Just as the Cloud Shinobi breached the borders of the Land of Fire, far away in Amegakure—a land of unceasing rain and steel towers—a figure stood silently atop the tallest spire. Draped in a black cloak patterned with red clouds, his spiky orange hair was unmoving under the rain. His Rinnegan eyes—demonic purple orbs etched with concentric ripples—stared into the distant direction of Konoha, and his voice murmured quietly against the wind.
"So… the war has begun again."
His voice, cold and detached, carried across the metal tower. "This time, the spark was the Uchiha Clan of Konoha staging a successful coup d'état. They assassinated the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, along with multiple high-ranking elders—Homura, Koharu, and even Shimura Danzo. With their power consolidated, they've taken control of Konoha. And naturally, the other Great Nations saw the opportunity they've long waited for."
As his words fell, a slender figure approached from behind. Also cloaked in the black-and-red of the Akatsuki, her short blue hair was adorned with a lavender paper flower. Her amber eyes were calm, but her voice was tinged with quiet sorrow.
"This world… it never changes. From starving orphans scrambling for stale bread to the power-hungry elite waging war over shadows and borders—conflict never ends. Whether between clans, between villages, or between nations… suffering is constant."
Pain—this body, the Deva Path of Nagato—turned his head slightly, his expression unreadable. Yet in his heavy tone was the burden of countless corpses and a world soaked in blood.
"Konan… we'll change this world. I swear. I'll carry Yahiko's dream until the end."
Seeing the pain in his voice, Konan's eyes softened. She reached out gently, her voice calm yet unwavering.
"I believe in you, Pain. I always have. This dream belongs to all three of us."
"…Thank you, Konan. I'll press on. Whether for Yahiko, or for you, I will make this dream reality."
The burden in his heart eased slightly under her quiet strength. He looked into her eyes—eyes that had endured the same pain—and reaffirmed his resolve.
Then, Konan's tone shifted slightly, her thoughts returning to the greater threat looming.
"Speaking of the Uchiha… Madara hasn't made a move in quite some time. Should we try to make contact?"
"And what do we do about this new Shinobi World War?"
Pain narrowed his eyes at the question. His voice grew lower, more calculating.
"Madara… or rather, the man claiming to be him… has been silent for months. I'll ask Zetsu to investigate. That one always knows more than he lets on."
"As for this war… Akatsuki isn't ready to act. Let the great nations bleed each other. So long as they don't bring their flames into Amegakure, we'll wait."
Konan frowned. "Do you think we won't be affected? The Land of Rain lies between the Land of Earth, the Land of Fire, and the Land of Wind. Sand and Rock Shinobi are already pressing deep into the Fire Country. Once their war intensifies, the battlefield won't stay confined. We'll be caught between them—again."
She spoke from bitter experience. She had lived through the Second and Third Great Ninja Wars—Amegakure was devastated both times, a land trampled by larger powers.
Pain nodded solemnly, but his voice sharpened with conviction.
"No. I won't allow that to happen. If this war began because of Konoha, let them bear the consequences. The people of the Land of Rain have suffered enough. It's time the Land of Fire understands true pain. Only when they suffer will they truly reflect on their actions. Only then will peace have meaning."
Konan was silent for a moment, then nodded slowly.
"Alright. I believe in you."
Her voice was quiet, but her faith was clear. A slight smile graced her lips for just a breath, before vanishing like mist in the rain.
Elsewhere, deep within the Land of Fire…
In a temporary military camp reinforced by chakra barriers and watchtowers, a Uchiha clansman knelt before a small command tent. His voice was respectful, but anxious.
"Lord Patriarch, this is the latest report from the Cloud front lines."
"Hm." Uchiha Yue, the newly declared leader of the Uchiha Clan, accepted the scroll, his eyes narrowing as he read.
The content inside made his expression darken.
According to the intelligence, Cloud Shinobi forces had successfully overrun a strategic border outpost—Black Rock City. Now using it as a fortified base, they were launching raids across the region, striking towns and villages alike, plundering resources and supplies.
Perhaps the only "good news"—if it could be called that—was that the invaders weren't indiscriminately slaughtering civilians.
But Yue wasn't comforted by that.
Such pillaging would displace tens of thousands. Refugees would flood into the interior, draining resources and threatening the stability of nearby regions. Left unchecked, they could spread unrest—or worse, be exploited by the enemy as spies or saboteurs.
Yue closed the scroll with a snap, his expression steeled.
"Pass my orders. Assemble half of our Jōnin forces immediately. I will personally lead a vanguard to recapture Black Rock City and reclaim what has been stolen."
Though Yue had never led a campaign of this scale in either this life or the previous, he understood one thing clearly: never allow the enemy to dictate the pace.
If they ceded the initiative, it would only invite further disaster.
Whether by battle or diplomacy, wars were not won by reacting—they were won by control.
And Cloud's actions had crossed a line.
He stood, his Sharingan glinting ominously.
"If we let this go on, no amount of strength will save us from the chaos that follows. It's time to strike back."
"Yes, Patriarch!" the clansman replied sharply, already moving to relay the command.
Within minutes, nearly a hundred elite shinobi—Jōnin and Tokubetsu Jōnin—gathered in formation. Their eyes were sharp, their movements swift.
Yue stood before them, his voice rising above the din.
"Cloud Shinobi have invaded our land, robbed our people, and displaced our citizens. If we don't act now, they'll continue until there's nothing left."
"I will lead this mission personally. We will take back Black Rock City—and with it, everything they've stolen."
He raised his hand—and in a flash of speed, vanished using the Body Flicker Technique.
One after another, his elite force disappeared into the forest mist behind him. Their speed and discipline made clear that this was no disorganized counterattack—this was war.
The war had begun again.
And this time, the Uchiha would not wait to be wiped out.
JOIN MY PATREON TO READ ADVANCE 100+ CHAPTERS
Patreon.com/Kora_1