For the Konoha shinobi, the Sharingan wasn't a rare sight. It was common enough that you might even pass by a jōnin with activated Sharingan while shopping for groceries in the village.
However, once the word Mangekyō was added in front of Sharingan, the significance changed entirely.
Ever since the rogue ninja Madara Uchiha was supposedly killed by the First Hokage, the Uchiha clan hadn't produced another Mangekyō Sharingan user. After several decades, many had come to believe the Mangekyō was no more than a legend. But now, hearing the term Mangekyō Sharingan from Killer Bee's mouth sent waves of shock through the Konoha ninjas.
At that moment, the air was pierced by a sharp sound, and Shisui Uchiha, wielding the Mangekyō Sharingan, arrived at the battlefield.
Upon seeing Shisui's Mangekyō, shaped like a spinning shuriken, the Konoha ninjas quickly realized who had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan.
Shisui noticed the unusual gazes from his comrades but disregarded them. He swiftly teleported to Jiraiya's side, speaking urgently, "Jiraiya-sama, the priority right now is dealing with the Fourth Raikage and Killer Bee. We can discuss other matters after the battle."
Hearing this, Jiraiya nodded and called out to the Konoha forces beside him, "Everyone, with Shisui's help, we are certain to secure victory in this war!"
With those words, Jiraiya charged towards the Fourth Raikage.
Trusting in Shisui, Jiraiya didn't hesitate, and Shisui, in turn, disregarded the chakra cost, activating his Susanoo. A vibrant green projection surrounded him, transforming into a massive samurai wielding a spiral long sword.
For many of the Konoha ninjas, this was their first time witnessing Susanoo.
From its immense size, they realized it was a power that could rival even tailed beasts.
Emboldened by this, the Konoha shinobi renewed their assault, charging towards the Cloud ninjas. The battlefield erupted into chaos, filled with the sound of explosive tags and the shouts of ninjutsu being cast, turning the area into an apocalyptic war zone.
Among those fighting was Fugaku Uchiha, though his gaze kept drifting towards Shisui's Susanoo.
His suspicions had been correct—Shisui had indeed awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan.
Yet, when Fugaku had asked Shisui directly, Shisui had vehemently denied it. Now, with Jiraiya in danger, Shisui stood resolutely by Jiraiya's side.
'Shisui Uchiha,' Fugaku thought bitterly, 'do you really have no loyalty to your clan?'
Jiraiya, who was still locked in battle with the Fourth Raikage, was also puzzled. He remembered that Shisui had been on a mission with Byakuya to infiltrate the enemy. Now that Shisui had returned, where had Byakuya gone?
Had something happened during his fight with Killer Bee? And if Byakuya was in danger, how would Konoha explain this to Hanzō of the Salamander?
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(AN: From now on, I would be using Japanese honorifics for all titles.)
While the battle between Konohagakure and Kumogakure raged on...
Byakuya, led by the Cloud ninjas, had already located Sasori and Kakuzu.
The moment Kakuzu saw Byakuya, he recognized him immediately. Frowning, Kakuzu said, "Byakuya-sama, you're currently working as a mercenary for Konoha, while I am hired by Kumogakure. Shouldn't we be having a major showdown right about now? Your bounty on the black market isn't exactly low."
Byakuya raised an eyebrow, his expression darkening as he replied, "Kakuzu, are you planning to betray me?"
Hearing the tense exchange between Byakuya and Kakuzu, the surrounding Cloud ninjas turned their attention toward them. Could there be an internal conflict brewing between Byakuya and Kakuzu? If so, this might present a perfect opportunity for Kumogakure forces.
Kakuzu's expression was serious as he said, "Byakuya-sama, you once said you value principles."
Byakuya chuckled, casually tossing a gold coin into Kakuzu's hand. "Is this enough to satisfy your principles?"
Kakuzu grinned and replied, "You jest, Byakuya-sama. Money is my principle."
Glancing at the anxious Cloud ninjas around them, Sasori couldn't help but comment, "Byakuya, your nature hasn't changed. We could have met secretly, yet here you are, toying with their emotions."
"Compared to you, the ruthless puppet master, playing with hearts causes far less harm…" Byakuya shot back.
Sasori had no rebuttal. He had indeed gathered a considerable amount of corpses during this war, providing ample research material for the coming years.
Kakuzu, who had also earned a good deal of bounty from this battle, simply viewed the demand for money as part of his character.
After securing the gold in a pouch at his waist, Kakuzu turned to Byakuya. "Byakuya-sama, the war between Konoha and Kumogakure has reached a critical phase. Should we interfere with their conflict?"
Byakuya replied slowly, "If we don't intervene in this battlefield, wouldn't our presence here be in vain? However, our small group lacks the power to influence the decisive battle between Konoha and Kumogakure; we need to wait for further reinforcements."
"Our small group lacks power?"
Sasori couldn't believe his ears. They were three individuals with Kage-level strength; whether they joined Konoha or Kumogakure, they could shift the war's trajectory.
Kakuzu seemed to remember something, a sly smile creeping across his face.
At first, he thought Byakuya intended to use this war to profit for the Akatsuki, assuming that engaging in war was more lucrative than honest farming or trading.
Unexpectedly, Byakuya aimed to manipulate both Konoha and Kumogakure simultaneously.
Without further explanation, Byakuya silently gazed toward the distant forest, patiently awaiting reinforcements.
Before long, several figures clad in Fire Cloud attire appeared before Byakuya. The leader was none other than Yahiko, the leader of the Amegakure.
Following him were Konan and other members of the Akatsuki.
As soon as Yahiko laid eyes on Byakuya, he asked anxiously, "Byakuya, what did you mean in your letter about stopping the war between the Cloud and Konoha? It looks like a full-blown battle is taking place here."
Konan echoed his concern, "What's going on? Did you really bring us here to end the war?"
Byakuya nodded slightly, then explained, "Do you remember what I mentioned before? The war between Kumogakure and Konoha won't end until both sides are exhausted to a certain extent."
"I remember, but Konoha and the Cloud still have the potential to fight…"
Byakuya smiled, revealing a meaningful expression. "Yes, they do for now. But soon they won't. If we can capture the leaders of both sides and threaten them with their lives, peace can be achieved."
Yahiko and Konan's expressions turned stiff at his words.
No wonder Byakuya had used the excuse of being short on manpower to summon them; they had previously doubted whether he was being lazy since his strength could directly impact the war.
They had not expected him to suggest stopping the war in such an extreme manner—using the lives of both leaders as leverage. It was a method unlike anything they had ever heard of.
Yet, it was indeed the most efficient approach at that moment, and they had no other choice.
As long as they could establish peace between Konoha and Kumogakure, they were willing to try, even if the method was too radical.
Mediating the conflicts between the five great nations had been their long-standing dream.