"Whoosh—"
In the dense forest of the Land of Fire, Aoki Yoru, Yui, and Kenta were swiftly moving through the trees.
"It's been over a year since the three of us went on a mission together!" Yui exclaimed.
After they graduated, they formed Team 6 with Kakashi, and for the first year and a half, they often worked together. However, as their strength grew, they all had their own matters to attend to.
After all, with their strength, there weren't many missions that required them to act together.
"Yeah, the last time we worked together was during the war with the Land of Lightning," Aoki Yoru said weakly.
He recalled the scene of his meeting with Tsunade a few hours earlier.
"Go to Amegakure? What for?"
Aoki Yoru had just fought a major battle with Nagato in Amegakure, and then rushed back without rest. He was a bit tired and wasn't very keen on going out for another mission.
Moreover, he knew the situation in Amegakure perfectly well, he just couldn't explain the source of his information.
"According to intelligence from our covert agents, there was a violent explosion in Amegakure, followed by a giant meteor, and finally, the meteor was destroyed by some force."
"From what I know of Hanzou, even at his peak, he didn't have this kind of power, let alone now that he's old. There must have been a huge change in Amegakure. Your squad will depart now to investigate the situation."
"Remember, safety is paramount. If it's too difficult, retreat."
Aoki Yoru sighed helplessly, not expecting to return to Amegakure right after coming back.
At this moment, Kenta asked doubtfully, "Yoru, why are you as listless as Kakashi-sensei?"
Aoki Yoru gave him a side-eye. He was tired, completely different from Kakashi.
"It's nothing, it's just that this mission isn't simple. You two need to be careful and prioritize your own safety."
Aoki Yoru knew that not only them, but other great nations must have also received news from Amegakure and would send capable personnel to investigate.
After all, Hanzou's reputation was too great; at his peak, he could even influence the balance of the Ninja World.
Now, Nagato, having expended a large amount of life force by continuously using 'Shinra Tensei!' twice, should be in recovery.
The possibility of him coming out to stop them was small, but the possibility of other Akatsuki Organization members taking action was very high.
Otherwise, Konan alone wouldn't be able to stop the prying eyes of the great nations.
"Don't worry, we understand. The explosion and meteor Lady Tsunade mentioned are things we feel we can't possibly withstand, so we won't be reckless."
Aoki Yoru nodded. His two teammates were not reckless people and knew how to protect themselves.
If it were Naruto, it would be different. That guy would rush into the grell stone explosion vortex to save people, not caring if he would die.
If he wasn't the Sage of Six Paths' biological son, he would have died countless times already.
Aoki Yoru and his two teammates didn't rush into the Land of Rain; they just advanced slowly on the road.
They knew that the uncertainties in the Land of Rain were too great, and they needed to conserve ample stamina to deal with any unexpected events.
Moreover, other ninja villages had also received the news, so they might as well let them scout ahead!
Amegakure.
The Land of Rain is perpetually shrouded in rain.
Although it wasn't his first time here, Aoki Yoru still felt a bit unaccustomed to the perpetually rainy, humid climate.
Kenta and Yui, on the other hand, were observing their surroundings with great interest, experiencing the unique foreign characteristics.
"It's hard to imagine how one could endure being covered in this weather all day long."
"Setting everything else aside, the entire country's food must be bought from outside!"
Yui looked at the incessant rain in the Land of Rain and couldn't help but lament the hardship of life here.
Aoki Yoru gazed at the village in the rain curtain and softly said, "Human resilience is far stronger than you imagine. As long as there's a will to live, people can take root even in the most difficult places."
At least in his opinion, the lives of the common people in the Land of Rain were much better than those in the Land of Birds and the Land of Grass; at least they weren't living day to day.
Nagato and Konan had cleared out all the bandits, rogue ninja, and gangs in the Land of Rain. Although the people here lived hard lives, at least they could live with peace of mind, and by their own hands, they wouldn't starve. They were still full of hope for the future.
This was also why their prestige was so high in the Land of Rain.
Amegakure, Nagato's hiding place.
At this moment, Nagato's face was haggard, as if a large part of his vitality had been drained. His already thin body was now frighteningly emaciated.
Forcibly using Shinra Tensei twice in a short period had greatly consumed his life force. The blood vessels beneath his skin showed a grayish, withered color, and his breathing was as faint as a flickering candle in the wind, barely sustained by the Chakra of the Gedo Statue.
To recover, he would need to recuperate with secret medicine for a long time.
At this moment, Zetsu emerged from underground and said hoarsely, "Nagato, aside from the Land of Water, the spies from the other four great ninja villages have already entered the Land of Rain. What do you want to do?"
Konan, who was beside him, frowned, not expecting them to arrive so quickly. Nagato's physical condition was not optimistic now; another major battle might be too much for his body.
She stared at Zetsu and asked, "Who has come?"
"The Land of Fire sent the Kirin of Konoha, Aoki Yoru, the one who seriously injured Kisame, along with his two teammates, both Jonin-level strength."
"The Land of Earth sent the Jonin Explosion Release user, Katsu, leading three other Jonin."
"Sunagakure sent an Anbu elite leading two puppeteers."
"Kumogakure sent the Two-Tails Jinchuriki, Nii Yugito, and the Jonin Darui."
Konan paused after hearing this: "Except for Konoha and Kumogakure, the other two ninja villages won't cause much trouble; just send them away casually."
"So, should we capture the Two-Tails Jinchuriki? They've delivered themselves to our doorstep."
At this moment, Nagato raised his head, revealing his withered face, and said with difficulty, "Not for now. Capturing a Tailed Beast now is too sensitive; we would face endless harassment from Kumogakure and also attract the attention of the great nations. The organization isn't ready yet."
"Just get rid of them. Who from the organization has arrived in Amegakure?"
"Zabuza and Haku have always been here. Sasori has also arrived due to Deidara's flying ability. As for the others, they can't make it in time."
"Is that so? It's enough."
"Zabuza and Haku will handle Sunagakure; it's a good chance to test their mettle. If they can't even deal with Sunagakure next year, then they're not qualified."
"Have Sasori of the Red Sand and Deidara deal with Kumogakure. Don't hold back; killing them is fine, but don't capture them alive."
"I will use the 'Shapeshifting Technique!' to have them block the enemies. Although it's only 30% of their original strength, it's enough to temporarily hold off the enemies."
"Have Yagami Light deal with Iwagakure. With that guy's strength, even at 30% of his power, it's enough to deal with them."
"As for Konoha, have Uchiha Itachi, Kisame Hoshigaki, and Kakuzu handle them."
"If they can't stop the enemies, I will take action," Nagato said, a murderous aura appearing on his face.