White Zetsu's sudden ambush caught the sensor division off guard.
Fortunately, the White Zetsu clones weren't all that powerful. The sensor shinobi quickly regrouped—working together to fend off the White Zetsu onslaught while retreating. Even so, many were killed in the attack.
Because of the explosions and dust clouds from the Five Elements Ninjutsu, plus the need to cover allies and pull back, the sensor troops failed to notice something crucial: certain comrades who had clearly been killed somehow slipped back into their ranks, walking right beside them. Their chakra signatures felt no different; not even the keenest sensor specialists suspected anything.
However, all of it was seen by one of Yagyu's Wood Clones, melded with the earth and vegetation.
So, when Konoha's sensor division withdrew from the perpetually drizzly Land of Rain and reached their campsite at the border, Yagyu was already outside waiting for them.
"Wood Release: Piercing Roots Technique!"
Before the sensor-nin could greet him, Yagyu formed a one-handed seal and murmured. In a blink, sharp wooden spikes erupted from the ground, impaling a dozen or so sensor-nin, skewering them like prisoners on spikes.
The rest of the sensor-nin had no time to scream or shout. Under everyone's astonished gaze, those "comrades" impaled by the wooden spikes began transforming, their bodies turning into white creatures at a speed visible to the naked eye.
"What the…?"
Staring at those White Zetsu clones—identical to the invaders who'd attacked them earlier—the surviving sensor-nin widened their eyes in horror. They specialized in detection, yet none of them realized the enemy was disguised as their teammates. Worse, the disguised Zetsu clones had perfectly replicated their chakra signatures. It was a terrifying form of transformation.
One thought flashed through their minds: if these creatures could stand alongside them undetected, infiltration would be child's play. If a whole squad had been replaced, they could feed all manner of false intel to the command center, sending their forces into lethal traps.
Realizing this, the special-jōnin leading them bowed to Yagyu:
"Lord Yagyu, we're terribly sorry!"
"It's fine. Their shape-shifting and infiltration techniques are among the best in the ninja world," Yagyu said with a smile. "If my Wood Release didn't happen to counter their jutsu, even I wouldn't detect them. Go on and carry out your orders. I won't let any enemies sneak in."
"Yes, sir!"
The sensor-nin responded with respect, looking to Yagyu with newfound fervor. Especially the younger Hyūga, Inuzuka, and Aburame clansmen felt a strong sense of safety, viewing Yagyu as a heroic figure.
Soon, they relayed intelligence on White Zetsu's army to Tsunade and the other top brass.
Inside a large tent was a long wooden table; Tsunade sat at the head, Yagyu on her right, and Hyūga Hiashi on her left.
"So, those creatures aren't some special clone technique?"
After listening to the report, Tsunade frowned:
"Could they really split into tens of thousands of clones? Is that even possible?"
"Not necessarily clones," Yagyu replied, feigning ignorance of White Zetsu's secret. "Last year's incident in the Land of Demons had Mōryō's resurrection and an army of ghost warriors—there's a resemblance. Perhaps these white creatures are a type of demon."
"I agree," said Nara Shikaku—seated on Yagyu's other side—nodding. "Looking at ninja history, the strongest known clone techniques are the First Hokage's Wood Clones and the Second Hokage's Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu. Neither can achieve that many copies nor give them such unique abilities. Even if they die, they don't vanish."
Hearing this, Tsunade relaxed a bit, believing Yagyu and Shikaku's theory more plausible. Then she issued orders:
"So many strange 'demons' lurking underground to ambush us almost certainly indicates the Akatsuki's hiding in the Land of Rain. Sealing the Five-Tails through the Seven-Tails will take them at least ten-plus days. This is our best opportunity. If we can locate them, not only can we disrupt the sealing, but we can finish them off while they're drained."
"Since the sensor forces can't get close to Amegakure, we'll form a special infiltration team to collect information. Yagyu—your Flying Thunder God Technique makes you the best candidate to lead. I'm entrusting you with this mission. Choose anyone you like."
"Understood. I'll head out right away," Yagyu responded, standing up and leaving.
Shortly, Yagyu took Hinata—whose Byakugan offered supreme detection—and Karin, whose Kagura's Mind Eye sense was exceptional. Together, they left camp, hoping to slip past the White Zetsu hordes and gather intel within Amegakure.
Similar infiltration teams were dispatched by the other Great Nations as well. Unlike the original Fourth Great Ninja War—where allied forces mostly played defense around Killer Bee and Naruto—this time the Five Great Nations took the initiative. And in the ninja world, an information war is key: as attackers, they needed reliable intel for a swift, decisive blow.
At the moment, the Akatsuki's exact position was their top priority. If the Akatsuki was hiding outside Amegakure, fighting through thousands of White Zetsu to reach an empty city would be wasteful. Those white creatures, for all their strange talents, were worthless spoils. Meanwhile, training a new genin took at least six years, and even more for chūnin or jōnin—no one wanted to lose their forces in needless battles.
Hence the five Great Nations, plus the Land of Iron—without spelling it out—tacitly set up camps on the outskirts of the Land of Rain, using sensor-nin and Earth-Style users to hold back the White Zetsu army while awaiting the infiltration teams' return.
...
"The five Great Nations have sent special teams to gather intel,"
Black Zetsu—linked to one hundred thousand White Zetsu—received the news instantly. With a sly smile, White Zetsu remarked:
"Aside from Konoha, we've planted clones among the forces of the other four Great Nations and the Land of Iron. Meanwhile, Konoha hasn't deployed Yagyu's Wood Clones to help them clear out the infiltrators, so they remain just a bunch of sand thrown together."
"Makes sense. Even though they know a single village can't handle us, they're unwilling to form a real Allied Shinobi Force. Years of hatred prevent them from fully cooperating. In fact, they'd love for the others to suffer great losses, then after we're wiped out, pounce on whichever village's in the worst shape," Tendo Pain's voice spoke, revealing Nagato's assessment. Then he asked:
"Which team did Konoha send?"
"It's the Wood-Style user Yagyu, plus the Hyūga heiress Hinata, and the Uzumaki descendant Karin," White Zetsu answered. "Our clones didn't dare get too close, so we can't pinpoint their position like we can with the other villages."
"They deployed their top fighter right away?" Kisame said in mild surprise. He grinned: "Seems Konoha hates our guts. Maybe one of us really did annihilate their four major clans, eh?"
He glanced sidelong at Hundred Faces, as did Deidara, Konan, and the others. But at that moment, Hundred Faces appeared too busy perceiving something outside, missing their scrutiny. So Tendo Pain switched the topic:
"We can't let those special squads reach Amegakure, nor can we just let the five Great Nations remain out there. We need to lure them deeper into the Land of Rain—force them to deploy the Eight-Tails and the Nine-Tails. We must make them believe we're indeed here. Prepare— I'll use the 'Simulacrum Summoning' technique!"
Right afterward, the other Paths of Pain who remained outside the underground base brought in six White Zetsu clones. Through the rings, Nagato funneled the chakra of Konan, Hundred Faces, and others into the Paths' rings, activating the Simulacrum Summoning. Like Edo Tensei, these six White Zetsu were transformed into Konan, Hundred Faces, and the rest.
"Come with me."
With those words, the Ningendō Pain took the Six Simulacrum forms of Konan and the others to a mountain near Amegakure's perimeter—waiting to intercept and feed false information to the invading armies.
Within the underground base, after finishing that step, Tendo Pain turned toward Hundred Faces:
"A simple illusion won't fool Yagyu. To stop him, we need you to use Edo Tensei. I'll dispatch the Six Paths of Pain to assist."
Finishing, Nagato conjured another Tendo Pain replica via Simulacrum Summoning.
"Understood," Hundred Faces replied.
Those words suited Yagyu's desire perfectly. A battle involving Edo Tensei–revived strongmen and the Akatsuki leader was precisely the best way for him to bide his time. So the Hundred Faces Simulacrum formed a series of hand seals:
"Edo Tensei!"
Instantly, three coffins rose in front of the false Hundred Faces. With a thunk, their lids fell away, and three figures—skin riddled with cracks, eyes hollow and lifeless—emerged.
Just one look caused the Akatsuki members' Simulacra to tense, pupils shrinking.
"Whoa… That lineup's totally over the top."
"Even the Wood Release might not handle that."
"Hundred Faces, you had an ace up your sleeve, huh?!"
Standing before them were none other than the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama; the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama; and the Second Tsuchikage, Mū.
Hashirama was the acknowledged God of Shinobi. Meanwhile, among all the Five Kage in history, Tobirama and Mū were two of the most gifted participants of the First Great Ninja War—Tobirama having created countless forbidden jutsu, and Mū having developed Dust Release, a Bloodline Selection beyond ordinary Bloodline Limits. Even ignoring the God of Shinobi's presence, these two Kage would both rank top five among all generations of Kage.
The Akatsuki members had expected only the First Hokage via Edo Tensei, believing that to be the pinnacle. Now they saw three Edo Tensei–revived legends. Considering Hundred Faces had practically perfected Edo Tensei, these reanimated beings could unleash at least seventy or eighty percent of their living strength. Obito and Black Zetsu felt an immediate surge in confidence; Nagato too grew more assured. Even if Tendo Pain here was just a Simulacrum, with the help of these three prior Kage, they could slay Yagyu. Defeat him, the biggest threat—victory guaranteed.
"Begin!"
The Tendo Pain clone commanded. The Six Paths swiftly blurred into motion and disappeared, and with them went Edo Tensei's Hashirama, Tobirama, and Mū, each mind-controlled and obedient. Only Hundred Faces remained, sitting cross-legged, controlling them remotely.
...
Meanwhile, Yagyu guided Hinata—Byakugan active—and Karin—using her Kagura's Mind Eye—toward Amegakure. Suddenly, he halted, crouched down, and placed two fingers on the ground. A few seconds later, he spoke to them:
"Return and inform Lady Hokage. The Akatsuki is definitely in Amegakure. We can attack in force."
"Yes, sir!"
Sensing something themselves, Hinata and Karin both nodded with grave expressions. Immediately, they retraced their steps. Boom— Within a few kilometers behind them, massive thunder-like rumbles echoed. Even from that distance, the quaking was enough to jolt them. No need to turn around; their extraordinary sensory skills told them that an immense forest was sprouting, forming a giant rain-soaked woodland in the Land of Rain. As soon as that "Sea of Trees" appeared, nine immense chakra signatures were detected.
Sensing the magnitude of those nine chakras, even Hinata and Karin—so trusting of Yagyu—couldn't help but feel worried. The Sea of Trees was colossal enough for infiltration squads dispatched by the other four Great Nations to sense it from afar, too. While White Zetsu's mass of tiny signals resembled specks of light, here was an enormous burst like a Tailed Beast or a Tailed Beast Bomb going off. Plainly, somebody was unleashing an ultra-wide-range jutsu. And near that chakra soared nine more monstrous chakra signatures. Recognizing the severity, every infiltration squad looked at one another gravely and turned back.
No need to head for Amegakure now; they were one hundred percent sure Akatsuki was in the Land of Rain—and that someone had already found them and started the fight.
...
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