead. His green pupils shimmered faintly, his sclera tinged with red.
"Konoha ninja. Hyuga branch. Chunin."
"You're worth about three million ryo at the bounty exchange."
"More than your teammates. Lucky you."
The Hyuga ninja writhed in the air, desperately reaching for his kunai to sever the black tendril binding him.
Crack!
His spine snapped.
His body fell limp as his vision faded.
"I hate damaging merchandise," the man muttered. "Whole corpses are worth more."
The Hyuga's eyes glazed over, blood leaking from the corners of his mouth.
Kakuzu retracted the threadlike arm and slung the body over his shoulder.
He turned and disappeared into the woods.
Blood was everywhere.
Limbs. Organs. Shredded flak jackets.
"Ahahahaha!"
"Why don't you come worship Jashin with me?!"
"No?"
"Then I'll show you the glory of pain!"
Shlick!
Inside a crimson triangle drawn in blood, Hidan stood grinning, driving a steel pike directly into his own heart.
A few meters away, a burly Konoha ninja collapsed, screaming, blood pouring from his chest in sync with Hidan's.
Spurt!
A torrent of blood splashed onto Hidan's face.
He lifted his head.
A moan of ecstasy escaped him.
"Ahhh~ Kimochiii~"
"Jashin-sama~ bless me more~"
Kakuzu stood nearby, visibly disgusted as he watched his partner of the last two months go through his usual demented ritual.
"Oi, Hidan!"
"I told you—do your cultist crap if you want, but stop mangling the bodies!"
"How am I supposed to cash them in at the exchange if they're in pieces?!"
"Do that again, and I'll kill you!"
Hidan pulled the pike from his own chest and slid it back into the three-bladed scythe strapped to his back.
The black symbols tattooed across his skin slowly faded, returning him to his usual pale self.
Crack—crack!
He twisted his neck dramatically, sighing in delight.
"Ala ala~ You've tried that already, Kakuzu."
"Two months together, and you still don't get it—I'm immortal."
"But fine, fine. Next time, I'll try not to go overboard."
"It's just that these Konoha sacrifices were so damn cute, I couldn't help myself~!"
Kakuzu rubbed his temples.
This lunatic…
He just ruined the value of at least three million ryo in bodies.
Good thing he took the Hyuga first.
Ignoring Hidan, Kakuzu knelt to collect usable corpses and scroll-sealed what was left of the Hyuga ninja.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
More than a dozen Kiri-nin dropped from the trees, surrounding the two Akatsuki members.
Hidan's eyes sparkled, giddy again.
Just as he reached for his scythe, Kakuzu grabbed his arm.
"Stop."
Kakuzu's gaze swept over the Mist shinobi.
A woman appeared on a branch overhead—elegant, dangerous.
Kakuzu quickly estimated her chakra reserves. She was strong.
The leader.
From his sleeve, he withdrew a scroll and unfurled it.
He displayed it plainly for Mei Terumi to see.
"Akatsuki. Contracted war support. Hired by your Mizukage."
The surrounding Mist ninja scoffed in disdain.
Tch. Kirigakure hiring mercenaries? How shameful.
Two young fools—overconfident and stupid—lunged forward.
Whoosh!
Shunk!
Kakuzu's arms shot forward like lances, skewering both through the chest.
He lifted their still-beating hearts with his blood-soaked hands.
"I was contracted by the Mizukage. Your safety isn't my responsibility."
Mei Terumi's stance tensed, both hands clutching kunai.
Tch. Not good. These two are no ordinary enemies. Those Genin were reckless… now they're corpses.
Just when it seemed another battle would erupt, Kakuzu casually dropped the bodies and retracted his arms.
He turned, walking away.
"I only carry out assignments."
"So long as you don't get in my way… do as you like."
"If you need more work done, find me at the exchange."
With that, Kakuzu vanished into the trees.
Mei's eyes narrowed.
So that was Kakuzu—the infamous bounty hunter.
His behavior, tone, and strength matched the rumors.
So he hadn't died after vanishing months ago… he'd joined Akatsuki.
The fact that the Mizukage had hired two S-rank rogues like this…
It meant he was absolutely serious about this war.
The money spent to contract them must've been enormous.
They had to make gains in this war—territory, resources—something.
If not, Kirigakure might not survive what comes next…
Thousands of Mist shinobi now surged inland.
The other two Konoha outposts had already fallen—silently taken by Fuguki and Ao's strike squads.
No warning had been sent. No resistance offered.
No one had expected the Hidden Mist to launch a war.
Not after everything.
It had been less than ten years since the Third Great Ninja War ended.
The Second and Third Wars had already drained the Five Great Nations to the brink.
Villages were still rebuilding.
Especially Kirigakure—ravaged by civil unrest, torn apart by the Blood Mist era and the persecution of its own bloodline clans.
This attack was perfectly timed.
And Konoha…
Konoha had never been more unprepared.
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