Konoha.
The intelligence ninja returned with news that Kairen's troops had already left the Land of Iron and entered the territory of the Land of Lightning.
After worrying for an entire night, Konoha's upper leadership finally let out a sigh of relief.
Tsunade relaxed her tense posture and exhaled deeply.
As long as Kairen's army remained in the north, Konoha would never know peace.
Nara Shikaku spoke again, revealing a thought-provoking piece of intelligence:
"The leader of the Land of Iron, Mifune, has grown very close to Moku Kairen. Last night, he even led his subordinates to stay overnight in Kairen's military camp."
Mitokado Homura snorted. "Hmph, even those self-righteous samurai can't hold steady anymore. They've started wading into this muddy water."
Utane Koharu voiced her concern. "Even the permanently neutral Land of Iron has sided with Moku Kairen. That makes Konoha's situation even more dangerous."
Tsunade gently rubbed her chin, suddenly recalling that hateful face of Kairen.
Especially when he forcefully kissed her—there had been a strange sense of familiarity rising from deep within her soul, as though it had happened countless times within endless dreams.
Tsunade shook her head, secretly scolding herself for being a grown woman who shouldn't be harboring girlish romantic thoughts.
She calmly looked at Konoha's officials and asked,
"Have we established contact with the Land of Water?"
Once Kairen captured the northeast, the only escape route left for Konoha would be by sea.
Among the Five Great Nations, only the Land of Water had yet to be ravaged by Kairen and the Akatsuki. Tsunade hoped to ally with the Land of Water and carve out a path forward.
Nara Shikaku shook his head.
"Terumi Mei is quite decisive. She directly joined forces with the Land of Water Daimyō and sealed the nation. We currently know nothing about what's happening there."
Tsunade snorted. "Ignorant. Do they think sealing their borders will stop Moku Kairen and the Akatsuki from coveting that land?"
She continued, "What about the smaller nations?"
Nara Shikaku shook his head again.
"All of them have closed themselves off for self-preservation, or offered up beauties in tribute. I heard the ruler of the Land of Snow is preparing to sacrifice herself in exchange for her nation's safety."
Tsunade looked surprised. "The ruler of the Land of Snow?! You mean the famous actress—Kazahana Koyuki!"
Nara Shikaku nodded. "That's right. Their national strength can't possibly withstand Moku Kairen's iron cavalry. And Kazahana Koyuki is someone Kairen has already set his sights on."
"Even if Kazahana Koyuki refuses to decide, her ministers will force her."
Tsunade suddenly felt pity for her. As the ruler of a nation, she would ultimately still become a plaything of power and war.
Then Tsunade thought of herself.
Her position was strikingly similar to Kazahana Koyuki's—both were women personally chosen by Kairen as future consorts, both devoted to protecting the people they cared about.
If the Daimyō or the citizens could no longer bear the pressure from Kairen, would her ending become the same as Kazahana Koyuki's?
Tsunade thought about it.
At her age, someone still wanted her—and that someone was a young and handsome man.
In a sense, she was the one benefiting.
But Tsunade could not accept such betrayal. Every Hokage in history had died in battle; none had ever sacrificed their dignity to save the village.
Tsunade slumped weakly into her chair, spreading her hands. "Then what should we do now?"
Everyone looked at one another, unable to produce a decision.
Nara Shikaku crossed his arms and spoke,
"Hokage-sama, don't forget—ours isn't the only faction hostile to Moku Kairen."
"In the east, that guy has likely already begun clashing fiercely with the Akatsuki."
Tsunade became interested. "Go on!"
Nara Shikaku continued,
"Those two sides will inevitably determine a winner. Whoever wins will still be our enemy. All we need to do is support the weaker side."
"As long as we prevent one side from destroying the other too quickly, we'll gain enough time to accumulate strength against foreign threats."
Tsunade nodded. "Mm! For now, that's our only option."
"Where's Jiraiya? His confinement period has ended. Why hasn't he appeared?"
Beside her, the secretary Shizune said helplessly,
"Tsunade-sama, Jiraiya-sama is still at the tavern."
Tsunade's brows knitted together.
"At a time like this he's still drinking? Bring him here immediately to carry out a mission."
"Yes!"
...
Kairen extracted Mabui's location from Samui, and the army's marching direction turned toward that place.
Samui was extremely puzzled and pointed in the opposite direction.
"Hey! Kumogakure is over there. You're heading the wrong way."
Kairen clasped his hands behind his head and said indifferently,
"The Akatsuki are nothing more than bandits from the wilderness. If I feel like it, I can wipe them out anytime."
Samui asked again, "Then what are you going there for now?"
Kairen turned to glance at her, giving a meaningful smile.
"Take a guess."
Samui immediately assumed the worst about his lack of restraint and snapped viciously,
"You're going to steal Mabui."
Kairen burst into laughter.
"Correct. This journey is to obtain the two of you. I've already gotten you—now only Mabui remains."
Understanding the truth left Samui utterly speechless. Who would lead a massive army across thousands of miles just to seize women?
She couldn't find words to describe Kairen and finally said helplessly,
"You truly are a man ruled by emotion."
Kairen smiled carelessly. "When watching opera, choose the most famous performer. When raising birds, buy the most precious thrush. When pursuing women, never miss the most beautiful ones in the world. That is life."
Samui rubbed her forehead, completely unable to comprehend the mindset of someone as idle as Kairen.
"Born as you, Moku Kairen—you are truly outrageous."
Kairen slapped Samui's butt.
"Is it necessary to describe me so terribly? When you cry out at the top of your lungs, don't you ever praise me instead?"
"Pervert!" Samui cursed.
Kairen shook his head helplessly.
"When uninterested, I'm a filthy pervert and a worthless bastard. When in the mood, I suddenly become 'dear' and 'do your best.'"
"Women… utterly boring."
Hearing this, Samui grew furious and grabbed Kairen's face, trying to tear apart that skin thicker than the heavens.
"Re-report! Your Majesty… enemy sighted!"
Kairen released Samui's hand and looked into the distance. At the end of the road stood a massive brown demonic statue.
Kairen murmured softly, "The Demonic Statue of the Outer Path."
In front of the statue stood Obito alone, and beside him followed a pale young man wearing a hood—Yakushi Kabuto.