Chapter 495: Ambush

Finally, the task is complete~

He stretched a big yawn, Dong Shilang looked at the documents signed by the five shadows in front of him, and let out a sigh of relief.

With this, the matters he personally had to handle in the village should decrease considerably.

He could now happily slack off again.

"Hokage, don't get too excited just yet~"

"We've only signed a draft agreement; after returning to the village, we still need to discuss the details with the higher-ups."

On the other side, Daye Mu spoke up displeasedly, throwing a bucket of cold water at Dong Shilang.

After nearly a week of discussion, the five shadows finally reached a consensus on Dong Shilang's various proposals.

However, as the Tsuchikage said, these things are just a beginning; there's still a lot more to handle afterward.

"No problem~"

"This is a good start."

Dong Shilang didn't mind Daye Mu's sarcastic remarks.

"Old folks are just stubborn, after all."

Although they reluctantly signed the agreement, it's not strange that there are differing opinions.

"Next, we just need to implement the items in the draft agreement."

"Our Leaf Village will send Zilaiye, who will take full responsibility for the follow-up communication."

"Such troublesome matters—how could Dong Shilang possibly handle them himself?"

"That guy Zilaiye isn't just idling around all day; it's perfect to give him some extra work so he doesn't keep running around gathering material."

"Isn't this corrupting the Leaf Village's atmosphere? We must strictly put a stop to it~"

"Zilaiye..."

Upon hearing Dong Shilang's words, Daye Mu merely frowned slightly, then turned his gaze toward the yellow earth behind him.

Since the Leaf Village has Zilaiye handling it, the Stone Village can't afford to lose face—letting Huang Tu take the field won't weaken the Stone Village's prestige either.

"We've disturbed General Sanchuan and the Iron Country for so long; it's time for us to take our leave."

Over the past week, the Iron Country's Sanchuan has devoted himself wholeheartedly; to keep the conference safe, his face has grown quite weary.

"Being able to witness the five shadows and sign such a positive, progressive peace draft—"

"Contributing to this is an honor for our Iron Country, and for me personally~"

Although fatigued, it's clear that Sanchuan still holds great hopes for this draft.

"Well… then we'll take our leave first!"

The matter is settled; neither he nor the other shadows intend to linger here.

They all hurry back to the village to discuss this affair.

……

Border between the Iron Country and Huo Zhi Guo.

A vast primeval forest blanketed in a pristine white snow cover, branches weighed down with thick snow like a silver cloak, making every tree appear tall and straight.

Around, the majestic mountain ranges rise, their snow‑capped peaks undulating to form beautiful curves.

Mountains stacked upon mountains, varying in height, their imposing presence inspires awe; mist weaves through the valleys like a dream, as if one were inside a landscape painting.

In this snowy primeval forest, the trees' branches and leaves, under the weight of snow, become sturdier and stronger; the crowns of these towering trees resemble huge umbrellas that block the sky, giving a strong sense of oppression.

Meanwhile, the tall pines, firs and other conifers stand like forest guardians, unyielding.

"Chang Men, the target has appeared."

In a particularly stout tree on the mountaintop, a pure white butterfly fluttered its wings a few times, passed through a tree hollow, and landed on the fingertip of a cold‑hearted woman.

She had blue‑purple hair tied into a cute bun, wearing a black‑red uniform that concealed her lovely figure.

"Chang Men, you really don't need to push yourself so hard~"

Relying on the light shining through the tree hole, Xiao Nan gazed at her emaciated companion, her eyes filled with reluctance.

"I believe Yahiko wouldn't want you to……"

"Xiao Nan, this is Yahiko's dream."

Before Xiao Nan could finish her advice, she was cut off by Chang Men, seated in a strange contraption.

"Becoming a god, bringing peace to this world—these are all Yahiko's dreams."

In his violet‑rippled eyes, a hint of sorrow flickered, but was quickly replaced by resolve.

"For this, the Fifth Hokage must die."

Seeing her persuasion fail, a flash of disappointment crossed Xiao Nan's eyes.

"Target detected."

"The airborne route he's taking is at an altitude of 1000, distance twenty kilometers, heading our way."

The Hokage isn't taking the usual path, so they have no choice but to adopt the crudest method—ambushing personnel along any route he might appear, waiting for him to walk into the trap.

"I've already notified the other organization members to come as quickly as possible."

"That Madara Uchiha had previously emphasized that the Fifth Hokage's strength is extraordinary; for that reason she persuaded Chang Men to bring along many organization members."

"But now they're not nearby; getting here will still take some time."

"Maybe I don't need them to act—I've already dealt with the opponent."

"Chang Men remains very confident, especially this time, having brought Pain's Six Paths."

"In his view, not to mention a Fifth Hokage, even if it were Madara Uchiha at his peak, he might not be a match for him."

"However, given Xiao Nan's insistence, he couldn't simply refuse outright."

"Moreover, needing to confirm the enemy's position, he then summoned most of the organization's manpower."

……

On the other side.

Leaving the Land of Iron, Dong Shilang directly summoned a mountain eagle, letting it carry himself, Itachi, and another Dark Section member.

Using the aerial advantage to hurry.

"What is that?"

Standing on the mountain eagle's back, Itachi, who had been relatively relaxed, spotted a faint black dot in the clouds and furrowed his brow.

"Lord Hokage, that… strange bird seems hostile!"

Squinting his eyes, Itachi turned his head to look at Dong Shilang sitting cross-legged.

Relying on his extraordinary eyesight, he realized that the black dot was a huge strange bird, and it seemed to have set its sights on them.

"A strange bird?"

Hearing Itachi's words, Dong Shilang, who had been bored stiff, froze.

"It really is a strange bird~"

Because the distance was still great, Dong Shilang couldn't make out its full appearance either.

Regardless of its flight posture or outline, it differed considerably from an ordinary spirit beast.

Especially its exaggerated beak.

It almost took up one-third of its body's volume, a proportion no normal creature should have.

"Could it be… Pain's spirit beast, or whatever that snake is?"

After searching his mind, Dong Shilang also wasn't sure for a moment.

As far as he knew, the Ninja World's strange flying spirit beasts belonged to those two guys, but he didn't know which one it was.

The distance was too great; he couldn't see clearly at all.