In Amegakure.
"Ace, guys, we need to move fast, this guy is feeding off the vast amount of negative energy in this village," Killua warned.
Normally, Reibi wouldn't be able to feed so easily on the negative energy of those around it. However, the amount of negative energy in this village was so vast that the beast's mere breathing could strengthen it.
Not to mention that Reibi was being restrained by adamantine chains, or else the outcome would be worse.
Understanding the urgency of the situation, they began to move. For now, they were in a more isolated location in a traditional Japanese mansion, which had been Hanzo's domain. Now, it had been repurposed to serve as the base of the Revolutionary Army organization.
"I'll head to the west side to make the underground mana pillar as planned," Ace said.
"I'm going north," Yami added casually.
"South," Aizen said with a small smile.
"East," Zephyr said indifferently.
"Okay, be quick. We still need to build the central tower," Killua warned.
The goal wasn't simply to turn the ninja village into part of their domain, but the entire Land of Rain.
'Now, I need the main body to modify the 'Sky Island' and give it the final touch,' Killua thought as he prepared to start creating the main tower.
[2x2=IV]
Tanaka took the opportunity to use the bathroom, and while adjusting the settings, he quickly noticed an option to share the management of Amegakure. Without hesitation, he shared it with his clones.
For now, he didn't have time to deal with something like that.
After realizing that, even though he could share the management of Amegakure with his clones, he couldn't do the same with the dungeons, he sighed, though he had expected it to fail.
If it worked, it would have been easy for him to send shadow clones to each village and 'borrow' some materials to help with the construction of the Country, for which he had a grand plan in mind.
[3x2=VI]
As ninjas from five different villages began falling into traps under the command of the Leaf Village's ninja army, one of the leaders stood out.
"Attention, Leaf Ninjas!" His shout echoed all around, halting the Leaf ninjas' march.
There were five thousand ninjas, a legion composed of elite fighters and inexperienced genin. Many had determined looks, but some were fearful—after all, not everyone was ready to die, though they were ninjas.
The speaker was none other than Orochimaru, who summoned Manda and stood out atop the head of the gigantic serpent. All the Leaf ninjas turned their eyes toward him, attentive.
"You, Leaf ninjas, are the strongest lineage in this land!" He began.
The first words were enough to make everyone's eyes shine.
Soon he continued: "Your hands carry the power to shape the future, and your hearts, the flame that never goes out. We don't fight just for a village or for our Fire Country, but for the legacy of everything we've built up to now!"
He was expressive, using body gestures and emphasizing his words with conviction: "Our ambitions have brought us to this moment and now, in the face of this challenge, let us show the world the true power of the Leaf Village!"
"OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
A torrent of spirited shouts echoed, but Orochimaru didn't stop there.
"Fight!" He shouted. "Fight without hesitation, for it is in the darkest battles that the strongest reveal themselves! Today, we will write our destiny with glory and etch it in stone! For we are not just any ninjas; we are the Leaf Ninjas!"
A second of silence ensued until someone began shouting: "Leaf, Leaf!"
Soon, everyone joined in, stamping their feet forcefully on the ground: "LEAF! LEAF! LEAF!"
The sky seemed to thunder as the ground trembled. Although it was snowing, the temperature didn't feel cold, but rather like a scorching sunny day, making everyone's blood boil as the Leaf ninjas had fire in their eyes, repeating a single word.
The ninjas from other villages, who had fallen into traps but managed to prevent many of their deaths while preparing, heard Konoha's war cry and felt intimidated as they realized the ground was shaking like an earthquake.
Several swallowed hard; the fervor of the Leaf ninjas before their army was impressive.
Jiraiya, alongside Tsunade, pursed his lips while murmuring: "As expected, he knows what to say to move people's hearts…"
Tsunade sighed: "Look at them. Just a few seconds ago, there were some afraid of dying, but now they even seem like those crazy Kaguya Clan people."
Jiraiya would have disagreed, but it was undeniable that the Leaf ninjas seemed ready to devour someone alive…
Meanwhile, Orochimaru himself took the lead with Manda and advanced toward the enemy ninja army.
"Follow Orochimaru-sama!!"
Soon, the long-awaited battle officially broke out.
"Bang!"
The moment Manda advanced, with its large body crashing into trees, trampling every ninja in its path, causing loud crashing sounds.
[X+XV=XXV]
In the east of the Fire Country, the ship with Tanaka, Shiori, and the rest of the crew on board had just reached the shore.
As they disembarked, they wasted no time and began running towards Konoha, led by Tanaka and Shiori.
"Hurry!" Shiori exclaimed, jumping from one tree to another with her halberd strapped to her back.
Tanaka did not fall behind, keeping close to her.
The other ninjas were all at least chunin, with 10 of them being jonin.
Their speed was extreme, with the scenery constantly changing, and they passed through a few smaller villages along the way.
"Who are they?"
The natives of the Fire Country went on alert.
"That emblem... They are ninjas from Uzushio!"
"Ahh, then we are safe…"
Many sighed in relief, hand on their chest.
After all, anyone would be scared if several ninjas began running close to their village.