Chapter 248: Dawn

Inside the Konoha Operations Command, developments at this moment were not as Uchiha Shisui had imagined; the Uchiha Clan and the Konoha upper echelons had not gone directly to war because of the disappearance of him and Itachi. On the contrary, the two groups were now sitting together.

It was not just the Uchiha; Hyuga Hiashi was also present in this temporary command post.

Although the Uchiha ninjas were clearly separated from the others, the atmosphere was not tense or on the verge of breaking out.

Sarutobi Hiruzen tapped the ash from his pipe, then signaled that 【Tianyi】 could speak.

Uchiha Fugaku's Three-Tomoe Sharingan watched silently as this woman, who had once made the Uchiha Clan's situation precarious, stood on the side of the Uchiha this time.

Not only did she directly point out the identity of the mysterious powerful enemy, but she also clarified that the other party intended to exploit the internal strife between the Uchiha and Konoha to incite a new Ninja World War, and from it, scheme to obtain the Sharingan and other Bloodline Limits, as well as other benefits.

This directly made the Konoha upper echelons hesitate; even Danzō dared not continue to bring up the plan to exterminate the Uchiha at this time.

Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Third Hokage—who in recent years had gradually pushed the Uchiha out of the center of power and had never properly negotiated with him during the process of constant conflict—also had a long talk with him, the gist of which was to shelve their differences, survive the immediate crisis first, and return everything that belonged to the Uchiha in the future.

"According to my intelligence, Uchiha Shisui was not killed by Tao Baibai, but he should have already been restrained by Tao Baibai."

The Uchiha clansmen all wore angry expressions, but Uchiha Fugaku understood immediately; that Tao Baibai was likely using Itachi's life to threaten Shisui.

"Uchiha Shisui approached Konoha several times, but ultimately chose to leave, finally disappearing within the borders of the Land of Water."

Sarutobi Hiruzen watched as Tianyi analyzed the intelligence one by one, while thinking to himself that this 【Tianyi】's special intelligence channel was likely some kind of long-distance surveillance technique, or perhaps a technique for controlling animals or puppets.

In any case, the surveillance distance was extremely far and very covert; the Hyuga Clan had not discovered it, and that Tao Baibai who defeated Shisui had not discovered it either.

If this technique could be used in war...

He ultimately dismissed this thought; the current Konoha was indeed not suited to enter a war. The Land of Fire had been the victor in all three wars, yet had not gained much actual benefit.

Konoha was even suffering from a withering of talent due to various events; the Sannin were no longer in the village, Hatake Sakumo and Minato Namikaze had both died, and now even Uchiha Shisui had met with misfortune.

The next generation of seedlings had not yet fully matured; if war were to break out now, Konoha would likely drain its last bit of fresh blood.

"The Land of Water—Shisui was sent to Kirigakure. What is the purpose?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen spoke, and the others also frowned in thought. Kirigakure had always remained quite detached during wars; because of the special terrain of the Land of Water, wars almost never occurred on their seas.

And because of that cruel 【Bloody Mist Village】 operation, Kirigakure had almost completely cut off contact with the outside world. In such a place, what exactly could be coveted by that Tao Baibai?!

Tianyi did not delay and spoke directly:

"I think it is likely the Tailed Beast."

"Tao Baibai has a special ability to gain energy and become stronger by eating powerful things."

"Furthermore, Tao Baibai wants to make contact with an organization—an organization that will bring pain to the world."

——

Red Cloud Black Robe?!

Catherine sensed someone approaching, but she did not expect the arrivals to be these guys.

【Akatsuki】!

An extremely famous organization in the Hokage Derivative World, composed of top-tier rogue ninjas from various villages, possessing combat power capable of conquering a Ninja Village.

Of course, at the current timeline, the 【Akatsuki】 organization should not have developed to that extent yet.

Catherine recalled that Tao Baibai had previously told her there was no need to set up a Barrier, and that the other party had kept her group lingering within the borders of the Land of Rain.

She suddenly understood that the other party had intended to contact the 【Akatsuki】 organization from the very beginning.

The 【Akatsuki】 organization was, of course, a quite powerful faction for Reincarnators in this world, but this faction was also quite troublesome because Yahiko was already dead at this time.

The original intent of the 【Akatsuki】 organization had changed; with Uchiha Obito and 【Black Zetsu】 influencing and manipulating from the shadows, this organization was easily dragged into various crisis events.

Reincarnators with weaker strength were very likely to die in those events.

Bai Cangshu saw this classic Red Cloud Black Robe attire, stood up, opened his arms, revealed a smile, and said:

"I have finally waited for you, my... comrades!"

Catherine saw that smile on Tao Baibai's face; she seemed to smell the scent of blood. Tao Baibai craved chaos, and making contact with this group would inevitably trigger a major event.

At this moment, she felt both the excitement of being about to participate in a large-scale event and a faint sense of fear.

If those high-level ninjas of this world were truly determined to assassinate you, most 【Bing】-rank Reincarnators would be in great danger.

For instance, that Uchiha Obito who was hiding behind the scenes at this moment...

Deva Path stood at the very front, unmoved by Bai Cangshu's words; he just said coldly:

"Tao Baibai, what exactly is your purpose?"

Seeing that his information had already been exposed, Bai Cangshu's expression did not change. Through the communication between 【Luan】 and Catherine, he also knew that there was another acquaintance of his in this world.

And ninjas were inherently very skilled at intelligence gathering; whether it was Uchiha Shisui or that 【Tianyi】, both had the opportunity to leak his information.

【Black Zetsu】, as the offspring of Kaguya Otsutsuki, could move freely through mountains and earth and was almost impossible to perceive; his intelligence-gathering ability was extremely powerful.

"Purpose? Does that even need to be asked?"

"Of course it is... to make this world feel pain!"

Konan, standing behind Deva Path, frowned. When the person before her said these words, there was no expression of pain.

She felt absolutely no sense that this Tao Baibai wanted to bring peace to the world by imposing terror upon it; on the contrary, she only saw an endless craving for chaos and slaughter in the other party's eyes.

"You might have misunderstood something; our Akatsuki organization is not the kind of violent organization you imagine."

"A person like you, I fear, could never understand that kind of pain at all."

Deva Path's voice was calm and cold. The next moment, a figure instantly appeared behind Bai Cangshu; the pale-skinned Orochimaru was observing Bai Cangshu with great interest.

"Would you mind telling me how you obtained that child, Shisui?"

Orochimaru's voice was cold and sinister, like a white snake in a dark cave.

At the same time, a chilling Kusanagi Sword was already pressed against Bai Cangshu's neck.

Orochimaru's Body Flicker Technique was very clean; the trajectory of his movement was almost invisible. At this moment, Orochimaru was undoubtedly in his peak state.

Bai Cangshu turned his head, his neck twisting one hundred and eighty degrees. Amidst the crackling sound of his cervical vertebrae, he met Orochimaru's gaze. He curled the corners of his mouth, revealing a smile even more chilling than Orochimaru's.

"Tsk, is it a tradition of the Akatsuki organization to have a fight first? I understand."

"But Orochimaru, did your intelligence not tell you that things like blades are simply... meaningless to me!"

Orochimaru pressed down the blade in an instant, but the opponent's skin was as hard as steel, accompanied by the screeching sound of the blade sliding.

Orochimaru suddenly felt a scorching heat, and the next moment, flames ignited on his body.

Orochimaru's pupils constricted.

Fire Release?!

When was it cast?

Bang!

Orochimaru's body exploded into smoke, transforming into a stone.

Boom~

Just as he appeared in the rear, a violent gust of Force already rushed toward his face.

That tall figure had actually appeared before him in an instant at a speed not much slower than his Body Flicker Technique; the opponent's palm twisted and retracted, and the air seemed to be sucked backward for a split second.

The next moment, a spiral-shaped, incandescent white cloud of smoke burst open.

Zetsu and Konan dodged to the sides simultaneously; the terrifying Force erupted in an instant, the air let out a whistle, and the mist was cleared away in a flash.

Amidst the intense gale, Orochimaru completed the hand seals in an instant.

【Triple Rashomon】!

Boom!

A terrifying impact sound rang out in an instant; amidst the swirling smoke, Orochimaru only felt a massive force strike him—the tall man had actually smashed through the Triple Rashomon directly?!

(End of chapter)