The mobile phones had only been released yesterday. Relying on Yang Release for rapid mass production, they spread throughout the entire Kairen Empire in a very short time.
Sure enough, this epoch-making product instantly captured everyone's hearts. Every function came with built-in guidance, allowing people to quickly learn how to use their phones.
At first it was making calls, chatting endlessly on the phone, sending messages, taking selfies, posting updates…
Kairen opened a Japanese-style application, intending to check Canon's work progress.
However, all he saw were several photos of female leads — all top courtesans from pleasure establishments.
Each one had a fiery figure, irresistibly alluring.
Soon after, a message arrived.
Kairen opened it and saw it was from Hanabi.
[Hanabi: Brother-in-law, did you go out to war again? And you didn't take me this time…ꐦ≖≖]
Kairen smiled and replied.
[Kairen: Brother-in-law was wrong. Next time I'll take you along to attack Konoha, alright?]
[Hanabi: That's more like it.]
[Hanabi: By the way, this metal box is so fun! Look——❛˓◞˂̵✧]
A photo immediately appeared — Hanabi's selfie. She smiled brightly with youthful energy, filling Kairen with affection.
Even though little Hanabi still couldn't be "eaten," this level of cuteness alone was already unstoppable.
Kairen teased her.
[Kairen: Little Hanabi, since you're so cute, how about marrying your brother-in-law in the future?]
[Hanabi: (ᗒᗩᗕ)՞ You big pervert actually have designs on me! I'm telling my sister!]
[Kairen: Don't! Don't! Hanabi, don't tell your sister — I'll agree to anything.]
[Hanabi: (｀⌒´メ)...Hmph!You said it yourself!]
[Kairen: Of course!]
[Hanabi: From now on you're not allowed to find women outside anymore!]
[Kairen: Okay, okay! I promise. But Hanabi, aren't you really considering becoming brother-in-law's bride?]
[Hanabi: (ーー゛) I don't want to talk to a big pervert like you!]
Kairen chatted with Hanabi for over ten minutes, while the grand army had already crossed the Land of Rivers and was approaching the border of the Land of Fire.
...
At this moment, Konoha had become a place of chaos. The Hokage and all high-ranking officials rushed to the border, and every armed force began moving toward the frontier with the Land of Rivers.
The upper political figures all knew Kairen intended to attack the Land of Lightning, but none expected him to borrow passage through the Land of Fire.
This placed Tsunade in a dilemma.
Should they grant passage… or not?
The other side didn't even send an envoy to negotiate. Advancing so brutally was practically treating the continent's greatest nation like a small country such as the Land of Rivers.
The Daimyō's envoy reminded Tsunade from the side:
"Hokage-sama, the Daimyō has said we must absolutely not provoke him, therefore—"
Tsunade understood immediately.
It meant yielding and giving way.
She clenched her fists.
"If we keep retreating like this, sooner or later we'll be completely devoured by him."
The envoy shook his head.
"This is the Daimyō's order. I hope Tsunade-sama will carry it out."
Tsunade frowned and finally shouted at the envoy:
"The Daimyō has no foresight! Can't he see Moku Kairen's ambition? Does he really think the other side will generously grant Konoha a neutral territory?"
The envoy's expression turned cold.
"Hokage, mind your words."
Koharu Utatane pulled Tsunade back and apologized:
"My apologies, Envoy-sama. Tsunade has been somewhat fatigued these past few days."
"Hmph!" The envoy snorted and said nothing further.
Suddenly, the thunderous sound of an advancing army echoed.
"Rumble rumble rumble—"
Like mountain floods sweeping across the earth, like raging waves crashing upon the sea.
The clear sky in the distance rapidly filled with dark clouds. A black torrent resembling locusts seemed to crawl out from hell itself.
The boundless army soon arrived at the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Rivers.
The envoy widened his eyes. Facing the endless steel tide, terror overtook him — he wet himself and collapsed helplessly to his knees.
"ROAR—"
A skeletal giant dragon flew across the sky, its wings spread wide as if covering the heavens.
Kairen sat half-reclined atop it, supporting his head while gazing down at Tsunade with a serious expression filled with killing intent.
Kairen smiled casually.
"Konoha, may I borrow passage?"
Despite the terrifying primordial aura radiating from the bone dragon, Tsunade showed no inferiority. She strode forward boldly, crossed her arms, and looked up at Kairen.
"Moku Kairen, what if the Land of Fire refuses?"
Kairen chuckled softly.
"Then the center of this continent will become my place."
Tsunade glared at him.
"You truly act without restraint."
Kairen nodded.
"That's right. I'm arrogant. I'm domineering. If you've got the ability, come teach me a lesson!"
"You—!" Tsunade pointed at him, furious yet unable to speak further.
Kairen stood up and asked again:
"Konoha, will you lend passage?"
Tsunade snorted, arms still crossed, staring coldly at him in silence.
Her attitude remained neither warm nor cold, but Kairen could see Konoha's defensive line slowly retreating.
That was their answer.
Kairen smiled and commanded the iron cavalry forward. They easily crushed the thin national border and swept across the plains of the Land of Fire amid rolling dust.
Tsunade watched helplessly as Kairen's army marched eastward.
It wasn't that she didn't want to stop him — she simply couldn't.
If war truly broke out, given the strength difference between both sides, Konoha would have zero chance of victory.
All her hopes were now placed on Naruto, praying he would complete his training and return as the hope capable of defeating Kairen.
Kairen leapt down from the sky like a swimming fish landing upon high ground. Konoha's ninja instantly entered full alert, gathering around Tsunade.
Tsunade snorted.
"Little thief, we already gave you passage. What else do you want?"
Kairen smiled.
"The great road of the Land of Fire has been granted to me… but may I borrow Hokage-sama's hidden path as well?"
The moment those words fell, everyone immediately realized Kairen was teasing Tsunade.
Tsunade flew into a rage.
"Pervert! What did you just say?!"
Kairen smiled and slowly walked toward her.
All of Konoha's ANBU deployed at once, surrounding Kairen completely.
The Tenseigan in Kairen's eyes emitted a mysterious wave of light. With a single sweep of his gaze, the ANBU all collapsed simultaneously.
Everyone inhaled sharply.
Those were Konoha's most elite ANBU ninja — each one a Jōnin-level powerhouse.
Yet Kairen merely glanced at them, and none could withstand it.
Kairen continued walking forward, getting closer and closer to Tsunade. More and more Konoha ninja launched attacks toward him.
But before they could even approach his body, they obediently fell to the ground.
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