At the same time, in the Kumogakure camp.
Kakuzu, Sasori of the Red Sands, and Orochimaru entered the command tent wearing their Akatsuki cloaks with black fabric and red clouds.
Seeing Orochimaru, Dodai was greatly surprised.
He couldn't understand what exactly the Akatsuki organization was, if even someone as ambitious as Orochimaru had chosen to serve them.
"Snake Lord, it's been a long time."
"It has indeed been too long."
Dodai was a senior Jonin of Kumogakure, a veteran statesman who had served since the days of the Third Raikage. With deep experience, he knew many ninja throughout the Ninja World.
He recognized Kakuzu — a greedy, long-lived S-rank rogue ninja from Takigakure. Kakuzu was extremely well-known within the Underground Bounty Office. That he became part of some organization wasn't shocking; a man like him would serve anyone if the rewards were great enough.
Other than Orochimaru and Kakuzu, the third man wearing the Akatsuki uniform remained unfamiliar to him no matter how hard he tried.
"And this gentleman goes by?" Dodai asked, directing his question toward Sasori.
"Sasori," replied the figure inside the Hiruko puppet, his voice raspy and unpleasant.
"Oh, Mr. Sasori then," said Dodai politely, not connecting him in the least with the Sand Village's notorious traitor, Sasori of the Red Sands.
"The Raikage has ordered us to capture middle-tier ninjas and prioritize the elimination of upper-tier elite ninjas from Konoha. I hope you all will cooperate..." Dodai revealed part of the plan.
Kakuzu nodded. "Sasori and I will provide support. Let Orochimaru handle the captives."
"After all, Konoha was his former home. Orochimaru might hesitate when the time comes," added Sasori bluntly without regard for Orochimaru's dignity.
"Hehehe," Orochimaru chuckled strangely, showing no sign of anger at all.
Dodai turned his gaze toward Sasori. His curiosity about the man's true identity intensified.
Anyone bold enough to provoke Orochimaru must be at least equal in strength—shouldn't be unknown.
After much thought, Dodai still couldn't place this hunchbacked, grotesque-looking man with a bizarre hairstyle and only half his face visible.
Eventually, he gave up.
After the Akatsuki members left, Dodai summoned his subordinates and ordered them to rush construction of a broadcasting station, ensuring that the broadcast could be heard clearly by Konoha.
Night fell, stars scattered across the sky. Within the Konoha camp, faint lights flickered softly.
Except for those assigned to night watch, others drifted into light slumber.
"Can you hear me?"
Suddenly, a faint, rough voice came from somewhere, laced subtly with electronic distortion.
The stillness of the night was shattered, instantly putting the vigilant ninjas on high alert.
Besides them, many alert ninjas also woke up, calling out to rouse their companions.
"What was that sound just now?"
"Was it an enemy attack?"
Ninjas stepped out from their quarters. A mild commotion stirred through the Konoha encampment.
"That voice seemed to come from the direction of the Cloud ninjas."
"I caught that too—it must be a radio broadcast..."
"What are they trying to do?"
"Those Cloud ninja wouldn't be trying to mess with us by playing weird sounds every night, would they?" someone guessed with a strange expression.
"They're planning something dirty—trying to mess with our heads?"
"I'll smash their speakers right now!" someone shouted excitedly.
"Calm down, all of you," Danzo Shimura said as he stepped out from his room.
"This is clearly Kumogakure's trickery. They're probably lying in ambush right now, waiting for us to attack. Anyone who falls for it will never come back!"
"Do your jobs, stay alert, and prepare for the battle ahead!"
Though he didn't know exactly what those Cloud ninja were up to, one thing was certain—he wasn't about to let them control his next move.
As it turned out, after finishing their audio test, the Cloud ninja did lie in wait, anticipating Konoha ninjas to come investigate.
But nothing happened all night—both sides stayed on high alert until morning came.
After this, no further noises reached the Leaf camp, leaving the Konoha ninja puzzled over what the enemy Cloud shinobi were really planning.
The battle resumed.
Danzo Shimura led half the ninjas, including Kakashi, to the frontlines.
Meanwhile, Kakuzu, hired as an ally by Kumogakure, performed extremely actively.
This Five Chakra Natures master, though not deploying all his masked clones, moved across the battlefield like a bomber, leaving death and destruction in his wake.
Facing this unexpected Kage-level opponent, Danzo felt a serious headache coming on.
He had originally only expected to deal with Dorai; he hadn't anticipated another presence whose combat strength surpassed everyone else.
Although other Konoha Jonin fought bravely, they still lagged far behind in power and experience.
Seeing Kakuzu's oddly familiar Akatsuki uniform, Danzo started getting suspicious.
"Could it be that organization again? Have they returned?"
Away from the main battlefield, after identifying the Cloud Village's food and supply transport routes, Danzo sent a small team of ninjas to sabotage the supply lines and seize provisions.
As the saying goes—an army marches on its stomach.
Since Dorai had predicted Konoha would attempt a raid, he stationed Sasori of the Red Sands along the supply route for an ambush.
With such game-changing experts deployed, Dorai could fully execute his strategies without hesitation.
Eight Konoha ninjas arrived confidently, but before even launching their attack, puppet-controlled blades swung toward them under Sasori's command.
Their positions were instantly exposed.
Immediately, six prepared Cloud shinobi, Sasori himself, and his puppet army completely surrounded them.
"Kill the elite Leaf ninja immediately per Lord Dorai's orders. Capture the rest alive."
Two Genin? Not worth much. The Cloud ninja took them out in one strike.
A Jonin? Definitely valuable. Kill them to cripple Konoha.
This one got eliminated directly by Sasori...
Four Chunin? Keep them alive—for now.
Hmm? There's also a Tokubetsu Jonin?
"A Special Jonin? Strong or not?" the Cloud ninja slowly approached this particular Konoha shinobi.
"Hey, you there. Do you want to die or live?" They grinned wickedly.
"You won't get anything from me." Knowing escape was impossible, the Tokubetsu Jonin made a quick decision and smashed his own skull, dying on the spot.
"Heh, should we call it loyalty or stupidity..." The Kumo ninja sighed briefly before dragging back four Chunin—severely injured and barely able to move—to their camp.
Near where Dodai had been leading the battle, a Kumo Jonin approached quietly and whispered, "Lord Dodai, Mr. Sasori has returned with the spoils of war."
After glancing at Konoha's ninjas, he ordered his subordinates, "Fall back."
Except for Dodai and Kakuzu, the other Kumogakure ninja backed away cautiously, weapons still in hand.
Dodai and Kakuzu were the last to leave.
Not far away, Danzo Shimura frowned as he could do nothing but watch them depart.
This group of Kumo ninja didn't seem intent on fighting to the death—were they waiting for reinforcements?
The battlefield was littered with corpses wearing Konoha forehead protectors, clearly outnumbering those marked with Kumogakure's symbol. Danzo's heart sank as he took in the sight.
What a huge slap to the face...
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