Fourth Great Ninja War

Dark clouds filled the sky, and the oppressive atmosphere weighed on everyone’s hearts like a massive boulder.

The classic duo arrived by the lake. Beneath the gloomy sky, the water looked especially deep and secluded, as if a dormant beast lurked below, ready at any moment to open its bloody maw and devour everything on the surface.

Itachi narrowed his Sharingan slightly, his gaze cold and steady. Turning to Kisame, he spoke in a low, calm voice. "Get ready."

Kisame grinned, baring his sharp teeth. Samehada trembled excitedly in his hand, seemingly unable to wait to taste blood. "Haha, it’s finally starting. This Three-Tails better not disappoint me."

Disappoint?

Perhaps.

Itachi would never forget Karatachi Yagura firing at him after transforming into a Tailed Beast, nor the sight of Jūzō Biwa charging forward with his blade to slash at a Tailed Beast Bomb.

Thinking about it now, based on the intelligence analysis, Karatachi Yagura had likely been controlled by that man’s Sharingan while he was alive, and "I" had been a target whose loyalty was being tested under the controlled Karatachi Yagura.

As Itachi thought, he formed hand seals. "Water Release: Water Wall!" he called in a low voice. A powerful torrent burst from his mouth, instantly forming an enormous wall of water above the lake.

The Water Wall was like an impregnable barrier, cutting off the Three-Tails’ possible escape route upward.

Seeing this, Kisame laughed and praised him. "Itachi-san’s Water Release is pretty impressive too!"

Itachi possessed Fire, Wind, Water, Yin, and Yang Chakra. Proficient in Fire Release, he was simply too lazy to use Water Release most of the time.

Not to be outdone, Kisame slung Samehada over his shoulder and began forming hand seals as well.

"Water Release: Great Exploding Water Colliding Wave!"

Kisame Hoshigaki swung Samehada fiercely, and an immense volume of seawater sprayed from it like a raging tsunami, crazily pouring toward the bottom of the lake!

The once-calm lake instantly became turbulent with waves. The water churned violently, and waves surged high into the air.

Under the effects of their powerful Water Release techniques, Isobu at the bottom of the lake felt uncomfortable and roared furiously!

The Three-Tails’ enormous body slowly writhed beneath the lake, turning the once-clear water completely murky as vast amounts of silt were stirred up.

"Splash, splash~"

Isobu’s body was like a small mountain. Wherever it moved, it kicked up waves several meters high.

Itachi’s expression sharpened as he swiftly activated the Sharingan’s Dojutsu.

"Tsukuyomi!" he murmured. Confusion flashed through the Three-Tails’ eyes, as though it had fallen into an endless space of darkness.

Within that space, time and distance lost all meaning. Countless Sharp Blades continuously pierced the Three-Tails, making it howl in agony.

Feeling discomfort in his eyes, Itachi ended Tsukuyomi.

You dare toy with me?!

The Three-Tails furiously swung its tail, smashing it toward Itachi and Kisame.

With a strange laugh, Kisame charged directly into the Three-Tails’ attack.

He gripped Samehada with both hands, drawing out its power to the utmost.

"Samehada, devour!" Like a starving beast, Samehada opened its jaws and frantically swallowed the Three-Tails’ Chakra.

The Three-Tails jolted in pain and tried to shake Samehada off, but Kisame held on tightly, relying on his tremendous strength to remain locked in a stalemate with it.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Itachi activated another ninjutsu. "Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"

The area around the lake was left in complete ruin.

Roaring in fury, the Three-Tails chased after the two bastards who had disturbed its peaceful cultivation.

And the duo’s destination was Kirigakure.

"Alright! Itachi-san! This is about far enough!" Kisame slung Samehada over his shoulder and turned back with a grin at Isobu, the small mountain pursuing them. "Let Kirigakure deal with the headache! Let’s go!"

Itachi Uchiha stood atop a tall tree, watching Kisame talk to thin air. No one knew what he was thinking.

Inside Iwagakure’s imposing, ancient council chamber, the atmosphere was so grave it was nearly suffocating.

Ōnoki was small in stature, yet his bearing was as imposing as a mountain. His face twisted slightly with fury, the wrinkles on his forehead deep as ravines. His eyes were bloodshot, as if two fires burned within them.

His hands clenched tightly into fists, his knuckles turning white from the force. He resembled an enraged beast that could erupt at any moment.

"What exactly is going on?!" Ōnoki’s low voice was filled with rage as it echoed through the council chamber, shaking everyone’s eardrums. His gaze swept across every person present like a sharp blade, especially the Iwagakure senior official standing at the front.

The official was thin and looked panicked, his forehead covered in fine beads of sweat.

He trembled slightly, and his voice shook as well. "Lord Tsuchikage, based on the traces left at the scene and that conspicuous Eight-Tails Tentacle, our preliminary judgment is that Akatsuki was very likely responsible."

As he spoke, he secretly watched Ōnoki’s expression. Seeing the old man’s brow furrow even deeper and confusion appear in his eyes, he hurriedly continued.

"Akatsuki has long coveted the Tailed Beasts. They may be trying to provoke conflict between us and the other villages so they can reap the benefits. Their attack on Lord Kitsuchi and Akatsuchi, along with the abduction of Miss Kurotsuchi, was likely part of their plan. They are trying to trigger a war between Iwagakure and Kumogakure so they can gain more benefits amid the chaos—seizing more land resources, for example, or expanding their influence in the ninja world."

After listening to the analysis, Ōnoki fell silent for a moment, then snorted coldly. "Hmph. Such an obvious frame-up is far too crude! Do they think this will easily provoke a war between our two villages?" A shrewd glint flashed through his eyes as he paced back and forth through the hall. Every step landed heavily, as if he were venting his rage through his footsteps.

"But I have no choice but to take the bait!" Ōnoki suddenly stopped and looked up, his eyes filled with helplessness and grief. "Kurotsuchi has been taken. They must want to see Iwagakure and Kumogakure go to war. They know how important Kurotsuchi is to me and to Iwagakure. They are forcing my hand! This is difficult…"

His voice choked slightly. Kitsuchi was his son, Akatsuchi was the disciple he valued, and both had suffered at the enemy’s hands. Now his granddaughter had been abducted as well. Blow after blow had become too much even for this resilient Tsuchikage to bear.

"My Iwagakure Defense Force is regarded as the strongest among the Five Great Villages. How did that thief get in?"

The official thought for a moment. "Could it have been Spatial Ability?"

At the mention of that, Ōnoki calmed down considerably.

After all, he had lived through the first, second, and third Ninja World Wars. He had seen all kinds of strange ninjutsu.

Ōnoki took a deep breath and struggled to calm himself. His gaze gradually became resolute. "Kurotsuchi is Iwagakure’s hope for the future. No matter what, I must bring her back safely! Since they want to provoke a war, then we cannot retreat."

He turned to the ninja beside him and issued an order in a loud voice. "Pass down the order. Begin preparing military supplies! Inform all ninja to enter an emergency state of war readiness! At the same time, find Kurotsuchi’s whereabouts at all costs!"

"Once we find Kurotsuchi, we’ll settle things with the real enemy!"

"Yes!"

In Kumogakure’s council hall, the atmosphere was instantly ignited.

When news of Iwagakure’s declaration of war arrived, everyone was stunned at first. Then rage spread through the hall like a rising tide.

Raikage Ay sat upon a towering chair, radiating an aura that sent chills down people’s spines.

This was his true self, not the version described in some book.

At that moment, his face was livid, his Eyes wide, rage burning within them. Veins bulged on his forehead as he clenched his fists, as if he might crush the chair in the next instant.

"Iwagakure! They have some nerve!" Ay’s voice boomed through the hall like a great bell, making those who heard it instinctively shrink their necks.

He abruptly rose to his feet and slammed the document in his hand onto the floor. The papers scattered like snowflakes. "Killer B was just seriously injured, and they declare war now? Isn’t it obvious they picked this moment to extort benefits from us? Do they take Kumogakure for some soft persimmon they can squeeze however they please?!"

Kumogakure’s ninja all showed furious expressions. Some bit down hard on their lips, others tightened their grips on their weapons, and the entire hall was filled with tension. "Lord Raikage, we can’t just let this go!"

"That’s right! They’ve gone too far. We have to teach them a lesson!" The ninja’s angry cries rose one after another.

Ay swept his gaze over the crowd. Seeing his subordinates united against a common enemy only made the fury in his heart burn brighter.

He strode back and forth through the hall. "Kumogakure has never feared anyone since its founding! So what if it was Hashirama Senju? After he died, didn’t Konoha lose its voice all the same? Since Ōnoki dares challenge us, then we’ll accompany him to the end!"

He stopped abruptly and waved his hand, his voice like thunder. "If they want war, then war it is! Inform every ninja to enter combat readiness! Kumogakure fears no enemy!"

Inside Konoha’s Hokage Office, the atmosphere was so heavy it seemed water could be wrung from it.

Sunlight outside filtered through mottled leaves and scattered patches of light across the floor, but it did nothing to dispel the oppressive mood within the room.

Tsunade sat behind the Hokage’s desk with a livid face. Her once-bright eyes now burned with anger. She clenched her teeth, her cheeks puffing slightly, and it looked like the new desk was about to meet the same fate as the old one.

When news of Sunagakure’s declaration of war arrived, a rush of hot blood surged straight to Tsunade’s head and instantly overwhelmed her.

Tsunade slammed her palm onto the desk, making the documents, pens, and ink jump. "Sunagakure! Have they gone mad?! At a time like this, they actually want to start a war with us?!"

Tsunade’s chest rose and fell. "Konoha and they have always stayed out of each other’s affairs. Last time, we were even discussing an alliance and future development! Why did they suddenly change their minds?!"

Konoha’s advisor, Mitokado Homura, stood nearby with his brow tightly furrowed and a grave expression. He slowly said, "Sunagakure’s actions this time are indeed strange. Perhaps they have some unspeakable objective, or perhaps another force has incited them. We cannot act rashly. We must investigate carefully first, determine their true reason for declaring war, and only then decide what to do."

However, the other advisor, Utatane Koharu, held a different opinion. Her eyes carried urgency and determination as she raised her voice. "Investigate? By the time we finish investigating, Sunagakure may already be at our gates! Konoha is powerful now. How can we allow Sunagakure to provoke us like this without striking back? I say we immediately gather our forces and take the initiative, give them a vicious lesson, and let them know Konoha is not to be trifled with!"

The two advisors each clung to their own position, arguing without end as their voices echoed through the office.

Listening to their argument, Tsunade grew increasingly irritated. She glared at them both and shouted, "Stop arguing! This is not the time for a debate!"

That instantly shut them up.

Hyuga Hiashi, the Hyuga Clan Leader, had been standing nearby without an opportunity to speak. Once the two advisors quieted down, he frowned slightly and said, "Lord Hokage, regardless of Sunagakure’s reason for declaring war, we must be fully prepared. Konoha’s safety rests entirely upon you. Please carefully consider our response."

At that moment, Jiraiya cleared his throat. "No matter how you look at it, this is very suspicious. Sunagakure has always calculated every move carefully and would not launch a war without cause. We also know their strength. Rashly making an enemy of Konoha brings them little benefit. There must be more to this. Perhaps someone is secretly sowing discord."

Mitokado Homura shook his head. "Sunagakure’s financial situation is enough to make Rasa launch a war. There is no need to overthink that part. Even if someone incited him, he truly wants to invade Konoha. That is beyond doubt."

After listening to everyone, Tsunade thought for a moment, then lifted her head and said firmly, "Jiraiya is right. There must be something suspicious behind this, but regardless, we cannot sit and wait for death. Mitokado Homura, organize the intelligence personnel and determine the true reason behind Sunagakure’s declaration of war as soon as possible. Utatane Koharu, assist the military department in preparing defensive and battle plans. Clan Leader Hyuga, the Hyuga Clan is one of Konoha’s key forces. I hope you will lend us your full support."

Everyone nodded and accepted their orders.

Tsunade continued, "Where is Kakashi? Have him bring Uchiha Yu back immediately!"

Just then, a golden flash suddenly appeared inside the office, accompanied by spatial fluctuation.

Uchiha Yu had arrived uninvited!

He looked at everyone present, somewhat confused. "What’s wrong? Why do you all look so miserable? Did the Four Great Nations declare war on Konoha?"

Jiraiya wore an awkward expression. "Not quite. Sunagakure declared war on us."

"Sunagakure?" Uchiha Yu thought he had misheard. "You mean the Sunagakure that came to Konoha for the Chunin Exams not long ago, was so lacking in talent that it could only send a Jinchuriki, and nearly lost its Tailed Beast?"

Jiraiya nodded.

"Are they sick?!"

Main God Fang Yu could be "praised" by Chu Xuan for possessing the wisdom of an ordinary person. Since Uchiha Yu shared the same brain, he naturally smelled the stench of conspiracy behind this.

After thinking for a while, he named Rasa for special praise. "Rasa missed his chance to get thoroughly played by Orochimaru, and now Akatsuki has turned him into a gun again?"

Tsunade finally regained her composure and looked at Uchiha Yu. "Yu, what do you think about this war?"

"Sunagakure is definitely going to lose this war. The only problem is that they’re poor as dirt. When it comes to postwar reparations, Sunagakure is such a barren backwater that they couldn’t grow foxtail grass if they tried. We don’t even want their land, so the only thing they can offer is Shukaku. Start the war! Get Shukaku first!"

"Uh…" Jiraiya was a little dumbfounded. He had no idea where Uchiha Yu got such confidence, but he was still affected by it.

Mitokado Homura could not help interjecting, "Uchiha Yu, although only you and Second Pillar remain of the Uchiha Clan, even as the acting Clan Leader of the Uchiha Clan, your influence in the village is actually—"

Before he could finish, Uchiha Yu took out a Flying Thunder God kunai. "Is Konoha’s Black Flash enough?"

"War between villages is not as simple as you imagine. Even Minato Namikaze could not decide the course of battle in a short time during the wars of his era. The role one person can play in a war is negligible. At most, you are merely a somewhat sharper spearhead. Think carefully before—"

Mitokado Homura was interrupted again. Uchiha Yu directly entered Sage Mode, so proficiently that even Jiraiya had not realized he was activating it before it was already complete.

Of course, Uchiha Yu had also activated the Gene Lock and Heaven Curse Mark.

"This! This is!"

Jiraiya and Tsunade were both very familiar with Sage Mode, especially Jiraiya. "This familiar Chakra! That’s right! But how did you get to Mount Myōboku? How did I not know about this?! This is the aura of Mount Myōboku’s Sage Mode! What is going on? Uchiha Yu, tell me!"

Uchiha Yu pointed at his own nose. "My Sage Mode doesn’t give me a Rosacea Nose."

Jiraiya was somewhat embarrassed, but he still nodded. "That is true. Your Sage Mode is the most perfect I have ever seen from a ninja. Even at the Great Toad Sage’s place, I have never heard of a Sage Mode with such perfect fusion."

He suddenly understood. "So this is what you have been doing outside the village all this time—researching Sage Mode! Incredible! At such an age, you have already mastered senjutsu. You are Konoha’s dawn."

Hyuga Hiashi was also stunned again and again. He had never imagined that the Uchiha brat who once knew no limits would grow to such a level.

"Uchiha Yu, you…"

Uchiha Yu waved a hand, cutting off everyone’s amazement. "Does my word count now?"

Mitokado Homura nodded. "Mm! In that case, we can attempt a short campaign, but—"

"Why make it so troublesome? Just launch an all-out war! We have two of the Three Sannin plus one Beyond Kage—that’s me—and a few small fry. Even if the enemy is Akatsuki and Sunagakure working together, there’s nothing to fear!"

Mitokado Homura was so annoyed that he laughed. "You’re young, but your mouth is not small! Beyond Kage, indeed."

Tsunade coughed lightly. "Yu possesses the Mangekyō Sharingan and knows the Flying Thunder God. Now he has Sage Mode as well. Naturally, he is no weaker than the two of us among the Three Sannin."

Uchiha Yu did not explain his strength. He smiled at Tsunade, then looked toward Konoha’s two Senior Advisors.

"Sunagakure needs resources. They are so desperate now that they resemble sexually repressed people frantically searching for women’s contact information tonight because tomorrow is Valentine’s Day. No matter how poor the terms Akatsuki offered them, they would mobilize their entire village. That is human nature, and it is also the core foundation of Sunagakure’s militarism!"

"This war must be fought! We might as well be decisive, take the initiative, and push the battlefield as far outward as possible to avoid damaging the Land of Fire’s environment."

"Yu is absolutely right." Jiraiya nodded. "By the way, wasn’t Kirigakure supposed to be cooperating with us?"

Tsunade shook her head directly. "The Anbu sent word. Kirigakure is currently overwhelmed by Isobu, which suddenly came ashore. They have no time to worry about anything else."

At that, Uchiha Yu suddenly muttered something to himself. After sensing the direction, he said, "Come to think of it, I gave Kurenai Yuhi, who went to the Land of Lightning on a mission last time, a Flying Thunder God kunai. I’ll go to the Land of Lightning and check the surrounding situation."

With that, he vanished, leaving a room full of old-timers staring at one another.

In a mysterious, deep corner of the underground world, a strange space created through Wood Release quietly existed.

It seemed like another world entirely, utterly different from the desolation and cruelty outside.

The surrounding "Natural Energy" was so dense it was nearly tangible. Pale-green glows visible to the naked eye darted and circled freely through the air like lively spirits.

Li Yingqi lay quietly atop a piece of wood that emitted a warm, gentle glow.

Her expression was completely blank, her gaze unfocused as she stared emptily at the strange lights woven from Natural Energy above her. Her hands hung unconsciously at her sides, her fingers occasionally twitching faintly.

Beside Li Yingqi, a circle of Main God Fang Yus sat in meditation.

Their postures were neat and solemn, their legs crossed and their hands forming intricate, mysterious seals atop their knees.

Every Fang Yu wore an expression of concentration and calm, their eyes shut and their breathing even and deep.

Their bodies had merged with the dense Natural Energy around them. The glowing energy continuously flowed into their bodies and then radiated back out, forming small energy vortices one after another.

Although he had never been to Mount Myōboku, Fang Yu had a rough estimate.

If Mount Myōboku’s Natural Energy level was three,

then Li Yingqi’s Natural Energy, under eighteen versus one, had to be at least seven.

After three days of neglecting sleep and food, Fang Yu felt that his Natural Energy had reached an extremely terrifying level!

It might not compare to Hashirama Senju’s level, but surpassing Jiraiya, who had cultivated for decades, would no longer be a problem.

Suddenly, Li Yingqi opened her mouth. After organizing her words, she asked, "Earlier, you mentioned it, and Master mentioned it too. That world outside… what exactly is it?"

Without interrupting his meditation, Fang Yu answered with his eyes closed, "The Main God Space."

The moment he spoke, a notification about deducting ten reward points appeared in his mind. Fang Yu did not care about such a small amount of points and continued, "In the Main God Space, you can exchange for anything you can imagine. The price is going through one Reincarnation after another. Just like this time: to me, all of you are also characters in a world’s plot."

Li Yingqi clearly did not possess Bai Mei’s comprehension. She remained utterly confused. "You mean there is a world above this world? That world is not called the immortal realm, but some kind of space?"

"You can call it the immortal realm if you want, but you missed the key point of what I said. Plot. Reincarnation. You are a plot character in a Reincarnation World. If you cannot understand that, think of those people you once encountered but only met in passing. In their world, you are like what you are to me—you are a passerby. Reincarnation is the same. Among countless worlds, you are one of the passersby a Reincarnator Team will encounter."

Li Yingqi pinched her arm. "You’re saying I’m fake?"

"Of course you exist in this world~ It’s just that your world is lower-level than a Reincarnation World. Like fish in a fish tank finding it difficult to reach the sea."

"Of course, Reincarnators like us are not fish in the sea either. At most, we are scavengers barely clinging to life in a filthy gutter."

Li Yingqi’s worldview collapsed, but she continued asking, "Earlier, you said Master received an invitation from your enemies. Then… can I do it too?"

"What? You want to join Atlantis?"

Li Yingqi shook her head like a rattle drum. "Of course not. Can’t you invite me?"

Main God Fang Yu opened his eyes, interrupting his absorption of Natural Energy. "You? You’re too weak. If you had the Heavenly Strike Sword, then inviting you to be a teammate would not be impossible. After all, cultivating senjutsu requires your body."

Li Yingqi’s face reddened. "I merely want to find an answer to cultivation—an answer to existence."

Fang Yu considered it carefully. "Fine. If you can bring the Heavenly Strike Sword and Moon Gold Wheel into the Main God Space, then the Central Continent Team welcomes you."

Li Yingqi nodded. "Alright! It’s a deal!"

Fang Yu sniffed the Natural Energy in the air. "A little more has leaked away compared to just now. Come on, raise the wood higher and squeeze out some more."

Li Yingqi voluntarily stuffed the wood beneath her butt, closed her eyes, and looked exactly like someone bowing her head to life.

She was just a little cold.