It can be said that in the central and western parts of the ninja world, the biggest enemy of the Earth Kingdom is no longer the Fire Kingdom, but the Demon Kingdom, which is developing fiercely and is even more vigorous.

Intervening in the civil war in the Land of Rain and relaxing the surveillance of the Land of Ghosts at this time is not a good choice.

But this is the daimyo's proposal. As long as it does not violate the principle, Ohnoki would not be inconvenient to offend the face of the daimyo of Earth Country.

Ending the civil war in the Country of Rain as soon as possible and quickly redirecting attention to the Country of Ghosts, this is Onoki's true inner thoughts.

◎

"Iwagakure's behavior has also changed."

Continuous heavy rain covered the entire valley, and Bai Jue reported to Xiaonan.

Nagato has already gone to the Country of Demons alone to conduct cooperation negotiations, temporarily attracting the Country of Demons to help the Hidden Rain Village.

Therefore, Yuyin Village is temporarily left to Xiaonan to handle, while Bai Jue is responsible for collecting intelligence on the battlefield and detecting enemy movements.

"Do you know how many people there are?"

Xiaonan frowned tightly.

"There are about three hundred people, and the main force is chuunin."

Bai Jue replied.

After listening to this, Konan lowered his head slightly and thought. Three hundred Iwagakure ninjas were not that many. Compared with the Third Ninja World War, the number of troops Iwagakure put on the battlefield could even be said to be very sparse.

But Iwagakure's entry is a very dangerous signal.

The Earth Kingdom, which had been watching from the sidelines, also planned to intervene, coinciding with the Fire Kingdom. They had only one target - Yuyin Village.

Only by trampling Yuyin Village under their feet again, or even annihilating it, will these big countries feel at ease.

Because compared to the Grass Hidden Village in the Country of Grass, the Rain Hidden Village has potentially dangerous factors.

That is to resist, instead of being resigned like Caoyin Village, allowing big powers to bully them without daring to fight back.

"What should we do next? Does Nagato-sama have any plans for the next step?"

Bai Jue asked.

"Nagato has gone to the Kingdom of Demons to solicit help."

"Qianba Shiraishi won't agree easily. He is a guy who can't afford to do anything early. This will only make the country of ghosts high-profile here and become the target of public criticism."

"Nagato has the means to make Chiba Shiraishi agree."

Speaking of this, Xiaonan remembered what Nagato said before leaving, and her expression suddenly became strange.

"Um?"

Seeing Xiao Nan's confident look, Bai Jue's face was a little confused, but he was wise enough not to ask.

While Xiao Nan and Bai Jue were talking, the sound of footsteps came from outside the cave, and together with the sound of rain, it reached the ears of Xiao Nan and Bai Jue.

"Oh, it's not a coincidence that you are back. You two, now is not a good time to organize a meeting."

Bai Jue looked at the two people who walked in with a smile.

One is tall and one is short.

Wearing a black red cloud coat and a hat with bells on his head, the slightly shorter man revealed a pair of scarlet eyes, which shone brightly in the dim cave. You could clearly see three more eyes in the red pupils.

A black magatama.

Sharingan.

Uchiha Itachi.

The tall man was naturally his teammate Kisame Inekaki. He walked over with a grin on his face and a large sword on his back, Samehada.

"It does not seem suitable for a meeting. It has become messy outside, and Yuyin Village has become much emptier than before."

When Kisame said this, it meant that he and Itachi had already returned to Amegakure Village before coming here.

Due to the start of the civil war, almost half of the ninjas in the Rain Hidden Village were transferred and began to mobilize in the Land of Rain.

But this does not mean that the defensive strength within the Rain Hidden Village is empty. If someone wants to sneak attack on the Rain Hidden Village at this time and thus cut off the retreat of the Rain Hidden Ninjas, it can only be said that that person is very unlucky.

Within the Kingdom of Rain, there is no place more dangerous than Hidden Rain Village.

"Sorry, we are at war now. Maybe next year will be much better."

Xiaonan said apologetically.

"It doesn't matter, but can the war really end next year? According to Itachi and I's observation, not only the Fire Country, but also the Iwagakure Village of the Earth Country seems to have officially joined. If it is useful, you can always

Explain to us."

Kisame smiled and said that he did not have any expectations that the war would end next year.

"The Fire Country and the Earth Country don't want to expand the war in the Rain Country... No, they don't know anything about Yugakure's power. They tried to get involved in the sovereignty of the Rain Country, but they just did it at the wrong time.

, launching a wrong war.”

Xiaonan said this.

"Isn't Nagato here? I also want to know what the next mission is."

Kisame asked.

"Nagato has gone to the land of ghosts. Now I am in charge here."

"The land of ghosts?"

Kisame was slightly startled.

Itachi's Sharingan flashed, but he didn't speak and remained silent.

"Now is not the time to expose Nagato's power. It will be beneficial to both countries to use the Kingdom of Demons to cover up part of the edge and win."

The power of the Kingdom of Ghosts in the west has obviously surpassed that of the Kingdom of Wind, and now it only has to compete with the Kingdom of Earth to determine its overlord status.

If the Kingdom of Ghosts aids the Kingdom of Rain and outweighs the Kingdom of Earth and the Kingdom of Fire, then the Kingdom of Ghosts' status in the west will be more stable and it will be one step closer to becoming a great power.

The key now depends on how the Kingdom of Ghosts chooses.

Should we continue to watch, or should we plan to intervene and move towards the goal of becoming a great power?

"Really? It's good to have an idea. If the leader fails, his ability to lead the organization may also be reduced."

Kisame chuckled softly, not knowing what he was thinking.

Xiaonan has no comment on this.

Akatsuki and Yuyin Village are originally two different camps.

There are some things that Akatsuki can handle, but it is not convenient for Yuyin Village to come forward.

Once countries embark on the road of competition between countries, some methods cannot be brought to the table after all.

After defeating the Wind Country, Chiba Shiraishi and others were eager to force Konoha to eliminate their status as rebel ninja, and they were also worried that their status would lead to criticism.

Once these rumors become a general trend, they will affect the ruling power, which is very fatal for the top leaders of the country.

The interests of Akatsuki and Yugakure overlap in some places and complement each other in other ways. Ultimately, Akatsuki is an underground organization that contains dangerous and rebellious ninjas. Xiaonan will not really believe that the members of Akatsuki will work for the rise of Yugakure.

Dedicate your life.

"This is not something you need to consider. As for your next task, do whatever you like. As long as it does not attract the attention of those big countries, Nagato will not restrict your freedom. If you really want to do things for the organization, then,

Just pay attention to the powerful ninjas in the ninja world recently and absorb them."

"How can it be so easy to find a ninja who meets the requirements... Forget it, Itachi, let's go. I just want to take a rest recently. It's best if I don't have a mission."

Kisame stretched and took a deep breath.

"No, I'm going to a place next to replenish my equipment. I'm running out of kunai and ration pills."

Itachi spoke.

"Really? Then I'll go with you too. Recently, Kirigakure's pursuit troops have been chasing me more closely, so it's safer for the two of us."

Kisame said.

Itachi pondered for a moment, looked at Konan who looked silent, nodded and said, "Okay."

Akatsuki organizes two people into an action unit, not only to help each other, but also to monitor each other.

Itachi knew very well what kind of situation he was in within the Akatsuki organization.

Neither Nagato nor Uchiha Madara believed in him, they were just using his power instead of treating him as one of their own.

As a close confidant of Nagato, Konan must also know that at such a critical moment, it would be better for him to be under surveillance.

◎

The ruins of the city, judging from the traces of its destruction, are more than a hundred years old. It is full of ancient smells, empty of people, and so quiet that only the sound of wind and sand echoes in the ears.

Walking in such a ruined city, Kisame turned his face to both sides, and from time to time, black shadows would flash past from the shadows of the ruins.

"Hey, Weasel, we're being watched."

Kisame said to Itachi who was walking in front, while placing his palm on Samehada's bandaged knife handle, his eyes became alert.
To be continued...