RNP Chapter 250: On Black Zetsu's Schemes
Chapter 250: On Black Zetsu's Schemes
After Danzo disappeared, Naganobu sat alone in the mine, his smile gradually fading, replaced by a hint of madness.
"They've taken the bait," he muttered to himself, his fingers stroking the empty bottle of body-tempering pills hidden in his sleeve.
At this moment, Black Zetsu suddenly appeared: "Changxin, I sent you here to negotiate, not to use this as an excuse for personal gain. You only needed to pass on the message, so why did you send people from the Root?
"Relax, relax!" Changxin waved his hand and said, "If you want me to do something, you have to give me something in return. Besides, I'm going to betray Yahiko, so I need to find someone to take the blame and share the pressure with me."
Black Zetsu looked at him, saying nothing more, only warning, "Don't mess things up!"
After Black Zetsu left, Nagato sneered. In truth, he knew very well that Black Zetsu only wanted to use him, and that he was no different from Danzo in essence.
It's simply that he's willing to pay a price to make the horse run faster, while Danzo would just tighten the reins and whip it until it's completely exhausted, then abandon it.
But Nagato wasn't stupid. Nagato's Rinnegan, although it didn't seem to have much power now, was still the eye of the legendary Sage of Six Paths.
"That's something even you, the mastermind behind it all, and the former Lord Shiraki, are extremely wary of. I'm not that stupid to ask you to face the Rinnegan's roar head-on!"
-
The time was postponed for several days. Changxin used this opportunity to meet with Taira Onoki in his capacity as a member of the Root organization.
No one knows what they talked about at the time, only that almost all of the dozen or so men he brought with him died, while Changxin left unharmed.
The very next day, Onoki amassed his forces and marched straight toward the border of the Land of Rain, but publicly claimed that he wanted to use the route to attack Konoha.
Just a few days after Ōnoki launched his attack, the Raikage of Kumogakure also captured a spy at just the right time and received the news.
In Kumogakure, the ANBU messenger knelt on one knee: "Lord Raikage, we have received a secret report that the Third Tsuchikage of the Land of Earth, Onoki, has gathered five thousand ninja three days ago, intending to use the Land of Rain as a route to attack Konoha."
The Third Raikage, A, suddenly stood up from his chair, his chest heaving violently, but a near-fanatical smile gradually appeared on his face.
Are you sure the information is reliable?
"Reporting to Raikage-sama, the person who delivered the message is extremely secretive. We've been investigating for three days but haven't been able to find out their identity or origin. However, we suspect they might be from Amegakure."
Upon hearing this, the Third Raikage sat down again, becoming slightly more alert.
"It seems that old bastard Onoki not only wants to attack Konoha, but the situation in Iwakage isn't much better either. Tsuchidai, what do you think about this?"
"Lord Raikage, please calm down." At this moment, a young man in his early twenties stepped forward.
This person was tall and robust, with reddish-brown skin, a unique color resulting from the highlands of the Land of Lightning, which are exposed to sunlight year-round.
He had a clean-shaved buzz cut, a broad jaw, high brow bones, and a pair of amber eyes, yet possessed a composure beyond his years.
This person was Tsuchida in his youth, the Third Raikage's most trusted secretary, who at only twenty-three years old had already demonstrated tactical skills and political acumen far exceeding those of his peers.
He stepped forward, took out a hand-drawn map from his pocket, and spread it on the table: "Lord Raikage, according to the intelligence we have received, Onoki has indeed amassed five thousand men at the border. However—he is merely stationing troops; he has not launched an attack."
The Third Raikage frowned: "So what?"
Tsuchikage said calmly, "Given the Third Tsuchikage's personality, if he really wanted to attack Konoha, he would definitely act swiftly and strike before Konoha could react. However, with the Three Kingdoms Alliance in the middle, this war is unlikely to break out."
"However, based on my analysis, whether this is a conspiracy or not, our attack will only bring benefits and no harm."
"What's that old bastard up to? Never mind, since it can't hurt, if they're launching an attack, we have to follow suit. Issue my order: assemble three thousand men. I'll personally lead the expedition south!"
Kumogakure values speed, and three thousand Kumogakure ninjas were assembled within half a day, all of them being elite Chunin.
The Third Raikage personally donned his armor and went into battle, with Team Ab assisting him on either side. The older generation of the Two-Tails Jinchuriki also wanted to contribute his remaining strength before he died.
It can be said that the Third Raikage is all or nothing when he doesn't make a move, but once he does, he goes all out.
Kumogakure is now only occupied by Tsuchikage and the veteran ninja Bucciarati.
Before departing, Tsuchikage, clutching a stack of tactical scrolls, said, "Lord Raikage, the fastest route south is through the Land of Hot Springs, then westward into Konoha. But the Land of Hot Springs is a member of the new Three Kingdoms Alliance, and I'm afraid they won't let us pass easily."
"Let me through? When have I ever needed anyone's permission to pass? If they won't let me through, just run me over! Let's go!"
Tu Tai smiled slightly and said nothing more.
He knew that from this moment on, the fate of the Land of Hot Springs was already sealed.
-
However, just after the Raikage set off, a White Zetsu recklessly wandered into the territory of the Land of Waterfall, and was instantly sensed by Naoto, who was on patrol.
On this day, the soil beneath one's feet trembled very faintly. It was not a natural tectonic movement, but rather the sound of someone walking through the earth.
Naoto's hand rested on the tree trunk, and chakra spread along the bark, becoming one with the entire forest.
His senses traveled deep underground along the roots, and he quickly detected the white Zetsu.
Before he could make a move to capture it, the white monster followed his senses and appeared in front of him, emerging from the ground.
White Zetsu looked up at Naoto and grinned foolishly, "Oh dear, so we have people here too!"
It patted the dirt off its body, came closer, and casually hugged Naoto's shoulder.
"Brother, let me tell you, I've done a really big job this time!"
He lowered his voice, his tone full of self-satisfaction: "This time, my superiors instructed me to disguise myself as someone from Amegakure and inform Kumogakure that Onoki is going to attack Konoha. But the real purpose is to get the Land of Lightning to attack Yugakure."
"You'd never guess why the Raikage attacked Yugakure. Hehe, because I'm playing the role of a Rain Village ninja! The Raikage and the others will definitely guess that it's us Rain Village trying to shift the blame eastward."
"This is a rare opportunity, and we won't lose anything anyway, because after we wipe out the Tang Ninja, we can go straight to attack Konoha without any obstacles."
Then we'll incite Konoha to attack the Land of Waterfall, which will surely expose the people who are plotting against our brothers in the shadows. That will throw everyone into chaos, hehehe.
Hey bro, is your undercover mission almost over? I bet a fight's about to break out here, you'd better come back soon.