On the high tower of Amegakure, fierce winds howled as Tendō Pain stood solemnly, sweeping his gaze across the final combat force of the Akatsuki: Hyuga Gakuya, Deidara, Kisame Hoshigaki, Konan, and Sasuke.
The night was pitch black, pressing heavily over their heads. Lightning occasionally lit up the sky, casting a brief, eerie glow across their grim faces.
The Akatsuki had lost many along the way. Much had happened, and many had died—but all of it had been worth it. They were about to create a perfect world.
"We'll proceed just as Hyuga Gakuya suggested—simultaneous strikes on both Konohagakure and Kumogakure. We'll take the last two Tailed Beasts," Pain declared, stepping forward and delivering the final command of the Akatsuki.
His voice was thin against the roaring wind, yet it carried an undeniable authority.
"Then let's make some noise," Gakuya said with a faint smile, slipping fully into his role as the ultimate actor. His eyes gleamed with fanatic light, as if they could tear through the darkness of night.
Deidara rubbed his palms together eagerly.
"I can't wait!" he laughed, his voice swirling away with the wind, tinged with a trace of madness.
Just the thought of blowing Kumogakure to pieces sent a thrill down his spine.
Kisame grinned with an unsettling curve of his lips. In the flash of lightning, his smile turned downright terrifying.
He too was desperate to see the Eye of the Moon Plan come to fruition.
One by one, they turned and headed out of the tower, ready to carry out their respective missions.
Sasuke moved beside Gakuya and quietly said, "Senpai, I want to be part of the assault on the Leaf."
His voice trembled slightly with rage and desperation. His hatred for the village ran deep.
Gakuya glanced at him sideways.
"Just follow the plan. Personal grudges need to take a back seat to the greater mission. You'll have plenty of chances for revenge in the future."
"This time, all four major villages have gathered their top fighters in Konoha. You haven't awakened the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan yet. You're not ready for this battle."
"…Understood." Sasuke bowed his head respectfully. Gakuya's words struck him with clarity, making him realize how selfish he'd just been. Shame twisted in his chest.
He still wasn't as mature as his brother. He kept letting his emotions get the better of him. Besides, the Leaf wouldn't be destroyed in this mission. There would be other chances.
Deidara formed three clay birds and hurled them into the sky. Kisame and Sasuke leapt aboard.
Waving back at Gakuya, Deidara shouted, "Later, Gakuya! Shame you won't get to witness my latest masterpiece!"
His voice was swept away by the gale as he soared into the night.
"Oh, I'll be watching," Gakuya said with a smile. He created a shadow clone, which leapt up after them onto one of the clay birds.
"Perfect!" Deidara laughed. "Then you'll be the first to see my newest art form."
He had made a promise to Gakuya when he took his gem—he would create a stronger secret technique. And Deidara never broke his promises.
Gakuya smiled. "Then I'll be watching to see just how far you've come. You too, Sasuke."
Sasuke nodded seriously.
"I won't disappoint you." His eyes gleamed like icy stars in the dark.
...
Once the others departed, Gakuya and Konan brought Nagato along and set off toward Konohagakure.
With his mastery over gravitational forces, Gakuya transported Nagato close to the outskirts of the village. Meanwhile, Konan used her paper techniques to craft a paper tree and concealed Nagato's true body within it.
Nagato then wove a series of hand signs and summoned the Six Paths of Pain.
"Konan, protect my body. It's time to begin." Nagato coughed lightly, a faint blush of excitement coloring his gaunt face. His voice carried clearly through the silent countryside.
Tendō Pain led the way toward the outer perimeter of the village.
Gakuya waved at Konan with a soft smile. "Guess I'll go ahead."
"Mm." Konan's expression remained cool, but her eyes held a flicker of hidden concern.
Gakuya and the Six Paths of Pain walked openly toward Konoha. Any Leaf ninja who dared to intercept them were quickly and effortlessly dealt with.
Nagato had no real offensive plan. In his mind, with both him and Gakuya moving together, defeat wasn't even a possibility.
And in a way, this was also an act of mercy—to give Konoha enough time to evacuate civilians.
...
Back in the Hokage's office, Tsunade received the message: Pain's Six Paths and Hyuga Gakuya were approaching.
She took a deep breath and immediately issued orders.
"As planned—standard shinobi will escort civilians to the shelters. The elite squads we've selected will accompany us to engage in the final battle!"
Instantly, a dozen ANBU operatives vanished to relay her command.
Konoha, like a well-oiled machine, moved into action with flawless precision.
...
Outside the gates, Konoha's full high-end combat force was already assembled. At minimum, each fighter was a chunin.
At the front stood the Four Kage: Tsunade, Mei Terumī, Gaara, and Ōnoki. Behind them were the elite fighters from each of the Great Nations—Jiraiya, Kakashi, Might Guy, and more.
Their mission: to face off against the strongest man in the current shinobi world—Hyuga Gakuya.
Wind howled around them, tugging at their cloaks and armor.
Behind them stood six tactical squads, composed of over a hundred jonin from the allied villages. Their task was to intercept the Six Paths of Pain.
Thanks to intel leaked by Obito, they had enough information to hold off the Pains—at least, they hoped.
And at the rear stood the remaining thirteen members of Team Dusk. Behind them were Temari, Hinata Hyuga, and Hanabi Hyuga.
Their mission: protect the three women and wait for the right moment to bring them to Gakuya for a face-to-face conversation.
Countless shinobi stood vigil outside Konoha's gates, their expressions grim and bodies as still as statues, bracing for the coming storm.
...
Figures began to materialize in the distance—Gakuya and Tendō Pain at the front, the remaining Five Paths following behind.
They slowly approached the gates. When their forms became clear, the tension in the air thickened like a fog.
Gakuya and the Six Paths of Pain stopped in front of the Allied Shinobi Forces.
A smile still lingered on Gakuya's face—warm, almost friendly—but his words dripped with malice.
"Well now, what a welcome party. You all came just for me?"
Gaara stepped forward, troubled. "Mokushū-san, I know you're still in there. Have you really forgotten your dream?"
"To bring peace to the shinobi world... to end the suffering of the people. This—this isn't the way. Starting a war isn't peace."
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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