Chapter 168: About to Begin

After helping Konan settle the worry in her heart, she didn’t leave like Yuto expected.

Instead, she went shopping with Haruna.

Their ages were quite far apart, but honestly… a woman’s nature was pretty much the same.

Even though it was their first time meeting, Haruna clearly liked Konan a lot.

And Konan—who was accompanying Haruna—actually showed a rare smile on her face.

That made Yuto freeze for a moment. Konan might be cold on the outside and warm on the inside, but that warmth was usually only for people extremely close to her.

Even when facing Yuto, Konan’s expression always carried a faint chill—honestly, you could also just call it a poker face.

Still, with Konan keeping Haruna company, Yuto got to enjoy a bit of peace and quiet.

Before long, Ringo Ameyuri came running over from the distance, her face bright red. The moment she saw Haruna near Yuto, she bowed to him a little awkwardly.

Ringo Ameyuri cast a wary glance at Konan, then grabbed Haruna by the back of her clothes with one hand and lifted her right up.

“Thank you, Yuto-sama. Haruna caused you trouble.”

Ringo Ameyuri looked embarrassed as she spoke.

“It’s fine. I like Haruna too.”

Yuto waved his hand casually.

Ringo Ameyuri’s face flushed even redder. Then, as if she remembered something, she spoke softly.

“Yuto-sama, Sunagakure’s Chiyo sent another message. They want us to return Gaara as soon as possible.”

Yuto paused, then patted his forehead. If Ringo Ameyuri hadn’t reminded him, he almost would’ve forgotten about that.

But—

Yuto’s gaze flickered slightly, his voice calm.

“Tell Sunagakure not to worry about Gaara. I’ll return him safe and sound.”

“Also… the Eight-Tails and the Five-Tails should still be in Konoha’s hands, right? Have Iwagakure and Kumogakure made any moves lately?”

Ringo Ameyuri thought quickly, then answered at once.

“Both villages have sent negotiations to Konoha, but up to now, Konoha still hasn’t responded. They’re acting completely fearless.”

“After that battle, Konoha suffered the most, but the entire ninja world can’t quite read Konoha right now. I’m not sure what Iwagakure will do, but Kumogakure will probably pull some small tricks.”

Fearless, huh?

Yuto chuckled softly. Whether Konoha truly had something to rely on, or was just putting on an act… they’d find out soon enough.

Konan walked over from the side. Watching Ringo Ameyuri carry Haruna away, a faint, inexplicable smile flashed in her eyes.

“How does it feel?”

Yuto’s voice sounded beside her.

Compared to Amegakure, the civilians in this village really did look happy.

Konan understood exactly what Yuto meant. She swept her gaze over the smiles on the civilians around them and spoke softly.

“Just like you want to protect Amegakure… this village is also something I want to protect.”

Yuto lifted his head, staring forward, his eyes flickering faintly.

“Sounds like you’re planning something big, Yuto-dono?”

Konan looked at Yuto’s expression and asked quietly.

“You figured it out?”

Yuto raised an eyebrow, surprised.

Konan shook her head. “It was your expression that told me.”

Yuto met Konan’s eyes for a moment, then shrugged.

His figure flashed—

And he vanished from where he stood.

Konan stared silently at the direction he disappeared for a long time. Then a breeze passed, lifting the hair at her forehead.

In the next instant, Konan’s entire body turned into countless paper cranes of different sizes, riding the wind as they flew toward the distance.

Akatsuki Base!

Madara studied the many scrolls in front of him. These were all the intelligence Zetsu had recorded during this time.

He casually closed one of the scrolls, a deep light flashing in his eyes.

“Sasuke… the Uchiha Clan’s last surviving orphan, huh?”

“Madara-sama, if nothing is wrong, Itachi’s Sharingan should be in Kirigakure’s hands.”

White Zetsu’s voice came from the side.

Madara rested his chin on one hand, amusement in his expression as he spoke softly.

“So Yuto knows about the Eien no Mangekyō Sharingan (Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan) too… how interesting. It just keeps getting more interesting.”

As he spoke, Madara paused slightly. Out of the corner of his eye, he glanced at Obito, who stood nearby without moving.

“Since I’ve already revived… there’s no need to keep carrying out those old, sneaky plans.”

“Akatsuki? Their strength isn’t bad, but in the end, they’re still not worth putting on the stage.”

Madara’s low, eerie voice made Obito’s body tremble.

“Then… how does Madara-sama plan to proceed?”

Obito hurriedly bowed, asking with deep respect.

“Amegakure sits between the Land of Fire, the Land of Earth, and the Land of Wind. The position is important… but it’s too small.”

Madara’s indifferent voice drifted through the air.

Hearing that, both Black Zetsu and Obito froze.

And in Obito’s eyes, a look of shock flashed.

Unnoticed, three days passed in the blink of an eye.

In these three days, the entire ninja world seemed to sink into a strange, eerie calm.

Aside from a few minor villages jumping around, Sunagakure, Kumogakure, and Iwagakure had all been unexpectedly quiet.

Of course, that was only the surface.

In the shadows, the three great villages were frantically gathering information about the ninja world’s current situation.

Whether it was Chiyo in charge of Sunagakure, Ōnoki the Tsuchikage, or A the Fourth Raikage, all of them felt a powerful sense of crisis pressing down on them.

Kirigakure and the Akatsuki base—

Yuto and Madara almost simultaneously opened their eyes, sharp light flashing within them.

“It’s about time. Time to move.”

In Mei’s house, Yuto—who had just finished breakfast and was resting with his eyes closed—opened them and spoke calmly.

Mei glanced at Yuto, about to say something—

But in the next instant, Yuto’s figure vanished.

“He ran off again! Looks like I’m the one washing dishes this time too.”

Mei blinked her beautiful eyes, looking helpless.

Akatsuki Base

Atop the enormous Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, Madara—who had been sitting cross-legged on its head—stood up, stretched lazily, and murmured to himself.

“Don’t disappoint me, Hashirama…”

In the next instant, Madara’s figure vanished as well.