The alliance was forged quickly, yet with grim determination.
Konoha, Kumogakure, and Sunagakure had all agreed: the Akatsuki could not be allowed to continue unchecked. Their plans had already brought chaos to every hidden village, and their ambitions threatened the entire shinobi world.
At dawn, more than two thousand shinobi assembled across three hidden villages, their banners hidden and their presence cloaked as much as possible. They would not risk the Akatsuki knowing their every move.
The leaders were chosen with care. Jiraiya of the Sannin stood at the head of Konoha's forces, his presence alone enough to inspire even the youngest genin. Darui, the calm but razor-sharp right hand of the Raikage, commanded the shinobi of Kumogakure. Maki, trusted advisor to the Kazekage, led the Sand's detachment.
The three forces marched separately but in coordination, moving like different streams toward the same river. Their destination: the Land of Rain, a territory shrouded in endless storms and the secret seat of the Akatsuki.
The Akatsuki's Base
Within the hidden stronghold, rain pattered ceaselessly against black stone. The Land of Rain never seemed to change—its skies forever gray, its air heavy with the scent of steel and damp earth.
White Zetsu emerged from the ground like a weed through cracks in pavement, his wide grin unusually strained. He approached the masked figure standing in the shadows.
"Obito," Zetsu said with uncharacteristic urgency, "we've got a problem."
The man in the swirling orange mask slowly adjusted it, his Sharingan glinting from within the single hole. "You're panicked," Obito replied coolly. "That's unlike you. What is it?"
"The villages are moving," White Zetsu explained quickly. "Konoha, Kumo, and Suna—they've sent armies. They're already on their way into the Land of Rain."
Obito froze for half a second. This wasn't some small squad or a covert strike. For three villages to combine and march an army meant they had declared open war against the Akatsuki.
"…What triggered them to act now?" Obito muttered, his voice a low growl. "They wouldn't mobilize so suddenly unless they were certain of our location."
Across the hall, Sasuke and his three companions—Karin, Suigetsu, and Jugo—had been preparing to move out. They stopped, catching every word.
"Konoha…" Sasuke's voice cut through the damp air. His eyes narrowed. "Good. Then my revenge starts here."
Karin stiffened, clutching her arm. "Sasuke, are you really thinking of fighting? There are thousands of shinobi out there."
"If you're afraid, leave." Sasuke's tone was cold as steel.
Her heart clenched. "No. I'm staying with you. Always."
Suigetsu exchanged a look with Jugo and muttered, "This is going to get ugly."
"Lives will be lost," Jugo agreed in a heavy voice.
Obito's gaze lingered on Sasuke, a flicker of satisfaction hidden beneath his mask. So the seeds of hatred I planted have already taken root. It would serve his plans well.
"Don't worry," Obito said at last. "I'll inform Nagato. He needs to be ready." His body warped into a vortex of space-time and vanished.
Karin and the others stared at the fading distortion. Even now, Obito's Kamui unsettled them—it made him untouchable, inhuman.
But Sasuke didn't care. He turned instead to Black Zetsu, his eyes sharp. "Tell me. Is Naruto among them?"
White Zetsu tilted his head. "The Nine-Tails' jinchūriki?" He hesitated.
Black Zetsu's voice slipped in, dry and sardonic. "Of course he is. Do you think Konoha would leave behind their most powerful weapon? This battle is too large for him not to be there."
A spark lit in Sasuke's Mangekyō. "Good. I'll wash away the shame of our last fight."
Nagato and Konan
Far deeper within the stronghold, Nagato rested in his mechanical chair, pale and frail, though his Rinnegan still radiated unfathomable power. A swirl of space tore open before him, and Obito stepped out.
Nagato's chakra stirred faintly, his expression sharpening. "Obito. You dare show yourself here? Are you not afraid I'll kill you where you stand?"
"You won't," Obito said flatly. "I didn't come to fight. I came to warn you."
Konan swept into the chamber in a rush of paper, wings already unfurling. Her eyes narrowed. "What are you plotting?"
"Relax," Obito said, his tone mocking. "I'm not your enemy—at least, not today. Three great villages march toward the Land of Rain. Two thousand shinobi. They'll be here soon."
Nagato's Rinnegan gleamed like twin stormclouds.
"And remember this, Nagato," Obito added with a cruel edge. "Your Rinnegan's power is vast, but your body is failing. Don't let arrogance blind you."
The words had barely left his mouth before paper surged. Thousands of sheets wrapped into spears and planes, exploding in a hail of detonations. For ten seconds the chamber was swallowed in thunder and fire.
When the smoke cleared, Obito stood untouched, phasing through it all. "Meaningless," he said. "Think on my words instead." With that, he disappeared into his vortex once more.
Konan trembled with rage. "Nagato—"
But Nagato raised a thin hand. "Do not fear. No army of mortals can stand against the power of a god." His Rinnegan pulsed, a terrible light within the storm.
The Allied Forces
The allied army pressed onward, boots splashing in shallow water, hoods pulled tight against unending rain.
At the front of Konoha's contingent, Jiraiya, Kakashi, Gai, and Naruto advanced. Their expressions were grim; the moment of confrontation drew closer with every step.
Jiraiya finally raised his voice, calling the three commanders together. "We'll split our forces. Surround them from three sides. If they strike at our leaders, we fire flares to regroup immediately. Agreed?"
"Understood," Maki replied firmly.
"No problem," Darui added with casual confidence, though his eyes were sharp.
"Then move," Jiraiya ordered.
The armies separated. Darui's men veered left, Maki's detachment right, while Jiraiya led Konoha's shinobi forward into the heart of the storm.
Far ahead, Nagato's eyes opened. "They've arrived," he said softly.
"Then I'll prepare," Konan answered, wings of paper spreading wide as she left the chamber.
The First Encounter
In the clearing ahead, four figures waited. Sasuke stood at their head, Kusanagi sword strapped to his back, Mangekyō Sharingan glowing faintly in the dim light. Karin stood close behind, with Suigetsu and Jugo flanking her.
The allied shinobi came to a halt. Kakashi froze at the sight. "…Sasuke."
It had been so long, yet the boy before him was nothing like the student he remembered. His presence radiated power—and hatred.
"Sasuke," Kakashi said quietly, "you've changed."
Sasuke's lip curled. "Time changes everything. And you've no right to lecture me, Kakashi."
Then he pointed his blade directly at Naruto. "Naruto! Stay behind. Fight me—alone. To the death."
The Konoha shinobi bristled instantly. "Arrogant brat!" one spat. "Four of them against hundreds of us—end it now!"
"Yes, strike them down!"
Suigetsu paled. "Oi, Sasuke, maybe don't piss off the entire army at once?"
But Jiraiya lifted his hand, silencing the outrage. His eyes went to Naruto. "It's your choice."
Naruto met his teacher's gaze. Jiraiya wasn't shielding him—not anymore. He was entrusting him.
Naruto grinned faintly. "Thanks, Ero-sennin." He turned to Sasuke, eyes sharp. "Fine. I'll fight you alone."
Confidence burned in Sasuke's gaze. "Then show me how much you've grown." His Mangekyō spun, its tomoe whirling into shape.
Steel rang as Sasuke drew the Kusanagi, charging forward. Naruto leapt to meet him, shuriken flashing in hand. Their weapons clashed in a storm of sparks.
"Shadow Clone Jutsu!" Naruto's hands blurred into a seal, and twenty copies rushed Sasuke at once.
The real Naruto leapt back, already feeling the world around him—the rustle of leaves, the whisper of rain, the pulse of the earth. Natural energy flowed toward him as he prepared to enter Sage Mode.
Sasuke sliced through clone after clone, his Sharingan spinning with ruthless precision.
The battle had begun.
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